Last Florida Update

Thank you for your prayers for Wycliffe Stateside Connection (WSC). Things went very well and it was wonderful to be face-to-face with colleagues. As they heard about my coming transition, they cared as much for me as we worked to care for them! It was truly an encouraging week.

Once WSC finished, the packing and sorting process began. All has gone well and I am so grateful for all the help I have had! The moving "pods" will be delivered this morning. We're still planning on a November 19 closing.

In an unexpected turn of events, I have been approached about helping develop a new role with Wycliffe that would come alongside those in the US -- most of whom are not in Orlando -- more fully. It's exciting to think about that! Fulfilling the role from Indiana rather than Orlando would be perfect, too! More details as that begins to take shape.

headed north

Would you pray with me for these things?

• Good closure -- the hard good-byes
• Sale of the rest of my furniture and household goods
• Smooth closing for the house
• Safe travels north, Nov 19-24

Thank you again for your many prayers and encouragements. Please let me know how I may pray with you.

I am so grateful for these 11 years here.

Changes Coming

Thank you for your prayers for Wycliffe Stateside Connection (WSC) preparations. Please continue praying that, November 1-5, we will serve our colleagues well, so they feel celebrated, cared for, and connected to the resources available through the Orlando headquarters. I'll be leaving this week to join that team for my first in-person Connection in 21 months. That's exciting!

Once WSC is complete, I'll be packing my house in Saint Cloud and moving to Indiana. Mom and I decided last week that this is a good time for me to move in with her more permanently. The Lord provided confirmation of that decision -- within 24 hours, I had accepted an offer on my house. Plans are moving forward for a November 19 closing.

My role with Wycliffe as a coach will continue exactly as it has. There is an internal reorganization in process that is changing my role as a logistics coordinator and trainer, but I've been assured that my role can be modified to permit me to serve remotely. If I need to make a change, there are other open remote roles I could fill. I am grateful that I am able to continue to serve with Wycliffe, as together we ask God to transform lives through the translated Scriptures.
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headed north

Before I moved to Florida, a friend encouraged me to "take some time" on my trip south to be able to process the transition I was making. I took four days away before settling into an Orlando routine. That was a highly valuable experience. I will be taking that same kind of time on my trip north. Above, you can see the route I hope to travel, with some "eastern" stops to see folks I likely won't see again soon. It's a lot of miles, but time in the car for me is good reflection time, so I am looking forward to the drive. Lord willing, I'll arrive back in Indiana just before Thanksgiving.

For those of you in Indianapolis, I look forward to many more opportunities now for us to connect. I am so very grateful for the season of life in Florida and will dearly miss the daily interactions with the Wycliffe office staff I have grown to know and love. I am thankful for technology that will permit me to serve alongside them still.

Thank you for your many prayers and encouragements. Please let me know how I may pray with you. It is a blessing to know God hears and answers prayer!

Thankful for God's remarkable grace,

Lisa

Equip #52

Equip #52 is complete! The technical challenges were different from any of the previous virtual sessions, but the Lord was gracious to enable us to adjust quickly. The participants were highly engaged and worked hard. Their growth during the two weeks was obvious. Thank you -- God used your prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry to help us. You have a part in the journey of these 21 new colleagues working in Bible translation! Among them are linguists, theologians, and software developers; a pilot, Sign Language worker, language researcher, counselor, ethnoarts specialist, and church relations worker; and those who will help many to engage with Scripture as it comes in their language for the first time. We thank God for his call on their lives and for their obedience to follow his leading.

Equip #52 virtual, Map by Marty Pelton

This coming Monday and Tuesday, I will be helping with Endeavor orientation for new Wycliffe paid staff. This will be a hybrid event, with some in Orlando and some virtual. I'll still be working from Mom's. Thanks in advance for your prayers for us!

Plans are coming together now for a face-to-face Wycliffe Stateside Connection (WSC), November 1-5, with colleagues who have lived in the U.S. for four years or more. Our goal is to celebrate and care for them well while connecting them with resources available through the Orlando headquarters. Pray that we are able to see all the logistical details we need to see, as this will be the first in-person WSC since February 2020.

Please let me know how I may pray with you. It is a blessing to know God hears and answers prayer!

Praying for Bibleless People

When you last read your Bible, was it for daily devotion, comfort or wisdom? Can you imagine for a moment what it would be like if you didn’t have God’s Word in your own language?

No Psalms, no teaching from Paul, no Proverbs. Nothing. That’s the reality for one in five people around the world. And for some of those people, translation hasn’t even begun. This needs to change.

Here are some ways you can pray:

• Pray that speakers of every language in the world would receive the Scriptures in whatever form they need it.
• Pray for quality translations that speak meaningfully to people’s hearts.
• Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil for Bible translation through worship and intercession.
• Pray for perseverance. Pray that those involved in the Bible translation task would not grow weary or give up before the work is complete.

By Martin Horton, Story Source: wycliffe.org.uk/stories/praying-for-bibleless-people/

Virtual Equip #52 orientation begins tomorrow, with 21 adults and 13 MKs (missionary kids). Pray for technical things to run smoothly and for two good weeks online together as these new colleagues begin their Wycliffe careers. God is using your prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry to impact these "newbies" who will serve around the world so that more may have their lives transformed by God's Word in a language they clearly understand. Thank you!

I'll be working from Mom's in Indiana as we facilitate this Equip. Mom continues to make progress, healing from her fall and gaining strength after her heart procedures. We are grateful for your ongoing prayers.

Please let me know how I may pray with you.

Trusting God's Plan

I had this all ready to post last Friday:

We're so grateful for your prayers for me and for Mom as she has gone through a variety of procedures this summer. We are excited that her recovery is progressing well. Yesterday, she even ventured out on a short bike ride. She wanted me to make sure you all know she is 88 now. ;-)

I can now set a timeline to return to Florida. Lord willing, I will drive south on September 18, in time to catch up on some routine medical/dental appointments and then be a part of Equip. I will also have the opportunity to settle back into the Orlando office, which is in the midst of some renovation and reorganization. Pray that Mom and I transition well -- that we are ready when the time comes. By September 18, I will have been in Indiana for 129 days.

Mom, out for a ride last Thursday

But, early that morning, Mom fell and broke bones in her right wrist and ring finger. She is past the pain of it, but she is unable to use her walker as her right hand heals. She's navigating some new challenges. I'm thankful I am still able to be here. I do not have a departure date in mind now.

God has been so very gracious these past months. Remote work continues. I am thankful that I am still able to serve with Wycliffe -- and am so thankful for your prayers and gifts that have made all that possible these past 11 years. God is continuing to use you!

Pray for our final preparations for Equip #52 -- it's coming soon! More about that next time.