Video Update

Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragements over the past two weeks. With the current immersion in video conferencing, I thought I'd try a brief video update. There are captions available if it's difficult to hear or understand me. Welcome to my home office!

I am so thankful for you and your faithful prayers. Please let me know how I may pray with you. It's a privilege to stand together in prayer, especially now.

Trusting...

James 4:14-15, NLT
How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” 

I am beginning to have a little better understanding of what James meant when the Lord directed him to write those words. Even when I feel like I am asking the Lord for wisdom and guidance in the planning, my tendency is to plan ahead and then be pretty convinced my plans are good ones. I'm learning more about resting in the Lord as many things now need to be held with more open hands.

This month, Wycliffe Bible Translators and many of our partner organizations began to restrict non-essential business travel internationally and domestically. Those whose travel is deemed to be appropriate are then being assessed as to their personal medical risk. Some meetings and conferences are being canceled or moved to online-only where possible. 

We have been encouraged to use discretion regarding any personal travel. My plans for my Indy trip are being held very loosely right now. It's likely I won't make a final decision about coming until Tuesday evening.

I am so thankful for you and your faithful prayers. We are trusting in God's sovereign plan to accomplish his purposes through this challenging time.

Please let me know how I may pray with you. It's a privilege to join you.

Thank you for praying!

We've just finished hosting two Connection groups of Wycliffe colleagues -- 48 co-workers and 20 of their MKs (missionary kids) were at the Orlando headquarters this month. We had opportunity to care for and connect with them. It's our prayer that the Lord will continue to renew them as they prepare to return to their service in places across the United States and the world.

There were also some highlights in my other role -- the Lord provided a complete prayer and financial partnership team for a new missionary I've been coaching. She'll be on her way to Nigeria very soon to work with others helping Nigerians who speak minority languages learn how to craft and share a core set of Scripture stories. Many times, these stories provide the first access to the Bible and will lead to a desire for more translation.

I also got to see a family who is still in the process of asking God to build their team. They passed through Orlando briefly on Tuesday. Apart from their time here for Equip orientation, all of our other coaching meetings have been "remote" ones -- through the internet. It was excellent to be in the same space for at least a little while. We'll continue meeting together regularly until their initial prayer and financial teams are complete.

Thank you for your prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry. You impact each of these colleagues.

I truly am completely dependent on your prayers and God's strength. Please let me know how I may pray with you. It's an honor to join you.

Access to the Old Testament

In November 2017, the Board of Wycliffe Global Alliance (a community of more than 100 diverse organizations and networks serving together in Bible translation movements around the world) passed a motion expressing its desire to see that the whole Bible is translated for each language still needing it. Historically, the primary focus of most modern Bible translation has been the New Testament.

God’s mission is revealed through the full counsel of Scripture. The Psalms teach us much about prayer, God’s sovereignty, the treasure of God’s Word and many other truths. Imagine being deprived of knowing the richness of the Psalms.

God is calling us to enter into a loving relationship with Him. Even the flawed examples of Abraham and Moses and David give us insights into that relationship. Knowledge of the writings about the law and the sacrificial system helps the New Testament come alive in new ways.

You make a difference. Your prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry are a part of this larger picture -- helping language groups all around the world have access to the full counsel of the Bible.

wycliffe.net/the-necessity-of-old-testament-translation/

Personal Update

Thank you for your prayers for the projects we undertook in January. We made excellent progress. The month was also a time of much rest and renewal and routine for me, for which I am grateful.

We will host two groups of colleagues in the next two weeks for Connection programs. Pray that we can celebrate them well and encourage them as they continue to serve in a variety of roles all over the world. Your ministry will now extend to all those whom they serve, praise God!

Celebrating God’s Faithfulness Through You

This photo was taken in November 2010 at Faith Church in Indianapolis where I was commissioned for service with Wycliffe Bible Translators. I remember it as an affirming day with many encouragements, mingled with the sadness of also knowing I was about to move away from family and friends.

So much has happened since the commissioning. There are some pictured in the photo who are now in heaven. There likely have been many other changes for each of us.

My Wycliffe acceptance came in January 2010. My first role was to work and ask God to build a team of prayer and financial partners for my Wycliffe ministry who would “go with me” as I served. The Lord brought you to this team! Many of you have been onboard, praying and giving, since the very beginning.

It has been such a privilege to serve with Wycliffe on your behalf. Because of your faithful prayers and gifts, we’ve been able to touch the lives of hundreds of Wycliffe colleagues who are now impacting literally millions of people around the world, speeding the process of Bible translation so others may have access to the translated Scriptures. I am beyond grateful.

Personal Update

Thank you also for your prayers for the technical project we have been working on. We met our first deadline and are ahead of schedule for the balance of the task. God provided access to the right people and information at the right time for us to move forward.

Mom also continues to do well and my treadmill walking is improving one bit at a time. I’m not “fast” yet, but my stamina is considerably improved! God has been using your prayers in wonderful ways.