Equip is coming!

Thank you for your prayers and encouragements for Mom. Once again, as people prayed, she did better in the past week. The appointment with the cardiologist gave us good information. We are now waiting for June 14, when she will have a half day of testing to confirm that she is eligible for the TAVR heart procedure. Some days for her are better than others, but the Lord has obviously been with us, each step of the way.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to work remotely in this season. Preparations continue for virtual Equip orientation (June 12-24). As you pray for these 30 new Wycliffe missionaries and 17 new MKs (missionary kids), would you ask God to give them strong bonds with each other, though we won't be face-to-face? I'm still in contact with some of the people who went through Equip when I did, 11 years ago. There is something about starting the journey together that the Lord uses to provide special motivation and encouragement.

Please let me know how I might be praying with you so that together, we might see God answer prayer.

Update from Indy 🏁

(Yes, had to include a flag. If you are from Indy, you know!)

Thank you for your prayers for safe travels. I had intended to drive on May 14-15, but Mom was admitted for a two-night hospital stay on May 11. I drove north on May 12. She's at home now and we are waiting for a June 1 consult about a possible heart procedure. Would you pray that she and the doctors have great clarity as they explore possibilities? We are so grateful for how the Lord and the prayers of his people have sustained her over these years.

Thankfully, I have all the materials/equipment I need to continue to work from here for a period of time. We're making final preparations now for the next virtual Equip orientation (June 12-24), where we'll have 30 new colleagues and 17 new MKs (missionary kids)! Thanks for your prayers as we and they prepare for our time together.

It's been a joy to connect with some of you face-to-face at Faith and Solid Word. Please let me know how I might be praying with you. God answers prayer!

Equip #50 is in the books!

Praise God for all that has taken place in the past three weeks. Fifteen new Wycliffe colleagues completed their Equip orientation on April 29. Once again, it was a virtual session and the Lord graciously gave us two wonderful weeks together. You can see below that we were spread all across the U.S. They are linguists and theologians and mechanics and administrators and sign language interpreters and IT specialists and will serve all over the world as soon as their initial teams of prayer and financial partners are complete. Your prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry have impacted these new co-workers. Thank you!

(Equip 50 - map by Marty Pelton)

Then on April 30, we hosted a virtual Connection gathering of 13 "established" colleagues who reside in the U.S. and work around the world. One couple is short-term in Ecuador and connected with us that day! Our prayer is that our time together provided encouragement and renewal to help them continue to serve well.

Today, we finish a two-day Endeavor orientation with eight new paid staff. It's been a full and good three weeks!

Thank you in advance for your prayers for this next week. May 12-14, we'll host another virtual Connection gathering of those who have served overseas. Some had intended to be stateside now, but others have been displaced in the past year. Pray that we are able to connect in a way that provides encouragement for them. I plan to leave for Indy after we finish and should arrive the evening of May 15, Lord willing. I am so looking forward to seeing a number of you during this visit!

Please let me know how I might be praying with you. It is a joy to join you and know that God answers prayer!

Celebrate!

There is cause for celebration! Near the end of 2020, the number of languages available on the YouVersion app increased to over 1,500! Wycliffe Bible Translators contributes to the Digital Bible Library which serves as the source for YouVersion texts. YouVersion estimates more than 450 million installations of the app from all over the world. The cumulative impact of Bible translation continues to grow so that more and more people are able to be transformed as they encounter God through the Scriptures. Thank you, dear partners. Through your gifts and prayers for my Wycliffe ministry, together we are a part of a great work of the Lord!

(Image Source: instagram/wycliffeuk)

Thanks for already praying about these things. Preparations have gone very well and we are ready to go!

• April 17-29, our next virtual Equip orientation, with 15 new co-workers and 11 new Missionary Kids (MKs).
• April 30, our first session of a virtual Connection program, celebrating and caring for colleagues who've been serving around the world but lived stateside for at least the past four years.
• May 12-14, our second virtual Connection, celebrating and caring for colleagues who've lived overseas, many of whom relocated suddenly and unexpectedly in the past year.
• Thankfully, I experienced only minimal side effects from my second vaccine. I'm working on plans for a trip to Indy when we finish these events!

Please let me know how I might be praying with you. It is a privilege to join you in prayer.

Reasons for Praise

There have been times in the past year when I have delayed sending updates. Sometimes I've not known what to say. We've been busy, but it's been lots of behind-the-scenes tasks with more limited "people time"... as I imagine nearly all of your worlds might have been, too. And there's not as much to say about tasks! But as we've journeyed together these past 11 years, God has used you and your prayers during every season. Here are some reasons for praise:

- We've held four virtual Equip orientations with a total of 71 new colleagues in the last year.
- I've been working in the office more than half of the time since July.
- Though my travels have been limited in the past year, I've been able to stay connected to some extent:
   - I've had opportunity to pray with Solid Word Bible Church on many Thursday mornings.
   - I was able to attend some Global Impact Conference meetings and stream services from Faith Church.
- I was able to make three uneventful drives to Indy and back since October.
- Mom is doing well.
- I'm doing well.
   - I've had a minor ankle injury that is healing well.
   - I've had my first dose of the vaccine without incident.

God is faithful. And he has heard the faithful prayers you've been praying. Thank you!

Would you pray with me about these things?

- April 17-29, our next virtual Equip orientation, with 15 new co-workers.
- April 30, our first session of a virtual Connection program, celebrating and caring for colleagues who've been serving around the world but living stateside for at least the past four years.

- May 12-14, our second virtual Connection, celebrating and caring for colleagues who've lived overseas, many who relocated suddenly and unexpectedly in the past year.

I'm planning to celebrate that Lord willing, I'll be "fully vaccinated" by April 27. I'm looking forward to some gatherings then!

Please let me know how I might be praying with you. It is such a pleasure to join you in prayer.