Then ...and Now

It is hard to believe that five years have passed since I left Indianapolis to begin working in the offices of Wycliffe Bible Translators. (If you’d like to be reminded of my reflections from my starting time, here’s my newsletter from January 2011 - bit.ly/Jan_2011_ljm.) I am grateful for the faithfulness of God and you, his people, who have regularly prayed and given and encouraged so that I might be here. I cannot begin to list the many things the Lord has done in my own life during these years. I am grateful.

I am amazed to look back at the ministry opportunities of these years. Thank you for all the ways you have stood with me as each new phase has begun:

• November 2010 - November 2011 - helped with facilities management for the campus (Center Services Business Manager)
• July 2011 - began coaching new missionaries as they develop their teams of prayer and financial partners (Partnership Development Coach)
• October 2011 - began helping with the onsite training team for new missionary orientation (Equip)
• February 2012 - began helping with the onsite team that celebrates, cares for and connects with colleagues who have been serving in the US (Wycliffe Stateside Connection)
• March 2013 - began helping with the onsite team that celebrates, cares for and connects with colleagues who have been serving overseas (The Wycliffe Connection) 
• December 2014 - began helping with the onsite training team for new paid staff orientation (Endeavor)

Through each of these events, as you prayed and gave, God has impacted the lives of other Wycliffe colleagues so that they might more effectively fulfill their roles, helping bring hope to the world through the translated Scriptures.

It is a joy to continue to coach new missionaries and to help with the onsite programs listed above. Thank you for the privilege of serving in Bible translation!

This Christmas season, may our hearts rejoice in the Living Word, Jesus Christ.