Friday, November 17, 2017

Light in the Darkness

The nomadic Nenets have lived for centuries in one of the most challenging environments on Earth. They follow the migrations of vast herds of reindeer in the forests and tundra of Siberia, where cold can reach -60 degrees F, during months of lingering darkness. In the dark hours, the snow reflects what light there is.

The Nenets translation team is based in the northern Siberian city of Salekhard, one of only two cities in the world located on the Arctic Circle. November through January, the sun comes out for an average of 14 minutes per day. Praise God that even here, the ministry of Bible translation is taking place among the Nenets.

Olga Larovna, Nenets Bible translator, and Eunsub Song, exegetical advisor, are two of the workers on the translation team. Please pray for Olga and Eunsub and their colleagues to continue to make good progress.


The Lord has enabled me to be more aware of his faithfulness in my life recently. I am grateful for productive planning opportunities this month and time to catch up on tasks in the office and at home that will help things run more smoothly next year. Thanks for your continued prayers for wisdom and for times of good renewal.

Thanks also for your prayers for those I am coaching as they ask God to build their teams of prayer and financial partners for their Wycliffe ministry. Some of them have "deadlines" that are fast approaching. Pray that God will confirm their calling and continue to provide for them, each step of the way.

Friday, November 3, 2017

A Role Model

Zeto Wekan began working on the translation of the New Testament into his language, Fordata, when he was in high school. More than fourteen years later, he is holding that precious book in his hands. Fordata is spoken by about 50,000 people.

Zeto works with Yayasan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Desa (YPMD), a Wycliffe Global Alliance organization in Indonesia, which is working in Bible translation in three languages. YPMD also works in literacy and Scripture use through developing spiritual songs and readings to accompany Bible translation.

“I have to be a role model for Bible translation itself,” Zeto says. “As mission workers, I think that we have to be the first person to be a role model so that we can influence the community.” He rejoices as he sees people’s lives transformed because they understand God’s Word.

As you partner with my Wycliffe ministry, you are a role model, too. And God is transforming lives through your part in this great work!

Story source: Text by Elaine Bombay, wycliffe.net/inspiringimage?id=8653

Looking Ahead

November for me is a time of planning, regrouping, and retooling. I get to help put together the puzzle of “the calendar” for our department for the next three years. Thanks in advance for your prayers that I’ll have the insight and access to all the information we need. Our goal is to serve our colleagues effectively through the programs and to keep the schedule sustainable.

I’m also coaching eight colleagues as they work and ask the Lord to build their teams of prayer and financial partners. They each need a complete team before they may begin their assignments around the world. Thanks for your prayers that I will know how to best encourage them along the way.

I’m working on plans to be in Indianapolis in December. I look forward to reconnecting with many of you during that time!

Financial Update

For my annual financial update, take a look at page two of this newsletter.