God's Heart for the Nations

From the first word of Genesis to the last word of Revelation, the Bible tells one incredible story: God's love for the world and His invitation for people from every nation and language to know Him.

God continues writing this story today as more and more people are experiencing the power of His Word. Through Bible translation, God is changing lives — people are meeting Jesus through Scripture in a language and format they clearly understand.

Bible translation is a God-sized task, accomplished through God-sized faith, obedience and trust. It takes the global Church — translators, local churches, communities and faithful partners — linking arms together, with each contributing their unique part and following Jesus’ call to make disciples of all nations.

When God's Word is communicated clearly, the Good News transforms lives. Through your prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry, you are part of God's story as He draws people from every nation and language to Himself. Thank you for your part!

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• The software testing recently has been promising. There is still work to be done, but we can see progress!
• There is a Letter of Intent now for about 30% of the Orlando campus that could close as early as mid-2027, if things continue to move forward.
• Thanks to Medicare, I get a routine check-up every six months now. My September appointment and bloodwork looked good and I am thankful. :-)

Looking Ahead -- Items for Prayer:

• Wycliffe USA's fiscal year ends September 30. We're grateful for your prayers for the transition to the new fiscal year.
• It seems recently that I'm receiving a number of emails that require detailed and careful answers. Pray for wisdom in answering questions and for the ability to be helpful.
• Faith's Jr High Grow (Sunday School) Class resumed on September 13. We're surveying the New Testament this school year. Pray that we see Jesus more clearly as we study the Scriptures together.

Your prayers are such a gift. How may I pray with you?

Easter Week

As we reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection this week, may we be truly grateful for the gift of God’s Word in a language and form we can understand.

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• I've turned a good corner learning my new tasks.
• My schedule is back to a healthy, sustainable level.
• I'm grateful for a positive report from my routine medical check-up.

Looking Ahead -- Items for Prayer:

• Our Member Finance team recently saw another retirement; pray for the right person to fill this vacancy quickly.
• The pending buyer for the campus has withdrawn. Since commercial sales can take years, pray for God to bring the right buyer(s) in His timing.
• Pray that God’s Word would move powerfully in the world’s most challenging regions.

I am grateful for your faithful partnership. How may I pray on your behalf?

Blessed Easter to you!

The Seen vs The Unseen

Bernie May's testimony was a blessing to me, so I wanted to share it.

At the age of 21, I committed my life to Christ, declaring that He would be my teacher. I haven’t always been a good student, but He’s been a great teacher! Now, with 93 years of life behind me, I’ve seen God not only transform me but also transform the way I see the world.

 I joined Wycliffe as a young pilot and, since then, I’ve spent a lot of time in the air. On one occasion, I borrowed a friend’s twin-engine plane to fly from Dallas to Houston. Although I took off in low visibility, once I climbed to 4,000 feet, I broke through the cloud cover — and it was glorious! Unlimited visibility! The sun was shining, and the sky was crystal clear. It felt like nothing could go wrong.

Then one of my engines failed.

Read the rest of the story!

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• I only missed one day of work for illness in 2025. I am thankful for God's grace!
• I have three clients now in the "new-to-me" role.
• The new software project to help our team is scheduled for January completion, which is much earlier than anticipated.

Looking Ahead -- Items for Prayer:

• Continue to pray that I can learn the new tasks well.
• The new-to-me clients work in challenging parts of the world. Pray for God's grace and wisdom for them.
• Pray for the software development to stay on schedule so we can implement it in January.

I am so grateful for your faithful encouragements. How may I pray with you?

Christmas Blessings to you!

God's Global Mission

God is on the move in ways that we have never seen before in the history of the world!

Today, local churches are asking for — and sometimes even starting — Bible translation themselves. And they don’t want to wait for the work to start; they want to start it now. Local churches are playing a significant role in Bible translation for their own communities, and that’s exponentially accelerating the pace of the work. The global Church is taking ownership of Bible translation.

As you pray and give toward my Wycliffe ministry, you are also directly participating in Bible translation. Thank you for being a part of God's global mission.

youtu.be/RiznqLeCdDs?si=-WXU5bBLVWdvjJcU (3:56)

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• The global Church continues to participate in Bible translation in greater and greater ways, so more people can be transformed by God's Word.
• Praise God for problem-solving skills recently for two unusual Member Finance situations.
• My sciatica has been responding well to physical therapy. I have my last appointment next week.

Items for prayer:

• Wycliffe leadership anticipates the sale of the campus in the next 10-12 months. Pray for the relocation planning process.
• Pray that I will be alert to the details in every situation (work and life!) so the best ways forward can be found.
• Pray that I will be faithful in continuing the things that have helped resolve my sciatica.

How may I pray for you? I count it a privilege to join with you.

God Is on the Move!

Johnstone Ndunde, the SIL area director of Anglo-Lusophone Africa, has witnessed the transformative power of God's Word in people's lives and communities. Individuals who were not initially believers have been profoundly changed through their daily work with Bible translation. One notable example is a man in Nigeria whose dramatic personal transformation had a significant positive effect on his family and community. Watch the story to see the community's response:

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• My workload has been sustainable and fulfilling. The procedures that were new in May have been going very smoothly.
• There is progress being made toward the sale of Wycliffe's Orlando campus. All the negotiations are confidential, so there are no other details to communicate.
• I've been enjoying time outside with the beautiful weather.

Items for prayer:

• I lifted some things I should not have in early July and am in physical therapy for sciatica. I am seeing some improvement, but would be grateful for your prayers. (Yes, I have learned my lesson!)
• COVID has begun to make its way through some of my coworkers recently. Pray especially for those who work with programs in Orlando.
• Pray that each of us would be truly transformed by the Word of God.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the Lord and to those without the Bible. You are making a difference for God's Kingdom!

Praying for you, too,
Lisa

Why haven't I heard this before?

Thank you — your prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry matter. They impact all those who come to us for training… which means your ministry extends to all those who will be served someday by those colleagues. Here is how one of those stories unfolded!

Michelle and Nicholle are sisters who came through Equip and went on to Tanzania. They are currently stateside, but are continuing to serve the people of Tanzania. Here’s a report on a part of their ministry:

In January, February, and early March we continued editing audio recordings of the gospel of Luke from here in the U.S. to assist a partner ministry as they completed recordings in Dodoma. One translator, Ester, reported that her team took the recordings to their villages to share with their neighbors - most of whom practice another major world religion. The response they often received was, “Why haven’t I heard this before?” One neighbor who is a Christian, responded with, “I’ve heard the Scriptures and read them many times, but in Swahili. Hearing it now in my language is like hearing it for the first time.” Praise the Lord for the way He is at work through His Word!

Story Source: Michelle and Nicholle Haupt

Personal Update

My family and I are well. The break in my wrist is healed. I’m still regaining complete strength but am essentially not limited at all now, thankfully.

Working from the office continues to go well. We’re making good progress on curriculum revisions and preparing as much as possible for coming programs. Thank you for your continued prayers as we walk through doors when the Lord opens them!

Equip 47

​Praise God for His healing! Thank you so much for praying for my wrist. I am healing well and was not hindered from participating in our virtual Equip new missionary orientation these past two weeks. We finished yesterday. Half of these new colleagues will be working directly with languages; the other half will have roles that support Bible translation. We praise God for this new group of co-workers who have followed God's call into missions. Your partnership with my Wycliffe ministry through your prayers and gifts will now extend to all those who will one day be reached through their service. We are grateful! Please pray these "newbies" are able to get off to a good start as they ask God to raise teams of prayer and financial partners.

​Wycliffe's office continues to reopen gradually according to official guidelines for Orlando. At this point, our onsite programs have not yet resumed. Connection programs scheduled for July have been canceled. Please pray for those who planned to attend -- that the Lord would encourage them in other ways.

I am still working from home. I am grateful for predictable technology and a safe and comfortable place to be. I am also grateful for the many "touches" from so many of you in these days -- Zooms, emails, phone calls, texts, cards -- all have been so encouraging. Thank you!

It is a blessing to be so connected, especially in these uncertain times. Please let me know how I may encourage you by standing with you in prayer.

Surprised

Praise God for His continued protection! Tuesday, I took a spill while on my morning walk. I have a "displaced triquetral fracture" (that's a small bone in my wrist), but it was my left wrist (I am right-handed) and the removable splint has already helped alleviate the pain. The exercises I was given are beginning to reduce the swelling. Typing is a little interesting, but even that is coming. I have some other sore spots, but nothing significant. I am very grateful for your ongoing prayers.

I am also grateful for the comfort and encouragement of God's Word, especially in this challenging time. Would you continue to pray for those who are marginalized -- not only those around the world who do not yet have access to the Bible but also for those marginalized by our own nation? May we each seek God's peace and to live out the truths of Scripture so that all may see God's love and glory.

The Word that Brings Freedom

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)

This was the first verse from the Bible that Afaafa* had ever read. As a Kenyan who had been taught another majority religion, she had refused even to touch a Bible. She had planned to convert her Christian friends, but one of them challenged her to read the Bible for herself. She decided to read the first verse she set her eyes on, and there it was, Galatians 5:1. When reading it, she felt something powerful come on her. And that night she had a dream where God invited her to choose slavery or freedom. She chose freedom and became a follower of Jesus. Her two sons are growing up knowing Jesus.

Since 2005, Afaafa has been a Bible translator because “if God can change my life through one verse, then I expect every verse I translate will impact the life of another Bydla* person.” She longs to see her people receive Scripture in their language and know the freedom that comes in Christ. God’s Word has power to change individuals, especially when it is in the language that speaks to them best. It can bring freedom to communities and cultures, too. Thank you—your prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry are helping train colleagues who will one day impact people just like Afaafa, all around the world.

*Names changed for security reasons.

Personal Update

My family and I are well. Working from home continues to be productive. The goal now is to prep for June virtual Equip using all we learned in April. I am not sure I realized how thankful I could be for predictable internet, but it is a blessing, keeping me in touch with family, friends, and colleagues. Your many encouragements have also been a blessing. Grateful for you!

A Bible to Call my Own

The Deaf Bible Society and Wycliffe Bible Translators are among the organizations who are working together to reach the 70 million Deaf around the world today. It is estimated that 80 percent of the Deaf do not have appropriate access to education. For those who can read, written language is a “second language” and often requires extreme effort to clearly understand.

Today’s smart phone and video technologies can be used to provide access to the Bible for the Deaf. This video shows the challenge of those who have only the printed Word and highlights the effectiveness of video Bibles for the Deaf.

  Story Source: deafbiblesociety.com

Video link: youtu.be/0nsU0jKARIs 

It’s been my privilege through Wycliffe to coach a couple and a single gal who are serving in translation work for the Deaf. We’ve had numerous others come through Equip for their orientation. As you have prayed and given for my Wycliffe ministry, you have a part in providing God’s Truth to the Deaf. Thank you!

Personal Update

In October, I saw a second surgeon who recommended no further procedures for my leg length. Using principles I learned during physical therapy, I am focusing on building strength and stamina to help my body continue to adjust my gait and stance. I am thankful to report continued progress. Thank you for your prayers and many encouragements. When I look back, I had experienced arthritis pain in my hips for two full years before the first replacement. I am more than grateful that is now resolved.

Financial Update

For my annual financial update, please visit my google group.

Hello from Indiana!

Hello from Indiana! I had a last-minute opportunity to come up for a quick weekend of family events. We had a wonderful day enjoying time together yesterday and will celebrate another milestone on Saturday. Lord willing, I will be at Faith Church on Sunday and will fly back that evening.

Thanks for your prayers for Equip! We finished well and that group of new missionaries is off to continue sharing their story and Wycliffe's story on behalf of the Bibleless. We are now preparing for two Connections -- caring for and celebrating two groups of co-workers who will be with us, July 15-19 and July 22-26. And, two gals I coach are getting very close to complete partnership teams. Then they will be released to their field assignments -- one in Dallas, one in Romania.

I'm so grateful for your prayers and encouragements regarding my hips. I've continued physical therapy and have seen some progress, thankfully, especially on my stride. Now to just get my stance figured out! My follow-up doctor appointments are August 1.

The Lord has been so gracious in providing all of you to be alongside on this journey. Your faithfulness through your prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry is a constant blessing to me and spurs me on as it also accelerates Bible translation. Please let me know how I might join you in prayer.

(Prayer requests are in bold above!)

Equip Update

Hello from the participants and Crew of Equip #43! I told the participants you are praying for them -- they asked me to thank you!!

We have all been healthy through the first week and are doing well. This is a very focused group and has been working hard... but they also are a very personable group and have come to know and enjoy each other on meaningful levels in this short time together. Please continue to pray. Each of the adults will be presenting a "Five-Minute Talk" on Saturday morning and then a "10-Minute Talk" (or a "16-Minute Talk" for couples) next Thursday as part of the process of learning to share their story and Wycliffe's story.

Reviewing Wycliffe history with Equip #43, Photo by Mark Borland

I received much news this week regarding my stride and stance. The hard news was confirming that I do have an unusual and significant "functional leg-length discrepancy." My right leg behaves as if it is longer than my left leg now. But I also received some very hopeful news and am on a new plan for physical therapy. In the meantime, I have some accomodations so that my stride and stance are better as we still work toward reducing or possibly even eliminating the discrepancy. I would appreciate it if you'd ask the Lord not only for continued improvement, but also that He would guard my heart as I go through the ups and downs of this process. I know this is no surprise to God and I need to trust that He has gone ahead of me every step of this path.

The many blessings the Lord has provided through your encouragements especially these past six months have been overwhelming. Your faithful prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry make it possible for me to continue to serve. Thank you!

Equip #43 is coming!

Next Saturday, June 15, we will welcome 26 new colleagues and 14 of their MKs (missionary kids) for the two-week Equip onsite orientation to Wycliffe. These folks will serve all over the world helping accelerate Bible translation as translators, pilots, human resource professionals, project managers, media specialists, maintenance technicians and teachers.

Our goal is to give them the tools they need to have a good start in understanding Wycliffe as an organization and to help them as they ask the Lord to build teams of prayer and financial partners for their own Wycliffe ministries. After Equip, I’ll continue to coach one of the couples who is preparing to help translate in French-speaking Africa. A fun thing - they are Cedarville grads, so we have some common experiences in our backgrounds!

Because of your prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry, your partnership will now extend to all those who will one day have access to the translated Scriptures because of their service. Thank you! Isn’t God’s plan to involve us all a wonderful plan?!

Personal Update

Once again, after my surgery, the Lord provided in amazing ways during my recovery. My yard work was done, meals were brought and someone took me to appointments before I was able to drive again. There were cards and emails and texts and calls and more prayers than I could ever know. I am so grateful. God used it all!

My healing has gone well and my stamina is returning. I was able to go back to the office full-time this past week. The expectation is for my stamina to be “back to normal” by the end of July.

Because of some differences in my right hip, it wasn’t possible to use the same type of prosthesis as was used in my left hip in November. The two prostheses function in very slightly different ways, so I am still working (and getting help!) on stabilizing my stride and finding ways to stand for long periods without fatigue. Thanks in advance for your prayers for a good resolution.

Post-Surgery

Praise God, I am now 17 days post-surgery (right total hip replacement) and am recovering well. This week, I "graduated" from in-home physical therapy. I'll continue out-patient physical therapy for the next four weeks so that I might gain strength and be fully recovered in time for June Equip new missionary orientation. Thank you for all the prayers and notes and texts and messages and calls and gifts and visits that have once again surrounded me with God's love.

As I continue rehab and recovery, I will not be with the "Crew" who facilitates these next two weeks of Connections (May 13-17 and May 20-25), designed to celebrate and care for our colleagues who have served overseas and to connect them with resources available to them through the Orlando office. The tasks I normally do are being shared by others on the team... in addition to the things already on their plates. Would you pray for health and strength for them and for things to go smoothly? As you and I pray, we are still a part of what God will accomplish through these events!

My prayer is that the Lord would bring you grace and renewal as you approach the daily things of life. It would be a privilege to pray other specifics for you, too. Please let me know how I might join with you in prayer.

Equip #42 is in the books

Thank you so much for your prayers for these past two weeks. We just finished Equip onsite orientation of 19 new colleagues and their 10 MKs (missionary kids). This group connected well with each other and learned much during their time in Orlando. As they shared about ways they are growing and ways that the Lord is increasing their faith on this Wycliffe journey, those of us who helped facilitate the program were very encouraged. We were all able to stay healthy, too, for which I am especially grateful.

They now go out to build teams of prayer and financial partners before going on to serve around the world accelerating Bible translation. As you have prayed for me and given for my Wycliffe ministry, YOU have had a part in helping them get a good start. Thank you!

For a personal update, take a look at this.

March Meetings

The meetings in March with other coaches and our part of the Human Resource team were productive and relational. The vast majority of these colleagues are distributed around the US and serve other Wycliffe workers around the globe.

As coaches, we continue to seek ways to better help our co-workers as they build and sustain teams of prayer and financial partners. This team has a heart to see all our colleagues thrive, so that they are able to serve effectively and accelerate Bible translation.

All the pre-operative appointments are scheduled within the next two weeks. Surgery for a RIGHT total hip replacement is set for Tuesday, April 23, 9:00am. One of my friends will send a brief update later that day to let you know how things went. It’s again anticipated that I will spend two nights in the hospital and then head home with in-home health services for two weeks after that. My colleagues from the Orlando office are planning to provide meals for me… and that will let them come check up on me, too!

For more details of what is next, visit my Google Group.

Wow...

Wow. That's my first reaction to these past two weeks. Week one, we heard stories from a couple who needed to leave their host country (where they had lived for several years) on very little notice as the challenges for those who follow Jesus intensified. The Lord's hand of protection was clearly on them. They plan to return for a brief time to finish up details there. Would you pray that they would be granted access and good closure? Praise God for technology, which should permit them at least some future contact with those in-country who will continue to translate the Bible.

Week two, more than half of the 17 participants were recognized for over 40 years of service with Wycliffe. What a privilege to serve colleagues who have committed their lives so that others may know God's love through the translated Scriptures.

Both groups gave testimony to the refreshment and encouragement the programs provide. They also know you have been praying for them. Thank you so much -- God will multiply your impact for His Kingdom through their lives.

March will be a slower-paced month: prepping for next things, meeting with other Wycliffe Human Resource co-workers from around the country. I'm doing ok waiting for the April surgery and am grateful for your prayers.

My prayer for each of you is that the Lord would draw you close to His heart and give you His wisdom and grace for each day. It would be a privilege to pray other specifics for you. Please let me know how I might join with you in prayer.

Connections Coming

Part of my role with Wycliffe Bible Translators is helping provide resources, encouragement, and accountability for some as they develop their initial teams of prayer and financial partners. Megan is one of the new missionaries I had opportunity to coach. In this video, she shares about the journey the Lord took her on to bring her to Wycliffe. It's such a joy to work with these "newbies." It's a privilege then to stay in touch with many once their teams are completed and they go on to their field assignments. Megan is now in her second year of teaching in Cameroon.

These next two weeks, we will have groups of "established members" on campus for Connection programs. The first week will be those who have returned from overseas. The second week will be those who live in the US. Pray that we might serve and encourage them well.

I'm now at 12 weeks post hip replacement and am doing very well, thankfully. I also was able to have a cortisone injection in the right hip that has been highly effective. After months of not feeling good, it has been nice to feel so much better. We're still looking at a second surgery in April. I am thankful for the modern miracles of medicine and for your many prayers and encouragements along the way!

Equip #41 Begins Tomorrow!

December was a good month of rest and recovery. My stamina has greatly improved, now that I am seven weeks post left hip replacement surgery. Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragements. God has used them mightily.

To make things interesting, I did tear the lateral meniscus in my right knee before I returned to Florida. Thankfully, an MRI showed that the tear is small enough to not require any procedures at this point. I am still on schedule for the right hip replacement at the end of February. Both hip and knee are doing well enough that I am able to complete all the tasks I need to complete.

Tomorrow, we will greet the next group of 15 new Wycliffe missionaries as they come for their two-week onsite orientation we call Equip. Thank you in advance for your prayers for all of the participants (and their seven children) and the "crew" for...

health

strength

wisdom

learning

...as we work together these two weeks. Your partnership through your prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry connects you with them and all the people they will one day serve, as we each do our part to see that the Bible is accessible to all in a language and form they best understand!

Surrounded

I have been completely surrounded by God's people. My officemates and small group friends have kept my refrigerator full and been so very gracious. For those of you who aren't local to me, your many prayers and notes and emails and texts and calls and encouragements during these past two weeks have been such a blessing... and I'm sure they are the key to my recovery.

My surgeon was extremely pleased with the results and with the recovery process so far, so we are moving forward to schedule the right hip replacement near the end of February. He also said I should be good to fly, so I arrive in Indy on Dec 8.

Though my mobility is way ahead of schedule for the recovery, my stamina has been a little slower to return, just as expected. It's likely that I'll be hanging out in Brownsburg a little more than "normal" this December, but I plan to be at Faith Church on December 9, 23 and 30, and at Solid Word Bible Church on December 16. I look forward to touching base with many of you then.

As you continue to pray for me, also pray for those who will not be able to know the story of Jesus' birth this Christmas in a language and form that speaks to their hearts. There are good resources available on wycliffe.org to help guide your prayers. It's also possible to get involved in praying for a specific group of people and to receive updates as progress is made in translation for that language group. Sign up here.