Hidden in my Heart

I don't know how your "quiet time/devotions/Bible study and prayer/personal worship" goes, but I know that from time to time, I need something different to awaken my heart in new ways. This year, I've been memorizing the book of Colossians. I started this process once before, in 2021, but got derailed when I relocated to Indy. I began again in January and am making good progress.

So what does that mean? It doesn't mean I am ready to do the whole thing in front of a crowd... but with some prompting, the Lord has helped me commit sections to memory. And here's what I've learned: I really look forward to my time working on it -- reviewing it, taking on the next new section. Almost every time I hear the Bible taught, I am reminded of a Colossians theme. I am becoming much more aware of God's Word, and that's a good thing.

Here's my encouragement to you: whatever you need to do so that you are more eager for your times with the Scriptures, do it! May the Lord constantly grow our appreciation for his grace in revealing himself to us, and may that make us even more passionate about seeing others receive his Word in a language and form they best understand.

Recent Highlights -- Answers to Prayer:

• Your prayers for productivity are still being answered. I was able to help bunches on a pop-up project the past two weeks.
• The long-term project due in May is ready for the finishing touches.
• God is increasing my desire to know more of the Bible.

Items for prayer:

• One of my departments is about to experience a significant transition of people and roles.
• Wycliffe is looking to sell the current campus to unlock underutilized resources so that more might receive the Bible and be transformed.
• Pray that I not only continue to memorize, but that I will continue to let the Spirit apply the Word to my heart.

You are such a blessing to me. How may I pray for you?

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.

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.

Connections

The quick trip to Indiana was wonderful. It was a blessing to attend two family gatherings and reconnect with those special people in my life. It was also a joy to see so many of you at Faith Church.

This past week, we hosted colleagues who serve with Wycliffe Bible Translators in eight different countries. It's sometimes easy to forget that the twists and turns of life that we all experience in God's sovereignty are exactly the same for those who serve overseas. They just have the added complication (and often heartache) of being thousands of miles away when challenges occur. Most who are here this week have experienced hardship... the sudden loss of a parent while the colleague was overseas; parenting a special-needs teen; parenting a teen who develops a health issue that could be life-threatening; the joy and loss of grandparenting from overseas. Yet the stories of God's faithfulness are amazing. Our privilege to be a listening ear or a hand on the shoulder is an opportunity to minister grace. As so many of you have ministered grace to me -- it's a gift to be able to be that same kind of blessing to these co-workers.

Carl & Carol, who've served 10 years with Wycliffe, Photo by Mark Borland

These are the servants who are extending your ministry to the Bibleless. Would you ask God to renew them and empower them to continue to serve faithfully? The Lord knows their names. Just pray for the participants of The Wycliffe Connection #52.

Next week, we'll host a group of Wycliffe colleagues who live in the US, but whose jobs are all around the world, thanks to technology. Pray for those same kinds of grace-filled conversations and times of renewal for Wycliffe Stateside Connection #33.

May the Lord minister grace to your life this week as well. Please let me know how I may be praying on your behalf.

Adjusted Expectations!

Adjusted expectations! That would summarize these past two weeks of Equip new missionary orientation. First, the Equip Director came down with the flu the day before we began... and was down for nine days. The Lord provided a number of folks who each picked up a few pieces she would normally cover. Though we missed her, things went generally well. The participants did a good job of going with the flow as we made adjustments. It was great to have her back this week and for us all to finish well together.

Also, this week I learned that the surgery I had hoped to have at the end of February is now scheduled for late April. (If there is a cancellation for February, I am on the waiting list!) The delay means I will miss two Connection programs in May, but the Director for those events is already making plans to cover things in my absence. Another adjusted expectation.

Thanks for your prayers for wisdom and learning for us these past two weeks. Much learning took place, not only among the participants but also among the "crew" as we facilitated the sessions. We got to learn new ways to depend on the Lord and on each other. The Lord provided much timely wisdom. It was comforting and encouraging to know that even though many things were not as we "expected" them to be, God was sovereign over all and was not surprised by any of it.

We are so grateful for your prayers and for God's provision. Your partnership now extends to these colleagues who will serve in Canada, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, West Asia, and the United States of America -- all helping to accelerate Bible translation!

Equip #39

Thirty-six new co-workers and 22 MKs (missionary kids) came for the June orientation to Wycliffe Bible Translators. Thanks for your prayers on their and our behalf. We are grateful for a healthy and productive time together. We spent two weeks sharing information and providing opportunities for the “newbies” to practice using tools designed to help as they ask God to develop their teams of prayer and financial partners. Wycliffe requires complete teams before they may continue to their assignments around the world. As I hear the stories of how God brought these new missionaries to Wycliffe and see their passion that Scripture is accessible to all people in the language they best understand, I am reminded of my own journey to Wycliffe. I’m so thankful, too, for the role each of you has on this journey.

Learning lessons

Thank you for those who regularly pray for my spiritual growth and renewal. I’ve heard stories of those who begin to reach more “mature” ages and then seem surprised to realize that there are still many areas where God is working to refine them. (Yes, I turned 60 this year.) You’d think I would have it figured out by now, right? The Lord has been gentle and yet firm to remind me even this week that there is still much room for growth in my heart and that my strength is not sufficient… but His grace is enough and His strength is sufficient. Praise God!

What’s next?

This month, we have two groups coming to be celebrated, cared for, and reconnected with Wycliffe—colleagues who have been serving stateside and overseas. Pray that the Lord will use us to minister to them.

For more of what's coming up, visit my google group!

Airports

She had to be younger than two. But she knew what she wanted... to pull her own carry-on. And she wasn't going to let her big sister do it.

And there was the older couple... she was sobbing over what they were reading on her phone. No clue, so I just prayed that the Lord would reveal Himself in their sorrow.

Then I thought back to the little gal - how unaware she was of her true situation, trying to take on a world she is so not ready to tackle on her own. And I wondered how many times I look exactly like that to God.

Psalm 42

Thanks for your prayers these past two weeks. Mom is doing well enough on her own that I was able to return to Florida for The Wycliffe Connection. Our team served 32 Wycliffe colleagues and their 25 missionary kids (MKs). God blessed with some great conversations and good health and strength for us all. Next week, we'll host another group of 16 co-workers and six of their MKs who have been living in the US. Most of them work from their homes and only have opportunity to connect with their teams "virtually" through technology. Pray for their renewal and encouragement.

I have colleagues who are in the midst of some very challenging circumstances. My Bible reading schedule has taken me into the Psalms recently. As I reflected on what I was reading, God prompted me to pray on their behalf. Then it struck me... I couldn't imagine not having the comfort of the Psalms.

If that had not been translated into English, how would I comprehend that truth? We have such incredible access to the encouragements and promises of God! Your partnership through your prayers and gifts for my Wycliffe ministry makes that same kind of understanding possible for others. Thank you!

Equip #35 Wrap-up

Today, Equip #35 participants begin to leave campus. They have completed their Wycliffe orientation and go now to build their teams of prayer and financial partners. We had a great time together and were all healthy and able to finish well. It was a privilege to get to know this group of new colleagues who desire to see everyone around the world access God's Word in their heart language.

One family who was with us was "recruited" by J&P, the first couple I coached in 2011. So think about that... You prayed for me and for J&P. God helped them build a team of prayer and financial partners so that they might serve with Wycliffe. They shared about Bible translation and the Lord used them to help D&C (the Equip #35 family) understand they could have a place helping the Bibleless gain access to the Scriptures. D&C are now headed to Papua New Guinea where he will serve as a translator and she will serve as a teacher... It makes me smile to think that in some ways, many of you have prayed for this Equip since 2011. No wonder God's hand was so obvious during our time together!

I love this photo Wycliffe recently received from the Roviana Bible dedication in the Solomon Islands. This translation involved many partners working together: Wycliffe, Faith Comes By Hearing, Seed Company, SIL International, YWAM, the Solomon Islands Christian Association, and of course the Roviana church and community. Praise God that the approximately 25,000 Roviana speakers now have the Bible in their language!

That is what it is all about. Your partnership through your prayers and gifts to my Wycliffe ministry helps people just like the Roviana receive access to the truths of the Bible in the language and form they best understand. Thank you for your faithfulness.

TWC #42

What can wash away my sins?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus...

This week, we have had the privilege of connecting with 31 colleagues (who also brought along 24 of their kids!) who have served overseas. Most of these new friends of mine live in parts of the world where English is not the majority language and most do not have the opportunity for corporate worship in their own heart language for months at a time. When you get a group of them together, they sing with great energy! My heart has been encouraged by the enthusiasm of their worship. And the stories we have heard this week... stories of God's faithfulness in places and among people groups in challenging parts of the world.

Our prayer is always that these servants will leave encouraged and refreshed, ready to continue using the gifts and experiences they have, so that someday no one will be without access to the Bible and to worship in the language and form they best understand.

In this whole process, you make a difference. I know I say it often, but it is true -- your partnership with my Wycliffe ministry through your prayers and gifts now extends around the world through these dear co-workers, too!

Thank you for your prayers for them and for me. Please let me know how I may pray on your behalf. I am continuing to pray about those things you have shared.

Why?

Why? In the aftermath of the tragic events in Orlando, many are asking that question. I found out this week that some of my neighbors lost sons or daughters, brothers or sisters on Sunday.

I think I am not alone in this, but there are mornings I ask "why" I do the things I do each day. Should I (or could I) be doing something else? For me, some of the "why" I am a part of Wycliffe Bible Translators goes back to knowing about and praying for the Havu... the Jakati... the Nkukoli... which are only three of the nearly 1,800 language groups around the world who do not have any access to God's Word in the language they best understand. A Bible translation program has not even begun for them yet.

For many questions in life, there are not clear answers. But through the Scriptures, there is hope, there is grace, there is peace, and there is knowledge of the Holy God who loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus. What a privilege to be a part of taking His message to others. That is the "why," above all.

Photo: Zeke du Plessis

Thank you for your prayers and gifts toward my Wycliffe ministry. Beginning Saturday, the impact of your partnership will reach the 22 new missionaries coming to Orlando for Equip orientation, June 18-30. We are grateful for your prayers for us all.

Please let me know how I might be praying for you - it is an honor to partner with you in prayer.

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.

Seven Weeks of Summer - Looking Back

Last Friday, I packed up my things to head home from a seven-week stint of staying at the Wycliffe USA Mobilization Center campus to help with onsite programs.  I was amazed at how quickly the time had gone this summer.  I was also grateful for how obvious it was that God’s grace had sustained me.  Thank you for your prayers for me and for the “crew” and participants in each of the programs!

Here’s what your partnership with your prayers and gifts helped facilitate this summer:

· Two weeks of Equip orientation for 39 new members and 21 new missionary kids (MKs)

· One week of orientation for 19 teachers headed overseas and their 12 MKs (I got to help with logistics.)

· One week of training meetings for 25 Partnership Development (PD) coaches from all around the US (I got to help with logistics, but was mostly a “learner” here.)

· One week of Wycliffe Stateside Connection for 12 stateside colleagues and their 5 MKs

· One week of The Wycliffe Connection for 26 furloughing colleagues and their 20 MKs

· One week of The Wycliffe Connection for 30 furloughing colleagues and their 24 MKs

It was a privilege to be on the teams who ministered on your behalf this summer:

· helping with logistics

· training new and returning colleagues

· having meaningful conversations prompting me and others to strive to continue to grow

 · rejoicing over lives changed through the translated Scriptures

 · hearing stories of God’s faithfulness

 · celebrating and caring for those who have served for years (or decades!)

 · encouraging those who are just now beginning their missions journeys

It was a special joy to be reconnected with one friend from my original orientation cohort in 2010, as she is now furloughing from overseas service.  I also was thrilled to spend time with the gal who was my first PD “coachee” to complete her initial partnership team.  She was a participant in the last program this summer.  It was a blessing to see and hear all God had done in and through these women.  Your partnership with my Wycliffe ministry also extends to impact their areas of influence in some very hard parts of the world.

Once in a while, it still feels  unusual to have my rhythm of life not impacted by the comings and goings of the school year, but I am very settled into and thankful for this new rhythm.  We have just entered a time of rest, renewal, and retooling.  My prayer for you all as you gear up for school is that the presence of God will be just as real and close to you as it was for me this summer, as we each continue to trust and obey where He has placed us.

Routines and Disciplines

Here's today's update.

Thanks for reading!

The last two weeks

I am thankful to feel much better than I did when I wrote the previous post. This should catch you up on what has happened since then.

The week of Nov 15, I spent much time packing and repacking for the move to Orlando. (This is a move into temporary housing; I didn't need to bring any furniture with me.) I also helped Mom prep to host 23 folks from our extended family on Saturday for Thanksgiving. Plus, I still slept a fair amount. I did feel a little better each day, thankfully.

Saturday's family gathering was a good day. Said some goodbyes then, but I knew I would see most of my immediate family again on Sunday.

Sunday was a big day at Faith Church. Most of the service was focused on Village Life Church, the coming church plant in the Broad Ripple area. It was exciting to be present for such a service and sense the commitment and excitement that is growing.

At the end of each service, there was a time of commissioning for me. Both were meaningful, reminding me of the faithfulness of God in leading me to Wycliffe Bible Translators, and of the faithfulness of God's people who are partnering with me as I go.

Most of my immediate family was at Mom's for the afternoon. We watched a heartbreaking Colts' loss (or Jared would say a stunning Patriots' victory) and enjoyed each other's company. The goodbyes came all too soon. I love my family and will miss seeing them as regularly as I was able to do in Indy. I am thankful for cell phones and text messages and FB.

Monday, I took off. The Jetta is loaded to the gills. (Really good I didn't need to bring furniture now!) I had two good travel days and a restful night in between. I arrived this afternoon at Treasure Island, FL, on the Gulf of Mexico, just north of the entrance to Tampa Bay.

Wait. I am moving to Orlando, right? Well, a friend recommended that it might be helpful to take a few days and rest and process things before jumping headlong into the next chapter. The cool part is, about the time my friend suggested this, I received a check from my previous employer for some unused vacation time. I had no idea it was coming! It was exciting to watch God provide!

Tonight, I took a walk on the beach, about ten minutes before the sun disappeared below the horizon. Totally cool to watch. This will be a good place to rest and reflect on the changes taking place in my life.

Then and Now

It was the spring of '75. We had been doing 2-a-day rehearsals for band and then, of course, school in between. We were prepping for the big trip to Orlando where we were to march at Disney World!

I remember going shopping for sandals the evening before we were to leave. I couldn't find any - either they didn't fit or I hated them. And I cried. NOT something that was a normal habit in my 17 year-old life!

I don't remember the trip down. I do remember going to Sea World and having a good time. Then I remember ending up in the ER in Kissimmee and being "quarantined" in a hotel room for the rest of the trip. My sis had to pitch a fit just to be allowed to see me! They told me I had scarlatina.

Back in Brownsburg, my doc said I most likely had mono. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)

Now, here I am getting ready to head to Orlando again, but this time, it's a move and not just a visit. And, EBV has chosen this time to reactivate, after being dormant in my body for the last 35 years. My 52 year-old bod is not recovering quite as fast this time. I am in week five of symptoms. But at least now I know what it is, and I know I am not crazy. There is actually something wrong.

And, now that I have a diagnosis, I know that it is unlikely that I could pass this to anyone through incidental contact. That helps a bunch, since I am in the phase of meeting with folks and saying goodbyes. I'm just not the kind of person who likes to do that by waving from across the room.

I am learning how much I have taken my health for granted. It is very humbling that I can take a 2-hr nap and then still have trouble making it through dinner. I am learning more and more that I must depend on God - yes, even for daily, physical strength. Good lessons to be learning at any time of life.

A New Chapter

The change from April to May happened so quickly! Here's a recap of the events since my last post.

The two weeks of orientation were amazing. Such a gifted and prepared staff; such incredible content; such cool fellow newbies. I had good opportunities to begin to get a feel for a few parts of Orlando during the weekends and could actually drive around a little without the GPS by the end of my time there. And, random observation - sandhill cranes are noisy but fun!!

I traveled home safely and uneventfully, passing through Nashville on Wednesday before their flooding this past weekend. I did encounter some small hail (and significant traffic!) in Atlanta, but nothing serious. Great visit with a friend in Marietta, GA. Only problem was that our time was too short.

Last Thursday and Friday, I completed my employment in the church office. The staff took me out for lunch at Squealer's (one of those great places with lots of big dinner napkins, since you may be up to your elbows in BBQ sauce before it is all over). It was a good time. I have had the privilege of working with great people at Faith - folks who were not only my co-workers, but also my friends.

There was a tremendous response Sunday from folks at Faith Church at an after-church luncheon. It was an encouragement to see so many out in support of the path on which God has been leading me. I love this church and will miss being here. But, as I have been reminding folks - Faith will always be my home church, so you can expect me back from time to time. :-)

This week, the transition to new things seems much more real. I am excited... and also am enjoying the different pace of life for these weeks, especially the time to connect with people. Today, I sent my first newsletter. I will be meeting with a Faith small group this evening and then have a couple of family events this weekend. More about those later!

(For those who might have wondered, I won't be walking the mini tomorrow... had a slight injury in March that has been slow to heal, so I just didn't get the long training walks done this year. I will miss doing it, but I understand there is a half-marathon in Orlando in the fall?)

Psalm 83

I am sure I have read it before, but I didn't recall any part of Psalm 83 as I read it today. Most of the way through, I was thinking that this might not make my list of favorite passages. But as I got to the end, I changed my mind.

I won't quote it for you here, but if you are a Bible reader, I would encourage you to follow this link to read all of it and see if you don't fall in love with the last verse. If you aren't a Bible reader, check it out. It helped me put "me" and everything else in a more correct perspective.

Psalm 68:19 (NLT)

"Praise the Lord; praise God our savior!
For each day he carries us in his arms."

Just too cool not to share.

Speed

I can't believe it has been more than two weeks since I last posted. The days (and weeks) are whirling by. Not much has changed since then. Still doing online orientation. Still working full-time at church. But the pace of just about everything seems to have sped up, even though I wasn't sure that was possible.

Working on being "in the present" for everything. Helps me to focus and not be distracted. Fully present when I am at work; fully present when I am online in orientation; fully present in relationships when I am with folks. Savoring the moments w/ people, in particular.

I am currently on week 4 of 6 for online orientation, and have something like 19 work days remaining. See what I mean? Flying by!