Connection Programs

Just a quick note to say thanks so much for your prayers for the Connection program in Orlando this week.  We have laughed and cried and had such a marvelous time getting to know the 14 Stateside colleagues who have been with us.  Each has served God through Bible translation, using the variety of gifts and abilities He has provided.  The Lord has multiplied all those efforts to bring His Word to those who did not have access to it in the language and form they best understand.  It was such a privilege to hear stories of God's faithfulness to these fellow laborers through the years.  While I think those who came felt cared for and celebrated, the staff has also been encouraged, just being with them!

Next week's group will be large -- 31 adults and 29 MKs who have served overseas.  Please pray for those same types of conversations and interactions to take place in the midst of a more "energetic" pace!

Your partnership through your gifts and prayers now extends to those whom God is reaching through the ministry of all these folks... Thank you for being a part of His plan to transform lives.

A Strong Foundation

Faith Church, Indianapolis

I have memories of gathering at Faith Church in May 2004 as we prayed prayers of dedication on the future site of the new worship center.  Some had written Bible references on the ground where the building would stand.  I was reminded of that evening when I read about Abu Daniels, an elementary school teacher who speaks the Yom Kawac dialect of the Bukawa language in Papua New Guinea.

Scriptures placed in the foundation
Photo by Sarah Halferty

Carrying a passage of Scripture written in her own heart language, Mrs. Daniels approached the rectangular foundation of the building being constructed at the Ukarumpa Training Center. She joined others in dedicating the new structure to God.

As the sun rose over the mountains, men and women stepped forward one by one to lay their heart-language Scripture in the foundation. Later, the construction team would pour cement over the verses, making them a permanent part of the building. In doing this, they demonstrated that they were building on the firm foundation of the Word of God, for the purpose of training people to translate that Word into the mother tongue languages of Papua New Guinea.

Story Source: http://gountilgodsaysno.com/a-strong-foundation/

A Quiet Month

This story is just one that I read recently.  August was a quiet month of resting, walking, listening to podcasts, reading blogs, spending time with family and friends, worshipping with the Faith Family, attending the Global Leadership Summit, and generally gathering “input” into my life after the busy summer months.  It is very good to feel refreshed as we get ready to begin fall programs.

A Look Ahead

This month, our team will host colleagues (and their MKs) in Orlando who have served in the US and around the world.  We get to help care for them and to celebrate how God is using them in Bible translation, whether they serve directly as translators or if they are in behind-the-scenes roles.  Many of you know Jeff & Peg Shrum.  I am looking forward to seeing them as they come through one of the programs.

Thank you once again for your faithful gifts and prayers that allow me to continue to minister on your behalf.  I praise God for you!

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.

Seven Weeks This Summer

I love being reminded of the "big picture" - that God is about transforming lives.  In the photo below from East Asia, a crowd gathers as a man reads a book in his mother tongue for the first time. Access to mother tongue material is often limited in minority language groups.  Translation provides not only the means to impact lives for eternity, it also facilitates practical change now, as minority language groups are able to access education, healthcare information, and opportunities for economic development in a language they understand.  These early materials then pave the way for literacy so the Scriptures may be fully embraced when the Bible translation is ready.

(Story source: Wycliffe Canada)

In Orlando, we are in the midst of a seven-week stretch of onsite programs:  four weeks complete; three to come.  God has been gracious to provide amazing health and strength for these weeks and has added the blessing and privilege of allowing me to hear stories of His faithfulness in the lives of colleagues.  It has been a pleasure to walk alongside them on their various journeys as we serve together in Bible translation.  Your partnership with your prayers and your gifts has enabled me to help train new members and encourage other trainers and coaches as we have met together.  Thank you!

We will have three different groups of "veteran" missionaries with us in the coming weeks.  Please pray:

• that we are able to celebrate and care for our colleagues well
• for good renewal for the staff on the weekends between programs
• for health and strength for all
• for good weather for Wednesday evening "field trips" each week

I am so grateful for your many encouragements and countless prayers.  I could not be here without them.  I am praying for you, too.  Let me know if there are specific items I can be remembering with you.

The Naro Bible Dedication