Back to Indiana!?!

Hello from Florida! It was an honor to be a part of Faith's Global Impact Conference. I enjoyed connecting with many of you and sharing about what God is doing in Bible translation. As a pleasant surprise for me, I will be back in Indiana, March 19 - April 4.

The unexpected part is that Mom did not return to Florida with me. As a result of last week's CT scan, she now has a surgical consult on March 21. Thanks so much for your prayers. She is trusting God and doing ok in the waiting. We are thankful.

One prayer request we have is that the surgery be scheduled very soon after the consult, so that I might be able to help out post-surgery. (I am very grateful for all the family's oneness-of-mind in being available to help out!) Also, please pray for clarity as I sort through the tasks here next week, so that all that can't be done "remotely" gets accomplished. Thank you for your faithful prayers and encouragements.

Global Impact Conference

Hello from Indy! I am grateful to be a part of Faith Church's Global Impact Conference this weekend. It was such a joy to see a number of you last night at Terry & Jane's home meeting. My heart was so encouraged as we spent time catching up and interacting. Thanks again for your time last night.

Below is a list of the events that remain for the conference. If you are in Indy but not a part of Faith Church, feel free to join us for one or more of the events. (RSVPs are helpful, but not required.) I look forward to seeing many of you there!

Here are the events where you may find me:

WOMEN'S TEA | Sat., March 5 | 2 pm | Room 210
Join us for light refreshments and visit with missionary women! RSVP.

CONNECTION CLASSES | Sun., March 6 | 10:45 am
10:45 am | Lisa Meharry | Room 190 | Equipping Wycliffe members translating the Bible.

FAITH FAMILY LUNCH | Sun., March 6 | 12:30 pm | lobby
After the second service, enjoy a pitch-in lunch and the opportunity to help with a hands-on service project. Bring a dish to share: A - H salad/fruit, I - P side/vegetable, Q - Z dessert. Pulled pork sandwiches and tableware provided. RSVP.

WOMEN'S GLOBAL PRAYER | Tues., March 8 | 9:15 am | Room 190
(I will join this meeting by Skype, as I plan to return to Florida on Monday.) Join us for breakfast, hear from our featured missionary women and lift them up in prayer. Childcare available upon request; RSVP.

On a personal note, Mom has a CT scan scheduled for this morning. We'd appreciate your prayers for God's guidance in figuring out what is going on with some unexplained pain she is experiencing. Thanks much.

Between Connections

Thank you for your prayers these past two weeks. Endeavor (Paid Staff orientation) went very well. I was thankful to be able to "cover" a few things on behalf of a co-worker who was dealing with laryngitis, especially since she and others have covered for me at times when I was not well.

Then, this past week at The Wycliffe Connection, we have been privileged to celebrate 32 furloughing colleagues (and 13 MKs) from overseas. Over and over, we have heard amazing stories of God's faithfulness in their lives. Some of these new friends serve where they are able to be lights in very dark places. Would you pray that God will continue to renew and encourage them as they prepare to head back? Thank you!

Next week, we host a group of US-based colleagues. Thanks in advance for your prayers as we step away for this weekend to rest and to finish our preparations for their arrival.

Think of it -- these co-workers serve in their various ways; we encourage; you pray for and give toward my Wycliffe ministry... and the Lord weaves all of it together to speed Bible translation so that all may have access to the Truth in the language that best speaks to their hearts.

Equip and more

Equip

January was a great time, welcoming 26 new colleagues for their Wycliffe USA orientation: Equip. Among the “newbies” are pilots and linguists and teachers and accountants and animators and IT folks. They are headed all around the globe to do their part to help eradicate Bible poverty. As you prayed for them and for me, your partnership now extends to reap the blessing for all God will accomplish through their service.

So what does Equip look like for me? I am teaching again, using skills practiced during 20 years of school teaching, just with different content. Part of what I get to teach is the use of software I learned while in the offices at Faith. Then, I help out with the logistics (another skill I got to practice at Faith!) needed to keep a large group together and functioning for two weeks. It is a privilege to be able to walk alongside these new co-workers early in their journey and to serve with such a committed and godly team of facilitators.

The Big Picture

Can you remember suddenly understanding something significant for the first time…? You might have been feeling pretty excited and joyful. Marinne Weststrate observed that excitement and joy in a service in central Nigeria as some heard Scripture for the first time in their heart language.

I attended a church where services were held in the national language. Many of those who attended spoke Gworog, a minority language. A guest speaker was invited to preach, but since he did not speak the national language, he preached in English. Someone then translated the sermon into the national language.

As the service continued, one of the translators was asked to read Scripture. He read from a recently translated passage in Gworog. Everyone listened attentively. From everywhere in church, I heard chuckles and whispering. One of the women later exclaimed, “Hearing the Word in Gworog is so sweet!”*

There are nearly 1800 languages who still do not have access to a single verse of the Bible in the language that best speaks to their hearts. Thank you for your part in helping bring that sweetness to them.

*Story Source: https://www.wycliffe.org.uk/blog/2015/12/the-sweetness-of-scripture/

Equip (new missionary orientation) begins tomorrow!

Thank you for your prayers! It was a blessing to see many of you over the holidays. My heart was encouraged to hear stories of God's faithfulness in good times and in challenging times in your lives. My travel was smooth and I was renewed by my visit.

We are ready for the next round of onsite programs in Orlando, beginning with 26 new missionaries who will come tomorrow for Equip orientation. As always, thank you for your prayers for endurance, health, and wisdom. Pray also for God's Spirit to truly "equip" these new colleagues as they begin their Wycliffe ministries. I'm eager to meet them all!