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.

Wrapping up in Indy

My two weeks in Indianapolis have been very enjoyable. It has all gone very quickly, as you might imagine. I'll be driving south May 8 and 9 and would appreciate your prayers. Thanks!

Looking ahead, we will have a Connection group (colleagues who have been overseas) with us, May 15-19. Pray that we celebrate and encourage them well. Then there are lots of details to pull together before we begin our summer stretch of programs. (Details are available in the calendar link listed on the right.)

It's such a privilege to be able to serve colleagues who are beginning their journeys and celebrate those who have been "out in the trenches." You are a blessing, faithful partners with my Wycliffe ministry. Without you, I could not be doing what I am doing. God is using your prayers and gifts and extending your influence for His Kingdom.

God's Grace and Strength

We finished Equip last night. We had two very good weeks, but they were also unusual weeks. We had more illness and logistical complications than any program that I recall. When all was said and done, it was a time when we learned much about depending on the Lord, and He did provide grace and strength in ways many of us could not imagine along the way. We are confident that God's hand was so obvious because of your prayers on our behalf. Thank you!

We had an amazing time interacting with this group of new colleagues. Our prayers go with them as they move on into their journeys of building their teams of prayer and financial partners. We look forward to seeing them return in years to come for the Connection programs!

May the blessings of the Resurrection be very real to you this Easter. Looking forward to seeing many of you at Faith Church next Sunday, April 23. I'll be driving April 21-22 and would appreciate your prayers. Thanks! Continuing to pray about those things you have shared with me.

Equip 34 comes tomorrow!

Tomorrow, we will welcome 26 new colleagues and their 21 children to begin Wycliffe's new missionary onsite orientation (Equip) in Orlando. They have already completed six weeks of online training and are ready for the "last leg" before being launched out to build their teams of prayer and financial partners so they might take their places around the world, helping to accelerate Bible translation. As you pray for me and for them in these next two weeks, God will be extending YOUR ministry to the Bibleless through them. I love that part!

Also, tomorrow, I begin the "last leg" of a full stretch of schedule that began mid-February. God has been gracious in providing amazing health and strength the entire way... and even this week, He has provided extra help in little ways. Please continue to pray for health and an ever-growing dependence on the Lord so that I serve in His strength, rather than my own.

So thankful for you. Let me know how I may be praying with you, too.

The Power of the Bible

Dr. Camille is a new colleague who understood her need for a relationship with Jesus after reading the Bible. It was a joy to be on the training team as she went through Equip orientation last year. May her testimony encourage you and be a reminder of the power of the Word of God.

​https://youtu.be/Lr5I3JHABhk

Your partnership through your prayers and gifts is so important. You are on the team that God is using to transform lives as others access the Scriptures in the language that speaks most clearly to their hearts.

Mom and I are having a good visit. Thanks for your prayers for our time and for the Health Plan Advisory Committee meetings, which went well this week. Later this month, we will host a group of 30 colleagues for a Connection program and then I will attend team meetings about an hour north of Orlando. I'd appreciate your prayers for the ability to be "in the moment" in each event.