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.

Coaching

Meet some of my colleagues! Here are screenshots from a recent meeting.

Fellow Coaches

These co-workers are spread out from Oregon to Texas to New York to Florida and are Partnership Development (PD) Coaches. They help provide resources, encouragement, and accountability for other Wycliffe missionaries as they raise and sustain teams of prayer and financial partners, all so that Bible translation may be accelerated.

Our group gets together “virtually” each month. These seasoned coaches have taught me much about how to encourage others along their “PD” journey.

At the meeting, I had opportunity to share new information about tools we present at Equip (the two-week orientation program for new Wycliffe missionaries).

Coaching Seminar

Once again, your partnership with my Wycliffe ministry through your prayers and gifts has widespread impact, extending now to all who will be served by these coaches. Thank you!

As we enter the summer season, we look forward to an intensive and yet wonderful time with many coming through Orlando. Please pray for health, strength, wisdom and for the ability to serve well.

My prayer for us all is that God’s Word would be our true joy and delight.

Gela New Testament

It was a joy to connect with 36 missionary colleagues and 12 of their MKs as they came through Orlando this month. We were able to hear many stories of the Lord's faithfulness in their lives and celebrate their faithfulness in service in Bible translation. It is a privilege to be co-workers with them and to encourage them. Pray that God will continue to renew them and meet all their needs.

This week, we began our final preparations for some upcoming events (we will have six weeks of programs this summer!). We are gathering resources, planning logistics, and spending team-building time. It is also a time when I lean into coaching the new missionaries assigned to me. Pray that I have wisdom to truly help them and that God will build teams of prayer and financial partners for them so they may go on to their field assignments.

It is so exciting to see what God is doing as more and more people receive the translated Scripture. In early May, Wycliffe Australia shared stories of the Gela New Testament dedication in the Solomon Islands. During the dedication week, seminars were held to train many in foundational Christian beliefs and to encourage them to read their New Testaments for themselves. Praise God that the Gela people now have access to the Bible in the language they best understand. Pray that many more will come to know Jesus and grow deeply in their knowledge of God.

Your partnership with your prayers and gifts is being used to speed Bible access to those just like the Gela. Thank you!

April Equip

Thank you for your faithful prayers and gifts toward my Wycliffe ministry. Your partnership in April was used by God to impact the Equip training of 21 new missionaries and their 12 MKs. I praise the Lord for health and strength for the “Crew” (who facilitated the two-week orientation) and for the participants and their families.

“B,” one of the Equippers, was originally from South Asia. We were very moved to hear his testimony of the power of the Bible in transforming his family, one member at a time. Relationships that were at one time harsh and abusive became nurturing and life-giving. B’s parents are from an oral culture and do not read. They now spend time each evening listening to audio Scripture in their heart language, learning and growing in their knowledge of God.

Seeing the power of the Word in his family’s lives has motivated B to join Wycliffe Bible Translators. His desire is to use his gifts and experience in administration to help translators in his home country continue translating for others who are still waiting. You have a part in his future Wycliffe ministry.

For more information, check out Letters from Lisa.

Surgery tomorrow

Thanks to all who have been praying for Mom and for my family as we wait. Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow.

For a season, it seems best to not post specific updates here. I'll be back with ministry and personal updates in the future. For information about this part of our journey, please message me with an email address so I might pass on information to you by email rather than by broadcast here. Or, just keep praying, as we can be thankful that God knows our needs and will use your prayers, even without specific details. Thanks for your understanding!