June 12-19 Susan in Finland for Wycliffe Global Leadership Team meeting and Wycliffe Finland's 40th anniversary celebration.Other June highlights- our 32nd anniversary, Don and Vivian Van Wynen's 13th anniversary (Tom's dad and stepmom) and Jerry Roach's 80th birthday (Susan's dad).
The Wycliffe Global Gathering in Thailand was an amazing experience as we saw and heard what God can do and is doing through the worldwide Church as they take on the challenge of Bible translation. More than 200 leaders from more than 100 Wycliffe participating organizations met for a week of sharing, celebrating and learning together.
Our keynote speaker was Dr. Christopher J.H. Wright, noted Christian leader and author. I've enjoyed reading his book, The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative, this past year. As an Old Testament scholar, he brings mission to life as much more than just a few proof texts for the Gospels. You can read summaries of his presentations and watch the videos at www.wycliffe.net/resources/missiology/globalperspectives/tabid/97/Default.aspx
What's next? July is probably the only month this year that we will both be home all month! We hope to have plenty of time to focus on work, but are also looking forward to guests and house projects. Those two things may not seem like the best combination, but as our house is always in some stage of remodeling, it is pretty much inevitable that any guests have to accept their accommodations as a work in progress.
Kate and her boyfriend, Jordan, arrive on the 5th. On the 10th, Jordan returns to New York and three of Kate's girlfriends arrive for a few days before the foursome head out for a road trip west. Then Tom and I get back to work!Tom makes continual improvements and additions to wycliffe.net- enhancing language maps, connecting another list of online Scripture translations, and also a list of language survey reports. My current projects include orientation materials for the Alliance, preparing for a leadership development meeting in Malaysia in August, input to wycliffe.net, strategic planning updates, and the new missiology blog, Missio Vitae. This new resource provides "bite-size" readings, reflections and questions related to the Mission of God and how we, His Church worldwide, can participate. The blog launched this month in seven languages! Check it out or get a feed of the weekly installments at missio.wycliffe.net.
We hope your July brings many blessings, good relationships and times of refreshment as you, too, continue your journey with the Lord. We appreciate you and often reflect on the blessings you bring to our journey! We are grateful for your prayers, friendship and support. We keep you in our thoughts and prayers wherever our journey takes us!
