April Update

The first few months of this year provided lots of opportunities for appreciating and reflecting on family. We enjoyed a family holiday in January with Josh, Heather, Wynnie, Kate and Jordan. It was both Wynnie's and Jordan's first visit to Disney World! The photo on the top right was taken in front of the fountain at Epcot where we've been taking Josh and Kate's pictures since Kate was an infant. Even transient folks like us have a few traditions!
In February, Tom's dad, Don, went to be with the Lord just a week after his 89th birthday. Though we will miss him, we know he is now in full health and rejoicing in the presence of Lord. All of Tom's siblings and their kids, plus our kids, came to Texas for the memorial service. It was a good time of family fellowship and celebrating Don's life. There were people at the memorial service who had been his friends for more than 60 years! Do be praying for Vivian, Tom's stepmom, as she adjusts to life without Don. She has been such a blessing to our whole family.

The latest family news is Kate's engagement to Jordan Roberts! We've been expecting this good news for a while now and are so happy for them. They hope to get married this October. Jordan has been accepted at Westminster Seminary in Pennsylvania, so if the Lord provides scholarships, new jobs and a place to live they would like to begin school in January. In our next newsletter we will have a special  "Meet  Jordan" article and update on their plans so you can learn a bit more and be praying with us and with them as they look to their future together. Josh's wife, Heather, is also hoping to go back to school to get teaching credentials. I'm sure both families would appreciate your prayers!



I'm writing this letter between journeys. Last week I was in France for global communication meetings.
Tomorrow I leave for meetings in Germany with colleagues working in Eurasia and then go on to Fort Lauderdale, FL for the Forum of Bible Agencies International meetings. But it has been good to be home this past week and to celebrate Easter with Tom and my parents. Next month Tom and I will be traveling together to the Wycliffe Global Alliance board meetings in Germany. We always enjoy it when we can travel together!

I've started this newsletter about four times, so am going to keep it short to make sure I really finish it before it gets to outdated!  We do want to share at least one bit of news concerning what's happening in Bible translation. I don't know if you read and pray through the wycliffe.net weekly Prayer Bulletin (you can find it each week on the front page of the website) but these prayer requests are also a great way to get the news of what's going on around the world. This last week featured requests from Papua New Guinea. Here's just one example--

Praise the Lord for the Bible Translation Association's (BTA) translation consultants who are busy with a number of checking projects in March. Kidu Magi is checking the Gizrra language books of Acts of the Apostles, Philemon and 2 John. Duncan Kasokason is checking portions of Genesis in Kanasi and Buhutu  which are part of the Translators' Training Course assignments for the two translation teams. Aluis Simatab is preparing to check Isaiah in the Guhu Samane language in April. Praise the Lord for consultant training being organized to train more Papua New Guineans to check translated Scriptures.

This gives you just a glimpse of what's happening in PNG, one of the regions of the world with the greatest number of language communities still needing Bible translation. PNG has more than 800 languages! BTA, the organization mentioned above, is a Papua New Guinean Wycliffe organization with a growing number of Papua New Guinean translators, translation consultants and literacy workers. Many people in North American churches still picture Bible translation and mission as primarily "western" endeavors being carried out by expats. While there are still many people from the west going out, the majority of Wycliffe participating organizations today are from the majority world, not the west. It is exciting to see how God's Church has grown and how His people all over the world are joining Him in His mission. Tom and I are privileged to work with and serve these colleagues through our roles in the Wycliffe Global Alliance.

Many of you are also a part of this global ministry. Your prayers, support and friendship are constant sources of encouragement to us. We value you greatly! Thank you for all you have done and are doing. We also want to say a special thank-you to all those who sent notes and condolences when Tom's dad went to be with the Lord.  Thank you!  I started this letter talking about family. We consider you part of our family as well.