Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) Therefore, since we
are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every
weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race
that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of
our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
I’m writing this on my last
night here in Kenya. I’ve just spent a week right outside Nairobi, meeting with
our Wycliffe Global Alliance Leadership Community, at the BTL Conference Centre
in Ruiru. BTL (Bible Translation and Literacy, East Africa) is the Kenyan
Wycliffe organization. We have a Leadership
Team, but when we meet as a ”Leadership Community,” it means others have been
invited in to share in the fellowship and discussions, to broaden their vision
and to enrich our team. This time, several Kenya colleagues were included, plus
the Communication leadership from Asia, Africa, Americas and Europe. So it was
good to be with my longtime Communication friends. I was happy to change roles
from Communication to Strategy after 30+ years of Communication service, but I
do miss my friends!
It’s also been good to catch
up with what’s happening in Kenya. Since 2008, BTL has sponsored a Run for the
Bibleless to raise awareness about their mission of facilitating Bible
translation and sustainable literacy among the many smaller language groups in
Kenya. Funds are also raised through registration for the event. I remember
some of the first discussions when they were starting the event. It has
certainly grown since then! This year’s Run had more than 12,000 participants!
Among those participating were the Deputy President of Kenya, senators, Members
of Parliament and other officials. https://www.rftbkenya.org/rftb-2018
“We
have already made a firm commitment that we will assist BTL and other
like-minded organizations…We are here today to put a stamp that we stand behind
you and will walk all the way until every community in Kenya will read the
Bible in their Mother tongue.” His Excellency Hon. William
Ruto, Deputy President of the Republic.
This year, translation and
literacy work continues in many Kenyan language communities, and Rendille and
Ilwana communities will have the New Testament and the Tharaka and Giryama will
finally have the entire Bible. It is a year of great celebration here in Kenya!
We were privileged to spend time with our Kenyan colleagues who oversee this
work and the Board of BTL which includes pastors, professors, and other Kenyan
leaders.
For Tom and me, connections to
Kenya go back to our pre-Wycliffe days. We lived here (2- year-old Josh, too!)
for eight months in 1984 when we were serving with Audio Scriptures Ministries
(previously known as PRM). We left Kenya just two short weeks before Kate made
her early arrival. The words above from
Hebrews and the quote from the Deputy President reminded me of your faithfulness,
endurance and commitment to the ministry in which we’ve been involved and to
our family. You truly stand behind us and walk with us!
Not only do we continue
in ministry because of the Lord’s goodness and provision through your prayers
and gifts, but we also continue through the transitions of family life with
your help. We have moved to the new house that has an apartment for my parents
(and plenty of room for friends and other family!). The gifts we received
covered our closing and moving costs. And your prayers smoothed the way for
safe moves (unless you count damaged bookcases) and good transitions for Tom
and me and for my parents. We have years of house projects ahead, but are
pleased that the projects at the old house should end soon! Lord willing, we
close on our old house July 7. We are sorry to have to take a loss on it after
all we put into it, but we trust God’s provision and hope the new owners are
blessed by our improvements. Please continue to pray that my parents’ house
sells, too. No prospects so far! We really need both houses sold to make the
new mortgage manageable. Thanks again for all your prayers and support! We look
forward to having good times with my parents now “next door” and trust the Lord
to help us love them well and serve them well as needed. At this point, Daddy
is making major improvements to our yard, so the serving aspects are certainly
not all on our part!
Tom continues to be
busy with house projects. In the past few weeks, he’s done a ton of work to get
the old house ready to sell. And there are projects at the new house. Plus
work, of course! The Wycliffe.net website is due for some major changes soon,
which may mean changes in Tom’s role as well. But for now it’s mostly
maintenance and helping colleagues around the world in their postings, etc.
I’m trying to find a
new balance between home activities (house projects, company, etc.) and my
study program. I’ve attached a note from our Executive Director that may help
you understand why I’m doing what I’m doing these days!
We’ve also enjoyed
family time with the kids. We saw Josh and Heather and the girls in April in
Colorado when we went west for a missions conference. And we were able to see
Kate and Jordan and crew recently, too. We had the privilege of attending Jordan’s
graduation from Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia a few weeks ago.
Congratulations, Jordan! And Kate! Four years of marriage, three kids and
seminary…definitely a team effort! I also spent almost a week with them in NY
on my way to Kenya. It took them three months to find an apartment, but God
certainly blessed. It is a spacious three-bedroom, with laundry facilities,
first floor, and walking distance to a park. No small achievements in NY!
Unfortunately, the whole apartment was painted a somber very dark grey. They
had already redone the kids’ bedrooms and I got a living room wall and the
kitchen bulkhead painted and greatly lightened up when I was there. On my next
visit I’ll tackle the whole dining room! Good to have a focus on someone else’s
projects besides just our own long list!
As it says in Hebrews,
may we follow Christ’s example “for the joy set before Him”, keeping our focus
on God while we continue our life and work here on earth. And may we run with
endurance…together, for His glory.
Susan and Tom Van Wynen
