I’ve been thinking about ships! Living by the Chesapeake Bay and in an historical region, we regularly see cargo ships, aircraft carriers, and other ships and boats ranging from tugboats to submarines, just a few blocks from our house. Enjoyable as these sights are, these are not the ships I’ve been thinking about. It’s the portraits of the mighty sailing ships that lure me in, particularly the paintings and etchings that depict entire fleets. I would so love to look out to the bay and see such a sight! So pathetic am I that I often pretend, particularly on misty mornings, to spot masts where there are actually giant cranes at the Norfolk docks across the river from us. Thinking such thoughts, I feel suddenly inclined to see what Scripture has to say about ships (and perhaps boats, as well). That should make for an interesting study. My shipish thoughts are being pulled into many possible currents, but I’ll only touch on one here.
“Those who go down to the sea in ships,
Who do business on great waters,
They see the works of the Lord,
And His wonders in the deep.” Psalm 107:23-24
This is just a small piece of a larger section of a magnificent Psalm. If you read only these two verses you can readily imagine sailors admiring the beauty of the seas God created. But as you read on you see the sailors in a fierce storm. You see them tossed to and fro, scared out of their wits, crying out in distress. In His time, God calms the storm and the sailors have a new appreciation for a quiet sea as “He guides them to their desired haven” (vs 30). The psalmist then takes up the refrain repeated throughout this passage, “Oh that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (vs 31).
If you have the opportunity today, take time to read this stunning Psalm and be reminded of the God who redeems and restores. It proclaims Him as the God of refugees, rebels, fools, the fearful, the hungry, the thirsty, the oppressed…all who cry out to Him are delivered, saved, and secured. The psalmist says “Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.” (vs 43). It is a good reminder of where our confidence should rest. And that only in Him can we truly rest.
We have seen His lovingkindness, indeed. Tom and I continue to marvel at how God is at work around the world and rejoice that we can continue to participate in a small way through our work with the Wycliffe Global Alliance. I (Tom} continues to both untangle and organize the online resources of the Americas Area. The main job is keeping the MiComunidad portal functioning while adding new articles, events, documents and users to it. There are many online events these day, one current series is a course called Languages and the Mission of God which happens every Thursday for 5 weeks. I {Susan} am still working with colleagues on the book that will tell the history of the Alliance and how God has worked through it so that more people around the world can have His Word in their languages. ’m also working with a new group of researchers, helping guide them in collecting existing resources and producing new resources that will assist leaders from all walks of Christian life growing as global missional leaders. And I’m working on various behind-the-scenes projects to help the Alliance and our colleagues think about strategy from biblical and theological perspectives.
The work of Bible translation has not slowed during the challenging pandemic times. God has continued to provide for His people and every facet of His mission. As most of you know by now, the ministry of Bible translation isn’t about a product. It’s about people, people coming to know Christ, people in relationship with God. I think you will be encouraged as you follow the link below to read an article and watch a video from Indonesia. You can see how the Church is rising to the occasion and encouraging congregations to read the recently translated Mangala Malay New Testament. GMIM, Gereja Masehi Injili di Minahasa (Christian Evangelical Church in Minahasa) is one of 14 Wycliffe Global Alliance Organizations in Indonesia! GMIM has its own translation center and teams of translators working on translations like the Mangala Malay. https://www.wycliffe.net/reading-gods-word-together/
The growth of the worldwide Church has opened up so many possibilities for involvement in translation that we never could have dreamed of, let alone planned for! We surely do see “God’s wonderful works to the children of men”.
Now that Tom and I, and my parents, have been vaccinated, we are starting to look at a few more work and personal travel possibilities and we are happily having an increasing number of guests in our home. We are grateful to have had good health through this unusual and extended season of semi-isolation. Kate and Jordan and family were supposed to come for a long-awaited visit in April, but were deterred by Covid. We are thankful they have mostly recovered, though Kate is still experiencing some weariness and aches (beyond the mom norm). They do plan to visit later this month.
So, again my ship has been guided by the Creator and has reminded me that whatever storms are around us, whatever trials are to come, He is good, He is loving. “…He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness” (vs 9). “…His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so” (vs1-2) I hope we can join together in this proclamation! Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support. We appreciate you greatly and keep you in our prayers.
Tom and Susan
