20 and counting…

How many countries?

Recently we were asked how many countries we have traveled to and ministered in. So we had to stop and count. It has been 20 countries. And by God’s grace, may there be many, many more in the years ahead! We are so thankful that this has not been a journey that we’ve had to walk alone. Thank you for partnering with us each step of the way! As opportunities and responsibilities increase, we need your partnership now more than ever.

Upcoming linguistic training

This month has found us working away in the office, seeing many projects move forward. Then in November we’ll be in MO for some linguistic training that will equip our literacy consultant team to serve teams more effectively. In preparation, we’ve been studying things like voiceless velar stops and voiced alveolar fricatives. Ever heard of them? That’s the linguistic way to talk about the consonants k and z. It’s important for literacy consultants to understand where all sounds in languages are made in the mouth and how these sounds interact with each other. This will give us tools to make good decisions on the alphabet and spelling of words.

Why does it even matter?

Alphabets are not “one size fits all.” Each language requires its own special alphabet.  And God’s Word will be translated using this alphabet and spelling of words. So that makes it very important and pretty exciting! Then literacy programs come along and prepare people so they can read the words written in their own language from God.

So please join us in prayer for:

• the Literacy Starter computer program has made huge progress in this month, especially in the areas of providing data for syllable charting and printing capabilities
• understanding as we study in preparation for the upcoming linguistic training. There is a lot of vocabulary and details we are cramming into our minds these days!
• the linguistic workshop in November. Those days will be packed with learning on a level that most of us haven’t done for a long time!
  • But we also ask prayer for the building of strong relationships in our literacy team. People are flying in from eight countries and it is the first time that we will be together as a big, international team. It is a wonderful opportunity from the Lord!
• that Joyce & I will not let our guards down or “coast” in our walk with God, in our marriage and relationships with others, or ministries. As we grow older, a tendency is seek comfortableness and routine. But God has not called us to this and we desire to serve Him wholeheartedly through all the seasons of life.