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“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
Training Indonesians!
An update from David about his recent trip to Indonesia.
I recently returned from an exciting trip to Indonesia (April 3-18) where I mentored two Indonesians. Together, the three of us trained about 30 Indonesians that are either presently involved in Bible translation projects, and/or are helping to start new Bible translation projects in some of the 30+ languages still needing Bible translation in the province of Maluku, Indonesia.
What will it take to get Bible translation started in all of these languages? Most of these languages are spoken in very remote areas. Most are oral only languages at this point—they have never been written down. One of the first things we do is work with the community to figure out whether the Bible translation process will use an oral translation process or a written translation process. Then, we help them develop a translation team and identify a facilitator to lead the team, and then work with them to identify what training the team will need. We work with the local community to see what resources they have to contribute to the work and what things are needed from outside. That is what my recent trip was all about: Training Indonesians to lead teams to work with local language communities to answer the who, what, when, where, why and how’s for starting the work of Bible translation in the remaining languages.
It was an amazing trip! God provided in many ways to make the trip a success. The mentoring and training went well, and many other crucial conversations happened to help see these projects and partnerships continue to grow and develop in healthy and effective ways!
Praise God!
God at work with the Yamdena people
This is one of the Bible translation projects for which David is serving as a Field Coordinator.
Many of you remember the Yamdena New Testament dedication that I attended last year in October. The team is now working on Genesis and Psalms while also distributing printed New Testaments, SeedPlayers (solar powered audio Bibles) with the recorded New Testament on them, and doing Scripture Use workshops in the Yamdena speaking churches. Here are a few stories they recently shared in a report:
Paul Angwarmas says: “Reading God’s Word in our own language really touched my heart. I feel God’s presence and goodness in my life in a way that I have never experienced before.”
Mrs. Ana Sorluri is an elementary school teacher who was involved in one of the Scripture Use workshops. She said: “We often don’t speak Yamdena in church. But when I heard the Word of God read in the Yamdena language and also songs in Yamdena language it really touched my heart and made the Scripture and God come alive to me!” She also received a SeedPlayer, and said, “I am very thankful and grateful because with this device, I can play the recorded Bible for my husband who had a stroke 6 years ago and is no longer able to read. But he loves to listen to God’s Word in Yamdena! My husband hasn’t been able to go to church ever since his stroke. Previously he had been very involved in the church. The SeedPlayer allows God to speak to him in a way that he can easily access and understand.”
Mrs. Maria Refileli was very happy with the Scripture Use workshop in her church because it is helping her to be more open and close to God. She asked the team to come back and do it several more times so that many others can also know and get closer to God by reading God’s Word in the Yamdena language.
Family Updates
David has been working on projects around the house and serves on the board for this Hillsboro Prayer Breakfast when not doing his Wycliffe work or spending time with the family. David did a 90-day Bible read thru this year (Jan-Mar), than a 30-day New Testament read thru in April, and is currently going through the New Testament in the Ambonese language.
Denise has been busy getting the garden going this Spring and also spends plenty of time helping David with his work projects, driving kids to or from activities and driving her parents to or from doctor appointments.
Denise’s parents, Dave & Donna Dalton—also living with us: Dave continues to advance in his dementia. For him It is so disorienting and confusing. He has been hallucinating and delusional more and more. Donna continues to struggle with Sjogren’s syndrome and her deteriorating eyesight. She just had laser surgery on her eye, and then found out that she got an infection from the surgery. Pray for patience and healing for both of them and wisdom for us all as we try to help them navigate these challenging times.
David’s parents, Mike & Marilyn: Marilyn has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She is currently stage 1, grade 3. She is scheduled for a lumpectomy on May 29th. Pray for healing. Pray for wisdom for them and the doctors they are working with. Pray that God will be glorified through it all.
Upcoming Schedule
May 11: David preach at Laurel Community Church for Mother’s Day
May 17-18: To Gold Hill for Foots Creek Chapel 100-year anniversary celebration
July 6: David preach at Mid-Valley Baptist Church in Dryden, Washington
July 7-11: Laurel Community Church Vacation Bible School – they will be raising funds to purchase SeedPlayers (solar powered Audio Bibles) for Indonesia.
Thank you to those who are part of our partnership team through prayer and finances! We pray that you will be blessed as you see God working through us and transforming lives in Indonesia!
If you have ever considered partnering with us financially, now would be a great time! We just had one financial partner who retired and had to reduce their giving to us by $100/month. And one of our partner church’s had to reduce their giving by $100/month due to their current financial situation as a church. Let us know if you have any questions about how to begin or increase your financial partnership. And as always, thank you for your prayers!
To stay up to date on what’s going on, and get inspirational messages, make sure you follow us on social media.
