Bags sewn by CUMC members

As I unpacked our bags from our recent trip to Michigan, I noted some wear and tear on our 26-year-old “shoe bags.” We use them for our shoes but that is not their original purpose.

At one of our campsites (1991)

Ken and I joined Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT) in August of 1990. WBT provided us with extensive preparation so that we could successfully live long term in a different culture. One of those requirements was something called Field Training Course (FTC). For those going to Asia or South America, we traveled first to Texas and then to Mexico. For three months we lived in cabins, camped outdoors and stayed for a month with a host family in Mexico. It was “the best and worst of times” as they say.

Ken carried the bulk of our belongings.

Wycliffe gave us a list of items that we needed to bring to FTC and a weight limit on those items. One of the requirements was to bring 10 cloth bags that could be closed at the top with a string, just like a hooded jacket. For those who know me (Anne), I don’t sew. So this requirement caused me a bit of stress.

“No problem,” said several ladies from Christ United Methodist Church of Fraser, Michigan. “We’ll make them for you.”

And they did. Ten bags, some grey, some blue, some pink, were handed to us before we left on our adventure.

Bags hanging at a different campsite.

While their original purpose was to carry food on long over night hikes, they eventually morphed into bags that would protect our shoes. Those bags have traveled with us for over a quarter of a century! Every time we use them, we think of those who made them.

We just returned from a trip to Michigan where we were able to speak at Christ United Methodist Church. At the end of the service, the pastor called the leadership to the front of the church, along with a special group of people who have met and prayed for us once a month for 27 years (!), and they recommitted their partnership with us. Our heads were anointed with oil, and as the pastor prayed for us we heard “We’re with you, we’ve been with you, we’ll continue to be with you. We’re committed to Bible Translation.”

What a joy to have such a great group standing with us! If you’d like to partner with us financially or by receiving our newsletter and praying, please click on this link! Come join our team!