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Category Archives: Ken

Ken’s ministry

Wweeeellll Ddoooonnne!

I love how God uses people’s gifts and abilities. Ken is a teacher. It doesn’t matter what other title he holds or what work he does, teaching always comes out in all that he does. We’ve all had teachers, some good and some bad. The good ones help us through the hard stuff. Ken has figured out “silly” ways to encourage people as they learn tough tasks, like using a computer mouse for the first time, or figuring out how to use Bible Translation software.

Here’s an update from Ken which shows how he uses his gifts:

I went to class yesterday and it was a tough, but very important, lesson. We worked our way through it and I planned a review. Then I reviewed the review again, as I’ve done the entire week. They seem to pick it up after the review. I’m made games out of it and make noises in the class when they get it right and wrong so we’re laughing along the way. The video that comes with the lessons says real slowly, in a deep voice, “Wwweeelll ddoonnee!” So, I’ve incorporated a “1,2,3” to the class and then we all say, “Wwwelll ddoonnee!” to the person that answers the question correctly. Everyone uses their deepest voice, even the women. It’s hilarious. Now I hear them walking around the campus saying “Well done” in the same way to each other. For an incorrect answer, I hold my nose and say, “Aaaannnt”, portraying the sound a buzzer makes on a game show when you answer incorrectly. Now, they all do that as well. It’s so funny.

What’s your gift and how will you use it this week? I need to find someone to serve since that’s mine! Thanks for praying yet again.

 
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Posted by on October 21, 2012 in Ken, Software

 

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Their words, not ours…

It’s nice to be appreciated, don’t you agree? While we all have a work ethic that keeps us serving each day, it’s always wonderful to know that what you are doing is helpful. Ken was copied on an email yesterday. In it, the consultant from his South East Asia trip was thanking Ken (and his colleague Russ) work that was done last month. I thought I would share it with you because your donations and prayers make it possible for us to do this work.

“I want to express our thanks for all the work that was done by Russ and Ken and also for the generosity of WA in picking up the tab for all of those licenses of Windows7!
 
It was no mean feat to setup 11 computers to the specifications we had set, to tweak each one, to lock them all so that translators cannot get themselves into trouble – all that among other things.  And once the workshop started both Russ and Ken gave themselves to  teaching and problem solving until the time they left.  Even after they had arrived at home they continued to give support via the HelpDesk.
 
As a result, we now have 4 translation teams who can use BGAN, can chat via Pigin, can send email and can enter the text of Scripture using the Paratext program.  I’d say that is very impressive!”

So from Asia to wherever you are, THANK YOU!

P. S. Ken departs next week for Nigeria. We’ll keep you updated!

 
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Posted by on October 5, 2012 in BGAN, Ken, Laptops, Wycliffe Associates

 

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Ok, I’ll try to explain!

Just got a short email from Ken asking for urgent prayer. It’s all very technical so please don’t quote me on the problem!

As I understand it (this is like a lay person explaining string theory!), Ken and Russ are running into problems getting the translators computers ready to be used on Monday. Each translation team is receiving a new laptop in order to start their journey of Bible Translation. Each laptop must be configured so that they are the same. They need to have licenses and programs and all sorts of other stuff put on them.

There is some sort of major problem with where they bought the licenses , the computers, and who knows what else. Ken has had to do a lot of “work arounds” and is trying to image the correct computer so that they can easily do the next 10 computers. Remember, they are in an area with little Internet capabilities, so they can’t just download all of these things.

They need to get this done so that they can focus on their training materials but it’s taking up all of their time.

So would you pray? I don’t know how to ask you to pray…some of you understand this better than me!

Frog for lunch! (image from Paris Miniatures”

By the way, Ken had frog for lunch yesterday. What did you have? My tomato soup sounds so boring!

 
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Posted by on September 7, 2012 in BGAN, Ken

 

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A twenty year difference

I was visiting with an old friend the other day and she asked, “How has technology changed since you first left for the field?” Wow, exponentially! I knew she was asking because Ken was on his long trip to SE Asia and she wondered if I had heard from him or not.

20 years ago it would have been over a week until our family received a letter from us letting them know that we had arrived safely to our destination. This trip was a first in that I received a text message from Ken from every place he landed except the last most remote location. Isn’t that great? I could “follow” him across the world with each message and pray him on to the next. What a huge change and this just in 20 years!

Ken must use the BGAN satellite that they are deploying just to get email in and out this trip so he warned me that I might not hear from him too often. But I did get one short message last night.

Ken’s email:

I remember when our daughters were little and we traveled long distances in the car they would inevitably ask, “Are we there yet?” I would almost always respond, “Not yet. Another 10 minutes.”

Russ, my colleague and I, were asking the same question Wednesday evening around 8:30 PM our time during the last leg of our journey to our final SE Asia destination.

Charlotte to Minneapolis/St. Paul -> Tokyo, Japan (12 hours) -> Singapore (7 hours) -> overnight in a hotel -> Jakarta (2  hours) -> overnight in Jakarta -> up at 2:00 AM for a 5:40 AM, 3 hour trip to an island -> another hour trip to another island -> 1 hour boat ride across the crystal clear watered bay -> 3.5 hour drive over some very challenging roads.

Around Wednesday, 8:00 PM, tired and weary, heads bobbing wanting for sleep, we were following in our children’s footsteps and asking ourselves, “Are we there yet?”

We arrived at our destination and were warmly met by people of the area. A nice meal, a cold shower, and a comfortable bed was all that was needed to answer, “Yes. We’ve arrived.”

We thank God for the opportunity to partner with brothers and sisters in Christ in this remote part of the world. The challenges are many but the blessings are greater.

Thank you for praying! I’ll update here as I can. He’s hit “the ground running” so I’m thrilled how God can use him and his partners to speed the Bible Translation task forward.

 
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Posted by on September 6, 2012 in BGAN, Ken

 

And they’re off…

The next two days are moving days. Ken starts traveling  tomorrow from the southeast of Nigeria back to Jos (9-11 hour car ride). The next day he travels from Jos to  the Abuja airport (4 hours). He waits for 8 hours or so in the airport and then he starts the long ride home. Prayer for his safety and that of his drivers would be much appreciated.

My daughter Laura and her family are traveling the next two days also. The photo is a little hard to see but these are the vehicles they are using as they drive from New York to North Carolina to resettle here and start their new life together. Josh is driving a 26  foot truck while pulling a car, and Laura is driving a truck while pulling a trailer. Inside are four children and lots of questions like, “Are we there yet?” You get the picture! Please pray for their safety and peace as they start anew. This is a very brave move for all of them.

Ken arrives home on Saturday evening and then on Sunday we leave for a week of much-needed vacation. We’ll update you all when we return. I know he has some wonderful stories and photos to share. Thank you again for standing with us in prayer. You are loved.

 
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Posted by on July 11, 2012 in Family, Ken

 

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A bit of trouble for some

This is why we must continue to pray for our colleagues and co-workers…

An IT team (not Ken’s) was robbed last week while traveling in Nigeria. Thanks be to God that no one was badly hurt and all of the computer equipment was saved. If you click here you can read the whole story or listen to the radio interview of David Reeves, Ken’s boss. Look on the top right side of the page for audio.

Ken attended a local Nigerian church yesterday. He told me that when they took the offering, people stood up and danced down the aisle while putting their money in the basket. How cool is that? I can’t remember ever dancing as I turned in my tithe!

The joy of giving! May we all have that same enthusiasm this week! Giving in funds, giving in our time, giving in our prayers…you can even dance while doing it!

 
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Posted by on July 9, 2012 in Ken, Wycliffe Associates

 

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Feet are moving…

Road trip anyone?

Ken is now in Jos, Nigeria. He is at the center that he usually stays in while in Nigeria. When he arrived, there was a workshop in session in Jos and his help was needed right away. He’s jumped in to help out while waiting for another translator to arrive. Together they will be driven down south tomorrow, Wednesday, to a place called Zing. It’ll be 11.5 hours apparently. They will be in Zing for the duration fo this trip.

Here’s how we can all be praying!

  • There are huge spikes in the electricity right now. Ken is afraid to plug anything in. His flashlight bulb has already exploded…literally! This can really do a number on all of the hardware obviously.
  • No internet connection where he is and there may not be any for the next two weeks. I don’t know if this is a problem for teaching, but we can pray about that.
  • Some changes in teaching leadership….Ken was supposed to be a helper to someone else doing the teaching for this trip, but it looks like he and the translator may be teaching the Paratext course afterall. (this is a tool for Bible Translators).  Pray for peace, and appropriate lessons for this particular group. We don’t want to overwhelm new learners!

Thank you so much. If I hear more, I’ll let you know.

 
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Posted by on July 3, 2012 in Ken, Software

 

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Accelerating Bible translation with BTAKs and solar panels

Wycliffe USA just released an article entitled, “Wycliffe Associates Connects Bible Translators in Isolated, Dangerous Regions with Satellite Communication” describing what the TechAdvance team I serve with does. Take a peek. I think they’ve communicated far better than I ever have regarding of some of the exciting activities our has team has recently been involved in.

My colleague, Phil Harms, recently released a solar panel installation video of the kits our team has created and are deploying in areas lacking sufficient electrical power. The video explains what the kit consists of and how easy it is to install.

Go ahead, take a look. It gives a good idea of how and where our team is accelerating the process of getting God’s Word into the hands of the Bibleless people of the world. It’s not easy and frankly, it’s not always safe. But mother tongue Bible translators, and ultimately the Bibleless people of the world, are waiting.

Are you interested in helping us deploy these BTAKs around the world? If you can’t go yourself, maybe you could join our prayer and/or financial team and keep us keeping on. You can find additional information here.

 
 

Ken is on his way to India

I just dropped Ken and his colleague, Russ Perry, off at the Charlotte airport. They are on their way to India! This is a first trip to that large country for Ken. They plan on visiting two Indian organizations. We are partnering with them to provide IT technical support for 50 new Bible translation projects that are starting there.  Those 50 new projects represent 45% of the remaining translation needs in India!

Russ wrote on his blog: “One organization has asked us to help them develop training methods and materials that will be used to teach mother tongue translators how to use a computer program that was created specifically for translating the Bible. The other organization has asked us to help train their technicians who will provide computer support for mother tongue translators. Please pray that solid relationships will be formed, that we will communicate well, and that God will guide our partnership team to the most effective ways to provide the training to those who need it.”

They return home in two weeks. We’ll try to keep you updated as I hear from Ken. Thanks for praying!

 
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Posted by on April 6, 2012 in Ken, Tech Support, Wycliffe Associates

 

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What’s up with Nigeria?

A number of you have asked us if Ken is planning on returning to Nigeria any time soon. As you recall, he has made three trips there this past year helping deploy the BGAN satellites as well as doing training for our national Bible Translators.

The frequent news articles highlighting the increased bombings in the region make us all a bit edgy. As of this week, Ken has no plans to return to Nigeria until he is needed. But our work is not stopping in the region. Most of the translators are nationals and therefore have a good idea of how to keep themselves safe.

But all our work is not safe, is it? We lived in Indonesia for 10 years and had malaria many times. We watched colleagues and workers die from this disease in spite of medication. We lived in a place that was frequently protesting to become independent. This caused us to have “riot” days — days that we closed down the local school just in case there was to be a local uprising. Increasingly, the places we work will seem not that safe. Sure, none of us wants to walk into the path of trouble, but there are risks to working outside of your own culture and comfort zone.

Please be in prayer for the nation of Nigeria which is experiencing unrest and violence targeting Christians. Nigerians are hungry for God’s Word and translation is going on in dozens of languages. Pray that Satan will be stifled and God will allow these translation projects to continue so the people will have His Word in their heart language sooner rather than later.

An article Thursday on the Mission Network News website included an interview with Wycliffe Associates president Bruce Smith (see http://mnnonline.org/article/16662). When asked about the Nigerian translation teams, Bruce responded:

“They (the Nigerians) are seeking wisdom about how to respond in these circumstances. They’re actually looking to God’s Word for the answers that they really need in terms of how they relate to their neighbors and other members of the community that are part of this stressful situation.” The article says that the teams have not allowed the situation to disrupt their deadlines for translation work. Bruce said, “It’s definitely creating a climate of uncertainty and increases their concern about how to continue carrying out their work. They know that God’s Word has the real power to change people’s hearts and that continuing to move forward in Bible translation is the best way to remedy the situation that they face.”

You can keep up with the latest news about the Nigeria situation at the Mission Network News site as well as other news services like CNN. These events highlight that we need to take advantage of opportunities to spread the Good News while the doors are open.

Thank you for standing with us as we continue to do so.

 
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Posted by on January 12, 2012 in BGAN, Ken, Prayer, Wycliffe Associates

 

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