Category Archives: Family
Encouragement via Colored Paper and Words
All those cards! All the love!
The day after Ken had his heart attack was one of joy and fear. Joy that he was alive and had survived two stents being put in his heart. Fear of the open heart surgery scheduled two weeks from then. And ultimately, fear of the unknown.
We had so many questions and wondered what was ahead of us.
But within days, cards started arriving in the mail.
“We’re praying for you.”
“God gives us peace.
“Recovery is a process.”
Other people sent emails, called or visited us. This continued for three months!
Your words we such an encouragement to us…like a warm hug, balm on a wound, or good piece of music. We smiled, laughed and cried over each one. Each act took time. It took effort. It took work for the person who did it.
The things you did helped remove our fears and replace it with just JOY and PEACE. As Ken healed, we were thankful for each new day. We also recovered as a family.
Thank you for being the body of Christ. You have taught us how to be better members for others.
Happy Memories 2016!
Our family December 2016
Happy Memories 2016
Every January, I make a post about our “Happy Memories” jar. I have a mason jar on our kitchen counter. Each time we remember a happy memory, we write it down with the date and drop it in the jar. On January 1st, we read the memories and think back on all of our blessings.
This year, because we had both of our girls and their families with us, we did it early on December 27th. Everyone added their own happy memories and we went around the table reading 30-40 different memories.
The comments were, “Oh, I forgot about that!” and “Oh, yes, that was a good day.”
At the end, we had a time of prayer, thanking God for all of his good things.
In my devotions this morning, I was reminded that with the new year ahead, we will have many rough roads and times of difficulties. But God is still with us! Some of our happy memories are connected with difficult memories. “Ken’s life was spared from a massive heart attack.” That’s a joyous thing to remember, but such a difficult time too.
Just as God came down as a baby to take our place years later on the cross, so has he also walked the life of man, enduring all things that we will endure. What will that be for us? We have no idea, but I trust my Lord and Savior to take us through.
Below are some of our happy memories. Do you have some to share?
Trip to New York to see supporting churches: Vacation with old friends and to old places, specifically Montana; No cancer for a family member; Visits from Anne’s mom; Ken’s life was spared; Ken’s brothers and Christine came for his surgery; Christine and Dan bought a house; Both son-in-laws had a successful year in their businesses; Anne graduated from university; A new grandchild; Surprise gifts; Anne and her mom safe when the brake line broke on their car.
Praise God!
Reach for the OTHER Sheep!
I’m studying the book of John in my weekly Bible Study Fellowship class. We’re up to one of my favorite chapters. Chapter 10 talks at length about hearing God’s voice. The key to hearing God’s voice? Knowing Scripture and recognizing that God’s voice will always match what the Bible says.
I am praising God this morning that Jesus came to do the will of God which was to die for us. He came to die. That was His job. So as we finish celebrating Christmas, the coming of Emmanuel, we are led to reflect on the fact that the baby came to give up his life 33 years later. I lived years protecting my two little girls and now hover over my grandsons. I can’t even imagine that they would be born for the purpose of dying for others. I want them to live! But thanks be to God who gave his Son for me, to die, so that I would have eternal life starting right now! God reached down to us!!
Our pastor is going to start teaching in January using the book of John too! I’m reading his new devotional each day entitled “Hearing the Voice of God” by David Chadwick.
David Chadwick says this:
“Live for Jesus. Obey him as he obeyed the Father and laid down his life for you.
Go into the world and reach his sheep in different pastures. If you can’t go physically, send money. It represents you. You spent long, laborious hours earning it. When it is sent, you are being sent.
And pray fervently that people will be drawn to Jesus…just make sure you are going-in one way or another. As Jesus was sent from heaven, so he sends you into the world.”
Ken and I donate to several people who have gone out into the world just as you donate to us. We represent Jesus in New Jersey, Egypt, Papua New Guinea and across the world! What a joy to reach sheep in other pastures just as Jesus reached out to us.
Thank you for your continued love and support these many years. We pray that we might that in the year 2017 we might listen to God’s voice and reach many more sheep together!
This just in from our Headquarters
The last day to make a tax-deductible contribution for 2016 is Dec. 31. Online gifts may be made at wycliffe.org/invest/year-end until 11:45 p.m. ET. For those who want to make a donation by phone, the Wycliffe team will be covering the phones until 6 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 30, and between 1-6 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 31. To make contributions via phone, please call toll free at 800-WYCLIFFE (992-5433).
Thank you for your continued support ending Bible poverty!
Looking to DOUBLE your gift?
Double the impact of your gift to Wycliffe with a Corporate Matching Gift.
Many corporations around the U.S. match their employees’ charitable donations to organizations like Wycliffe. Some will even match contributions by employee spouses’ or retirees’, and volunteer hours. Check out the Double the Donation tool at wycliffe.org/donate/corporate-matching to see if your employer participates in the corporate matching gifts, then contact your employer for detailed information. An FAQ is also available at the webpage.
Bible Reading Made Easier
*This post is copied entirely from Wycliffe.org
During a recent survey by the Barna Group, 61 percent of Americans said they “wished they read the Bible more.” Maybe you are among that group but are finding it difficult to navigate a daily Bible- reading routine. Or maybe you just want to get more out of your time in the Bible.
Apps and reading plans provide an easy way to engage with the Bible. And with hundreds to choose from, it can be difficult to find exactly what you want! Whether you’re looking for an in-depth Bible study, a great concordance or simply want to experience the Bible in a different language, we’ve come up with a list of a few apps and websites we think might help as you read the Bible:
+ YOUVERSION
You might already have YouVersion downloaded on your phone or tablet so you can easily look up your favorite Bible verses or follow along during a Sunday morning sermon. But
did you know that YouVersion also has over 1,200 versions of the Bible in more than 850 different languages? Not only does the app have different versions of the Bible available, but YouVersion also hosts a wide variety of devotionals and reading plans that you can download. And if you have children, you can even find interactive, animated stories in the Bible App for Kids! YouVersion is one of the easiest apps to use if you’re looking for a way to revamp your devotional time through a guided study or just want to read through different passages from the Bible. (Ken and I use this every day and LOVE the kids app!)
+ THE BIBLE PROJECT
The Bible is often called “the greatest story ever told.” And just like any epic story, it’s important to understand the themes, characters and narratives that weave throughout the entire book. While the Bible is immensely complex, it’s also immeasurably rewarding, teaching us about God’s character and what he had in mind when he created us. The Bible Project uses short videos with engaging illustrations to help break down words, themes and topics for easy understanding. If you’re interested in seeing the Bible in a new way, check out The Bible Project’s website.
+ SHE READS TRUTH
Tailored for women, She Reads Truth may be just what you need if you feel like you’re in a devotional rut. Both the website and the app feature easy-to-navigate plans that range from daily devotionals about hymns to a 42-day study on the book of Acts. You can find plans that last for a few days or a few weeks, too. Rooted in Scripture (each devotional will generally include one to two supporting passages), the devotionals are varied, with di erent writers contributing each day. This makes the devotionals feel personal and applicable, no matter what the subject matter may be. She Reads Truth also creates engaging typographic verses and quotes, perfect for downloading and saving onto your computer or smartphone to use as wallpapers, or for sharing on social media to encourage your friends!
+ HE READS TRUTH
Just as She Reads Truth is tailored specifically for women, He Reads Truth is for men! This is just what you need if you want to explore devotionals based on books of the Bible, biblical figures or specific themes. The devotional plans range in length from a few days to a few weeks or more, and are written by a variety of male writers. Some of the devotionals in the series also provide thought-provoking questions. And, like its female counterpart, He Reads Truth also creates engaging typographic verses and quotes, which are perfect ways to continue engaging with the Bible throughout the week!
+ BIBLE GATEWAY
Perhaps you’ve used Bible Gateway to look up a passage of Scripture or a verse to encourage a friend during a difficult time. Bible Gateway is a great tool for searching through the Bible by topic or even by a single word or phrase. In addition to its concordance, the app can also help you swiftly navigate different versions of Scripture — from KJV to The Message and everything in between. And reading different versions of the same verse might help you as you try to fully understand the passages.
No matter which app you use to engage with the Bible, the most important thing is that you’ll grow closer to God through spending time in his Word! And that’s something we all need.
Meet Ben
Ken and long time friend and supporter, Ben Gerber
Back in 1999, Ken moved from his hometown near Detroit for a new land: Montana. Like Abraham, he heard the almost audible voice of God tell him He had a plan for his life and to start by selling all he owned and move to Billings. He might as well have gone to another country, Montana was so different from Detroit! So Ken sold his condominium, his car, and most of his belongings. Then on New Year’s Eve, he loaded up his car and, with his younger brother, made the long trek across the USA.
Ken returned to school to get his Special Education teaching degree and started a life that he felt God had called him to. Active involvement in a local church, Bible study, softball, college courses, and getting to know many of God’s people were daily activities. One of those Ken met that ultimately touched his life was Ben.
For the first six months Ken was in Billings, he slept on the floor of Bob Gates’ TINY log cabin. Bob and Ken roomed together at Michigan State University and had since become a transplant to Billings. Shortly thereafter, Ben and his wife, Lois, offered Ken a safe place to live for several years. There he grew under the tutelage of Pastor Terry Rudd, his friend Bob Gates, and the Ben Gerber family. Each were a Godly example to Ken. Each had become life long friends.
Years later, when Ken and Anne joined Wycliffe Bible Translators, Ben and Lois took us on and became one of our prayer and financial supporters. That was 26 years ago. Although Ben’s wife has passed away, Ben continues to support us at age 89.
A few years ago, Ben was still traveling and selling insurance. We asked him, “Why are you still working?” He answered, “I want to keep keep supporting you and my other missionaries.”
Ben’s son and daughter-in-law are also our supporters. We recently asked them how it was that they were still supporting us 26 years later. Mark answered,”We committed to YOU, that’s why!”
So to Ben, Mark and Vicki and the rest of you, our faithful supporters….thank you. Thank you not only for your commitment to US, but to the Bibleless peoples of the world. We’re in this together.
Living on $800 a month
It was October. We had just returned to the States from Indonesia so that our daughter could start college. I, too, had reenrolled in college to continue my education. And then we got our monthly check.
Like many missions, we receive our support once a month. People sacrificially donate their money, Wycliffe takes out our social security, our retirement funds, our taxes and our life and health insurance payments, as well as 10% to cover office support. We receive what is left each month. We then pay all of our bills up front and live off of what is left from that.
When we received our October check after Wycliffe had removed our above funds, it was made out for $800. Ken and I stared at it and took a deep breath. “$800! How can a family of four live on $800 in one month?”
We had enough to pay our house mortgage and our electric bill. That’s it.
We looked at each other and then one of said, “Well, this will be interesting to see how God supplies this month.”
We decided to just eat out of the pantry and freezer, and to try not to purchase anything else except milk and fresh fruits and vegetables. I made bread from flour we had already purchased. We cut back on our random driving excursions and planned times to do our errands when we were already out. Ken rode his bicycle to work.
A week or so into this “adventure,” Ken sat down to put his shoes on prior to playing basketball with some friends. I don’t remember why, but he opened up his wallet, paused and said, “Look what I just found!” In the back of his wallet was a check. The month before we had spoken in a church up north and as we left the church, the pastor handed us the check. Ken put it in his wallet without looking at it and there it sat, waiting for us to find it at the perfect time.
The check was for about $200 or $250 as I recall. “Yay, we can pay the car insurance and the phone bill!” We deposited the check.
Each day that month, I ran to the mailbox with anticipation. I don’t know why, but I thought something would come in the mail.Several days later, I went to the mailbox and inside was an envelope from Duke Energy, our electric company. Inside was a letter telling us that everyone in our area had overpaid their electric bill for several years and that they were returning funds to us! Yes, we got a check FROM the electric company! It was less than $150, but we paid a few more bills with it!
The next thing that came in the mail was a check from the health insurance company. “Back in the day” we used to pay our medical bills and then got reimbursed from the insurance company. Yay, we can gas up the car!
The next thing I did, after praying and getting input from friends, was to get a part time job. I worked as a hostess in a local restaurant. While my checks didn’t start until the next month, each evening, the waitresses would give me a portion of their tips as part of my pay. I had cash in my pocket…$3 one day, $6 the next. I used it to buy milk.
Somehow, bit by bit, we made it through the month, and paid all of our bills on time. We didn’t go hungry and we had a roof over our head.
I think that because we were so desperate, our faith came easier. We had no where else to turn but God!! And we looked forward with anticipation to see how HE would provide. He gave us enough. We didn’t win the lottery, but we had our daily bread and more. Oh, speaking of bread, we got free day old bread at our mission every couple of days. Yup, we had bread, literally.
This experience and hundreds more like it allowed us to see God’s hand in our lives. We trusted and we made it through. Sometimes I find it easier to trust on the big stuff and get derailed by the small stuff. But our faith goes hand in hand with God’s love and provision.
As I read God’s words each morning during my devotions, I end with praying that God would make me more like Him and that I would know Him. When I know God, I trust Him, because His ways are perfect, every time.
Thank you for helping us to get the Bible into the hands of others who need to know God too. We want them to experience God as we do.
It’s a big deal…to some
Introduction to translationStudio
Step-by-Step
It’s so wonderful to see people using their God-given gifts. Often times it doesn’t even feel like work for them.
Ken’s work includes training nationals on Bible translation software. Since everyone learns in different ways, he always includes a variety of modalities when he teaches. Although each course is different, he often teaches and demonstrates how to use the software and/or has the course participants read the material on their own. This is often accompanied by a related video, practicing the concept alone, or solidifying their newly learned material by demonstrating it to their classroom neighbor.
In his most recent trip, Ken created a support document and sent it to our Indonesian counterparts in advance so they could translate it into bahasa Indonesian for the class. They could now read in their Mother Tongue, the language that not only speaks to the heart but facilitates comprehension in the head, to learn the software. We love it when people can use their own language to learn as well as to read God’s Words! Having documentation in your own language is a big deal for our colleagues.
Thank you for your support so that we can use our gifts for the Kingdom of God!
The Haugh Herald 