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Category Archives: Family

Unseen things

31 Mar

Plan for Day One:

1. Arrive on time in prepared classroom.
2. Teach lessons 1-10 of Paratext (BT software)
3. Get at least 8 hours of sleep at night.
4. Eat healthy food that will give me energy for the day.

What REALLY happened:

1. Had to find a classroom in order to teach. After setting up classroom in dining room with only one electrical outlet, the electricity went off. Had to move to another classroom to re-set up.
2. Only had time to teach lessons 1-7 while students shared two computers.
3. Slept from 11pm-1am. Awake from 1am-3am still suffering from jet lag. Slept until 5:30am when awakened by the predominant religion’s call to prayer.
4. Eating food for breakfast that we usually eat at dinner. Adjusting to all meals being similar to the one before.
5. Coping with 102 degree F weather.

I am struck once again that no matter how much we plan, things do not always go as planned. We are at the mercy of others, a new environment, and all sorts of unseen things.

We have two choices…pout and grouse, or pull ourselves together for another day which could include more of the same.

When tired, hungry and mosquito-bitten, I want to pout and grouse! But then I forget and miss what has already occurred!

  • One student got one-on-one training the day before class so that he could help teach the non-English speakers in the class.
  • All students learned many new skills on this amazing software.
  • The students loved the course including the videos, repetition and even the reading aloud! They are enthusiastic about teaching others tomorrow!
  • Hmm, what other unseen things occurred? Only God knows….

Cultural differences, vastly different food, language barriers, lack of electricity, and weather make for a challenging training environment. Ken has struggled with them, but is attempting to begin each day with the Lord’s presence to not only to persevere, but to thrive in this needy and difficult locale.

Thanks for continuing to pray for us! The course continues for two weeks.

Please pray for skilled minds for each student.

Pray for health and strength for Ken and Jobby, his Indian partner.

Pray concerning the goal of 15 verses being ready to be published at the end of this two weeks! A monumental task!

 

 
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Posted by on March 31, 2014 in Ken, Prayer, Software, Wycliffe Associates

 

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He said “Yes”!

26 Mar
Iliya

Iliya

Iliya was born in the state of Kaduna, Nigeria, a 2 hour drive from Jos. He was the 9th of 10 children. His father was a tailor as well as a farmer.

One day, the elders of the local church approached Iliya’s father and mother. They asked if they would donate their house and land to the church. After praying and talking about it, they said “yes”, the church could have their property. In exchange, they were given a smaller place to live with a smaller piece of land.

Imagine that…giving your house and land (as a farmer) over to your local church. I wonder what they were thinking?

The day before moving, Iliya was born, the ninth child in this family. 9 mouths to feed and now they had a smaller patch of land to farm!

But rather than feeling regret, they ask the elders to name this latest child. You should name him “Iliya.” “Iliya” means Elijah in English! “We will ‘pass on the mantel’ to this child and he will one day serve God.”

Iliya grew up knowing the story of his name. He went to school. He did well in his exams. He watched God provide money for his university training. He was the first person in his class to finish his thesis. He was determined to finish quickly and he did.

After graduating in 2011 he got his first job. It didn’t pay a lot, but he always had money left over.

In 2012, a pastor approached him and said that his language group, the Jju language, needed a Bible translated. “Would he like to help?”

And like his father before him, he said, “Yes.” Just like that.

He took several workshops learning Bible Translation principles, software and other needed classes.

Never did he imagine he’d be doing this type of work. But the elders did. His parents did. And God did.

Now, Iliya tells people that his name is “Favor” because he believes that God has favored Him so much! He believes that God has made him “fit” for this job.

What job has God made you “fit” for?
I’m blessed for having met “Elijah” who took up the mantel to continue following God in the way that he was created for!

 
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Posted by on March 26, 2014 in Family, Uncategorized, Wycliffe Associates

 

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Gallery

African Images

16 Mar
 
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Posted by on March 16, 2014 in Anne, Ken, Wycliffe Associates

 

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Feels like Home

02 Mar
African Communion

African Communion

Our hosts picked us up early to take us to church. The wife handed me a scarf and said, “You may not know this, but woman must cover their heads during church. I brought you a scarf.”

I was grateful for her forethought, since I knew we would be sticking out already in the service. I know that I am probably making lots of cultural mistakes each day, but it’s nice to be ahead of the game occasionally.

We entered the large meeting room to the singing of the praise group. Four or five young people were singing, accompanied by a keyboard, guitar and drums. “Be thou glorified in me,” they sang over and over. Their harmony was beautiful and I found myself immediately glad to be in the House of God worshipping with my brothers and sisters.

And that it what we are. Family. There is the unmistakable feeling of belonging when you enter a church. While I may not know when to sit or stand, I could feel the Holy Spirit in that place.

Then the offering took place. You know, it’s the awkward moment when the pastor explains once again that it is our duty to give back to God? Except that didn’t happen here. It was just announced and everyone stood up. The music started and in another language everyone was singing something about rejoicing and praising God.

One by one, everyone, and I mean every person in the room, went to the front of the church. All were singing, some were swaying, others were dancing up to the front. They happily placed their offering envelopes in the bag up front and went back to their seats. There was such joy on their faces!

And then, the pastor let loose. He spontaneously started singing some gospel songs and hymns and got everyone going. Faster and faster they sang the songs! Everyone sang louder and the smiles on their faces were huge! By the time we were done, we were out of breath, clapping and falling into our chairs with laughter! What a service!

The sermon followed and was challenging to me. And then came communion. Communion always humbles me before God. Confession of sin, thankfulness for God sending His Son to die on my behalf and then prayer for our family who doesn’t know Jesus as their Saviour.

It doesn’t matter that I am on a continent nearly 9,000 miles from home. This felt like home today.

 
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Posted by on March 2, 2014 in Anne, Ken

 

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African “Firsts”

01 Mar

Our trip to Africa went well. All of our flights were uneventful which is wonderful.

First views: Dry spiky grass, red soil, large rounded hills sprouting up here and there. (Apparently, they just call them “rocks” around here. Big rocks/small hills)

First impressions: Similarities to Indonesia where we previously lived. Lots of people in the city. Traffic. Large malls and tons of small shops. A variety of clothing from jeans and t-shirts to traditional African fabrics and head coverings.

First job: Getting over jet lag so we can do our jobs this next week. I am impressed with how often my husband makes this trip and manages to put in a full day/week/weeks of teaching just after arriving from so far away.

Tomorrow is Sunday, so we’ll go to a local church to worship and then prepare for the coming week.

Please pray for Ken as he tries to decide how to teach this particular class. Some last-minute changes means that he has a different audience with different needs.

Please pray for me (Anne) that I would make the connections and speak to the right people for some good articles. I’m already planning a village visit and will sit in while a Mother Tongue Translator works with his consultant.

Due to low-bandwidth, I may not be able to upload any photos until I get home. If it’s faster in the morning, I’ll try to put one up if I have time.Thank you for praying us here!

 
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Posted by on March 1, 2014 in Anne, Ken, Wycliffe Associates

 

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Greedy with my Abundance

28 Jan

Yesterday’s sermon at our church was so powerful for me. Our month-long series titled “Strapped” has had us looking at what the Bible says about money. We’ve looked at how God sees our money as a tool and a test. We’ve considered contentment in our lives. Yesterday we tackled greed in our lives.

Yikes. At first glance I thought, “I’m glad this is not a problem with ME!” But as our pastor said, “Greed is hard to see in the mirror [in ourselves].”

We looked at the passage in Luke 12:13-21 where the rich man decides to tear down his barns and build bigger ones to store his “abundance” rather than giving it to others in need.

And then came the illustration…

Our pastor asked, “Who likes chocolate chip cookies?”  Hands went up all over the auditorium. He called a naïve woman named Shelley up on stage who had enthusiastically raised her hand. Our pastor then pulled out two freshly baked cookies on a plate. He talked about how much HE loves chocolate chip cookies and how delicious they are. He then proceeds to eat one in front of the woman (and the rest of us, with stomachs growling, and mouths watering).

Photo Source: easyveganmeals.com

Photo Source: easyveganmeals.com

While eating he talks about how much he’d LIKE to give Shelley a cookie, but he really likes them himself. He wonders, “If I give Shelley this cookie, what will I do if God never provides me with another chocolate chip cookie?” Then he prayed for Shelley and asked God to provide her some chocolate chip cookies, or someone who could share theirs with her.

That was the stab to my heart. What if God doesn’t provide?

How often do I lead my life as if God might not provide? In my effort to “be a good steward” of what God has given me, how often have I held on to my “stuff” just in case God doesn’t provide for me?

In my desire to be frugal, how many times do I come across as being greedy?

How many times am I standing by the person who has a need and instead of taking care of it, I just promise to pray for them?

While I am all about not overspending and “saving for a rainy day,” I’m vowing now to be more generous at the same time, not holding back my “chocolate chip cookies” and trusting that God will continue to be generous to me as He always has been in the past.

Thank you for your generosity towards us. Ken is presently on his way home from his latest travels to South East Asia.

 
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Posted by on January 28, 2014 in Anne, Family

 

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Happy Moments 2013

02 Jan
Happy Moments 2013

Happy Moments 2013

One year ago I wrote a post titled “Keeping a Record.” I had seen a suggestion of keeping a jar on hand and occasionally writing happy moments down and inserting them in the jar. At the end of the year, the papers would be dumped out and read.

We made our jar this year and filled it with different thoughts throughout the year. Yesterday we read them. It was surprising how emotional it was to read over the notes. Some brought immediate tears (Ken’s mom released to heaven pain-free), some were celebrated events (graduations, new jobs) and others brought sigh’s of relief (Anne’s mom lived through a horrific car accident).

It’s a new year and a new jar has been labeled. We’ve put two happy memories in it already. We’re determined to add more memories than last year. It’s good to reflect on God’s goodness in our lives.

Many people make resolutions at this time of year. “I’ll lose 5 pounds and exercise more.” “I’ll call my mother more often.” I’ll turn off the TV and read more.” I’m still formatting mine this year, but I’m dividing them up between “Body, Soul and Mind.”

Ken read a suggestion of coming up with one word which would remind you of your resolutions. It’s easier to remember one word rather than a long list. The word could come from a verse from the Bible. Ken is choosing “Strength” for 2014. It comes from the verse “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

As we look back on 2013 I feel a little tired! But I also feel so grateful. Grateful for God’s grace that has carried us through the rough times. It gives me hope for 2014.

What are your resolutions this year?

 
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Posted by on January 2, 2014 in Family

 

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Making it Clear

18 Jun

“They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.” Nehemiah 8:8

This verse jumped out at me this week as I read it. Isn’t this what we are doing together? Making God’s Words clear to people. We do this by translating it into their Mother Tongue, the language that speaks to their heart.

This is also being done at the New Testament workshop this week. The Enemy does not want this work done and has been creating havoc with computers all week.

Surrounded by people and computers! Ken's favorite things!

Surrounded by people and computers! Ken’s favorite things!

Thank you for praying! Many of you have reminded us that you are praying, and I know many more do so daily. What an encouragement!

Here is an update from Ken. I’ve pieced together a few of his comments where he responded to some of my questions:

In reference to the computers that crashed…
We weren’t able to recover the totally trashed computer but we were able to recover the data and give him a new loaner laptop. That way, he’ll be able to work through the next two weeks of the workshop. I will probably bring the computer home and attempt to have it fixed at Dallas (SIL‘s headquarters).

Outside where the internet connection is better!

Outside where the internet connection is better!

I was able to configure two more language projects for Paratext Send/Receive. It’s such a wonderful tool when it is configured properly, allowing people separated by distance to share their language project data as long as they can obtain an internet connection. It’s neat to watch their faces when it works. On the other hand, if configured wrong it causes big problems. Correctly configuring the projects that span multiple computers and training are the keys now. 

We, in America, take the Internet connection for granted though. One group I just finished working with doesn’t have the Internet as communication in and out of the State has been suspended.

Responding to the health of the consultant’s daughter…

Heidi’s daughter is in high school. I haven’t heard much from her other than she was able to have some medical tests run in the Chicago area.

Ken will be home Thursday night. Thanks for praying.

(Today is our 30th Anniversary…I’m proud and happy to be married to such a great guy!)

 
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Posted by on June 18, 2013 in Ken, SIL

 

Step-by-Step

12 Jun

step by stepUpdate from afar…
Ken is spending a lot of time working through the process of “configuring Paratext’s Send and Receive.” He spent hours working on just one language project yesterday. What’s good is that three national translators are sitting next to him, working through each step, and learning in the process.

Teaching takes longer than just doing it yourself, doesn’t it? But in the end, training will bring them to independence.

Do to the huge amount of tech needs, some other people will be coming in to help, as it’s just too much for one person to get done. Yay!

I heard that the consultant, Heidi, was able to get her paperwork secured and has left the country with her daughter in order to get her the medical help she needs. No update yet on how they are doing.

Thank you for praying!

 
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Posted by on June 12, 2013 in Ken, Tech Support

 

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Keeping busy

09 Jun

“Oh, you’re the IT* guy! I need to talk with YOU!”

That is the response Ken has heard each time he has introduced himself in the last 12 hours!

Thank you for praying! Ken has safely arrived in Jos, Nigeria once again. He ate,napped, and is hoping he can sleep through part of the night before starting work tomorrow. His roommate is a pastor from Orlando, Florida who will be participating in the New Testament workshop.

As mentioned in our email update, Ken will be busy doing behind-the-scenes work on the computers of the Nigerian translators.

Please continue to pray for wisdom as he helps each person the next 10 days.

* IT is pronounced “Eye-Tee” as in “Information Technology.” You know…computer geek guy. 🙂

 
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Posted by on June 9, 2013 in Ken, Synchronization, Utilities

 

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