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Category Archives: Wycliffe Associates

Their words, not ours…

05 Oct

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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Asia Trip Pics

21 Sep

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Posted by on September 21, 2012 in BGAN, Laptops, Satellite, Tech Support, Windows, Wycliffe Associates

 

10 Sep

Someone’s missing…

One of my fondest visions each day is looking across my living room and seeing my husband doing his devotions in his Lazy Boy chair. For almost thirty years now, I’ve watched my disciplined spouse get up almost daily and spend time reading the Bible and praying before the start of each day.

One day some years ago, I took a photo of him sitting in his chair. He was in his warm, striped bathrobe, scruffy morning hair, with hot coffee steaming in his mug to the side of him. As the camera flash shot a stream of light across the room, he looked up and said, “Why are you taking my picture?” I smiled and said, “It’s just for me.” I wanted to always remember this special view.I have photos of Ken working, playing with our children and grandchildren, lined up with his brothers and a few awkward studio photos. But none warms my heart more than the one of him in his routine, getting his life lined up with God’s each morning.

The photo above is what his chair looked like this morning. Empty. But it’s empty for a good reason. Ken is on the other side of the world, contributing in the way that fits him best for this time in his life. Fixing computers, teaching about computers, training in software…I couldn’t do any of it! Where are you sitting today? Wherever it is, it’s probably where God wants you today. Working, taking care of children, serving in your community…Thank you for supporting us as we do our part. You are loved! Update from Ken:

We went to church this morning. Three hours. It was nice to hear them sing again …that Hawaiian-style singing. After the service was over, they auctioned off vegetables to help finish the church building. It was so fun to hear the auctioneer tell jokes and try to get them to up the bidding. It was disheartening though to know how much work went into producing the vegetables and hear them receive 10,000, 20,000 [rupiah] or maybe a little more for an entire bowl of vegetables. That’s a little over $2 for a whole lot of work. We have so much.

Tomorrow afternoon I start computer training. The first day will be basic computer skills. The second will be how to use the BGAN satellite terminal. The third day will be teaching email and the final day or two will be teaching Paratext.

More tomorrow!

 
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Posted by on September 10, 2012 in BGAN, Family, Wycliffe Associates

 

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A bit of trouble for some

09 Jul

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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Accelerating Bible translation with BTAKs and solar panels

16 May

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.

 
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Posted by on May 16, 2012 in Ken, News Article, Wycliffe Associates

 

India slideshow

27 Apr

At 1.1 BILLION people, I found India to be land of contrast. Here is just a small sample of India life and culture.

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Posted by on April 27, 2012 in India, NLCI, Wycliffe Associates

 

Bible Translation–Mission Impossible Style

10 Apr

“Your task, Mother Tongue Translator, is to translate each book of the New Testament into your language, that which speaks to your heart. If you choose to accept it, the work will be difficult and time-consuming, but the completed task has the potential to save many, many lives. The message, unlike Ethan Hunt’s, will not NOT self-destruct in 10 seconds, but instead, may leave a legacy for years to come. Good luck.”

If you took the challenge where would you begin to translate the New Testament?

12 Steps of Translation

12 Steps of Bible Translation

The Bible translation task has many challenging steps to it and one needs to be thorough in each. But, although you may not be versed (no pun intended) in the Bible translation process itself, the chances are you bring some prerequisite skills to the table.  At the very least, you know how to turn a computer on, use a mouse, and open and close programs. But, what if you had never touched a computer or, better yet, even seen one? Where do we begin training mother tongue translators, committed to bringing God’s Word to their people group, that are just like this? Where do we begin?

We begin with small steps, first teaching very basic computer utilization skills. Using Solitaire or computer games to teach mouse skills, and then progressing to how to use Bible translation programs like Paratext, specifically designed for that purpose.

Today, we walked through the steps of the translation process and identified which Paratext functions are used by the Mother Tongue Translators at each specific point in the process. The next step will be to create web-based or paper training material for them. Benjamin, our Indian colleague,  did a great job leading the discussions.

Benjamin

Benjamin

Our Indian colleagues are working under some very challenging conditions. Jayakumar (shown below displaying a Paratext feature) and Benjamin (above) are the only two computer support staff providing technical support to 22 language projects. That means that these two servants provide language and computer technical support to a total of 45 translators and 12 to 15 Language Project Facilitators & Language Project Coordinators. Additionally, they provide technical support to office staff who use multiple office computers.

Jayakumar

Jayakumar

This is why we’re here. Lending a hand, coming along side, and supporting. Just like you do for us. Thanks for praying.

 
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Posted by on April 10, 2012 in India, Tech Support, Wycliffe Associates

 

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India – Day 2

09 Apr

Woke up this morning at 4:30 AM and couldn’t get back to sleep. I’m still jet-lagged so I could have used the sleep. On the other hand, the hour in the morning allowed me some uninterrupted time alone with God and in my Bible. An hour of reading God’s Word and prayer is so refreshing that it makes me wonder why I don’t MAKE time for it more often. Wish I had an answer.

My colleagues and I starting our meetings today with our Indian counterparts. Each day starts out with a 20 minute devotion, today’s being from Luke 20:19-20, which follows the parable of wicked tenants. We were broken into four groups thereafter, each group given a series of thought-provoking questions to answer. My group was given the following ones, worthy of repeating here…

  1. What makes a church or an individual Christian throw away the capstone of their faith?
  2. What did Jesus want to say to the leaders of the Christian church through this parable?
  3. What does Jesus want to say to you and I personally through this parable?
Devotions

One of our colleagues sharing a parable from Luke 20:19-20 using pictures to represent the major points of the story

I won’t share some of the answers they came up with but challenge you to think them through on your own. I can say with all integrity though, that some of the comments from my Indian colleagues really got me to thinking and challenged my socks off.

How does one write a thrilling blog entry about a meeting? Doesn’t seem too exciting today from my perspective. Writing about a meeting never is. This is until you realize who’s across the table from you and the long-term impact of what we’re trying to accomplish for God’s Kingdom. Then, what can compare?

Language Project Facilitators

Larry Sallee, a WA trainer, discusses training techniques with our counterparts that are responsible for one or more mother tongue translators.

Ken overlooking Larry's shoulder

I am looking over Larry's shoulder as he demonstrates web-based training modules designed to teach Bible translation software utilization to mother tongue translators and their coordinators.

 
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Posted by on April 9, 2012 in India, Tech Support, Wycliffe Associates

 

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India – Day 1

08 Apr

My colleague and I departed home for the Charlotte airport on Good Friday, April 6, around 10:15 AM for our 1:45 flight. First stop – Cincinnati where I have the privilege of sharing a meal with my daughter and son-in-law, Christine and Dan. What a blessing to spend even a precious hour with them. Next stop – Paris.

We depart for Paris, arriving there around 8:30 AM, sleepy and stiff, after an 8.5 hour flight. As short and stocky as I am, I find it difficult to difficult to sleep on the plane. I can’t imagine how tall people have to bend their bodies to adjust to the limited space!

The third leg of the journey is the Paris to Bangalore flight, another 9.5 hours. Already somewhat tired, we arrive at 11:35 PM. We are dead last to proceed through immigration, and pick up our luggage. By the time we  drive from the airport to the hotel, it’s 1:30 AM. I take a quick, cool, shower and place this weary body in the bed some time around 2:00 AM Bangalore time. Total flight time is estimated to be 19.5 hours; total travel time approximately to 24 or more. One looses count after a while as time and space start blending together.

Breakfast is delivered to the door at 8:30 AM. Although not much to look at, a fried egg, toast, and coffee never tasted so good!

Breakfast

Breakfast

Although I’ve experienced this in other locations I’ve lived so one would think that I am used to it but I find that a quick walk down the street easily assaults the senses. Traffic jams, honking horns, broken sidewalks, temples, food vendors, and you name it line the streets. I have to be keenly aware of my surroundings. Indians drive on the left side of the road so being especially careful to cross the street is a must.

Hindu temple

Hindu temple

Roadside Chicken coop

Roadside Chicken coop

Road outside hotel

Road outside hotel

Tonight I’ll experience another first – riding in the three wheeled green and yellow cart seen in the picture above – as we travel to the local Kentucky Fried Chicken. Can’t wait.

 
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Posted by on April 8, 2012 in India, Wycliffe Associates

 

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Ken is on his way to India

06 Apr

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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