Archive October 2009
Sowing the Seed
Today wrapped up our time with The Seed Company. They were very receptive to my teaching on Titus emphasizing that no matter whether we be Bible translators, pastors, laymen, or whatever, we are all disciple makers. What a fabulous group of people this is! We so much enjoyed being able to mix and mingle with these modern day heroes. Some of them work in places you could never imagine, or places that are extremely dangerous. Yet they faithfully carry on their brilliant work of translating.
We got to speak with one of the computer experts who works with our Old Testament project in Mexico. He will be there for a training seminar next month. Imagine totally isolated people in the most primitive conditions communicating with each other and translation coaches around the world via satellite technology and their lap tops. What a world! Talking with them is a treasure.
The Seed Company is one of the Wycliffe family of ministries and KCBT has been involved with this amazing organization in one way or the other since the early 1950′s when Orv and Mary Johnson went to Ecuador to translate an indigenous New Testament. A former KCBT member and Chief’s player is currently the chairman of the board of The Seed Company. One of our ladies moved to Dallas this past summer to work with Wycliffe Associates as coordinator of volunteers and still another KCBT’er is a new board member. Being here this week and spending time with these wonderful people makes me all the more blessed that we can be in some way connected to the tremendous work they are doing.This ministry and your amazing effort during our recent Bible Conference underscores our commitment to God’s faithful word.
I’d tell you a bit more, but I have other news to share. Many of you know my parents, that we recently moved them into a care facility and that my Dad has been struggling with terminal lung cancer in addition to other pre-existing health issues. We knew that he was fading fast, but he was totally convinced I should speak at this retreat. Just as I finished speaking tonight our girls texted us that he is asking for me and ready to depart. My brother made it in from California last night and Dad is saying his good byes to family and staff at the home.
There were no more flights we could catch tonight, so we are leaving for Dallas in a couple of hours to stand by for the first flight in the morning. It’s only half full and we should have no problem making it back to KC by 9:30 or so. Thanks for your prayers during this time. I pray to be able to say good bye one last time and then for him to be able to slip out quickly and with minimal pain. I’ll let you know what happens, but it might be a day or two before you hear from me.
Soggy Greetings from Texas!
Hello everyone! Cheryl and I are in someplace called Waxahachie, Texas. It’s been raining like crazy and some flooding is taking place. I’m speaking for the staff retreat of The Seed Company. You remember this group. It is through them that KCBT is sponsoring the translation of the New Testament into two indigenous languages of Mexico and an Old Testament project in a third language.
What a privilege to be here. We are surrounded by 200 of the finest translators on the planet and they are a great group of godly people for sure. Over the past few years you have had the chance to meet people like Roy Peterson, the president, as well as Greg Morris and Mike Tupin.
I always miss not being at Tuesday Prayer Ministry, especially on first Tuesdays. But, I do appreciate your prayers for us while we are here. We get home Thursday.
Speaking of scriptures and such, I am still trying to process all that took place during our Fall Bible Conference and the days leading up to it. Today, I got an email that gave me yet another boost. We have been praying for $52,000 to de able to begin to cover the costs of these 52,000 F@rsi testaments. That’s a tall order in tough economic times. Wait until you hear the news that we will announce Sunday! Truly what God orders he pays for. I know that God answers prayer, but this one was especially sweet.
Is this the End or the Beginning?
Anyone not with us last week would have thought the boxes of F@arsi scripture stacked in front of our platform this morning would be the entire 52,000 New Testaments we assembled. Actually, they were only about half. The other half was already loaded on pallets in the gym ready to be shipped out Monday.
Though many of us were pretty tired, we shared a wonderful sense of accomplishment believing that God had granted a supernatural synergy to complete a task bigger than us all, a task that would give God’s word to people who sincerely desire it in places where it is prohibited. As said of Nehemiah’s people, we had a mind to work and we worked together as team. Looking like a microcosm of the Body of Christ, we laughed, cried, sang and prayed until the job was done.
At the conclusion of the worship services this morning, Epic International founder Roscoe Brewer reminded us that this was not the end but only the beginning. Now the task is for the scriptures to reach their destination. Just as we prayed daily and specifically for the 52 days of Project 51, Roscoe challenged us to pray for at least another 52 days.
Here are some specific requests as we continue to bathe this project in prayer. I am convinced that the amazing connections and contacts threaded together through this project are the direct answer to our prayers of the previous days and months. I am just as convinced we need to push through with continuing prayer.
- For the remainder of the $52,000 needed to fund this project. We were halfway there entering today.
- For every one of these New Testaments to reach their divinely intended destination.
- For each of these scriptures to influence the lives of multiple individuals.
- For the protection, provision and divine power of the workers who will transport them to their final destination.
- For God to prepare the hearts of those who will read these scriptures.
- For us to give all glory and credit to God who empowers us and uses us in spite of ourselves, and to be protected from pride, smugness, and self-promotion.
- Even though the scriptures are in F@rsi, that God would in some way use this effort to connect with the B-speaking K@rds of this world.
- For awareness of the many F@arsi speakers in our own city and our responsibility to reach out to them in God’s love.
Surely there is much more we can can about, but this is enough to get us started.
Mission Accomplished
What a remarkable week! Divine encounters, unexpected surprises, anointed speakers, connecting dots, and so much more!
Without doubt, this is the largest project we have ever attempted in almost 25 years of scripture assembly in various languages. Earlier this evening the work in gym was completed. Just a few minutes before 10:00pm Cheryl and I walked into the binder room as the final F@arsi New Testaments were run. As I type this words the last copies are going through the cutter and being boxed. The mission has been accomplished and 52,000 F@rsi testaments are ready for their destination.
Reflections:
- The attitudes of everyone have been fantastic. No griping, complaining or whining. Way to go!
- MVP’s – our Hispanics really stepped up to the plate this year, not only maintaining a constant presence in all phases of the operation but also assuming positions on the leadership team.
- Our pastors and staff were fully engaged and worked hard. Way to go!
- I loved how the work in the gym continued through the week providing opportunity for people to experience genuine biblical fellowship that spanned across all types of people and of all ages. I met a gentlemen for the first time who has attended our church since 1994!
- People who are not members of our church found their way on to the assembly line and made new friendships.
- After the experiences of this week many of you are beginning to “get” the idea of giving priority to reaching the least-reached.
- It was great to hear how some of you discovered F@rsi speaking co-workers, neighbors and friends and were able to get a testament to give to them.
- I am encouraged how God is teaching us to cultivate a culture of prayer to depend totally on him.
Sunday morning we will celebrate what God has done and pray over these 52,000 testaments before sending them off. Thanks to all of you for all your help and prayers.
Making Good Progress – You Guys Are Great!
Early this morning I stumbled into the gym to put in my time on the scripture assembly line. There were just a handful of us there. Many had worked through the entire night and had just headed home for a few hours of sleep. It wasn’t long, though, before the day shift started arriving. I can’t say enough for the way everyone has jumped in and worked so very hard.
Even though there was no service tonight, the gym was still filled with faithful people working to put together scripture that will go to hungry F@rsi speakers. We are making great progress. At the rate we are going I would think that sometime tomorrow we will finish our work in collating, but I don’t know when. The end is in sight, but we need to press on. So, if you have a chance to help tomorrow, please do. I’m sure we will be able to post on the web site, Twitter, etc. when the job is done.
One bit of good new regarding the K family that blessed us with their presence Monday night and whose elder son has been hard at work on the scripture assembly line ever since – his mother is now a believer in Jesus. We rejoice in this great news! Please pray for them and their continued growth.
I am going to try to get a bit of sleep, but will keep you posted on where we are on our project.