Bible Translation at a Glance

by dhoernsch.
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Why Wycliffe?

Wycliffe Bible Translators started about 70 years ago by a man named William Cameron Townsend who had an incredible passion for everyone to be able to read and understand the Bible.  Wycliffe and its partner organizations believe that every person should access to the scripture in their heart language.  In 1999, Wycliffe started a commitment called Vision 2025.  Vision 2025 is Wycliffe's commitment to have a translation project started in every language that needs one by the year 2025.  This is really exciting for us because we could actually see this done in our lifetime.

Throughout America, many households have several copies of the Bible in different translations that may or may not ever leave the shelf.  Many are collecting dust because in America it’s easy to take for granted to what we have such an abundance of, but for millions around the world there is not one word of scripture written down in the language they fully understand; the language that speaks to their heart.  For the lucky ones that are lucky enough to have access to a Bible, it’s often in someone else’s language.

Traditionally, couples would enter a village alone or in a small group, start to learn the language of the people, create an alphabet, and then start the translation.  Using traditional strategies, it would take more than 150 years to provide every Bibleless people group with God's word.  It doesn't have to be that way though.  If God's people work together, a translation for every group that needs it can be started by the year 2025.  Wycliffe's goal will be realized.

Literacy is also an important part of Wycliffe’s mission.  If translators go into a village and translate the scripture, but no one can read it, then the work was in vain.  Wycliffe has teachers, literacy specialists, and musicians that work hard to teach the villagers how to read and write.  This not only gives the people access to the lifesaving word of God, but it also gives them access to potential lifesaving educational materials.

Every job within Wycliffe is needed and important.  Whether you are working as a translator, a literacy specialist, a teacher, in a support role, or if you are at home serving as a financial or prayer partner, everyone is important.  Together we can make a difference. 

As we enter this opportunity with Wycliffe, we realize that we can't do it alone.  We need a team of partners that are willing to come with us.  We need people to commit to pray for us.  Prayer is most important part of our team because we believe that God answers the prayer of His people.  The power of prayer is our greatest strength.  We also need committed financial partners.  These are special people, churches, and organizations that our willing to let God us them and their finances to bring God's word to the people that so desperately desire it.  We need people like you that believe in us and believe in this ministry to help us complete this mission.  All Wycliffe members have to raise their own support before going to the field, so without you our work cannot begin. 

Only two things on Earth will last for eternity - God's word and God's people.  Let's use our lives to make a difference for eternity.  Please pray and consider how you can help us finish this important work.

Ohio State Baby Hat Attempt 1

Steve decided that he wanted the baby's "take home" outfit to be an Ohio State outfit.  That shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that knows him.  He bought some onesies while in Ohio this past weekend.  Since the baby is due in October, I thought that the baby would also need a coat and hat to complete the outfit.
 

I found a great little hat and coat online and thought, "Hey, I could maybe make that."  I'm a very beginner crocheter. I'm still very much learning.

Well, last night I bought some yarn and needles and got to work.  It was very hard to find some baby yarn in non pastel colors.  The red and gray are not "official" baby yarns, but they are still soft.  I think the finished project turned out pretty good though.

Now, on to the coat.  That looks much harder.  I've never made anything besides hats or blankets.

 

 Our rainbow bear was a great model.

 

28 Weeks!

My sister is a great photographer.  It's hard to believe that we are at 28 weeks now.  12 weeks or less until we get to meet our beautiful rainbow.  We have so much to do to get the house ready for the new arrival.  Baby had some lazy days over the weekend which made mommy nervous, but he/she is moving around today.  I think baby missed daddy.

Here are some of my favorites of the pictures she took last night in our parent's backyard.

Steve's Trip to Ludlow Falls

 

Steve is home from his trip to Ohio.  He had a great time.  Thank you to everyone that was praying for divine appointments and for safe travel.  He was able to find a place to stay at the last minute in a lodge at the Ludlow Falls Camp.

He drove over to Ohio on Saturday after work to attend his High School class reunion.  He was able to reconnect with some old classmates and even share our ministry and what we will be doing with some of them.  Sunday, he spent the day at Ludlow Falls Camp.  This weekend just happened to line up with the beginning of the district's Missionary Church camp at Ludlow Falls.  Steve spent Sunday through today at the camp with the pastors there and others staying at the camp.  With prayer meetings in the morning and speakers throughout the day, he spent some great time with God.  He also tried to find as many opportunities as he could to share our ministry and the exciting work that Wycliffe is doing.  He met a few people at the camp that are currently working with Wycliffe in different capacities, so he able to get some encouragement from some.

The purpose of the trip was to share our ministry and invite new friends to partner with us, but it was a refreshing trip for Steve as well.  He got to spend some good time with God in the beauty of God's creation when he took walks around the camp.

I wish I could have gone with him, but unfortunately I was unable to get the time off of work. I stayed home and tried to get some housecleaning done to get ready for company visiting tomorrow.

Welcome July ICLW Bloggers

It's been a few months since we have participated in this.  It's International Comment Leaving Week.  Comments are the new {Hug} - a way to say hello and encourage each other.




IComLeavWe: Join the Conversation

Welcome to our humble blog.  This blog was originally created as an online journal for my college Bible Study and it has evolved over the years into a website for our ministry with Wycliffe Bible Translators.

A little about us:  
My husband and I met at Bethel College and decided that we liked each other enough to get married in May 2007.  Until this summer, we both had one full time job at the YWCA north central indiana and part time jobs at different Sears stores.  We are also members of Wycliffe Bible Translators which take some more time, but it's important work and we love it.  Steve has now quit his job with the YWCA and is focusing his time with Wycliffe and still working part time at Sears.

If you want to hear more about our ministry and how you can possibly partner with us as a prayer partner or a financial partner, you can join send a message here or write a message in the comments.

***pregnancy mentioned***

We are currently expecting our first-born child in October 2013.  We could not be more excited. It has not been an easy journey for us to get here, so we know how blessed we are.  We do not know the gender yet, because we are currently "Team Green."  I can't believe that in less than 90 days, we will meet our rainbow.

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Get to Know You Questions:
Join our blog and answer in the comments:

1) What is your favorite form of exercise?

2) If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do (after you paid off all your debt and did all the responsible things)?

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My answers:
1) Walking along our city's Riverwalk. It's beautiful.
2) After we became debt free, funded retirement and started a college fund for baby, I would put the rest in a mutual fund to fund our ministry.

Hello Third Trimester

We feel so blessed to have gotten to this point.  We have so much left to do to get ready for the baby and so much to learn, but we are excited.  Between getting ready for the baby and preparing our ministry, we are very busy.  I wouldn't change a thing.  We even started thinking of names for little one.  We decided on a really great boy's name, but we are still narrowing down a girl's name.  We won't be sharing the names until much later though.  I signed up for a free Prenatal Yoga class at the Women's Care Center that starts on Saturday.  I'm really looking forward to it.  After all we have been through, I can't believe we have actual hit the third trimester.  I never thought this day would come.  We know how blessed we are.

How far along?: 27 weeks

How big is baby?:

Your baby's the size of a rutabaga!

At 13.6 to 14.8 inches and 1.5 to 2.5 pounds, she's not just getting bigger, she's getting smarter.

Any appointments or updates this week?: We had a regular appointment last Monday and it went really well.  The doctor had so concerns at all.  She said she could hear the baby moving around and kicking on the Doppler, which was pretty cool.  She predicts that he or she will be a tall baby.

Best moment last week?: The best moment was definitely when Steve could feel outside movement.  I could tell that he really enjoyed that too. 

What I'm looking forward to?: Even though I have loved being pregnant, I'm looking forward to meeting our sweet rainbow.

How Bible Translation Changes Lives

Translators Ed and Debi Condra were repeatedly saddened as they watched Kudal grow up. They were translating the New Testament into the Papatar language in his village.  Kudal grew increasingly violent and foul mouthed through his teen years.

In March of 1998, the New Testament was completed and dedicated and the Condras weren't able to remain in the village. But after several months, Ed was able to return for a short visit.  Travel conditions and weight limits on the small aircraft severely restricted Ed's luggage preventing him from bringing even his copy of the translated New Testament.

When Ed arrived in the village, the young man Kudal was one of the first people he ran into.  Ed remembered Kudal's sister buying a New Testament and asked Kudal if it were possible to borrow it.  Ed was surprised when Kudal reached into his shoulder bag and pulled out a copy of the New Testament. 

Further surprised, Ed noticed specifically that it was worn and underlined, a well used Bible.  He received chills as he began to understand.  It was evidence of the Holy Spirit working in the young man's life, transforming him.

Bible translation is about more than just giving people a Bible in a language they can read with their heart.

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Wycliffe Bible Translators started about 70 years ago by a man named William Cameron Townsend who had an incredible passion for everyone to be able to read and understand the Bible. Here in the US, it is a simple task to pick up a Bible and read from it.  Many people around the globe pick up a Bible, if they can get their hands on one, and when they try to read it they do not understand the words on the page.  Wycliffe formed around the vision to see God’s word accessible to people in the language of their heart. 350 Million people are still waiting for this to happen.

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Fourth of July Celebration/25 Week Update

We had a great 4th of July.  I spent the morning buying some flowers to plant in our front yard and going for a walk around the Mishawaka Riverwalk with Erin, mom, and dad.  I love the Riverwalk. It's so beautiful and peaceful.  It was a very hot morning, so I made sure to drink a lot of water and wear light clothes.  My sister got a great picture of me in the rock garden.

After our walk, my mom came over and planted the flowers I bought in our garden.  With all the rain we have had, the flowers are growing really big.  Last year, we hardly had any rain by this time.  Most places canceled fireworks because we hadn't had rain in more than a month.  This year it seems to rain every week.
 
We were invited to a cookout at our friend's house, so I cut up a watermelon and ate great food with friends and family.  Steve met us there after work and we watched fireworks along with river in Mishawaka.  It was a great day.  The weather was perfect.

How far along?: 25 weeks, 3 days

How big is baby?:

Your baby's the size of a cauliflower!  During month six, the average fetus measures about 13.6 inches to 14.8 inches and weighs about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds.

Any appointments or updates this week?: Our next regular OB appointment is on Monday.  I can't believe I'm this far along all ready.  100 days left!  I have to schedule my glucose test next week.  Oh goody.

Best moment last week?: I can definitely feel movement more than I could last week.  Hopefully, soon we will be able to feel them on the outside so Steve can feel them too.

What I'm looking forward to?: Feeling kicks on the outside and holding my perfect baby.  The answer to this question will probably be pretty consistent.

We are so Blessed

If there is one thing that I have learned in the last year, it would be the value of friendship.  Some friendships come and go but there are some friends that stick with you through the good times and the bad.  Some friends will walk away when things get tough, but others run towards you when you feel like the world around you in falling in.

We know that we are blessed with some amazing friends and a spectacular family.  I'm so glad that we got to spend some time with them this weekend.  The amount of people that have called or emailed us offering to give us things for our baby or for our garage sale or to partner with us in our ministry has been humbling.  It really is humbling to see God use His people to provide for your needs when you feel so unworthy.  This has been a year of a great change and great anxiety, but God has continued to show that He is still there and He continues to provide for everything we have needed.  We have learned new lessons this year about where to put our trust and our hope.  Our trust and our hope is planted firmly in Christ.  We look forward to what's next.

Our beautiful rainbow is going to be so blessed and such a loved baby because of God's amazing people. 

A Refreshing Weekend

Steve and Adrian surprised Erin and I with tickets to the WFRN Friend Fest for our birthday.  He even called my boss at my weekend job to ask her to give me some time off.  Friday, I had to work until 7 so missed Day 1 of the concert, so instead we went to the Mishawaka Summer Fest.  It's not a big festival, but I love that city puts in on every year.  It's a chance to get together with friends for some fair food, games, and fireworks and admission is free. 

We watched some fireworks with my sister and her new husband and my best friend and her beautiful girls.
Happy 7th Birthday to the amazing Cadence!  These girls love Steve so much and he loves them too.
We are so blessed to have such great friends and family around us.  On Saturday, I had to work until 3 then Steve picked me up and we met Erin and Adrian at the WFRN Friend Fest.  Oh my gosh, it was just a great concert.  We got there and ate some tasty food for dinner.  Erin found some great seats and we watched Jamie Grace, then Peter Furler with Phil Joel.  Yes, that really happened.  It was like a Newsboys reunion.  That was definitely the best part of the concert for me.  I grew up listening to the Newsboys, so that was fun.  I'm sure even Baby Pitney was dancing around to the music.  Toby Mac was the headliner and he came on stage at about 9pm.  Toby Mac is definitely a great entertainer.  His music got a little loud at times, but it was still fun to be there dancing and worshiping God with thousands of my "friends."  I was exhausted on the way home, but I woke up this morning so refreshed from the great weekend. 

Week 22 Update/Anatomy Scan

I'm sure that someone is waiting for updates and "bump pictures."  I was pretty anxious to put up any updates until after our Anatomy Scan.  We had a great appointment on Monday morning.  I was a little anxious about it because Steve found out at the last minute that he would have to work.  He had a volunteer group showing up at YWCA that he had to assist.  My amazingly wonderful mom went with me though, so I didn't have to go alone.  Steve has been to every pregnancy related appointment of mine except for one, so I'm sad that he had to miss this one.  I had my mom video the whole appointment on my phone so Steve could feel like he was there.  I have tons of pictures too.

Baby Pitney is a perfectly healthy baby, weighing 1 pound.  The OB had no concerns at all.  She said the baby was feisty and kept putting its arm in front of its face when she was trying to check out its face.

I know that I am so incredibly blessed.  

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How big is baby?:

Your baby's the size of a Papaya!

During month five, the average fetus measures about 10.5 to 11.8 inches and weighs about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces.

• Now that he's got more developed eyes and lips, he's looking even more like a newborn.
• He's sleeping in cycles -- about 12 to 14 hours per day (hint: they're probably those times you're not feeling any kicks!).

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Any appointments or updates this week?: Just the Anatomy Scan.  This is the appointment when we could find out the gender, but Steve wants to be surprised.  So for now, we are Team Green.

Maternity clothes?: I have been wearing stretchy and maternity pants since about week 10 or 11.  I did get really comfy maternity shirts at a garage sale two weeks ago for 50 cents each.  Score!  I love dresses the most right now because they are just comfy.

Best moment last week?: This week has been a roller coaster of emotions.  I started feeling more consistent flutters this week.  It's a pretty cool feeling.

What I'm looking forward to?: Holding my perfect baby.  The answer to this question will probably be pretty consistent.

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Introducing Baby Pitney: Age 22 weeks

Bibleless People Prayer Project

http://www.wycliffe.org/Pray/BiblelessPeoplesPrayerProject.aspx

"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." James 5:16 NLT

What if you could pray for a people group still waiting for God’s Word—and follow the progress of translation for their language? As a part of the Bibleless Peoples Prayer Project (BPPP), thousands of people are already committing to pray all the way through the end of the translation process.

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Befang of Cameroon

This language is also called Beba-Befang, Biba-Bifang, Bifang, and Menchum. It belongs to the Niger-Congo/Atlantic-Congo language family. Speakers are located around Befang, straddling Tuba Subdivision in Mezam Division and Wum Subdivision in Menchum Division of North West Province. Modele, Ushaku, Befang, Bangui, Obang, and Okomanjang are dialects of Befang. Pray that speakers of this language will be inspired to translate the Scriptures for their people. “Forever, O LORD, your word stands firm in heaven. Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created” (Psalm 119:89-90, NLT).

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Pray for the message

* Pray that the last languages of the world would receive the Scriptures in whatever form they need it. Dare to ask God for big things! Ask Him to provide a person in the world with His world - just as He has already provided it for us - written and in the heart language.

 Pray for the people

* Pray for the safety of the Bibleless people. Many are residents in, or displaced from, countries with poor political and social conditions.

Pray for the completion of the Task to the Glory of God

* Pray for perseverance. Pray that those involved in the translation task would not grow weary or give up before the work is complete.

Unreached People of the Day

We added a cool new feature to our website. Each day it will change to a different unreached people group. Visit our website everyday so you pray for each unreached people group.

Crisis Averted

It was so hot the other night and Steve realized that our air conditioner was not cooling down the house.  After some research, he figured out that it needed a new capacitor.

Yesterday, he fixed it. Yay!  We have a working air conditioner now and it was fixed for only $13.  Steve is amazing. Woo hoo.

New Hope Presbyterian Church, SC Trip

Steve had a great trip down to South Carolina this past weekend.  I was not able to go with him because of my work schedule.  He flew out of Chicago to Atlanta on Friday morning.  Our great friend, Damian, drove him to the airport and got him safely on the plane.  His mom picked him up from the airport in Atlanta.

 

His final stop was Abbeville, South Carolina.  He was traveling down there to speak on Sunday morning at New Hope Presbyterian Church.  I wasn't with him, but he tells me that he had a great time meeting new people and telling the stories of our ministry.  He spoke at the fellowship meal after the service about how Bible translation can really have an impact on people's lives because they can understand God's word in a way they didn't before.  

He got to see some family that he hadn't seen in awhile that live down there too.  Overall, he said it was a great trip.

I wish I could have been there with him, but I was stuck at home to work.  I did have some fun outside of work, like shopping with my sister and some gardening (light work, of course).

Steve flew home on Monday and we relaxed for the evening with dinner and a rented movie at home.  I was glad he was back home.

Cameroon Language Groups

Please pray with us for each of these language groups in Cameroon.

Celebrating Mother's Day

All day I was celebrating the beautiful life inside me. The last almost 18 weeks have been filled with anxiety, fear, and joy.  Steve has been walking this adventure with me one day at a time.  We could not be more excited about welcoming this baby into our family in October.  Yesterday was a celebration of ALL mothers, whether you hold your children in your arms, you hold your children in your hearts because God holds them in Heaven, or you hold them inside expecting them this year.

Happy Mother's Day!

Source: social.kidspot.com.au via Bridget on Pinterest

I got the only thing I needed for Mother's Day this year.  We listened to the heartbeat first thing in the morning.  It was nice and strong.

Celebrating Our Anniversary

This weekend, Steve and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary.  It was an absolutely beautiful weekend in South Bend.  On Saturday, Steve and I celebrated by going to out to dinner to Salsas Mexican Restaurant.  I love Mexican food but I forgot that our anniversary is a "holiday" until we got there and it was packed.  We got a sit pretty quickly out on the patio outside and there was a live band playing.  The food was really good, as usual.

Sunday was our actual anniversary and I had the whole day off work.  It was marvelous.  Steve had to work though. {Sad face}  Sunday, after church and lunch, Steve had to go to Sears and I had a great day of relaxing ahead of me.  Actually, I was quite busy but nothing on the schedule.  I went shopping, visited some some friends, did some things to get ready for our garage sale, and then visited Steve at Sears for Friends and Family night.

Oh and Steve wanted to celebrate our anniversary by posting this announcement on Facebook Sunday morning before church.  He had some fun creating it.  My sister took some great pictures of us and so I posted some of them too.

We ended the day by listening to our baby's heart beat on the Doppler and Steve recorded it.  That sound never gets old.

Passing a Candle for Liam

 

Please pray for a special member of my online community.  My heart just breaks for her and her family.  They discovered a few weeks ago that their sweet baby, that should have been their rainbow, had Trisomy 13 and was incompatible with life.  Their precious baby went to heaven this Saturday at 17 weeks, 1 day.  His name is Liam and he is loved by more people than he will ever meet.

I saw the most beautiful outpouring of love this weekend.  For 24 hours, from Saturday night until Sunday night, nothing was posted on the board except for candles and messages of love for sweet baby Liam and his amazing mother.

Please keep this family in your prayers.

I Will Carry You (Audrey's Song)

There were photographs I wanted to take
Things I wanted to show you
Sing sweet lullabies wipe your teary eyes
Who could love you like this
People say that I am brave but I`m not
Truth is I`m barely hanging on
But there`s a greater story
Written long before me
Because he loves you like this

So I will carry you
While your heart beats here
Long beyond the empty cradle
Through the coming years
I will carry you
All my life
And I will praise the one who`s chosen me
To carry you

Such a short time
Such a long road
All this madness
But I know
That the silence
Has brought me to his voice
And he says

I`ve shown her photographs of time beginning
Walked her through the parted seas
Angel lullabies no more teary eyes
Who could love her like this?

I will carry you
While your heart beats here
Long beyond the empty cradle
Through the coming years
I will carry you
All your life
And I will praise the one who`s chosen me
To carry you