Scripture for All Languages

Here is a big picture look at progress in Bible translation world wide... and a magnifying glass look at Bible translation down this dirt road in Mpanda, Tanzania. The following text is from a recent SIL prayer email.

Two hundred thirty miles northwest of Mbeya as the crow flies (much further by road) is the town of Mpanda where Wycliffe/SIL is beginning Bible translation projects in four languages. This is an area of Tanzania reputed to be deeply affected by traditional beliefs and witchcraft. In 2011 we had four families heading that way to pioneer the work. But the teams have en-countered many difficulties.

On 16th August 2010, there was a meeting of church leaders from 8 denominations at which the churches, with much enthusiasm, agreed to work together with SIL in starting a Bible translation and language development project to include Bende, Tongwe, Pimbwe, Rungwa and possibly some other languages in the area... It seems to me that almost as soon as families started to move to Mpanda, the spiritual attack started... The spiritual battle continued and now two years later, due to health and other factors, we only have one out of the original 5 SIL families based in Mpanda. We have a strong church partnership, which is very committed to the project and we know that God has a plan for the Katavi languages, but we are struggling to staff the project. Humanly it seems we are stuck, but I know God can do the impossible, so I’m asking us all to pray that God will show us His way... Prayer is our spiritual weapon, let’s use it!

Peace Before the Storm :)

I just got back from ten days in Kenya. Some of my new Musoma folk invited me along to a retreat. It was held on a verdant campus, neighboring a tea plantation. The speaker was very encouraging, acknowledging that life is full of struggles and storms, and exhorting us to have faith in God in these times... because He is worthy of our faith. I also enjoyed spending time with the kids and families I will teach for. And, it was fun to have some urban time... shopping, frozen yogurt, and admiring this Kenyan art installation (a modern Masai man). I'm ready to buckle down and prepare for the school term, which starts January 15th... and may or may not be the next storm!

May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace

as you trust in Him

so that you may overflow

with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Heri ya Krismasi!

 Christmas in Musoma... It was caroling with our director's family and friends, cookie decorating with my teaching friends, Skyping with family... and much more. I am thankful for a lively, lovely group of fellow Wycliffe missionaries. I am thankful to be a part of my family from afar. I am thankful for God's providence of two good night guards and other things to keep our house safe. I am thankful for God arranging the history of the world to show us our need for Christ and to bring Him into the world for us. I know, it's not Thanksgiving anymore, but I'm still thankful!

Beginning

I've been in school observing and having meetings this week. Here is one of my colleagues, with two of our students. I'll teach these two for science and art this term. We've decided I'll teach reading/writing/vocab/grammar/spelling for our first grader and our fifth grader in the morning, then science in the afternoon for all four. This plan will give me time to work on policy too. Art will be once a week. I plan to start with a unit on graphic design, so we can design a school logo!
It's exciting to have a better picture for the future!

Wish List

Note: A volunteer from my colleague's church has already offered to purchase the printer.

Advent Sing

This is a picture of the Musoma SIL advent gathering we had last night. We sang carols and read scripture that foretold Christ, and those that show how He fills the foretellings. We had cookies, cinnamon rolls (my contribution), and hot beverages. We watched Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. My favorite part was staying after with a smaller group to chat, laugh, and utube 80s music videos. You can see some of my new students here in the center of the room. I like this community, and look forward to becoming more a part of it.

Healing in His wings

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!

A friend in Dar asked me to paint this mural. It's on a roadside wall, which borders the beach. She wanted the wings to communicate about freedom in Christ... We put it in this very public place since His freedom is available to all. We put it on an old, cement wall to show that God brings beauty out of the mundane. Already, as I was painting, the wings drew people (like this boy from next door) and conversation... about creation, cloud colors, denominations, religion, following Christ, artwork... (all in Swahili I must add!). It was a good project. I'm thankful for the opportunity, and for the message.