Visits in Kentucky & Tennessee

Yesterday I returned from visits with family and friends in Kentucky and Tennessee.

September 17th was a reunion marking 40 years for my graduating class at George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester, Kentucky. It was great to see former classmates and hear about their careers, grandchildren, and activities.

This was my annual trip to visit Watts family members in Kentucky & Tennessee + sister from Ohio.  I enjoyed worshiping with several family members in their home churches, having dinner @ Cracker Barrel with some, and conversations with some cousins who couldn’t make the dinner.  I got to visit with a nephew I had not seen in 10+ years (army in Alaska & Iraq) & his 9-year-old daughter I last saw as a baby. It was great to just hang out  several days with my two sisters. I cherish the time spent with each family member I was able to contact. There was much shared laughter, some tears remembering a recently departed one, and a number of prayers together. My target departure of summer 2012 is not far off…thank God for cell phones, email, Facebook, & Skype!

I also cherish visiting my home church in Winchester, seeing old friends & new ones. I appreciate the opportunity to join in the Women’s Ministry meeting and lead in prayer Sunday morning.

People Chain/Teamwork & Library Anniversary & Stepping in Faith

Vision 2025: “To see a Bible translation program in progress in every language still needing one by 2025” will not  be accomplished by “Lone Rangers.”  Good translations are the result of a group of people with different skills working together, supported by those who have a passion for seeing the Bible be available to all in a language that speaks to their heart.

       Two-thirds of all Wycliffe missionaries serve in roles that support Bible translation: pilots, mechanics, accountants, bookkeepers, computer personnel, teachers, librarians, non-print media, carpenters, project managers,  recruiters, and  others.  Missionaries depend on prayer, financial, and advocate partners to get to the field and to be able to continue in the work.

       As Wycliffe founder Townsend stated: "We must invest heavily in our children's education. If we don't, just when their parents are most productive they will leave us to attend to their children's schooling." Children’s education is  indeed a vital support arm of the Bible translation process.

August 22  marked 17 years as a youth services librarian with Seminole County Public Libraries. Add seven years as school librarian with Hillsborough Public Schools and I have served well over three decades in children’s ministry. What a joy it is to be able to combine my work and service experience to God’s glory via supporting Bible translation.

Stepping out in faith, I accepted the gracious offer of a Wycliffe teacher to take a tote of my belongings along with hers to Waxhaw, North Carolina to be shipped on to Cameroon and stored in apartment waiting there for her. That tote of my tools, books, puppets, peanut exercise ball and mini-blender left my condo exactly on my 17^th anniversary with as public library librarian.                                                

I confess I cringe when I hear of more economic struggles like local school board budget deficit. However I strongly believe in Vision 2025 and that God has called me to actively be a part of it. I walk in faith, keeping my eyes on His power and the vision of helping bring God's Word to the Bibleless rather than on the challenges.

 "Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you’re not willing to move your feet."

First Home Meeting Fellowship

Today was my first home meeting today Celebrating What God Is Doing

for the Bibleless Peoples. Our fellowship at the home of Dave & May Bartels included a continental breakfast, the brief video - "Reaching the Last Languages," a few info modules with props/stories, an interactive demonstration of teamwork in Bible translation, a PowerPoint presentation about my plans to support Bible translation in Cameroon as a school librarian, plus invitation to prayer, financial, and advocate partnership, followed by Q & A. There was great fellowship with 16 old friends including several families I had not seen for several years. Special THANK YOU to breakfast hostess Linda Richard.

YOUR hosting a dessert fellowship/potluck home meeting with your friends would help broaden and strengthen my network of contacts.