Christmas 2011 - International Friendship Ministry

Right now more students 600,000 university students from around the world come America to study.  Sixty-nine international students from universities around the U.S. came to Orlando December 21-28 for the 2011 International Friendship Ministry Christmas Tour. It was a chance for host families to share Christ's love for this mission field that God brought to our doorsteps.

Host families help international students to understand the significance of this important holiday. Frequently a student is exposed to the gospel here in the USA but comes to trust Christ as Savior when they return to their home country.  Our prayer is that our involvement in each student's life will have an impact for eternity.

2011 was my 3rd year to host Chinese students for the IFM Christmas tour.  This Christmas, it was my privilege to host visiting scholars Qifeng Yin, college teacher in Sichuan Province and Huan Wang, a senior reseacher at China Institute of Science (Beijing).

Pork dumpling making lesson from Qifeng. She actually expected me to 

use chopsticks get filling mixture onto dumpling wraps! I was determined

 to do so and did (OK, with some practice).  

Christmas Day gang @ farewell dinner. My threesome enjoyed the gracious hospitality
 of Jim and Ginny Siebert at their home with their students,
and worshiped with them @ St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church.

Qifeng and Huan assist me in presenting "The Legend of the Poinsettia" via
 Mexican marionettes @ the Farewell Dinner with host families and students.

Departure morning. The last evening I also welcomed Yang Jiang (left) into my condo, 
whose regular host family was out of town for a wedding. Host families help each other
 out to fill in any gaps/needs. Special thanks to Ginny Siebert and Rosa Schenone
 for assisting me with transportation.
. 

Technology is awesome! One special experience of the week for me was seeing and speaking with Huan's husband and 4-year-old daughter via Internet Christmas Eve in Orlando/Christmas morning in Beijing. When Huan showed her daughter what she had gotten for her, I ran and grabbed a little bear in red PJ's (sang "Jesus Loves Me" when squeezed a spot) I was giving preschool daughters of Huan and Qifeng. When Huan held bear up close to laptop camera, her daughter held out her arms to take the bear though 7,500+ miles of cyberspace. My heart was touched!  I also was able to say hello to Qifeng's husband later in the week, but he had no computer camera.

more to come...

December 2011 "WattsLine" Newsletter Posted

NOTE: My December 2011 WattsLine  newsletter has been posted under Newsletters.


It contains a "2011 in Review" summary and my Christmas devotional, "A Rejoicing Spirit".

Merry Christmas from Wycliffe

 

What a joy and a privilege to be involved in bringing God’s translated Word to those who don’t yet have it! As you meditate on the significance of the birth of Jesus, remember those for whom Jesus remains a foreigner because they’ve never heard the good news in the language they understand best. Your partnership in the work of Bible translation brings them closer to the God who loves them, providing access to the hope and salvation offered in God’s Word.

  

Click below for a video Christmas greeting from President and CEO of Wycliffe Bible Translators USA Bob Creson and his wife Dallas.

Merry Christmas from Wycliffe

Wycliffe’s Annual World Day of Prayer

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6

Wycliffe’s World Day of Prayer was November 11 intended for all Wycliffe USA staff working and/or living in the U.S. It was held at the Discovery center in Orlando and was streamed live to other staff around the country. Living only one county away, I decided to go there and participate in person rather than via Internet. So glad I did…a number of helpful contacts / conversations and enriched by broader perspectives from praying through the program notebook with others around the table, including Wycliffe Pioneer George Cowan & daughter Ruth who works in Prayer Ministries department.

“From Start to Finish” we journeyed together in prayer and praise to God for the privilege to partner with Him in the Bible translation process. We

-prayerfully supported Wycliffe colleagues and partners around the world.

-prayed for language projects yet to start, for those underway, and for those nearing the finish line.

-worshiped God and celebrated with those who have the Scripture in their heart language. Topics for prayer included Bibleless People & Language Survey and Development, Impacts of Bible Translation, Creative Strategies in Bible Translation, Celebrate the Finish Line, and more.

Friday was a great day journeying together in worship and in prayer for the task of Bible translation all around the world. Experiencing it in person was a real blessing as I expected it would be.

Fall 2011 "WattsLine" Newsletter - posted

NOTE: My Fall 2011 "WattsLine" newsletter is posted under the "Newsletters" tab above.

Standing STRONG – Fall 2011 Scripture Celebration

The grass withers and the flowers fade, 

but the Word of our God stands forever.      

Isaiah 40:8  (NLT)

“Standing STRONG” was the theme to celebrate the extraordinary work that God is doing all over the world. October 14 at the Wycliffe Discovery Center in Orlando twenty three recently completed New Testaments and Bibles for the Americas, Asia, Africa and the Pacific were dedicated. This represents the availability of God’s Word in the heart language of 13,521,950 speakers:  

        World Area       Speakers
        Americas            524,790
        Asia                    974,960
        Africa             11,986,000
        Pacific                  36,200

PRAISE God for the completion of these Scripture projects. Please continue to PRAY for the 2,078 languages that still need a translation project started. To learn more, visit www.lastlanguagescampaign.org.  

This was my first semi-annual Scripture Celebration to attend, and an uplifting day it was. Along with the excitement of seeing the recently completely translations, I was glad to meet in person my coach in the partnership development process. Jean Pederson lives in Wyoming.

It was a pleasure to run into a missions pastor I knew from an east FL coast church and join his committee for lunch in the Discovery Center. Inspiring group of folks...an exemplary Acts 1:8 church. So good to visit with my recruiter and other Wycliffe staff plus friends from “Perspectives” class preparing for full-time missions.

Invitation to Fall 2011 Scripture Celebration – Orlando FL

To those who can be in Orlando on October 14, please join us the celebration dedicating twenty recently completed New Testaments and Bibles the Americas, Asia, Africa and the Pacific.

Time: October 14, 2011.   9am-11am

Location: Wycliffe Discovery Center,
      11221 John Wycliffe Blvd., Orlando, FL 32832                                                                                 

Come and see the extraordinary work that God is doing all over the world.

For more info call Sheryl Funk at 407-852-3671.

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.

International Children's Education Orientation (ICO)

 In preparation to support Bible translation as School Librarian with the Field Education System (home schooled, village based families) program and Parent Run School in Yaounde, Cameroon, I received ICO training June 19-24, 2011 at the Dallas International Linguistics Center. What a blessing this week and the people are to my journey!

ICO is presented by  International Children’s Education  (iCHED) who shares resources, supports families and teachers overseas. This week-long orientation helps prepare us for our assignments with missionary kids/third culture kids (MKs/TCKs).

Topics included: Teaching Overseas, Dynamics of Family Issues; Education, and Care; Cultural Differences in MK Education; Integrating Faith, Culture, and Academics; TCK Profile and MK Issues; Children in Crisis; Language Acquisition; Preparing MKs for Re-entry; Clarifying Beliefs and Values about MK Education; Child Safety, and more ...

First evening team exercise, one of many similar to reality shows; we debriefed each exercise for application to missions. .

Dessert Fellowship in home of former Cameroon missionary family.  Learned so much about specific life in assigned country - including important do's and don'ts.

Mystery Trip: Simulated unexpected airport stop in country not familiar with -  learned  about overcoming traveling obstacles. I was pick-pocketed; glad that happened in a pretend exercise...I will be more careful in the real travel.

Africa bound: Teachers and librarians with assignments in various countries of Africa.

Communion and Commission: Prayer for missionaries bound for Africa.

"Soul Journers" small group share song we created to summarize some of the day's concepts - a fun interactive technique for review.

Wycliffe Bible Translators - EQUIP Training

It was recently my privilege to receive 8 weeks of great training and orientation.

Online Equip  Feb. 14 - March 26, 2011: Six weeks of online orientation to the Wycliffe Bible Translators organization and training on roles, responsibilities, and team building. 

Onsite Equip at Wycliffe USA    April 2-15, 2011: Two weeks of onsite training and orientation included: New Member Training: Biblical Basis, Bible Translation Process, Language Work, Support Roles, Partnership Development, Spiritual Warfare, Moral Conduct Code, Resilience, Issues of Transition, Children/MK & Family Issues, Modules, 10/16 Talks, Cause/Call/Challenge, Building Relationships, Attitude of Gratitude, Advocates & Church Relations, Planning/Maintaining Margin, Phone Calls, Appointments, Record Keeping, Newsletters, Email/Blogs, Websites/Facebook Portfolios/Literature, Employment Requirements, Money Matters and more.

 Intro to group using an object. Using a watering can I share of my nurturing school librarian assignment in Yaounde, Cameroon. I am preparing to support Bible translation by helping to meet educational needs of Central Africa missionary children. The Education Resource Center serves students of the Field Education System (home schooled, village based families) program and Parent Run School.



Introductions during EnterMission, Wycliffe weekly chapel service

Sharing my story during  EnterMission

 Listening to awesome stories of God’s guidance 
and provision from George Cowan, Wycliffe pioneer

The "People Chain" illustrating the many support roles needed for Bible translation.

Banana  phones - practice calling to request appointment.

Wycliffe Membership Acceptance Letter

Thursday, February 3, 2011 

 

Dear Kay,

It’s my privilege to inform you that on 02/03/2011 you were officially accepted as a member of Wycliffe Bible Translators USA. We have made the following note in your record. Wanda Kay Watts, U.S.A., is granted the status of Member of Wycliffe USA. Kay has applied for work in Children's Education. Future assignment will depend upon medical clearance.

I thank the Lord for leading you to Wycliffe and pray that He will provide for, strengthen and guide you in your ministry. As the Scriptures say:

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3: 16-19).

May God bless you and bless the Bibleless peoples through you. Welcome to the team!

Serving together,

Dick Johnson
Director of Personnel Administration

 

Approved as a candidate for Wycliffe membership

                   
A long awaited announcement came to me December 20 via email & phone only hours before my international guests arrived for 10 days. My application had been processed and I was approved as a candidate for membership with Wycliffe Bible Translators. A prefield administrator is working with me to identify a strategic service assignment (1st assignment in Africa) and to develop a comprehensive preparation plan. Stay tuned.

Christmas 2010

It was a privilege to welcome into my little condo 16 people between December 20-31st...1, 2, 3, or 13 each of those days. What a great experience to host two of the 75 students that came from around the country to Orlando area for 10 days via International Friendship Ministry. If you live in the Orlando area, please let me share more details.

Christmas Dinner. Great fellowship and much delicious food thanks to teamwork. It was a real joy to welcome old friends, new friends, my cousin Sterling + neighbors to take photos.

Via International Friendship Ministry I hosted two ladies Dec. 20-29. Xiaoping/Belinda (in red above) and Jia/Joy came from South Carolina colleges where they did studies, observation/teaching. At different China universities, Belinda teaches English; Joy teaches Human Resource Management. 

In the photos above, Belinda and Joy decorate a Christmas tree for the first time in my condo; we toured T-Rex Restaurant and other parts of Downtown Disney quickly in rather cold windy weather before and after eating @ Rainforest Cafe; time flew and it was time for "good-bye" before Joy and Belinda headed back to Columbia, South Carolina on IFM bus. We are staying in touch.

Christmas Eve IFM Orlando Tour 2010 Conference. Chinese students (many) sing “Silent Night” in their language, then assist Japanese students (few) in singing it in their language. Overview of Creation, Christmas, and Easter was presented – some students’ first time to hear this. I am grateful for the opportunity to put two Muslim students from Iraq asking great questions in touch with Dr. Steven Masood of Jesus to Muslims.

We had Christmas Eve Dinner at home of IFM hosts Wayne and Bonita Slaymaker. Their guest Rachael Tan is from Australia. The Slaymakers introduced me to ministry with international students; they have hosted over 70 students in 22 years.  We host families have potential to make an impact on university students’ life for eternity by reflecting Christ’s love to them and sharing our faith as opportunities arise.

After Christmas Eve dinner, the six of us drove around several parts of Orlando singing Christmas Eve - taking in the lights. Finally that evening, we Christmas caroled and had fellowship at the home of IFM host family Terry/Delores Radice, Christina and their Korean students.

Part of the International Friendship Ministry program is to share our some of our Christmas traditions with students; also fascinating to learn how guests celebrate their native holidays. It was fun to wrap practical little items for Christmas stockings; I shared memories of the how much Grandpa and Grandma Snowden appreciated their stocking from a church family in Winchester KY and how  my Children's Church youngsters for many years made things for shut-ins' stockings. It thrilled my heart to see how excited and grateful Joy and Belinda were to receive a personal size Life Application Bible.