Last
October, a significant milestone in language translation was reached. We are now able to celebrate that the number
of languages that need translation work started has dropped below 2000! What a joy it is that we are that much closer
to having God’s word in every heart language of the world!
We also
celebrate the beginning of our family’s next project—in January, Craig began
working in an exciting new role to help reach the last remaining languages of
Eastern and Southern Africa. As of 2013,
Craig joined the leadership team of the new director for SIL Africa Area
Eastern and Southern Region as consultant to the director of external relations
and legal affairs.
This is
quite a responsibility. Believe it or
not, there are still 300 languages in Eastern and Southern Africa that do not
have any of God’s word in their own language.
Through several comprehensive plans and in partnership with others, we are
trusting God for the impossible--that the remaining languages in Eastern and
Southern Africa will have every language started by the year 2025!
In March, our
family traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with Alemayehu, the new director
for SIL Africa Area. He and Craig were
able to visit the embassies of several strategic countries in Eastern and
Southern Africa as well as several Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs). It
was an encouraging time--seeing where God has taken us as an organization as
well as looking ahead to where He is leading us.
On the same trip, Carolyn and the girls were
able to catch up with many of our Manassas friends (although it doesn’t seem
like we ever get enough while we are there to see everyone we want!). God was so gracious to give us so many
wonderful friends while we lived in Virginia.
We miss you!!