Pray for Peace

 

 

     As the blessed day of Christmas arrives, we remember again the hope that Jesus brought to our world with his birth,  Last week we were reminded of this need for hope when Craig received word from South Sudan (a country which is part of his work with Wycliffe) that an attempted coup had taken place and fighting among opposing forces had broken out.

     When this new country celebrated its birth only two years ago, hope was plentiful.  But now this new nation is at a crossroads. The future looks uncertain.  However, we can rejoince that on Wednesday, many throughout the country of South Sudan will be celebrating the birth of a King who lived, died and rose again to bring hope to their nation and all of us around the world. Jesus' promises are real and we can trust in him.  We ask you to join us to pray for peace and restoration for South Sudan.

 

 

BUMP-- New York

guest post by Anissa!

This summer, I went on a mission trip to New York with my youth group from church. We were part of group called BUMP, which stands for   Bridging Urban Mission Project.  We left on a Friday night, and came back the next Sunday. We traveled by train and the trip was 30 hours there, and 27 hours back.  The ride itself was a little boring, but overall, it was a really cool experience.

 

 

While I was in New York, I worked at a VBS (vacation bible school) with first graders.  Most of the children were Chinese, and many of them didn’t speak English. I was also part of the praise band, and we were in charge of the worship music for the children each day.  During my time there, I was able to interact with lots of great kids. One child in particular really touched me. She really just tried to love on me, which I thought was sweet. She would hold my hand, walk with me, and sit with me during recess.

A usual day for us was waking up at 6:45 a.m., cleaning up our area, doing our daily

devotionals,and having breakfast at 7:30.  At 8 o’clock, we would start walking the kids to the church where the VBS was held.  We worked there until 2:30 p.m. when we would walk the kids back. On most days, right after that, we would go next door for the best ice cream I’ve ever had, and it was only $2. We would have a 30 minute break, and then walk a mile to have dinner with two other BUMP groups. We would stay there until about 8 p.m., then walk the mile back to where we were staying.

Wednesday and Thursday afternoons were exceptions to this schedule. On those days, we went sightseeing. On Wednesday, we took a ferry ride past the Statue of Liberty, then I bought a six dollar ice cream which wasn’t near as good as the two dollar ice cream!  We also rode the subway to Wall Street and saw the famous bull, Trinity Church (which was filmed in the movie National Treasure), Times Square all lit up at night, and, we tried to see the 9-11 memorial, but it was closed.  On Thursday, we went to Coney Island.  We walked on the sand, got ice cream, and others got Nathan’s hot dogs.

 

 

Friday night, everyone in our band (including me!) led the worship service. It was a wonderful night full of worship and prayer. Afterwards, people talked about how they have grown on this trip.   

Saturday morning we woke up at five a.m. and took a bus tour of New York.  At eleven, we boarded a train for Tampa. Although it was an exhausting week, I had lots of fun, grew in my faith, and I hope I’ll be able to go on another trip with my youth group.

 

John Wycliffe and a Reunion with Colleagues in Washington, D.C.

You can imagine Craig’s great surprise when he was standing face to face with John Wycliffe, the man whom Wycliffe Bible Translators was named for. It was John Wycliffe, who in the late 1300 hundreds, had a hunger for the common man to have God’s word in English. Wycliffe threw away his academic career at Oxford University in order to translate the bible into English. Many followed Wycliffe, but he was the trail blazer and not only did it cost him his faculty seat at Oxford, but it also left him with little in economic resources to accomplish his goal. John Wycliffe reappeared at our meeting in DC and reminded us of why every man, woman and child should have God’s word in their own language. We as Americans have it. In fact, we have nearly 2000 versions just in English. Yet nearly that many languages still lack a single word in their heart language.

John Wycliffe, portrayed by colleague Arthur Lightbody

John Wycliffe, portrayed by colleague Art Lightbody

 

At our office retreat, it was great to see many colleagues that we have worked with since we  started over seven years ago during our first assignment in DC. Some we had not seen in over three years, as they had also taken overseas assignments. Craig was reminded that working  to have the word of God to reach every language in the world involves cost and sacrifice.

This month will mark 8 years since Craig left the practice of law to join Wycliffe full time. During that time, God has been faithful, through his people, to support the work that John Wycliffe began and that many after him have strived for, often at a huge cost and sacrifice.
 

DC Staff

 

We want to thank you, our dear partners, in allowing us to stay on this journey. Many days we don’t know how we have been able to continue, but we know that God and the provision of his people provide the way.

Thank you.

 

Back to School--A Humbling Experience

It was over 25 years ago when lap tops and cell phones were non-existent. Academic papers and law briefs were typed by a typewriter and not a computer.  And, it was that long ago Craig was in a formal academic setting at Florida State University College of Law. J  However, this month, humbling wanting to serve communities around the world in a more educated and responsive way, he went back to school. Craig entered a Masters Program in International Development at Eastern University.

It was a long road to get to this point. Last year in Tanzania, Craig sensed God’s calling to increase his knowledge base in the area of faith based development and transformational development principles. The search led him to a Christian school that has been training  leaders of World Vision, International Justice Mission, Samaritan’s Purse, Compassion International and many other faith based organizations. The degree is a two year program that is online but with three weeks of in-person class work each year.  Along with school, Craig will be continuing with his position as consultant for external relations and legal affairs to the director for SIL Africa area.  

Admittedly, going back to school and handling assignments have been overwhelming so far, but just watching how God raised up the tuition for the program was a reminder of his faithfulness. Please pray for discernment, wisdom, stamina and his peace as he finishes nearly 3000 pages of reading and five papers that need to be completed by early July when classes at Eastern commence. We covet your prayers and we continue to be amazed at God’s provision as we have now been faith based supported for nearly seven and a half years! Praise God! Thank all of you who have prayed for us and partnered in our ministry. You are the heroes of the faith to us.

A Fun Little History Lesson

So, one Saturday morning, the girls and I were out looking for garage sales.  We love to find bargains!  We had visited a few and had not really found anything we couldn't live without, but we drove on to the last one on our list.  We almost didn't stop.  It appeared that there really wasn't too much there, and from what we could see from the car window, there wasn't much "girl stuff".  However, we did stop, and ended up with a fun little history lesson for our effort.

Sitting on a table full of tools and other unrelated items, we found a beautiful little treasure.

 

 

At first glance, we thought we had come across some gorgeous little tea cups.

 

Then we noticed this.

 

 

What?!?  We had never seen any tea cups like this.  After talking with the seller (who explained that he helped with estate sales, hence the odd assortment of findings at his sale) he told us that these were actually moustache cups.  A tea cup--but with an extra feature.  His explanation was pretty much what wikipedia had to say, so here it is.

 

Moustaches flourished throughout the Victorian era. Oftentimes, moustache wax was applied to the moustache to keep it nice and stiff, with every hair in place. And therein lay a problem that cropped up when steaming hot cups of tea or coffee were carried up to the mouth for sipping: the steam melted the wax and sent it right into the cup. Another problem soon became apparent. Sipping hot tea or coffee, moustaches also often became stained. Finally, Harvey Adams, an innovative Englishman, in 1860 came up with an unusual invention, "the moustache cup". The latter had a ledge, called a moustache guard, across the cup. The ledge had one semicircular opening against the side of the cup. The pampered moustache then rested safe and dry on the guard while sipping a hot beverage through the opening.

(Another source also mentioned that melting moustache wax in the tea was enough to send the women present into a swoon, so evidently, this little feature was much needed!)

For school this year, we have been studying the Victorian era, so this was a timely find! Of course, my students needed to test it out...

Perfect!

Missions Weekend

 

 

This past weekend, we were invited to attend First Baptist Church of Plant City's mission conference.  The theme was about being obedient and there were wonderful speakers throughout the days.  We had never visited this church before so we were blessed to make lots of new friends not just from Plant City, but from around the globe as well.  I think that is always my favorite part-meeting new people and learning about the passions that God has placed on their hearts.  From churches in NY, San Francisco and Miami to people ministering in some of the roughest parts of the world.  Although the times often seem dark,  it is always refreshing to be reminded of the love and grace and power of God and learn how He is very much at work!

After our weekend in Plant City, we met with a group from First Baptist of Bradenton, and joined them on our tour of the Wycliffe Discovery Center in Orlando.

                            

We always love the opportunity to share about Bible Translation and the ministry to which God has called us.  It is amazing to think that in the short time we have been with Wycliffe, over 700 new language projects have been started!  Our God is an awesome God!

A Time to Reconnect with Colleagues and Culture

                                       

 

Recently our family was able to be part of a wonderful program (sponsored by Wycliffe) for missionaries reentering US culture from overseas.  Wycliffe Connection provides training in various areas, but more importantly, it is a wonderful way to connect with other missionaries from overseas.

 

 

We enjoyed our time in Orlando and we able to participate with several colleagues we worked with in Tanzania. Anissa and Ariana were in the kids programs that were led by a couple who are experienced in youth ministry (and who we had met during our time in Virginia!)

 

 

Another  highlight was seeing the beautiful art work in the Wycliffe headquarters—we discovered  that much of it was painted by our friend, Michael Harrar, who we worked with in Tanzania. :)

 It was great to remember we are all part of a team seeking to help communities bring transformation to their lives and communities. Now that is worth living for!

Celebrate

 

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!!

Catching Up

Well, our somewhat normal pattern of blogging slowed down once we returned to the states--due to many factors including house-hunting, re-aclimating to the US, catching up with family and friends, and honestly, some pretty severe fatigue!  So, we are hoping to catch you up with a little of what has been going on since our return.  :)

As some of you know, we have moved into a new home just north of Tampa. We are grateful to God for his provision of this lovely home and the wonderful people who lived in the home before us.

In December, we enjoyed going to Christmastown in Bush Gardens and enjoying a concert by Jars of Clay.   We were also able to attend a Christmas concert featuring some dear friends of ours.  And the best part was being able to spend Christmas with our families this year!

In January Craig began his new assignment as consultant to the Director for Africa Area Eastern and Southern Region of SIL.  Craig has already been working with several countries in the area on some technical and legal issues. He will also continue to work with the Tanzania leadership on issues of advocacy and government relations. The work will be remote with some trips to DC and Africa as the need arises.

Some other big news is that Craig is hoping to go back to school in May.  He has been accepted to Eastern University for a Masters in International Development program (most of the classes will be on line with only three weeks each year at the campus).  This education will allow Craig to gain more practical skills in how SIL and the Wycliffe Global Alliance can create and implement programs that bring spiritual transformation to communities. Craig will be joining others which include staff from organizations like IJM, World Vision and Samaritans Purse in learning how implement and measure the transformational nature of our work.   We are praying for God’s will in this, as it would mean an increase in our financial support, but we believe that this study would be very beneficial to Craig’s position.