And I'm purposefully avoiding packing this last duffel bag.
Travel plans have come together after some surprises last week. I purchased a flight into Fargo, ND as Grand Forks is quite a bit smaller and thus, much pricier. I had then planned to catch a Greyhound up to the Grand Forks airport for SIL-UND pickup. However, the travel coordinater for SIL-UND asked me to double-check on the Greyhound info I'd received. Sure enough, it was inaccurate, and I was shaving my arrival and departure times down to minutes in which to get my bags and get on the bus. Despite my optimism, nobody I spoke with sounded convinced I could make it. So I asked when the next northbound bus left to find it only travels north every other day. But! I could "always take the 3:30am Amtrak the next morning." Ahahahahahah... No.
More amused than anything else, I looked into some other options. Through an online travel forum set up by SIL-UND, I've connected with another young woman who's also flying into the Fargo airport. We're going to split the cost of a rental car (which ends up being cheaper than a Greyhound ticket!) and carpool up to the campus. Not only did the Lord work it out, but I now have a traveling companion on the last leg of my trip! :) I just love how the Lord takes care of all the little details. It makes me smile.
Departure: T-minus 3 days.
First Stop: Northern California.
26 May 2009
22 May 2009
thoughts from Jim Elliot
"Of the flesh and its false emotions I have quite had my fill. Of Jesus I cannot seem to get enough. Thank God... He does not thwart the soul's desire for Himself, but only whets the desire, intensifying, subliminating."
"Much impressed lately with the blessing of being called to battle on the Winner's side."
"The Word of God is not bound! It's free to say what it will to the individual and no one can outline it into dispensations which cannot be broken. Don't get it down 'cold,' but let it live--fresh, warm, and vibrant--so that the world is not binding ponderous books about it, but rather is shackling you for having it allowed it to have free course in your life."
(all excerpts from Shadow of the Almighty)
20 May 2009
RVDCF
Our little Deaf church here in Southern Oregon has some exciting news! Pastor Ken, who is a Deaf pastor and missionary from Oklahoma, is due to arrive around June 12th! He and his family are moving here to pastor RVDCF and evangelize our local Deaf community. :) What began as a little home Deaf Bible study, the Lord has blessed and grown into a young Deaf church! AND we now have a Pastor!!!! Praise God!
My friends, Southern Oregon now has it's first Deaf Church! God answers the prayers of His people!!!
My friends, Southern Oregon now has it's first Deaf Church! God answers the prayers of His people!!!
15 May 2009
May 2009 Update
Hello Friends & Family!
Whew! April has flown by and I am thrilled to announce that my application form is behind me! Thank you for all your prayers!!! I definitely felt them in the crazy days of editing my application, writing my testimony, composing a detailed doctrinal statement, tracking down transcripts, and much, much more. While challenging, this process has been tremendously beneficial! I submitted the whole “kit ‘n’ caboodle” on April 17th, just in time to clean house for a week-long visit from my college roomies. :)
Erin & Jess had their first Southern Oregon experience complete with a tour of the Oregon Caves National Monument, a trip to the coast in Brookings, and hiking around our lake in Selma. They also tagged along to work with me one day to watch me “in action;” such an enjoyable time!
Having submitted my application, the membership process has begun. I had my first interview this week, which went really well! I am quickly discovering, as I meet more folks, just how small the network of signed language specialists truly is! It is rather exciting. I’ll soon be joining a ground-breaking, foundation-laying team of fellow pioneers in this field, and I can hardly wait to get started!
Speaking of getting started, I’m off to North Dakota in just over a month. Work has been picking up, and the Lord has been providing more freelance work—on top of my weekly hours interpreting at the community college—than I know what to do with! I think He’s preparing me for the crazy schedule and hours of a college student once again. It should make my transition a bit easier; at least, that’s my hope!
Whew! April has flown by and I am thrilled to announce that my application form is behind me! Thank you for all your prayers!!! I definitely felt them in the crazy days of editing my application, writing my testimony, composing a detailed doctrinal statement, tracking down transcripts, and much, much more. While challenging, this process has been tremendously beneficial! I submitted the whole “kit ‘n’ caboodle” on April 17th, just in time to clean house for a week-long visit from my college roomies. :)
Erin & Jess had their first Southern Oregon experience complete with a tour of the Oregon Caves National Monument, a trip to the coast in Brookings, and hiking around our lake in Selma. They also tagged along to work with me one day to watch me “in action;” such an enjoyable time!
Having submitted my application, the membership process has begun. I had my first interview this week, which went really well! I am quickly discovering, as I meet more folks, just how small the network of signed language specialists truly is! It is rather exciting. I’ll soon be joining a ground-breaking, foundation-laying team of fellow pioneers in this field, and I can hardly wait to get started!
Speaking of getting started, I’m off to North Dakota in just over a month. Work has been picking up, and the Lord has been providing more freelance work—on top of my weekly hours interpreting at the community college—than I know what to do with! I think He’s preparing me for the crazy schedule and hours of a college student once again. It should make my transition a bit easier; at least, that’s my hope!
March/April 2009 Update
Greetings in the steadfast love of Jesus!
March has come and gone, and I am late in getting out an update! I just arrived home this past weekend after having spent my Spring Break (March 21-27) in Canby, Oregon at another TOTAL It Up! Workshop; only this time, I attended as an assistant to the staff and teachers. It was such a wonderful week!! We had students fly in from all over the States as well as two international students. I enjoyed meeting each one, watching them soak in the possibilities before them, and praying with them for clarity and guidance. I look forward to rubbing shoulders with some of them in the future. From there, I flew down to interpret some friends’ wedding in Sacramento, which was simply beautiful.
March also brought a delightful visit from my dear, dear friend and sister, Megan, whom I hadn’t seen in almost two years! Last time I was out visiting her family (my second family in Michigan), Meg had just left for a six month missions stint in South Africa with OM. It was a joy to spend a brief weekend with her, savoring every moment and hearing all about her adventures.
Likewise, I look forward to the end of April and a visit from my college roommates, Erin & Jessica!!! And no, I don’t normally get to visit with friends this often, so this year has been a real treat! It just seems 2009 is God’s timing for the catching up with loved ones! I certainly have no complaints. Erin & Jess will be here for a week, and I can’t wait to show them around beautiful Southern Oregon.
Praise Report: The Lord has already provided my tuition, room, and board for North Dakota in FULL! I’m amazed and beyond grateful! He provides over and beyond what we can ask or think. He has also provided the funds for a much-needed, long-awaited, new laptop computer (my old one crashed a little over a year ago). He knows our every need and delights to meet them out of His abundance! Amazing! I wait on Him now simply for travel funds for North Dakota.
In the meantime, April is application month. I’m still working on my membership application, and this is the month to buckle down and finish it. This is my top priority and greatest prayer need. I look forward to typing my next update without it hanging over my head!
March has come and gone, and I am late in getting out an update! I just arrived home this past weekend after having spent my Spring Break (March 21-27) in Canby, Oregon at another TOTAL It Up! Workshop; only this time, I attended as an assistant to the staff and teachers. It was such a wonderful week!! We had students fly in from all over the States as well as two international students. I enjoyed meeting each one, watching them soak in the possibilities before them, and praying with them for clarity and guidance. I look forward to rubbing shoulders with some of them in the future. From there, I flew down to interpret some friends’ wedding in Sacramento, which was simply beautiful.
March also brought a delightful visit from my dear, dear friend and sister, Megan, whom I hadn’t seen in almost two years! Last time I was out visiting her family (my second family in Michigan), Meg had just left for a six month missions stint in South Africa with OM. It was a joy to spend a brief weekend with her, savoring every moment and hearing all about her adventures.
Likewise, I look forward to the end of April and a visit from my college roommates, Erin & Jessica!!! And no, I don’t normally get to visit with friends this often, so this year has been a real treat! It just seems 2009 is God’s timing for the catching up with loved ones! I certainly have no complaints. Erin & Jess will be here for a week, and I can’t wait to show them around beautiful Southern Oregon.
Praise Report: The Lord has already provided my tuition, room, and board for North Dakota in FULL! I’m amazed and beyond grateful! He provides over and beyond what we can ask or think. He has also provided the funds for a much-needed, long-awaited, new laptop computer (my old one crashed a little over a year ago). He knows our every need and delights to meet them out of His abundance! Amazing! I wait on Him now simply for travel funds for North Dakota.
In the meantime, April is application month. I’m still working on my membership application, and this is the month to buckle down and finish it. This is my top priority and greatest prayer need. I look forward to typing my next update without it hanging over my head!
February 2009 Update
Hello!
February is more than half over and time continues to fly by! Just yesterday, I arrived home from a long weekend in Southern California with my deaf “sister” Emily. We had a wonderful time together spending a day at Disneyland, cooking and eating international food (Indian, Middle Eastern, and Ethiopian – so good!), dinner with the Ludy family who just happened to be in SoCal as well, and talking for countless hours over endless mugs of tea. It was definitely a God-orchestrated trip and covered with His blessings.
The LORD continues to piece things together. I’ve completed and been accepted through all (three) stages of the Summer Institute of Linguistics application process. All that remains is working out which classes I need and registering for those. I begin June 8th!
I’m still leading a young women’s Bible Study group on Monday nights. It’s been such a delight to watch them not only “grow up” (as they get their driver’s licenses or graduate high school) but also grow deeper in their love for the Lord!! We’re wrapping up our final season together (for now), and are digging into an inductive Bible study on 1 John together. It’s been wonderful! As I’ve been praying about our final season together, God’s been laying it on my heart to see them equipped to go out and lead studies of their own and disciple the younger gals in their own lives. The past two years with this group of gals has been such a work of the Lord, I’m still completely in awe when I stop and take it all in. I’m so thankful for the precious fellowship and time spent in worship, the Word, and prayer with these beautiful, set-apart sisters-in-Christ!
Just one example of how these girls have so blessed and encouraged me is in their response to the needs the Lord brings across their paths. A couple months ago, the Lord brought to our attention a major need for Bibles in South Asia among believers who don’t have access to Bibles and/or cannot afford them. In just over a month, after hearing the need and praying for the Lord’s guidance and provision, we were able to send enough funds to provide 88 brothers and sisters with God’s Word! It brought tears to my eyes watching them sitting on the floor counting change and calculating the amount of Bibles it would purchase for those who had none. They are such a precious group of young women He will use mightily to advance His kingdom!
As I wrap this up, I wish I could express my gratitude and how blessed I’ve been by all of you who have been so quick to jump in and cover me with support, prayers, and encouragement! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Knowing I have all of you behind me makes each step a bit easier as I set out down this path.
February is more than half over and time continues to fly by! Just yesterday, I arrived home from a long weekend in Southern California with my deaf “sister” Emily. We had a wonderful time together spending a day at Disneyland, cooking and eating international food (Indian, Middle Eastern, and Ethiopian – so good!), dinner with the Ludy family who just happened to be in SoCal as well, and talking for countless hours over endless mugs of tea. It was definitely a God-orchestrated trip and covered with His blessings.
The LORD continues to piece things together. I’ve completed and been accepted through all (three) stages of the Summer Institute of Linguistics application process. All that remains is working out which classes I need and registering for those. I begin June 8th!
I’m still leading a young women’s Bible Study group on Monday nights. It’s been such a delight to watch them not only “grow up” (as they get their driver’s licenses or graduate high school) but also grow deeper in their love for the Lord!! We’re wrapping up our final season together (for now), and are digging into an inductive Bible study on 1 John together. It’s been wonderful! As I’ve been praying about our final season together, God’s been laying it on my heart to see them equipped to go out and lead studies of their own and disciple the younger gals in their own lives. The past two years with this group of gals has been such a work of the Lord, I’m still completely in awe when I stop and take it all in. I’m so thankful for the precious fellowship and time spent in worship, the Word, and prayer with these beautiful, set-apart sisters-in-Christ!
Just one example of how these girls have so blessed and encouraged me is in their response to the needs the Lord brings across their paths. A couple months ago, the Lord brought to our attention a major need for Bibles in South Asia among believers who don’t have access to Bibles and/or cannot afford them. In just over a month, after hearing the need and praying for the Lord’s guidance and provision, we were able to send enough funds to provide 88 brothers and sisters with God’s Word! It brought tears to my eyes watching them sitting on the floor counting change and calculating the amount of Bibles it would purchase for those who had none. They are such a precious group of young women He will use mightily to advance His kingdom!
As I wrap this up, I wish I could express my gratitude and how blessed I’ve been by all of you who have been so quick to jump in and cover me with support, prayers, and encouragement! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Knowing I have all of you behind me makes each step a bit easier as I set out down this path.
January 2009 Update
Greetings from southern Oregon!
2008 was a year rich with lessons and God’s faithfulness! I’m so grateful for the things He’s brought me through and the stretching He’s done and continues to do! Let me start with what’s ahead, and then I’ll go back and “catch you up.”
I just spent the week between Christmas and New Years in Washington at a workshop called “TOTAL It Up!”. I went, after six months of praying for the Lord’s confirmation and direction, hoping to find out whether or not linguistics and Bible translation was something the Lord was calling me to.
My big news of 2009 is that the Lord is leading me to join the work and vision of Bible translation. He’s given me a heart to get His Word out to those around the world who have little or no access to the Bible in their native language (their “heart language”--the language in which they dream, think, interact, and share their deepest feelings). While I still don’t know exactly what role I’ll be filling---whether as an actual Translator, or a member of the Translation team--I did come away from “TOTAL It Up!” with His peace to step forward. This next step begins in June! I’ve been accepted to the Summer Institute of Linguistics at the University of North Dakota (SIL-UND) which runs from June-August.
My focus will be on Signed Language Linguistics, and my goal is to join a foundational team whose vision is to reach the unreached Deaf language communities around the world who have no access to the Word of God in any form they can understand. The latest informal language database shows over 200 live sign languages, and that number is expected to reach around 400+ as language surveys continue. Deaf communities form one of the largest minority language groups, and it is estimated that a mere 2% of Deaf people worldwide have embraced the gospel. It is often said that the Deaf are the last to hear any news. That includes the Good News! The complete New Testament is available in only one signed language—ASL, and it was recently released in 2005 (www.deafmissions.org). Thus far, no signed language has the entire Bible.
I’ve had many people ask why Deaf people need the Bible in sign language, and why they can’t read the Bible written in a spoken language. Sign languages are distinct languages which have their own individual linguistic features completely independent of the spoken languages around them. For example, English and ASL have completely different sentence structures, grammatical markers, vocabulary, etc. ASL is a visual language without any written form, while English has a written alphabet composed of letters representing sounds. English speakers learn to read by not merely connecting letters, but sounds, into units of meaning. For a profoundly Deaf individual, every English word is a “sight word” without a sound base (thus phonetically “sounding out” words is impossible). A Deaf individual reading an English Bible would be the equivalent of one of us, as mother-tongue English users, reading a Dutch Bible without ever having heard a word of spoken Dutch.
Now, how I got here. Last May, the Lord brought me to a place of asking, “What’s the purpose of my life? What am I here for?” I’d been praying about the mission field, and how I could use His gifts to further His kingdom. My summer was spent seeking the Lord and laying it all out on the table, telling Him I was open for anything. During that time, I had a chance to go visit a best friend out in Boston; as I packed, I grabbed a few unread books for my flights. One of them was And the Word Came with Power by Joanne Shelter. I read the whole thing on the flight out, mesmerized by the true story.
A week later, I was sitting with another friend in a similar season of seeking the Lord’s direction. As we shared our hearts, my phone vibrated. I checked it to find an email from a recruiter who’d contacted me after Urbana ‘06. He and his wife were going to be in my area in July, and would I be willing to meet for coffee? I was laughing as I told my friend, completely in jest, “Well, maybe that was a sign! Maybe that's what I should do!”
Several weeks later, I was driving into town to meet my recruiters for coffee. When they arrived, I apologetically shared that I had no questions for them, nor had I given much thought to the area of Bible translation. They smiled and asked, instead, where I was at. As we chatted, and I heard their story and more about the work of Bible translation around the world, it all just clicked. We were, somehow, on the same page, speaking the same language, and suddenly all the pieces seemed to come together and fall into their place. I still can’t explain it, and I’m convinced God “set me up” as only He can in His perfect, beautiful ways. Through that meeting, He began igniting an interest in my heart that I couldn’t have anticipated.
For two weeks, I just prayed, prayed, and prayed some more. He gave me such a peace and assurance that He was, indeed, leading me out in this direction, accompanied with a fearlessness to take the next step, whatever it may be. After more contact with my recruiters, other contacts, and prayer, we agreed I should attend the “TOTAL (Taste of Translation and Linguistics) It Up!” workshop in December to get a hands-on feel for the areas of work and needs.
In the fall, the Lord provided interpreting work in abundance, through freelancing and a part-time faculty position at the local community college. The most exciting part of the latter is the weekly contact with clients and colleagues, and the opportunity to build relationships with them (through which the Lord has opened doors to share His love and truth). In addition, the passion God planted in my heart to get His Word to those who don’t have it continued to grow as He opened my eyes to the needs in my own backyard. Even though the New Testament is interpreted into ASL, many low-income Deaf families still do not have it simply due to the price ($35/copy). God laid the desire on my heart to get some copies for the Deaf believers in southern Oregon, and He has been miraculously providing for them in a number of ways! I’m thrilled to share that 24 Deaf individuals/families now have the New Testament in their native sign language!
That’s the Reader’s Digest version of my 2008. I don’t know all the details of what lies ahead this year, but I know the One who does and He has promised to lead! It will certainly be an adventure! For now, the registration process continues with SIL-UND. I’ll also be starting the membership application process in order to have it all ready for submission at the end of the summer. I’ll continue to work at the community college, search for scholarships, and pay down my remaining college debt from Bethel. Then it’s off to North Dakota in June!
I won’t start raising support until I finish my first summer semester, which is when they’ll officially review my completed membership application. However, I want to start recruiting prayer support immediately!! If you would be willing to be a prayer partner as I continue to seek direction in each step, and would like to receive monthly updates and prayer requests, please let me know and I’ll add you to my email update list. Either way, I would cherish your prayers for those around the world who don’t have God’s Word, both Deaf and hearing alike!
I pray this update finds you well and trusting the One who is Unchanging, Faithful and True! May He bless you and yours with His peace and joy! May you pursue Him wholeheartedly and seek first His kingdom! He alone is Worthy.
2008 was a year rich with lessons and God’s faithfulness! I’m so grateful for the things He’s brought me through and the stretching He’s done and continues to do! Let me start with what’s ahead, and then I’ll go back and “catch you up.”
I just spent the week between Christmas and New Years in Washington at a workshop called “TOTAL It Up!”. I went, after six months of praying for the Lord’s confirmation and direction, hoping to find out whether or not linguistics and Bible translation was something the Lord was calling me to.
My big news of 2009 is that the Lord is leading me to join the work and vision of Bible translation. He’s given me a heart to get His Word out to those around the world who have little or no access to the Bible in their native language (their “heart language”--the language in which they dream, think, interact, and share their deepest feelings). While I still don’t know exactly what role I’ll be filling---whether as an actual Translator, or a member of the Translation team--I did come away from “TOTAL It Up!” with His peace to step forward. This next step begins in June! I’ve been accepted to the Summer Institute of Linguistics at the University of North Dakota (SIL-UND) which runs from June-August.
My focus will be on Signed Language Linguistics, and my goal is to join a foundational team whose vision is to reach the unreached Deaf language communities around the world who have no access to the Word of God in any form they can understand. The latest informal language database shows over 200 live sign languages, and that number is expected to reach around 400+ as language surveys continue. Deaf communities form one of the largest minority language groups, and it is estimated that a mere 2% of Deaf people worldwide have embraced the gospel. It is often said that the Deaf are the last to hear any news. That includes the Good News! The complete New Testament is available in only one signed language—ASL, and it was recently released in 2005 (www.deafmissions.org). Thus far, no signed language has the entire Bible.
I’ve had many people ask why Deaf people need the Bible in sign language, and why they can’t read the Bible written in a spoken language. Sign languages are distinct languages which have their own individual linguistic features completely independent of the spoken languages around them. For example, English and ASL have completely different sentence structures, grammatical markers, vocabulary, etc. ASL is a visual language without any written form, while English has a written alphabet composed of letters representing sounds. English speakers learn to read by not merely connecting letters, but sounds, into units of meaning. For a profoundly Deaf individual, every English word is a “sight word” without a sound base (thus phonetically “sounding out” words is impossible). A Deaf individual reading an English Bible would be the equivalent of one of us, as mother-tongue English users, reading a Dutch Bible without ever having heard a word of spoken Dutch.
Now, how I got here. Last May, the Lord brought me to a place of asking, “What’s the purpose of my life? What am I here for?” I’d been praying about the mission field, and how I could use His gifts to further His kingdom. My summer was spent seeking the Lord and laying it all out on the table, telling Him I was open for anything. During that time, I had a chance to go visit a best friend out in Boston; as I packed, I grabbed a few unread books for my flights. One of them was And the Word Came with Power by Joanne Shelter. I read the whole thing on the flight out, mesmerized by the true story.
A week later, I was sitting with another friend in a similar season of seeking the Lord’s direction. As we shared our hearts, my phone vibrated. I checked it to find an email from a recruiter who’d contacted me after Urbana ‘06. He and his wife were going to be in my area in July, and would I be willing to meet for coffee? I was laughing as I told my friend, completely in jest, “Well, maybe that was a sign! Maybe that's what I should do!”
Several weeks later, I was driving into town to meet my recruiters for coffee. When they arrived, I apologetically shared that I had no questions for them, nor had I given much thought to the area of Bible translation. They smiled and asked, instead, where I was at. As we chatted, and I heard their story and more about the work of Bible translation around the world, it all just clicked. We were, somehow, on the same page, speaking the same language, and suddenly all the pieces seemed to come together and fall into their place. I still can’t explain it, and I’m convinced God “set me up” as only He can in His perfect, beautiful ways. Through that meeting, He began igniting an interest in my heart that I couldn’t have anticipated.
For two weeks, I just prayed, prayed, and prayed some more. He gave me such a peace and assurance that He was, indeed, leading me out in this direction, accompanied with a fearlessness to take the next step, whatever it may be. After more contact with my recruiters, other contacts, and prayer, we agreed I should attend the “TOTAL (Taste of Translation and Linguistics) It Up!” workshop in December to get a hands-on feel for the areas of work and needs.
In the fall, the Lord provided interpreting work in abundance, through freelancing and a part-time faculty position at the local community college. The most exciting part of the latter is the weekly contact with clients and colleagues, and the opportunity to build relationships with them (through which the Lord has opened doors to share His love and truth). In addition, the passion God planted in my heart to get His Word to those who don’t have it continued to grow as He opened my eyes to the needs in my own backyard. Even though the New Testament is interpreted into ASL, many low-income Deaf families still do not have it simply due to the price ($35/copy). God laid the desire on my heart to get some copies for the Deaf believers in southern Oregon, and He has been miraculously providing for them in a number of ways! I’m thrilled to share that 24 Deaf individuals/families now have the New Testament in their native sign language!
That’s the Reader’s Digest version of my 2008. I don’t know all the details of what lies ahead this year, but I know the One who does and He has promised to lead! It will certainly be an adventure! For now, the registration process continues with SIL-UND. I’ll also be starting the membership application process in order to have it all ready for submission at the end of the summer. I’ll continue to work at the community college, search for scholarships, and pay down my remaining college debt from Bethel. Then it’s off to North Dakota in June!
I won’t start raising support until I finish my first summer semester, which is when they’ll officially review my completed membership application. However, I want to start recruiting prayer support immediately!! If you would be willing to be a prayer partner as I continue to seek direction in each step, and would like to receive monthly updates and prayer requests, please let me know and I’ll add you to my email update list. Either way, I would cherish your prayers for those around the world who don’t have God’s Word, both Deaf and hearing alike!
I pray this update finds you well and trusting the One who is Unchanging, Faithful and True! May He bless you and yours with His peace and joy! May you pursue Him wholeheartedly and seek first His kingdom! He alone is Worthy.
ASL Bibles - December 2008
I wanted to share a testimony of God's faithfulness with you all!
As I've been praying about Wycliffe, God has really opened my eyes to the immediate needs right in front of my face, here & now, as I'm waiting on His direction and timing. Here I'm praying about translating the Bible for Deaf people in the far reaches of the globe, and the Deaf in my own backyard don't even have their own copy of the New Testament in ASL (their native language). It's been translated and is available, but it's rather pricey for the majority of low-income Deaf families. It's a need God has laid on my heart.
I was able to put my tithe towards getting a few copies and gave them out at a Deaf event last month without really knowing how or if they'd be received. The response has been overwhelming!!! The requests have poured in for their Deaf friends, Bible Study attendees, etc. One Deaf woman I gave a copy to just kept hugging me over and over saying, "God bless you. Oh, thank you, thank you!" Another man asked why I would pay to give them bibles... I told him it was God's money, and they needed to have God's Word in their own language... he got really quiet and thanked me, saying he'd share his with another person who didn't have one. I had NO IDEA! I've been humbled and so amazed by the intense gratitude in their reaction to these ASL New Testaments. Amazing.
Another amazing part of the story - I called one church with a Deaf ministry and asked if they'd be interested in helping with the cost to provide the to their members... they said they wanted to until I told them how much it cost per bible. Then I got a gracious, "Oh, we don't have the funds for that." (Due to the economy and the excess funds being poured into families who can't pay their bills.) I was a bit disappointed... until! That very next weekend... God dropped the funds for 5 more bibles ($175!) in my lap from two separate young women who heard the need and wanted to be involved in what God is doing!!! I didn't even have a chance to really pray about it yet!!! But that's just how our God works!
But wait! It gets better... I just ordered 10 more to pass out at the Deaf Christmas event next weekend. I just received the shipment email two days ago, and Deaf Missions (the organization who did the translation and produces the DVDs) gave me a $52.50 discount. No note or comment or anything, they just discounted me almost 15% of my order!! For no reason!! I couldn't believe it! It's such a tangible reminder that when we get a glimpse of God's heart and step out in that, there's no stopping Him! It's His vision, and we're simply along for the ride! It's humbling. It's unbelievable. And I'm so excited to see His Word unleashed in this Deaf community!!
[And the story continues on! A young pastor and his family responded immediately to my email. They have five young children, ages 5-10. He read the story to his family, and showed them a clip of the ASL New Testament online at http://www.deafmissions.org/. He said his kids got up and ran into their bedrooms. A few minutes later they came back with all their saved up loose change. They brought it to this young pastor and said they wanted to put it towards a bible for the Deaf community. I cried. It makes me think of the little boy who brought Jesus his lunch, which Jesus took and multiplied to feed 5,000 hungry people. My intent of this email wasn't to "raise funds," but rather to declare God's faithfulness and the work He's doing! And also to encourage you to boldly step out in obedience to the things He lays on your heart... for they are on His heart and He will provide! But if He lays it on your heart to contribute, you are welcome to.]
As I've been praying about Wycliffe, God has really opened my eyes to the immediate needs right in front of my face, here & now, as I'm waiting on His direction and timing. Here I'm praying about translating the Bible for Deaf people in the far reaches of the globe, and the Deaf in my own backyard don't even have their own copy of the New Testament in ASL (their native language). It's been translated and is available, but it's rather pricey for the majority of low-income Deaf families. It's a need God has laid on my heart.
I was able to put my tithe towards getting a few copies and gave them out at a Deaf event last month without really knowing how or if they'd be received. The response has been overwhelming!!! The requests have poured in for their Deaf friends, Bible Study attendees, etc. One Deaf woman I gave a copy to just kept hugging me over and over saying, "God bless you. Oh, thank you, thank you!" Another man asked why I would pay to give them bibles... I told him it was God's money, and they needed to have God's Word in their own language... he got really quiet and thanked me, saying he'd share his with another person who didn't have one. I had NO IDEA! I've been humbled and so amazed by the intense gratitude in their reaction to these ASL New Testaments. Amazing.
Another amazing part of the story - I called one church with a Deaf ministry and asked if they'd be interested in helping with the cost to provide the to their members... they said they wanted to until I told them how much it cost per bible. Then I got a gracious, "Oh, we don't have the funds for that." (Due to the economy and the excess funds being poured into families who can't pay their bills.) I was a bit disappointed... until! That very next weekend... God dropped the funds for 5 more bibles ($175!) in my lap from two separate young women who heard the need and wanted to be involved in what God is doing!!! I didn't even have a chance to really pray about it yet!!! But that's just how our God works!
But wait! It gets better... I just ordered 10 more to pass out at the Deaf Christmas event next weekend. I just received the shipment email two days ago, and Deaf Missions (the organization who did the translation and produces the DVDs) gave me a $52.50 discount. No note or comment or anything, they just discounted me almost 15% of my order!! For no reason!! I couldn't believe it! It's such a tangible reminder that when we get a glimpse of God's heart and step out in that, there's no stopping Him! It's His vision, and we're simply along for the ride! It's humbling. It's unbelievable. And I'm so excited to see His Word unleashed in this Deaf community!!
[And the story continues on! A young pastor and his family responded immediately to my email. They have five young children, ages 5-10. He read the story to his family, and showed them a clip of the ASL New Testament online at http://www.deafmissions.org/. He said his kids got up and ran into their bedrooms. A few minutes later they came back with all their saved up loose change. They brought it to this young pastor and said they wanted to put it towards a bible for the Deaf community. I cried. It makes me think of the little boy who brought Jesus his lunch, which Jesus took and multiplied to feed 5,000 hungry people. My intent of this email wasn't to "raise funds," but rather to declare God's faithfulness and the work He's doing! And also to encourage you to boldly step out in obedience to the things He lays on your heart... for they are on His heart and He will provide! But if He lays it on your heart to contribute, you are welcome to.]
Welcome!
I'm resurrecting this site to post updates of my adventures as I pursue the Lord's leading! I have my main blog over at http://finishstrong.xanga.com/, but feel it's too interconnected and open. Plus, this feels like a fresh start to a fresh season. :) So bear with me as I go back and bring this up-to-date. Thanks!
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