Welcome! I am excited to share my first prayer letter with you officially as a missionary serving with Bibles International, the Bible society of Baptist Mid-Missions! The Lord has answered many prayers for me to reach this point, and I know the only way to successfully keep moving forward is through the prayer support of God’s people. Thank you so much for praying!
As a linguistics consultant-in-training with Bibles International, my desire is to support Bible translators through linguistics to bring God’s Word to every heart language. Only around 10% of the nearly 7,500 language groups that exist in the world have the completed Scriptures. Most languages that still need God’s Word are primarily oral languages with no standard writing system or literacy materials. Linguistics support helps the Bible translators navigate these challenges to reach better unity and efficiency as a team, and more consistency in the translation drafts.
To summarize the past few months, I completed the application process with Baptist Mid-Missions and passed my doctrinal interview in May. Following this, I joined 9 other missionary candidates for candidate seminar at the BMM office in Cleveland, OH. This turned out to be a busy time of training, meetings, dinners, skit night, and ice cream, as I got to know the other new candidates and many of the folks in the BMM family. Following this week of training, we were graciously welcomed to various churches to practice presenting. I shared a short testimony at Hope Baptist Church in Akron during the Sunday School hour and at Berea Baptist Church during the evening service.
July 14 marks the official date when I was appointed for missionary service during the BMM Family Conference. It was a special time, and my sending church pastor, Dave Dillsworth, flew in from WA state for the event while friends and family back home watched on the livestream. During the conference, I reconnected with my host family from my Chad internship last summer and met many other BMM missionaries. The various preaching, meetings, and events were all so encouraging, and I participated in at least 3 more ice cream parties throughout the week (I have discovered that these people take their ice cream seriously).
In August, I attended the annual retreat and missionary orientation training with Bibles International in Michigan. This gave me the opportunity to connect more with the BI team and receive more specific training for the path ahead (as well as enjoy more ice cream in the form of banana splits). I am incredibly thankful for the training and resources I have received so far and to be surrounded by so many experienced missionaries who can offer advice and encouragement along the way.
This past month, I have been busy gathering my materials and preparing to begin deputation. Harvest Media has done wonderful work designing my prayer cards and display table banner. I am also still working part-time at a local piano store as I transition into full-time missionary service. Pray that I’m able to balance this work while also filling my deputation schedule. As a consultant-in-training, I will begin a mentorship program with BI in January, which will also require dedicated time. This is typically a 3-5 year process that involves learning from senior consultants, observing workshops, and lots of reading and other training along the way.
I also continue to serve at my sending church, First Baptist Church of Pasco, WA as pianist and church clerk. In the summer, we had a series of Family Fun Nights as an outreach to the community, and we praise the Lord for several new participants in our youth program as a result. In September, I joined in on a church camping trip and our annual chili cook-off. Please pray for me as I present my ministry to my sending church on October 12.
I am looking forward to the growth and challenges ahead, as my next step is to connect with churches in the northwest and share more about the ministry of Bible translation. Please pray that I will remain consistent in my walk with the Lord as I navigate this new stage of my life. The truth that has often come to my mind of late is how one can make a plan, but it is the Lord who ultimately directs their steps (Prov. 16:9).
Pray for:
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