Training for Retreats and Days of Reflection and Prayer
My spring communication to you shared about the training I would be doing in May, teaching others how to lead short retreats and days of reflection and prayer. Two participants were from supporting churches, and the others were Wycliffe missionaries. The training went well, and most were able to attend because of the generous scholarship help that was provided by individuals, groups, and churches. There were many grateful hearts, including mine! I will be doing this training again in October, and again we will have missionaries coming from various locations around the world. If you could assist with scholarship help for the upcoming session, please get in touch with me. A complete scholarship would be $550.00, but of course any amount will be welcome.

My Overall Schedule
During June I took time for a much-needed week of vacation, a family reunion, and other family time. In July and August I will be focusing on continuing to revise and update topics in The ALERT Series, obtain copyright permissions, prepare additional PowerPoint slides and presentations, and develop some new materials as well. I am always very grateful for the persons who assist me-without their help, this ongoing work would not be possible.

I will be in Dallas at our International Center the entire month of September, conducting certification in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (a personality instrument that is used in many of our locations around the world). I will also be training persons in how to facilitate The Profile of Characteristics and Skills-teambuilding for persons involved in language projects.

Wycliffe's Mission
These are days of great opportunity: Vision 2025 is our vision to see Bible translation begun, through partnership with nationals, for every language group that needs it by the year 2025. During the last two years, we have experienced a great acceleration in preparing people from many nations to help us do this work for hundreds of the Bibleless people groups around the world.

Wycliffe's mission is clear-to assist the Church in making disciples of all nations through Bible translation. 'And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it …' (Matthew 24:14 NLT). We trust and believe that this is God's work, and we look to him for his provision to accomplish it. Some examples of our Vision 2025 projects are given below.

Partners in Indonesia
You will remember that my first three years with the organization were spent in this country. With 726 different languages and 215 million people spread over 7,000 islands, the missions task in Indonesia is greater than any single organization can tackle alone. Members of Kartidaya (the Indonesian national Bible translation organization) and Wycliffe are eager to work together to promote Bible translation. Join us in prayer that these partnerships will grow.

Papua New Guinea's Bible Association
I have taught seminars in PNG several different times over the years. The Papua New Guinea Bible Translation Association (BTA) met recently for a spiritual retreat and to discuss important strategies and goals for meeting that country's translation needs. Made up of 600 separate islands, PNG's citizens speak over 800 different languages. BTA's plans include placing trainers and translators in 'language-clusters' (i.e., groups of related languages) rather than in individual ones. Thirty-three projects are now in progress. BTA's goal is to add 60 more. Pray for spiritual renewal and wisdom in planning.

Wycliffe's Current Needs
These are not only days of great opportunity for our organization, but days of great uncertainty as well. The pace of training nationals and the pace of entry into new translation projects is now in jeopardy. Over the past six months, gifts to fund Wycliffe's overseas projects have declined significantly, dropping far below anticipated levels while opportunities for progress in Bible translation continue to increase.

Training programs for hundreds of African, Asian, and Latin American translators are in danger of being cancelled or postponed. Existing translation projects are being delayed or closed at a time when acceleration had been planned. The shortage of funds means that millions of people will be kept waiting, still unable to hear God's Word in a language they understand.

With God's help, you can make a difference. You can pray. You can give. The shortfall to project funding this year is currently $1.5 million. A gift of any amount will help accelerate the pace of Bible translation. Gifts during the months ahead will play a key role in increasing the momentum toward fulfilling the vision.

Will you prayerfully consider what you can do to assist us in getting the Word out? If you can help, your gift should be sent to the Orlando address on this newsletter, and marked 'for Wycliffe field projects.' Thank you!

Are You Electronic?
If so, please send your email address to Susan Creech and we'll add them to our list to receive the newsletter that way. They will also be on the list to receive the electronic Prayer and Praise Updates that come out a bit more frequently.

Click here for photos from the newsletter

In Joy I Serve Him,