Dear Friends,

Teaching Faculty at Payap University, Thailand

During most of the month of January I was at Payap University, located in Chiang Mai, a bustling cosmopolitan city of 400,000. Founded in 1292, it was once the center of an ancient northern kingdom known as Lanna, famous for its support of Buddhist art, architecture, and scholarship. Even today, more than 300 temples remain within the city, which is widely known for its cultural events, night markets, and mountain scenery.

Payap University was established in 1974 by the Church of Christ in Thailand (a grouping of several denominations), as the first private university in that country. It maintains three campuses serving almost 9,000 students-these are mostly undergraduates, although they have several graduate programs as well. I did the 'Enhancing Instruction' and 'Implementing Strategies' workshops with graduate faculty in the Linguistics Department: not teaching content, but 'how to be a more effective instructor.'

Many of the faculty in this department come from Wycliffe sending countries as well as from Thailand. In addition, the Asia Graduate School in Manila sent three faculty, and Kartidaya in Jakarta sent two-so I worked with a mixed group of Western, Thai, Filipino, and Indonesian teachers-an interesting challenge, but very rewarding. In addition to teaching the two courses named above, I worked with each of the three faculty groups re 'Planning for Institutional Development' at their respective institutions.

Please keep Thailand in your prayers. In spite of the fact that there has been no persecution of Christians (or any religion) for the past fifty years, most of the population remains Buddhist. Fewer than one percent of the population is Christian.

Prayer Themes for Bible Translation

1. Language Surveys: Identifying which languages need translation requires surveys to locate them and compare them to related languages.
2. Access to Language Groups: There must be necessary permits to enter the language area, and to reside there for language and culture learning, and for establishing trusting relationships.
3. Desire for the Word of God: Groups who want to have the Bible in the language they best understand, and the courage to request help with Bible translation, are more willing to cooperate in efforts to produce the 'good seed of the Word.'
4. National Translators: Believers from national churches share a primary responsibility for the peoples of their own country. Every project depends on mother-tongue translators to assure an accurate, clear, meaningful message.
5. The Total Translation Team: The supporting infrastructure includes more than translators. Administrators, secretarial and finance workers, information technologists, keyboarders, and many others are necessary.

6. Translation Consultants: Experienced translators must check drafts of new Scriptures to assure that the meaning of the text is accurate-and they need interpersonal skills as well as linguistic insights and biblical knowledge.
7. Literacy: Printed Scripture is of no value to those who cannot read. Motivating traditionally illiterate societies to the value of reading is a great challenge, and literacy specialists must prepare appropriate reading materials.
8. Audio-Scriptures and Ethno-Music: Story-telling is often a powerful medium, and audio recordings of Scripture proclaim the message for those who cannot read. Music in its various unique forms is also a way by which many ethnic groups express their values and emotions.
9. Cross-Cultural Ministry: Those who work outside their homeland need extra sensitivity to the ways of the peoples they serve. Humility and adaptability are crucial, and cultural offenses can hinder acceptance and effectiveness.
10. The Transforming Word: Pray that when language groups and individuals have the Word, they will open their minds and hearts to be transformed by it, and to bear much fruit that will glorify God.

Spring Projects and Upcoming Training

A new focus for my materials is to prepare them for the Wycliffe e-learning site that has recently been set up. We are currently working on the three topics that I taught when I was in Thailand.

I am also preparing for the 'Training Leaders for Reflection and Prayer Days and Short Retreats,' that I teach for ten days each May at the Lutheridge Retreat Center near Asheville, NC. Those who have already registered are persons who work in Nepal, Thailand, our Dallas International Center, the Wycliffe headquarters in Orlando, and at the JAARS Center. There are only a few spaces left. We will have a number of participants needing financial assistance-if you want to help with that, please contact me about the specifics.

Thank you for your partnership with me. It makes my ministry possible!

In Joy I Serve Him,

1. Support for my regular, on-going needs should be sent to WBT, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8200 and marked 'for Evelyn Davis.'
2. Gifts for travel, equipment, and other needs should be sent to WBT at the same Orlando, FL address and marked '990051 for Evelyn Davis' 44410 YTRC54 account.'
3. Contributions for medical and dental expenses, and to provide a stipend to persons assisting with the preparation of my materials should be sent to Carmel Presbyterian Church, Attn: Director of Operations, 2048 Carmel Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226-5098; marked 'for Evelyn Davis.'