Dear Friends,

The May ‘Training Leaders for Reflection and Prayer Days and Retreats’

All of us—both participants and staff—were blessed by the special time of reflection, prayer, and personal retreat that we experienced at Lutheridge near Asheville, NC. And as per the title of this paragraph, staff assisted the participants in becoming prepared and equipped to lead these topics for others. The R & P topics are Spiritual Inventory and Spiritual Markers, Personal Worship, Finding A Rhythm of Rest, Life Tasks: Strength for the Journey; Our Time of Need, and Prayer Areas and Issues. There is a special topic to use with leaders, administrators, and pastors: The Servant Leader. The retreat topics are Life Passages and The Missionary Experience and New Testament Images of Adult Growth and Change.

Ten countries were represented—some were natives of the following countries, and others work in these locations: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, China, El Salvador, Ghana, India, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Thailand, and the UK. Those based in the U.S. work in Dallas, TX at our International Center, or at one of our regional offices. Participants came not only from Wycliffe, but from five other organizations: InterServe, SIM International, Translation Association of El Salvador, Word for All in India, and YWAM.

We also often have staff and participants who are prayer leaders in their churches—wouldn’t you like to attend one of the upcoming U.S. sessions? If so, please contact me for the information and an application form!

What’s Next with the Reflection and Prayer Training?

As most of you know, I have done this training every May and October in the U.S. for four years (and will continue to do so). Since participants have come from many various countries, opportunities are now opening up to do the training in overseas locations—and those who have taken the training in the U.S. can serve as staff. I did this training for the Asia Area this past February, and will do it again there November 29–December 8. In 2008, it is scheduled for East Africa (to be held in Nairobi, Kenya) February 5–14, and for the Pacific Area in July (likely in Australia). Then in 2009 we are planning for India in February, and perhaps the UK sometime in the summer. It’s a move forward, and we are able to hold this training in the various countries because of the scholarships for accommodations, meals, and materials that we can offer through The Everett Foundation, which has funded proposals that I have written. Also, many individuals and church groups have assisted with necessary funds for travel—how grateful we all are for this help, as otherwise it wouldn’t be possible!

Summer Activities

Another special time was the retreat that I did for my Advisory Board at The Snail’s Pace retreat near Saluda, NC June 8–10. The Reflection and Prayer topic that we did was Spiritual Inventory and Spiritual Markers. The group also had a chance to come over to my new home in Black Mountain, since most of them had not visited here previously.

I’ll enjoy some family activities in late June, my high school reunion in July, and this summer will also do some much needed ‘catch-up’ work since my move to the mountains. I have a number of speaking engagements already scheduled, and I always continue to work on the materials needed for upcoming training events.

Bible Translation 3.0

Thomas Friedman, a columnist for the New York Times, believes that in the year 2000 we entered a whole new era he calls ‘Globalization 3.0,’ because companies and individuals can now compete globally on a level playing field. Woody McLendon, director of IT Technical Services at JAARS, compares this to some key dates and eras that closely parallel Friedman’s—but with a focus on reaching nations with the Good News.

• 1452 Gutenberg’s printing press enables people to print copies of the Bible much faster than copying by hand.
• 1793 William Carey sails to India, launching the modern para-church missions movement. Bible translation becomes a key focus for reaching people.
• 1944 Cameron Townsend builds on this foundation, establishing Wycliffe Bible Translators, with the goal of translating God’s Word for all peoples and all languages.
• 1999 Wycliffe’s Vision 2025 recognizes what God is doing in His Church worldwide and seeks to direct vision and energy toward completing the task of Bible translation for every language that needs it. The responsibility for accomplishing this task is increasingly being shouldered by the Church, reflecting its original call.

In Joy I Serve Him,

Thank you for your support of my ministry, as it is entirely dependent on gifts that are received

1. Support for regular, on-going needs should be sent to Wyclliffe Bible Translators (WBT), P.O. Box 62800, Orlando, FL, 32862-8200, and marked 'for Evelyn Davis.'
2. Gifts for travel, equipment, and other special needs should be sent to Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT) at the same Orlando 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 training materials should be sent to Carmel Presbyterian Church, Attn: Director of Operations, 2048 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226-5098 and marked 'for Evelyn Davis."

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