Blog
Press Release: December 27, 2024
Friday Field Notes
Check out the latest updates from our missionaries!
JAARS RELIEF EFFORT– Nathan and Sarah Federwitz
Many have wondered how we fared after hurricane Helene hit North Carolina. While JAARS got some damage from the storm, it was not extensive, and we were back to normal within 24 hours. Because of this, JAARS was able to aid in the relief efforts in the days immediately following hurricane Helene’s initial destruction in western North Carolina. The areas where JAARS’s Prefield Orientation “Mountain Week” take place are in some of the areas most impacted by the hurricane. Because JAARS pilots are already familiar with flying in these regions and have relationships with the owners of many runways in this area, JAARS was able to provide some help and relief during the week following the storm.
Supplies were donated by folks in the Charlotte area, dropped off at the JAARS base and our pilots, both helicopter and fixed-wing, were able to fly supplies up to Avery County.
PROGRAM UPDATES – Rev. Carl and Kelsey Grulke
Moving to Maun – Shekgalagari
The Shekgalagari translation team has relocated from Kang to Maun, 375 miles away, to better collaborate with Carl and Kelsey on the project’s growth after the New Testament’s publication. The team is focusing on training for administrative tasks and planning a Scripture engagement workshop for early next year. While the New Testament distribution has gone well, challenges remain.
Pray for the Bakgalagari as efforts continue to get their new Bible into their hands.
Consultant Time – Wayeyi
The Wayeyi team has made steady progress, recently completing team checks on five epistles and is now working on the Gospel of Luke with their consultant, Rev. Dr. Tim Beckendorf. The consultant ensures that the team addresses all necessary translation questions and topics. They are progressing well through the New Testament and aim to finish team checking in early 2025.
Pray for Motswasele and Nicolus as they continue their work in Shiyeyi
Local Resources – Southern Africa
In November, Carl attended a workshop with 11 Bible Societies from Southern Africa, funded by a grant he received from Every Tribe Every Nation. The workshop aimed to help local organizations mobilize local resources for Bible translation projects, reducing reliance on international donors and fostering sustainability. The event was a success, with participants gaining valuable insights.
Pray for partners as they implement what they learned to support Bible translation efforts.
BUT FIRST, THE FRENCH! – Rev. Tim and Deac. Erin Schulte
When Erin and I arrived in Cameroon, we spent most of the first two weeks greeting many of the significant partners with whom LBT collaborates on Bible translation. With relationships central to LBT’s philosophy and Cameroonian culture, this “greeting” was more than formal politesse. It was the planting of the first shoots of the seedling of “Shared Kinship and Purpose” that countless greetings since and to come will nurture.
One meaningful relationship, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon, is headquartered in Ngaoundéré, where we live while learning French. David would shepherd us each morning, greeting and meeting with the church’s leadership, including the National Bishop, Dr. Baïguélé, the Director of the Department of Bible Translation and Literacy, Rev. Bakari, and the Translation Consultant, Rev. Touka. Though our work with the Subula will eventually see us moving on from Ngaoundéré, these men will be responsible for us in Cameroon for all intents and purposes. After all, it’s their signature on our visa applications. These roots needed to run deep.
For this reason, David requested a special meeting with Director Bakari to discuss his specific concern for our time in Ngaoundéré: the risk of losing focus. The more French we learned in the next year, the better equipped we would be for both work and life in Cameroon. Yet David worried that the Subula community’s desire to “greet” us could become a significant distraction if not managed culturally appropriately by our Cameroonian partners. Director Bakari agreed and promised to “hold off” the Subula for as long as possible.
the Subula delegation, Director Bakari, and Consultant Touka.
For security, all faces but ours have been blurred.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.