Reaching the unreached of the world is a team effort, with many people using the unique and various gifts God has given them. This is the “body” principle, as described in 1 Corinthians, in action.

We just returned from several weeks in Thailand. While there, Bill fulfilled his responsibilities as the chairman of a conference focused on helping language learners and those who help language learning. He was also able to attend another workshop called the “Language Coach Workshop.”

The trouble is, of course, that learning another language to a high level of fluency is one of the most demanding tasks that can be undertaken. So learner need as much help as possible. This is where “coaches” (language consultants, teachers, tutors, school directors, etc.), along with those giving oversight to new missionaries, come in.

But it’s not easy to “coach” or help others learn a new language, either! So the workshops are to help those who must help others.

Praise the Lord we had a very profitable couple of weeks where language coaches, etc., from a wide range of evangelical organizations, could interact, discuss issues, ask questions, listen to presentations by others with more experience, and look at each other’s materials.

Bill has handed over the chairmanship of the next Asian conference to someone else, so we can continue to focus on the Palawano translation.

It was a good feeling to head home from these workshops knowing that literally hundreds of missionaries will be helped to learn to communicate God’s truth… learning more quickly, and communicating more effectively.

After a nice Christmas visit from Donna’s sister and family, we’re headed back to the tribe.

Bill will dive back into translation, which is now his full-time activity (much to his delight) at last!

He has set up a Translation Committee of about 6 or 7 Palawano men, all believers, most of whom are teachers in the church here. They range in ages from 26 to 45, so bring a variety of perspectives to the translation process.

The youngest man, Arnel, is the “youth pastor” in the church here. He was a member of our “Emmanuel” youth group in the village back in 2000, along with Arlyn, his wife-to-be at the time. He has a keen mind, a love for the Scriptures, and he gives good insight into how certain words and expression might (or might not!) be understood by the younger generation of Palawanos, as the language is changing.

The other men are older and help Bill to access a broad range of vocabulary. Bill is so thrilled to them all helping, quite a change from working with one 22 year-old guy back in the mid 80’s (although that young man, Arturo, is on the committee now, at age 45!) All the guys have a good grasp of what the Scriptures are trying to say and that is a help in discussing how to render that meaning in Palawano.

Many others will be used to check, revise and confirm comprehension of the translation… and they are ready to roll! Right now, Bill is working on Acts, Luke and Ephesians.

Donna will resume her role of helping with some of the translation process, while continuing her language study, which will enable her to have a more extensive role in a wide range of the steps involved in the translation process.

Please pray with us as we labor to see God’s Word translated and published for the Palawanos!

Our email has been offline for a month now. Bill is in town for some other business and while there, he’s trying to get the problem fixed, but he has just one day now before he returns to the village. It’s hard to be without email now after having gotten used to it!

We been blessed to see the believers meeting on their own, and the men sharing good teaching. But recently it has been thrilling to hear Abil and others discuss on their own about plans to reach several areas (both near and far) with the gospel. There are also some isolated groups where someone preached the gospel then left and people are either confused, or else new Christians wanting to be taught… the church here is looking at how to shepherd these groups, as well.

We all need air, don’t we? We fly in it, and we breath it (well, granted, we don’t have much pure “air” here in Manila!) Here’s some of our recent interaction with this important substance:

The funeral for Donna’s mom was on Tuesday. Now, after a few exhausting and emotionally draining days, Donna is finishing up details in Iowa and will be heading to San Diego soon, on her way back to the Philippines. She really felt everyone’s prayers and support during this time of loss. The amazing network of friends, neighbors and family in her mom’s little community was a real blessing, too.

Bill has been back in Manila since April 7th, attending the “Team Translation Workshop.” This went well (see below.) But his asthma jumped to a critical level. A new doctor, some new medicines, and better coordination between medicines has put him on a slow road to recovery. So far, the change in his condition has been slight, but at least there is improvement! Because of this, based on his doctor’s advice and upon some other factors on Palawan, he has decided to remain in Manila until Donna returns, focusing on getting his breathing under control. He will be working on Palawano discourse analysis and other projects related to the translation while in Manila.

The translation workshop went very well. Many of the desired goals were accomplished; translators/potential translators further trained; teammates gained new insight into the challenges their translator faces; others saw how they could play more of apart in speeding the process.

We all caught a glimpse of how much more there is to learn. A number of workshop participants commented on how they were challenged to go back and push ahead in their language learning, to try and learn deeper and more natural ways to communicate God’s truth.

We appreciate your partnership in this ministry of getting God’s Word translated and into the hands (and hearts) of the Palawano people!