Ministry Updates

MIDWAY Through Last Consultant Check – July 2012

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THE CHECK: SO FAR, SO GOOD
The consultant check of Matthew and 2 Corinthians has been going very well. We are moving along at a good pace, and the material is checking out as being easily understood.

We’re even a bit ahead of schedule.

This means we were able to take Saturday off and let our brains rest before diving back into the check on Monday.

CHALLENGES
No electrical power outages so far. We’re thankful for that.

The only problem that has come up is that one of our Palawano translation helpers’ children got sick. Lini brought her one-year-old to Puerto with her. Her sister-in-law is watching him which Lini works with us in the office. You might recall that Lini was Elisa’s best friend in the village; we’ve known her since she was 3 years old, and she’s like a niece to us. Her little guy Elmer is the youngest of her four children. He’s 15 month’s old.

On Thursday Elmer’s temperature went up to 103.1 (39.5C) and he had all the symptoms of strep throat. We quickly got him treated and he already seems to be responding to the antibiotics.

So please pray for Elmer, and continue to pray for all other aspects of the check this coming week.

Ask the Lord for:

  1. Elmer to get well quickly
  2. Lini not to be distracted by Elmer’s illness
  3. good health for rest of us
  4. clear thinking and stamina
  5. NO power outages
  6. no unexpected interruptions
  7. the translation to communicate clearly
  8. anything that should be fixed to be discovered

    Nearing the end… so much to be done!

    Reaching Palawanos together with you,

    -Bill and Donna

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    The LAST Consultant Check – July 2012

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    THIS IS THE BIG ONE
    Tomorrow we begin our last consultant check. Over the past nearly 30 years, we have had 14 such checks and this will be #15.

    Together with the consultant and a couple of Palawanos, we will check the translated drafts of Matthew and 2 Corinthians one more time, to make sure that they communicate clearly and accurately. Sometime next week, Lord willing, those books will be cleared for printing.

    UNDER ATTACK
    This is an exciting time for us. But many disruptions and problems can wreck havoc on these checks: electric power outages mean no computers, a/c or fans. Sickness can shut us down. Not to mention that checking translation is mentally exhausting for everyone involved.

    Also, there seem to be an escalating number of other unexpected problems lately. We see them both as attacks by the enemy, and at the same time, as opportunities to draw even closer to the Lord in faith.

    Here’s what we’ve had to deal with in this past week alone:

    1. Termites tried to move into our house again;
    2. Our front gate was broken by our noisy warehouse neighbor’s truck backing into it;
    3. The septic tank overflowed;
    4. One faucet stopped flowing and another would NOT stop;
    5. A living room light fixture needed replacement;
    6. Our truck’s battery went dead; and
    7. Donna’s been feeling like she’s coming down with a flu or something. 

    And all of these things suspiciously occurred in the last few days before this important check. None of them are a big deal in themselves, but they are distractions, and take time that should be focused on translation.

    Please pray with us about this last check. Ask the Lord for:

    1. good health for Bill, Donna, JJ and the Palawanos
    2. clear thinking and stamina
    3. NO power outages
    4. no unexpected interruptions
    5. the translation to communicate clearly
    6. anything that should be fixed to be discovered

      We are that much closer to putting the Word of God in the Palawanos’ hands.

      Reaching Palawanos together with you,

      -Bill and Donna

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      Extreme Consultant Checking

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      WE CAUGHT OUR BREATH…

      The consultant check of Mark went well. We’re thankful for that. Since then we’ve been busy. We took a deep breath, and then starting preparing for…



      THE MOTHER OF ALL CONSULTANT CHECKS…
      Next week we will start a two-week marathon consultant check of 8 books: 
      • 1 Corinthians
      • Philemon
      • Hebrews
      • 2 Peter
      • 2 John
      • 3 John
      • Jude
      • Revelation

      Some of those books are small. Some are fairly long. Some are simple (Philemon), while others have very complex truths to communicate (e.g. Hebrews).

      Many people think that Revelation would be the most difficult book. Surprisingly, it’s not! Since most of the book is narrative and symbolic, it’s much easier to translate than a complicated doctrinal book such as 2 Corinthians which contains sarcasm, etc. Or, don’t forget Hebrews, which was a challenge because the original recipients had such a deep understanding of the Mosaic Covenant, which the Palawanos lack.

      Many of these books have been “in the pipe” for a few years. This is the final, permission-to-print check. So it’s a major milestone, and very important. We’re praying that everything goes well and the books check out as being comprehended very well. At the same time, we’re praying that anything that needs to be changed to make them more clearly understood will be discovered so we can change it!


      5… 4… 3… 2…

      We’re also excited because this is our next to last check! One more check like this in July, and that’s it. Rejoice with us about this!


      As we’re said before, these checks are important, and can be mentally tiring for all involved. And there are logistical needs.

      See our specific requests below.
      PLEASE PRAY WITH US
      • Clear thinking and STAMINA for the check (for us, and for the Palawanos helping)
      • NO ELECTRIC POWER OUTAGES during the two weeks of checking
      • That all the books would check out well
      • That any needed revisions will be discovered

      And continue to pray for God’s protection from…

      • Break-ins, theft or failure of our computers, etc.
      • Distracting family or financial problems for our TAs
      God’s Word is getting closer to being in Palawano hands. Thanks again for your part in this ministry!

      Davis Update Mark 20 – Consultant Check of Mark

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      AS THE COUNTDOWN CONTINUES…
      Today we begin the final consultant check of the Gospel of Mark. Please pray with us that will will go well and be a profitable time.
      Our consultant, JJ Rasmussen, will ask Bill to read the book of Mark, one portion at a time, to several Palawano women. Then we will see how well they understand it by asking them to retell it and to answer questions about the meaning.
      It’s fun… and mentally tiring for all involved.
      See our specific requests below.
      PLEASE PRAY WITH US
      • Clear thinking and STAMINA for the check
      • NO ELECTRIC POWER OUTAGES this week during the check
      • That Mark would check out well
      • That any needed revisions will be discovered

      And continue to pray for God’s protection from…

      • Break-ins, theft or failure of our computers, etc.
      • Distracting family or financial problems for our TAs
      • Moral or sin issues in the Palawanos’ lives
      • Problems that might affect Bingbing and Mylene
      These are exciting days for us. Thanks again for your part in this ministry!

      Reaching Palawanos together with you,

      -Bill and Donna

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