WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WAXHAW?

 ·        Ron continues his work in the Computer area.  The computer is absolutely vital for translation work, so it’s always fulfilling when Ron can purchase a good computer for a missionary to fit their specific needs.  Read more at:   www.JAARS.org 

·        Do you wonder what keeps the computer gurus busy?  For one thing, they write programs that will help get Bible translation done in related languages.  The following is from friends who work in Senegal:

Nicodeme, the Oniyan project manager, has been working with some men from Guinea who speak a closely related dialect with support from our IT department. Software, called Adapt It, enables mother-tongue translators to quickly adapt an existing Scripture translation into a high-quality first draft in a related language. The translator then revises the draft and checks it with a translation consultant. In this test adaptation in Dakar this week, Nico is providing his Oniyan translation of the Gospel of John as the source text. The men from Guinea fill in the equivalent words from their dialect. The computer then fills that translated equivalent wherever it appears. The program builds vocabulary through the process and as new texts are introduced, it can translate more and more of the text immediately. Nico and we are excited about the prospect of his team’s work being helpful to reach even more people with mother tongue Scriptures.   The software has been used in other countries where our organization works, but this is the first trial adaptation in Senegal. We are also hopeful the software can be used with other related languages in the country and thus speed up the translation process. 

·        This is the last summer when Jungle Jump Off  staff will have the opportunity to challenge teens from across the country with the vision of Bible translation in a rustic setting.  Pray that the program will have the biggest impact ever and that God will call many to commit their lives for missionary service.

·        Ruth’s ministry with the old folks at the Day Care each week is fulfilling. They may be getting older and slower, but how they love to sing!  They can’t all stay awake for the Bible lesson, but often they’re ready to hear and respond.

·        Voices in Praise is a music ministry Ruth has been involved in for about three years.  Twice a month the ladies ensemble goes to various facilities to sing and present the gospel.  It is sometimes like watching people in our audience in a slow motion resurrection process.  The residents often go from depression to joy in a short span of time. Tears on the cheek are a good indication the music connects and encourages them.  

WHAT’S HAPPENING BEYOND OUR WORLD? 

·        At Gethsemane Garden in Kenya.  The Christian boarding school is now home to about 425 students from K-10.  It is making such a difference in the community and surrounding islands, and that’s why we have been so involved and encourage others to have a part in the lives of these promising kids.  Check it out at www.GGCCKenya.com.   God’s Word is penetrating lives and bringing many to salvation.  This is Clinton’s story:

Life was hard enough when his parents were living, but got even worse after their deaths.  Clinton’s uncle became his caretaker, a poverty stricken pastor with a wife and three children to support.  Food was scarce so even as a young boy he was expected to search for something to eat.  School was only possible if the uncle could scrape together the funds for this orphan child.  It was a lonely existence causing him to be a very shy boy.  But God had amazing things in mind for him and he was chosen to attend GGCC.  Life changed from that moment on.  There was food, shelter and education that challenged and caused growth and maturing in him.  Today he can even stand before a crowd to speak of his love for his Savior, Jesus Christ.  With speaking abilities developing, he may one day reach the goal of becoming a lawyer. 

·        In the Solomon Islands.  The John Bruner family has ministered to the Bughotu people for a number of years and completed the New Testament in their language.  What great joy comes to see the people read those Scriptures and begin to understand them!  But will they continue to read it after the first flush of holding their own New Testament in their hands wears off?  In the last few weeks John re-visited some of the villages to check and see.  (They could have used JAARS marine services because they spent hundreds of hours in unsafe boats on the ocean to get to the island where they worked.) They wrote: 

John and (son) Grant returned home safely.  Thanks for praying!  The trip went very well, and John came back encouraged with what he saw and heard. In every one of the ten Bughotu villages they visited, people were bringing their new Bughotu New Testaments to church and the readings were all from the new translation.  One catechist said, "I could read the old Bible (done in the early 1900s), but I didn't understand what I was reading.  But when I read the new one I can actually understand what it says!" 

John also was able to distribute a booklet for children (700 of them) about the story of salvation and the importance of believing the truth of God's Word and not Satan's lies... We're hoping they read and reread the story and apply its truths to their lives.   

·        In Kenya.  Our eyes have been on the Suba people for a long time, waiting with them for the New Testament to be finished in their language.  In just a few months that wait will be over.  The completed Scriptures are in the queue at the printer in Korea.  Soon the celebration will start on Mfangano Island.  The Scriptures will be available to 100,000 Suba who have never read God’s wonderful message before.  We are praying about going for the dedication ceremonies. 

FAMILY NEWS

A reunion….yes, the kids and grandkids are all coming to Waxhaw in July.  We can’t wait!    Since Dale & Judy’s son, Josiah, is a rising Senior, this is an ideal time to get everyone together before the kids begin their own personal journeys in life away from home.  We’ll send pictures!

Shane (now a Tech Sergeant) and Lee Anne will be making a big move from Florida in November.  They have their orders—move to NORTH CAROLINAJ.  Yes, the Air Force has granted Shane his choice of base this one time in his career, so they’ll be going to Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro—a mere 4-5 hours away instead of 11 for us.  Need we say how pleased we are!

We close with thanks to God for all he has done in our lives.  We celebrated 40 years of service with Wycliffe this year and acknowledge God’s faithfulness in providing for us through so many wonderful supporters.  His Word is more vital to us each day and we’re thankful we can have a part in getting that Word to many throughout the world.

Ron and Ruth Durie