Author: billanddonna

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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    Final 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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    Time to Really Pray

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    TRANSLATION IS A BATTLE

    We have been told by other translators that the final months of a translation project can be, well… daunting. In addition to the work and the pressure of a looming deadline, there is increased opposition by our enemy.

    You can imagine. After holding the Palawanos in his grasp for millennia, Satan is not exactly thrilled for them to have God’s Word printed and available in their language.

    Of course God is supreme (he wins in the end) and sovereign (nothing happens to us that our Father does not allow). So what the Lord wants us to do is to maintain our close connection with him more than ever. and to commit each step into his powerful, loving care.
    So what this means is that for you and us both, now, more than ever is the…

    TIME TO PRAY!
    Please stand shoulder to shoulder in with us in prayer.
    We are not paranoid, but we do realize the need for an greater level of taking initiative to commit everything to the Lord daily. There are so many things that can “go wrong” at this point in the work. We’ve seen it happen to others. And for ourselves recently, we have actually sensed an increased level of stress and opposition.
    Here’s a partial list of what we’ve experienced so far:
    • Horrendous noise from construction next to our house almost 24/7
    • Our driveway/road frequently blocked
    • The landlord wanted to raise our rent by 33%
    • A number of loud all night parties (no sleep = little work the next day)
    • Minor accidents and injuries
    • Construction workers flirting and yelling crude comments at the Palawano girls
    • Spiritual problems in some of our translation assistants

    God has been faithful, and we’ve seen him provide solutions to each of these. But only after a time of trial and some fervent prayer. And when we feel it wearing us down, we go to the Lord and he gives renewed strength.

    Because of the construction outside our gate for over a year now, our presence and routine are more well-known now to the construction workers. This means an increased risk of petty burglary. So we’re conscious of a sense of needing to be more careful.
    We also realize that we’re not the only ones who might potentially be a target. There might be temptations or other situations to discourage or sideline our translation assistants (TAs). And this would be the worst possible time for either of the two girls, Bingbing and Mylene (who cook and care for the constant stream of TAs) to have a “romantic interest” here in town, which in this culture, would necessitate our sending them home to their parents. They are vulnerable to verbal or even physical assault here in town.
    The list of prayer request below will be a little more extensive and specific than most. We’d like to ask you to bring all these before the Lord starting now and right up until the New Testament goes to the printers next year.
    PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE COMING MONTHS
    • That we stay focused and close to the Lord each day
    • Wisdom in translating the last few books of the NT
    • A good final consultant check of Mark in late November
    • Health and safety for us, our pets, and the TAs

    And 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
    We’re in this together… us, the Palawanos, you and of course our almighty Lord. He doesn’t ask us to go it alone, but he calls us to prayer. Thanks for your part!
    Reaching Palawanos together with you,

    -Bill and Donna

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    Dragons and Beasts!

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    THIS WEEK IN TRANSLATION…
    The Palawano translation keeps moving ahead. This week Donna has been recording Revelation and a bunch of the smaller books (2 John, 3 John, Jude, etc.) It’s been going well. In the middle of a book full of symbols and wild creatures, God spoke to Donna’s heart and encouraged her during a recording session with the scene of heavenly worship, where people of “every tribe and language and people and nation” are redeemed.

    She looked up at Lini, a member of one of those tribes and languages, and thought, “This is what God challenged me to be a part of so long ago!” It’s our privilege to be involved in how God is calling out a people for his name, and we’re thankful for all of you who are part of our team.

    Bill has been doing the first draft of Hebrews, a complex and challenging book!

    We’re exciting with the progress and with seeing the end in sight. Recently, we met with the people who will help with publishing our New Testament next year. More on that soon in a future update…

    UPDATE ON BETTY BINDER’S DENGUE FEVER
    Thanks to those who prayed and are asking for an update. Betty’s platelet count rose (finally!) to 96 and she was released from the hospital a few days ago. She still feels exhausted and will take a while to get her strength back.

    SO PLEASE PRAY WITH US…

    • health and wisdom
    • keeping up the pace on the translation


    Reaching Palawanos together with you,

    -Bill and Donna

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    Translation Coming to Town

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    They’re All Coming…
    Today the translation consultant arrives by plane from the USA via Manila. Three Palawano women (Rini, Lini and Nili) arrive by bus from down south.


    What’s it all about? Tomorrow we start the consultant check of five books: Romans, Galatians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and 1 John. This will take a little more than a week (we’re guessing) as we check one last time how well these books communicate. It’s exhausting mental work for Bill, the consultant and the Palawanos. Sometimes they might have a good laugh (but hopefully not because the translation is laughable!)

    After the check and final approval we can print and distribute copies of these books for the Palawano churches!

    The countdown to final NT Printing continues.

    We’re excited! Would you please pray with us…

    Pray With Us
    safe travel for everyone
    NO power outages during the week

    Bill’s health: he’s fighting off a chest old
    Also Bill has had lots of back pain lately
    Donna, in all the logistics of feeding and caring for everyone

    Reaching Palawanos with you,

    -Bill and Donna

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    Rescue Operation

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    Cholera Epidemic Update
    We are so thankful for our mission pilot, our friends at the Palawan Red Cross and Dr. Ed Cruz who went to the rescue of the Palawanos during this cholera epidemic. They shuttled in 1,200 pounds of medicine, saved several lives with immediate I.V rehydration, treated over a 100 other patients, and helped with a childbirth emergency. They even spent the night down there to get it all done.

    There is a possible follow-up next week and we hope to get the German Red Cross to fund projects in the area, including a potable water system for the whole valley.

    PRAY WITH US
    …for the Palawanos who are still sick
    …for long-term solutions to the need for clean water

    Reaching Palawanos with you,

    -Bill and Donna

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