TRANSLATION UPDATE
Thanks to all who prayed. We have seen a real answer to prayer about the noise and interruptions all around us since our last update. God is good… and powerful. Keep us in prayer, please!
As the end of the year 2011 approaches, we are particularly thankful for two “gifts,” which are:
1) We are nearing the point where the last verse will be beyond the first draft stage. Bill has been working on the first draft of Matthew (with the Christmas story – very appropriate!) He hopes to be done with that step for Matthew before the end of this month.
and…
2) Elisa, Chris and our grandchildren Max and Myri are coming to visit in January! Looking forward to this has boosted our spirits like nothing else could!
WHAT’S COMING UP?
We turned in our “typesetting form” to the office of SIL in Manila. So that’s officially in process. Our deadline to take the Palawano New Testament to digital typesetting is July 2012, with a view to having it printed in August. We can start recording the audio for the Talking Bible version then. So all this means steady work until we meet the deadline.
2012 will be a huge year for the Palawano translation project, as we see it to completion and production. Pray with us about all these important details…
Funds For Printing, Recording and Distribution.
We need in the neighborhood of $25,000, in addition to the $6,000 already in the Translation Fund, to finish the translation, print the New Testaments, record the audio version and get distribution up and running. Through the years, many churches and individuals have expressed interest in being a part “when we reach that point.” Well, we’ve reached that point! These are exciting days. Any gifts toward this project should go to NTM, designated for the “S.W. Palawano Translation Fund, Philippines.”
An Affordable Soundproof Room
We need a suitable place for approximately 5 weeks to record the audio for the Talking Bible version of the Palawano New Testament (time frame: August-September 2012). There are some possibilities, but nothing certain. It has to be here in Puerto. A recording studio would work, but other possibilities would include a building that is isolated enough to have no traffic noise or crowing roosters, etc., in its vicinity.
Checking
The consultant check of the book of Mark has been rescheduled for early February because some of our Palawano TAs (Translation Assistants) were sick. We still need to schedule two additional checks for the final books of the New Testament and are working to coordinate that with the consultants now.
Continued Progress
We need a never-ending supply of health, energy and wisdom to keep the push going so we reach the goal and meet the deadline.
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
- Funds for printing, recording and distribution
- A room for recording the audio version
- A good final consultant check of Mark (now early February)
- Scheduling of the two remaining consultant checks
- 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 appreciate your part in this ministry now more than ever. Thanks for standing with us!
Reaching Palawanos together with you,
-Bill and Donna
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