Payap University Partnership (New Linguistics Institute)

One of the strengths (and an increasing emphasis) of Wycliffe's work around the world is partnership. This term may be defined in a variety of ways, but I can tell you that at Wycliffe, especially as seen in our partnership with Payap University, it is a genuine reality that is worth more than the sum of its parts.

Payap U. is a Christian university in Thailand. It has a long-standing and formal relationship with SIL, a partner organization of Wycliffe USA. The latest development in that relationship was the Payap U leaders offering an on-campus building to SIL for their use in establishing a Linguistics Institute. The institute will have many advantages over the current relationship. I'll explain more if you so request....

To the left you see several SIL missionaries who also serve as staff at Payap U, standing with Becky and I, in front of the building given to SIL. We are standing on ground soon to be broken to add a three-story addition to the building you see here.

If I was a really cool blogger, I would have taken GPS measurements so you could drill down on the exact satellite image... able to monitor the construction process. One day I will get to that level.

God’s provision of a Linguistic Institute to serve as a sustainable visa, training and access platform is an answer to fervent prayers on behalf of Bible translation in this region. The renovation and expansion of the building will provide a home for focused re-search, training and language development as well as provide space for up to 30 staff, plus another 25 people to participate in training workshops. This will rpovide a visa platform and critical training for national workers essential in translation projects in the region for many years to come. Funding will help provide for construction, renovation, furnishings, equipment, air conditioning, architectural and engineering fees, and site preparation.

Currently, the center needs all of its "Phase 2" funding (USD $113,000+) before ground can break on the addition. By the generosity of many, we believe it will come...