Vanuatu Translators

A friend just sent me this link to a video interview with a young couple who are Bible Translators. It is a great elementary introduction to the real-life work of thousands of dedicated people like them:

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...

Wycliffe Visits

I have wanted for days to take the time to share about the whirlwind tour of Wycliffe projects Becky and I saw while in Chiang Mai, Thailand. But, jet lag and many other important things have delayed this entry.


First, I'd like just to say how thoroughly proud I am to be part of Wycliffe. The people who serve in this ministry some of the most intelligent, sincere, and God-honoring people. During the 36 hour visit to Chiang Mai, we visited with a total of twenty-one Wycliffe missionaries, representing seven different projects.


Projects I am free to share in detail about include the Linguistics Institute and Grace International School. The other five projects I would love to share with you, but... many of the people we met were working on Bible translations that are of a sensitive nature. So, I'd like to invite you to click here and let me know you would like to hear more.

Retreat Concludes; Wycliffe Tour Begins

The WR-C Retreat has concluded. It was, we think, a good balance between fun and relaxing time and a good dose of ministry and teaching. We'll know more and be abel to report after WR senior staff compare notes.

A couple of tremednous and personal things occured and I can't go into them. Suffice to say God is knitting individuals on the Team from College Park together with individuals in the Cambodian church in a way that manifests an excellence in generousity, not only with talents but also treasure.

... Now... Becky and I are in the Bangkok airport. The rest of the Team is staying here in Bangkok for a day of shopping and lots of Tom Yam soup. Bec and I are flying to Chiang Mai,

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way up in the Northwest corner of Thailand. Our purpose: get together with many staff and leaders of Wycliffe (actually, it is an SIL office, which most readers here might not realize is distinct from "Wycliffe" only in that SIL is the research and functional ligusitic arm of the family of Wcyliffe organizations) projects based out of the Southeast Asia office, which serves as a hub for much of Wcyliffe/SIL activity throught a multi-national region.

I'm excited and happy: the Retreat went very well. The Team bondd and aserved well together. I perosnally forged at least one relationship with a Cambodian Christian (a young pastor named Sina) that I know will endure and develop into the future. And now Bec and I are excited to see Wycliffe projects in the Chiang Mai office, including a partnership with Payap University that is very exciting.

Stay tuned for posts related to Grace International School (GIS) where the Miyakawa family will serve for a year (or more???) starting next year... and for Wycliffe projects...