Elaine's Electronic Epistle

The Week in Review

2012-01-27T21:45:00.000-05:00

Many of my colleagues have been traveling this week. But I think the most important trip was the one made by Director Hantz Bernard as he went to the dedication of the Cuzco Quechua New Testament in Peru. The dedication ceremony was on Monday afternoon. Of all the high points we ever experience at Bibles International, the dedication of a completed Scripture is the highest. While most of us can only imagine what a wonderful occasion that must be, there is always an administrator from BI who represents us at the dedication. The stories they tell of the joy national believers experience at such a time bring tears to my eyes.

From Peru, our director is going on to Togo, where another New Testament will be dedicated, and another group of believers will rejoice to know that "God has finally learned my language." While we at BI know that God knows each of the more than 7,000 languages in the world, many people believe He doesn't know their language, since He has never spoken to them in their heart language.

There is still so much work to do. Pray with us as we continue to work toward the goal of having reliable Scriptures in the hands of all who seek them.

*Thanks to one of my colleagues, Debbie King, for this picture of an actual Quechua New Testament.

My Baby

2012-01-25T21:38:00.002-05:00

At the age of almost 18 months, my baby, Snookums, is becoming a bit more sedate which allowed me to take this picture of her. A friend gave her the little Teddy bear lying on the floor beside her, which she dearly loves. That poor bear has been attacked and mauled mercilessly so many times. It is in danger of loosing one or more limbs soon, but it remains one of Snookums' favorite toys.

My little Snookums has provided hours of fun and companionship for me, and I'm thankful to have her. And at only 3 1/3 pounds, she is just the right size for me - not so big that I have trouble carrying her up and down stairs, and not so small that I'm likely to trip over her.

Snow and Chairs

2012-01-14T11:43:00.000-05:00

One of the major things making news in Grand Rapids this week is the season's first major snowfall. I'm thankful I've not had to drive before the streets were cleared. Praise the Lord.

This is the kind of snow I like - lining the branches of trees, as if an artist had painted them. The Lord is a terrific artist, isn't He? I believe we got about 3-5 inches of snow in my part of the world, which is enough to satisfy me!

I'm also going to take advantage of this time to show you my new rocker-recliners, which were delivered to my house shortly before I left for Christmas. Again, thank you Aunt D. They replace chairs my parents bought when they moved into a different house after the total destruction of the farmhouse in which we'd lived. A fire ravished it on a very cold day in January 1969. If you do the math, you'll realize that the previous chairs had served through more than four decades.

I wonder if these will last that long. One thing is sure. If they do, they will outlast me. I expect to be with the Lord long before then. I'm looking forward to the day I go to be with Him!

The First Week in January in Review

2012-01-08T17:08:00.000-05:00

It was good to get back to work at Bibles International this week, after a rather treacherous trip back through parts of Indiana. I'm so thankful I was able to visit with most of my family near Seymour and Evansville, Indiana. And I'm grateful that the Lord protected me over the 1,000 miles I drove round trip.

Now, I'm back in my routine and thankful for it. Things are busy at Bibles International, which they almost always are. Yesterday an intern left for Central African Republic, where she will be working with seasoned personnel on the Sango Bible. Due to changes in orthography mandated by the government, this Bible needs to be revised. All work on Scripture is important, but this one is very important, as the Sango Bible is the first one translated by Baptist Mid-Missions missionaries. The chief language consultant will leave on Tuesday, so that he too can be involved in this important project.

Yesterday was an interesting day for me. It started out with a wedding ceremony at 10:00, scheduled at that hour so that it could be streamed live to the groom's family in Zambia. Since the wedding is on the northeastern outskirts of Grand Rapids, it meant for an early start to the day. The wedding featured some American customs and some Zambian customs, so it was truly unique.

After the wedding and reception were over, my friend and missionary colleague, Becky Kerr, and I went to the Breton Village Mall in Grand Rapids to see a train display. As you can see, Thomas the Train was featured, along with several other trains. This display has been set up every year for more than 25 years. It's my first time to see it, or even learn of it. And it was none too soon, since this is the last year it will be displayed.

I'm looking forward to this week, and to what the Lord might have for me. For one of our young associates, it will be a week of huge change, since she will be departing the US to go to language study in Bordeaux, France, in preparation for eventual ministry in Chad, Africa. Pray for Anna Beth as she faces many new experiences.

Making Memories

2011-12-31T17:22:00.000-05:00

I've been in south-central and southwestern Indiana, enjoying Christmas with my family. This is the stuff of which memories are made. These are my two youngest "greats," - Caraline from California and Mary Katherine from Texas.

There has been lots of food, many laughs, lots of conversation, games, a hymn sing, and other fun things. I'm drinking up every minute of it, knowing it will probably be at least a year until I see most of them again.

I report to one of my supporting churches tomorrow morning and then begin my trip back. I'll spend the evening/night with my older sister tomorrow. Then I begin the trip back to GR, with a snowstorm predicted. Your prayers would be appreciated.

Yesterday Evening's Celebration of Christmas

2011-12-16T20:29:00.001-05:00

Since arriving in Grand Rapids 11 years ago, I've viewed advertisements regarding the Holiday Pops longingly. How wonderful it would be to attend that, I've said to myself each time I've seen the ads. The Lord finally made it possible to attend yesterday evening, when I went with a couple of my coworkers. One of them told me she, too, had longed to attend it since arriving here 13 years ago.

What a concert it was! Soprano soloist Lisa Daltirus was terrific, singing some of my favorite Christmas songs including O Holy Night and Mary Did You Know. Her voice soared over the auditorium. Decked out in a sparkling red evening gown, she was beautiful.

After the intermission, the Grand Rapids Symphony was joined by the Symphony Chorus, fully 250 musicians and singers performing at the same time. Under the direction of Conductor John Varineau, the concert was memory making. And when it ended with Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, it was almost a taste of heaven.

*Pictures courtesy of the Internet.

News from My Part of the World in Early December

2011-12-06T13:46:00.000-05:00

God blessed us at Good News Baptist Church last Friday evening, when we enjoyed a ladies' Christmas dessert. Several ladies from the church served as hostesses. Each of them decorated a table with a Christmas motif and were responsible for preparing a dessert. I was invited to sit at Dawn Anderson's table. She had fixed a yummy chocolate cake with peppermint pieces and a topping made of whipped cream. (We won't think about the number of calories that were in it, will we?) It was delicious!

As the program began, we sang a Christmas carol and then Dan and Lori Karel sang a duet, reminding us that wise men (and women, or course) still seek Him. Afterward, Dr. Jan Bentley spoke to us about being a child of the King. As she shared with us the sorrows she and her husband have experienced in life, I could not help but think again, as I have so many times before, that the Lord has to break us before He can really use us. She was certainly used that evening to touch the hearts of many of the ladies who were there.

There is exciting news from Bibles International. Text Editor Don Block has completed the final formatting of the Bualkhaw and Zotung New Testaments, both for a country in Southeast Asia. The manuscripts have both been sent back there for final approval. Once they have been approved, they will be sent to the printer. Rejoice with us that next year at Christmas time, these people will be able to open their New Testaments and read for themselves about the wonder of the incarnation--that God became man. How exciting that will be for them!

Please pray with me for a friend who had a tonsil removed this morning due to cancer. She already knows she will have to have both chemo and radiation. Pray for her as she recovers from the surgery and then begins the treatment. Ask the Lord to make the treatment effective in her life, if it would please Him.

Lord willing, I'll be making my (almost) annual pilgrimage to southwestern Indiana in a few weeks. Please pray with me that the roads will be clear, permitting safe travel. I have encountered slicker roads in the flat lands of northern Indiana than any place I've ever driven. I pray I will not encounter them this year. After all, I'm 11 years older now than I was when I moved up here in 2000.

God bless you as you make preparations for Christmas. Let's not forget what it is we are really celebrating, the birth of a baby who came to save the world. He was the only one ever born for the express purpose of dying. And He did it for you and me. How amazing!

Goodbye and Hello

2011-11-12T18:10:00.002-05:00

This week held two major events for me. Both occurred on Monday.

The first was the funeral of one of the members at my church. Amos Beech and especially his wife, Lois, welcomed me warmly when I began attending Good News Baptist Church almost 11 years ago. Amos was a WWII veteran and I watched him grow old. When the Lord called him home on Wednesday, November 3, it made me very sad. He left Lois, to whom he had been married 62 years. How does one go on after losing a spouse of 62 years? She will miss him greatly, but because she dearly loves the Lord, she will look to Him to help her through the days ahead. But there will be an empty place in their home, and in our church. For the past year or so, he came to church carrying his canister of oxygen in order to be able to get around. Now he no longer needs that as he breathes the air of heaven.

Later that same afternoon, I met college classmates, Cal and Bobbi Biddle, as they unloaded a huge load of supplies for the mission hospital in Malumghat, Bangladesh. They had earlier dropped off a huge load of things they had completed for Bibles International. They drove approximately 400 miles each way in order to drop these things off to BI and Good News Baptist Church. And this was just a service to the Lord, for which they received nothing more than a thank you. They are members of First Baptist Church in Princeton, Indiana, one of my supporting churches.

After dropping off their two huge deliveries, Cal and Bobbi took me out to dinner and then spent the night with me on Monday night. It was good to visit with them again.

This week brought us our first measurable snowfall. Knowing that this winter is predicted to be cold and snowy, I did some shopping for winter things yesterday evening. I bought some Cuddl Duds, and a sweater. I usually don't need these things outside of my house, but I keep the furnace turned down here. Although winter is not my favorite season, I think I'm ready for it now.

My "Greats"

2011-11-04T19:29:00.000-04:00

As of about 24 hours ago, I am now the great aunt to 14 great nieces and nephews! The 14th was born yesterday evening in Houston. This one is a great niece. And she is the 2nd great niece born this year. Both were born to daughters-in-law of my younger sister. The newest one's name is Mary Katherine. She is named after both of her grandmothers.

Please join me in praying for Mary Katherine and the 13 other great nieces and nephews I have. I long for each of them to know Christ as their personal Savior and love Him more than anything. Pray for their parents as they raise them. I don't envy parents raising children in this day and age. It will take great wisdom.

This week I had the opportunity to spend time with three of my older nieces. They are 14, 12, and 10 years old. I stopped in at their home on the way to Ohio and back.

If you prayed for me as I drove to Ohio and spoke there, thank you. The Lord blessed as I went, and I was very much aware of His help.

Harvest Dinner 2011

2011-10-26T16:09:00.000-04:00

On October 20, 2011, Bibles International held its annual Harvest Dinner. This year, we celebrated our 30th anniversary. Our speaker was Dr. Gary Anderson, president of Baptist Mid-Missions, our parent organization. For the past decade, I've served at the registration table before the dinner and helped to count the gifts after the dinner.

This year was historic in its size--we had 767 registered guests, although some were unable to come. We believe that we had approximately 750 guests who actually attended.

It's been a terrific blessing to serve with Bibles International for slightly more than a decade. During the time I've been with the organization, we've seen the Lord's hand of mercy as He has saved us from accidents, provided miles of safe travel both in the US and overseas, allowed us to complete 24 projects and work on at least 40 other Scriptures, and provided for our every need. We do have significant needs now, as we anticipate printing six Scriptures in the next four months. Please join us in praying for the Lord's provision. The cost of printing Scriptures is high, as is the cost of maintaining an office building. Pray that we will continue to rest in Him, even during this downturn in the economy.

A Weekend to be Remembered

2011-10-16T21:10:00.000-04:00

This is a weekend I'll long remember, I'm sure. There have been several highlights.
Some of them were:
Being flooded with birthday cards and gifts. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Having a ladies' tea at church yesterday afternoon with three missionary ladies sharing their work
and their heart for their ministries. It was so good!
Long distance phone calls from both sisters and one friend/supporter through the years since Cedarville days.
Dozens of good wishes sent on Facebook.
An invitation to have Sunday dinner with a missionary colleague (and her sweet granddaughters).
(It's been many a year since I've heard children's voices singing Happy Birthday to me.)
Another missionary colleague joined us there.
The meal was delicious, complete with a decorated cake.
The above beautiful floral arrangement made of fruit. It was created by Edible Arrangements.
Thank you to all who helped make this a special time in my life. I haven't yet been able to read all my cards
and Facebook messages!!!

ArtPrize 2011, Grand Rapids, Michigan

2011-10-11T17:04:00.000-04:00

ArtPrize is billed as an open art competition giving away the world's largest art prize. It's an experiment that has been conducted in Grand Rapids for three years. Until this year, I had never been able to attend it, but this year, two missionary colleagues lovingly enabled me to be able to attend. There were nearly 1,600 entries located throughout the heart of Grand Rapids, stretched over a five-mile area. I knew I would not be able to walk throughout such an extensive area, so these dear friends put me in a wheelchair and facilitated my attendance. I truly enjoyed it!

I've uploaded just a few of my favorite entries. Everyone can vote on their favorite piece, after signing up at the hub. I wasn't able to do that, but if I had been able to do so, I would certainly have voted for the bronze statue of Lincoln seen above. The child with President Lincoln is supposed to represent Tad. This piece was created by James Michale Maher.

I was also a great fan of the piece entitled President Gerald Ford visits ArtPrize by Sunti Pichetcheiyakul from Thailand. This statue was made of bronze and fiberglass resin. It accurately depicted President Ford's face, although the statue showed a man smaller in stature than President Ford was. Unfortunately the case in which it had to be displayed made it a bit difficult to view and show it.

The first place winner was this piece entitled Crucifixion. It was a mosaic originally commissioned by a church in California. Because it was the first-place winner, it will be left in Grand Rapids and the artist will do another piece for the church.

If you live around Grand Rapids, I'd encourage you to visit next fall so that you could see these works of art. Since I mentioned that there were almost 1,600 entries, it's obvious that I showed only a few of the pieces.

The fact that the weather was absolutely wonderful, with highs in the lower 80s many of the days, was just the icing on the cake.

Review of Christian Children's Book, "Sophie, Pay Attention (Rhoda, you too)!"

2011-10-02T21:13:00.001-04:00

Sophie has a problem. In fact, she has two. Her first problem is that she has trouble paying attention, and the second is that most people don’t believe her, maybe because of the first problem. Sophie is eight years old, the younger of the two girls in her family.

Unfortunately Sophie forgets important things. She forgets to do her homework and sometimes she forgets to take it to school after it’s done. That causes some major problems for her, with her teacher and with her mom and dad.

Sophie’s story is presented in first person and is very realistic for young children, for whom it was written. One of my colleagues read the story to her granddaughters, ages seven and five, and found them so interested they didn’t want their grandma to put the book down.

It’s a Christian story but it is not preachy and compares the life of Sophie with Rhoda in the biblical book of Acts. Rhoda also had a problem with people believing her story. Her life is presented so realistically through Sophie’s Sunday school teacher that Sophie has no trouble believing it. In fact, the story makes perfect sense to her, since she and Rhoda have something in common. The story challenges Sophie to do the right thing, like Rhoda did, even when people don’t believe her.

Sophie’s story is told in eight, short chapters and is perfect for children about six to ten years old.

Wildlife and other Things

2011-09-23T22:01:00.000-04:00

You'll notice the title is "wildlife" not a "wild life." My life is anything but wild, but I did see some wildlife this evening. I find it interesting that living in Grand Rapids, I see wildlife that I never saw growing up on a farm in the middle of farming country. Once again, I saw about half a dozen wild turkeys as I drove through one of the suburbs after work this evening. Amazing! Why do they congregate in Grand Rapids, when I never saw one as a child or teen in the southwestern part of Indiana? Are they that much more plentiful now than they were then? If this had been the first time I had seen them since moving to Grand Rapids, I might not be quite as surprised. But I've seen them probably at least a half dozen times since I've moved to Grand Rapids.

We had visitors in the Bibles International office this week. Roger and Norene Russ, Baptist Mid-Missions missionaries to Ghana came to work with our chief translation coordinator. For many years, Roger and Norene have been working with Ghanaian nationals to translate the New Testament into the Dagaare language, spoken in the northwestern part of Ghana. The work is nearing completion, and BI will be publishing a trial edition soon. It will be so exciting when the completed New Testament is in the hands of this people group, who have waited for years for this privilege.

In the meantime, Text Editor Don Block continues to format the Bualkhaw New Testament, the Zotung New Testament, the Quechua New Testament and selected Old Testament books for the Warao people. The first two languages are spoken in southeast Asia, the Quechua is spoken in Peru, and the Warao is spoken in Venezuela. There will be much rejoicing when these four people groups receive these Scriptures in their heart languages. Pray that it might be soon.

Thanks again for your prayers on my behalf. I appreciate them very much.

The Healing Field

2011-09-11T19:58:00.000-04:00

One of my missionary colleagues went with me to see the Healing Field this afternoon. It is a ski slope that was dedicated to the remembrance of 9-11 this weekend. Located just to the northeast of Grand Rapids, volunteers had spent hours of their time putting up 3,000 flags, one for each of those killed on 9-11, with several additional ones, because they believe others were killed who were not identified. Almost as far as the eye could see, there were flags posted in the ground. I'd never before seen anything like it. It served as a poignant reminder of the lives lost that day, with many of the flags bearing the name and a short paragraph of information about persons killed on 9-11. It was a busy, busy place with hundreds of people there. Traffic was backed up for close to a mile as we left.

Afterwards we attended the evening service at my colleague's church, since we didn't have time to make it back to our houses and then go on to our individual churches. (I had no idea there would be such a crowd at the Healing Field!)

Speaking at my church this morning was a Christian politician. He was so good. I came away from the service telling myself that if there were more men and women like him in politics, we would not be in the mess we are currently in in this country.

May God bless America!

A Review of "The Muir House" by Author Mary DeMuth

2011-07-17T21:35:00.001-04:00

When 20-something Willa Muir returns to her hometown and the home within which she grew up, she does it reluctantly. Not all her memories of childhood are happy ones. In addition to the unpleasant memories of early days, there is the period of time in those days that is almost completely blank. What really occurred during that period of time that now only visits her in flashbacks and momentary hints as she’s awakening or drifting off to sleep?

Repeatedly she recalls the words spoken to her years earlier by a faceless man of the South: You’ll find home one day. What exactly are these words intended to convey, and even more importantly, who was the speaker?

Until she can answer these questions that have plagued her from childhood, Willa feels she can’t move forward into the future. When a young man proposes marriage, Willa walks away, unable to commit to anyone until her quest for self identity is completed. Besides, she finds his frequent references to God annoying. Forgiveness is something she must learn to extend to friends and most importantly, family.

Mary DeMuth’s story is intriguing. Her practice of making verbs out of words not intended to be used in that way is a bit off-putting at first. Assuming you’re able to move beyond that frustration, you’ll find the book to be a page turner. Half way through the book, I still had no idea how the dilemmas faced by Willa would be resolved. I recommend the book.

Although the author provided a complimentary copy of this book for review, I was under no obligation to give it a positive evaluation.

Results of the Storm at my House, July 11, 2011

2011-07-11T21:33:00.001-04:00

You'll have to go down through several posts to see all the damage done in my yard and to the house today. I know I should have been able to post all of these in the same post but I'm not technologically savvy enough to do it. So just keep going down through the posts, please. Our neighborhood looks like a tornado went through. Praise God noone in our neighborhood was hurt, although a man about a mile south of here was killed when a falling tree knocked the garage down on him. My roof has only minor damage I'm told.

More storm pictures--My back yard!

2011-07-11T21:29:00.000-04:00

Today's Storm, July 11, 2011

2011-07-11T21:26:00.000-04:00

Because I'm not technologically savvy enough, I'm going to have to put these in several different posts. This is my house!!!

2011-07-11T21:20:00.000-04:00

Grand Rapids Makes the National News

2011-07-08T22:03:00.000-04:00

Two events have propelled Grand Rapids into national news in the past 24 hours. It is conceivable that you're not aware of these events. I'm certain that you're not aware of all the details, at the very least. I'm listening to the latest news as it breaks.

Go back shortly more than 24 hours, to about 3:00 yesterday afternoon, when the news broke that there had been a triple murder. Shortly afterward, an announcement was made that there had been a quadruple murder in another home on the northeast side of Grand Rapids. Within a brief time, the police made us aware of the fact that the same individual was a suspect in both events. But where was he? There was a police helicopter in the air, after the suggestion that the suspect might be on his way to Detroit.

But it soon became obvious that he hadn't left Grand Rapids. Within a few hours, he was shooting victims randomly as he drove through the city. He shot four times at a police cruiser without injuring the policeman. He did, however, injure people in two other vehicles. He then took off in a vehicle, tires having been flattened by road spikes, driving on the rims of his wheels at high rates of speed on the freeway. Suddenly, when police began gaining on him, he drove through the median and took off driving the wrong way on a heavily-traveled highway. Eventually, he drove his car down through a ravine, and bailed out. He shot his way into the nearest home and took the three people therein hostage. At the end of about 7-8 very tense hours, the suspect committed suicide.

Fast forward to this evening, when a candlelight vigil was organized in honor of the seven people who were killed last night. It was being held in a park that overlooks the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Local TV coverage was constant. As they commemorated the lives of those killed last night, suddenly commentators broke in with the news that Betty Ford, widow of President Ford, has died. Thus the second event that has propelled Grand Rapids onto the national scene, since the Fords made their home in Grand Rapids during their early years together. President Ford practiced law here before being elected to the House of Representatives.

We're told that her body will be brought back to Grand Rapids to lie in state at the Ford Presidential Museum, before being buried beside her husband, in view of the very park where the candlelight vigil was held this evening for the seven people murdered yesterday afternoon.

As I've been troubled by some of these events, a song that has come to mind repeatedly is: "Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe on His gentle breast, There by His love o'reshaded, Sweetly my soul doth rest." The safest place for any of us is in the arms of Christ. I'm thankful I can rest there.

Happy 4th, make that 5th, of July

2011-07-05T20:55:00.000-04:00

I finally got pictures taken of my little baby, Snookums, but for reasons I don't understand, I'm not able to get them to load here. If you have a Facebook account, go to my page there and you'll be able to see her. She fell off my arm this evening as I sat at the computer, about a distance of 10 times her height. She was momentarily stunned and then began crying. I picked her up, held her and loved her. She was very quiet for a few minutes and I was afraid she'd truly gotten hurt, but she's running around again, so I guess the injury was only temporary. She is one year old today. I wondered if we should have celebrated in some way! I should probably have popped some popcorn, since she loves it.

It's now been 2 1/2 weeks since I last posted here. I've heard nothing from Emmanuel or his family in this time. The more time that goes by, the more convinced I am that they must have been killed in the political upheaval. If I knew for sure they are with the Lord, that would be reassuring.I just wish I KNEW for sure. Is that what is called "closure"?

There has been some disquieting activity around my house in the past several days. I chose not to do anything about it at first. But as I came home this evening, I decided I would call and report it to the police. I didn't want to bother them if it was unnecessary. When I explained what had been happening, the receptionist/person I spoke with asked, "Did you call the police when that happened?" I told her I had not. She told me I should definitely have reported it when it happened. She also said I should fill out a police report online, and that I should definitely report it if it happens again. I will do that, now that I know that I should. I'm also praying, trusting in the veracity of Psalm 91:11--"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." Living alone in a world that is becoming increasingly violent is a bit unsettling. Ultimately it is the Lord who is in control of every aspect of our lives. I'm leaning on Him, but will certainly report any further suspicion activity to the police. Having a dog who barks ferociously whenever she is uncomfortable about strange people is a blessing I'm not ignoring.

Two Widely Divergent Pieces of News

2011-06-24T20:30:00.000-04:00

Would you like the good news first, or the bad? I think I'll begin with the bad. For months I've heard nothing from the child I raised in Cote d'Ivoire, Emmanuel, nor from his older adoptive-brother-in-law with whom he lived. With each passing day in which I hear no news from them, I'm becoming more convinced that they did not live through the political conflict in that country. A Baptist Mid-Missions missionary who lives and ministers in Liberia recently visited refugee camps made up of people who've fled Cote d'Ivoire. The refugees tell of terrible atrocities--people killed in cold blood because they supported the previous president who has now been deposed. I wish I could copy parts of the prayer letter I received, but because I've not gotten permission to do so, I don't feel that I should. Suffice it to say that I was sick to my stomach after reading the letter and listening to the short video clip that was a part of it. Knowing some of the people who spoke on the video only added to my distress.

Please pray for these suffering people, many of whom are saints of God, living in UN-supplied tents in the heat of Africa. My heart aches for them.

Now for the good news: After months of waiting on the Lord for His provision of employment, one of my nephews has just received security clearance to begin employment with Lockheed Martin in the San Jose, California, area. He and his wife are expecting a baby in August, and I have been begging the Lord to allow him to find a job before the baby comes, if it would please Him. If you've been praying with me about this, thank you so much. I could not begin to count the number of times I have prayed about this matter. Since I have beseeched the Lord so many times for His provision for them, I would be remiss not to thank Him for what He has done. Please join me in thanking Him for His provision for this young couple, soon to be parents.

Local Events, Family Events, and World Events

2011-06-10T20:56:00.000-04:00

As I drove home today in the late afternoon, it occurred to me that I was a bit chilly in my short sleeves. When I looked at the thermometer, I knew why. It was 42 degrees cooler than a similar drive home earlier this week. Now I know we are supposed to be adaptable, but 42 degrees difference at the same time of day is a significant difference in a few days' time. I much prefer today's temperature, but we have no choice, do we? Those who are the most adaptable have the most joyful life, just taking what God gives.

Continuing to try to reclaim my life has been foremost for me this week. I've made some progress in my work space at the office, but I still have a long way to go. I doubt what I've reclaimed there is significant enough for anyone else to notice.

In family news, one of my nephews was "downsized" out of his job near the end of the year last year. He thought he had been hired for a nice job this week, only to find that (presumably because this company makes products for the US government) he must obtain security clearance which includes, among other things, looking at each time he's been outside of the US. Since he's done short-term mission work in Myanmar and mainland China, this may present a bit of a challenge. Please join me in praying that the Lord would provide for him and his wife and the baby they are expecting in August.

You may wonder why I've not recently mentioned Emmanuel, the child I raised in Africa who is now 25 years old. You will remember that they've had great political turmoil in Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) since their election in November. I have heard nothing from him or his family in the past two-three months. I literally don't know if they lived through the conflict or if the Lord took them home to be with Him. Please join me in praying that if they are still alive, I'll be able to have some contact with them soon. I know they had to flee their home with nothing but the clothes on their back and a few items they could carry, so they undoubtedly need to start over. I would like to help meet some of their needs, if they are still alive and starting over again in life.

I am relearning the truth of 1 Peter 5:7: "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

Monumental Event!

2011-06-03T21:17:00.000-04:00

This week has seen a monumental event occur. I have finished the rewriting of the book. On Sunday I will pass the manuscript on to the editor, who goes to our church. From there on, as I understand it, everything is out of my hands. I believe I will have no further say in what happens, even though I would like to.

Now I begin the enormous task of cleaning up--my house is such a disaster I may never again be able to reclaim it; my desk at work is a disaster area, my email inbox has had over 3,100 emails in it, although I've been chipping away at it and now have it down to less than 2,500! So there is plenty to do to get these things back in order. And I'll begin to reclaim some of the responsibilities I passed on to others while doing the book. I can truly say that I've never had such a demanding task, in terms of mental and emotional pressure. Thanks to all of you who prayed me through those months.

During the winter months, our ladies' Bible study was held in the home of a couple from our church. He enjoys landscaping and flowers. On Sunday, they brought me pots and pots of flowers for my front stoop and for my deck. I'm enjoying them and haven't managed to kill them (the flowers) yet. I'm praying I'll be able to keep them flourishing.

God bless you in the coming week.

My "Greats"

2011-05-27T19:31:00.000-04:00

I'm sure you wonder why I'm showing a picture obviously taken at Christmas. There are at least two reasons. One is that I only recently found this picture in my camera. I was so busy when I came back after Christmas, I forgot to load my pictures onto my computer.

Another reason is because I want to tell you some news about my "greats." This is my youngest "great," born in June, so he's nearly a year old now. I had another "great" born last year, but unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures with him. He was not too fond of his great-aunt. The one I'm holding is Josiah, and he lives in Massachusetts, which means I will only rarely get to see him. The other one born last year is Joshua, and he lives in Texas. I will see him only on rare occasions as well.

In August, Lord willing, I'll have another "great," born in California. Because her parents live that far away, I'll rarely get to see her, too. And Joshua, from Texas, is having a younger sibling born in November, Lord willing. I now have a dozen "greats," but by the end of the year, I'll have two more, Lord willing. Obviously, my greatest prayer is that each one will come to know Christ as their Savior when they are old enough to understand their need of Him. What an awesome responsibility these parents have.

Well, I'm still rewriting the last chapter of the book. I thought I would have it done today if not before, but that didn't happen since I'm still collecting info for it. Surely by this time next week I'll have it completed. Please pray with me to that end.

I trust you'll have a good Memorial Day weekend. If you know a military person, please give him or her my thanks for fighting for my freedom.

Highlights of the Past Week

2011-05-20T20:55:00.000-04:00

As I think back through the past week, several things stand out as highlights. As I mentioned last week, the first Scripture translation consultant BI had, Dr. Henry Osborn, went to be with the Lord a week ago today. Since one of his daughters is a missionary in the Philippines, the family chose to delay visitation and the memorial service until she could arrive for these events. Visitation was today and the memorial service is tomorrow. Dr. Osborn's children asked if BI could make samples of their dad's work available for these two days. I was asked to research the languages he had worked with during the years he served at BI. He apparently gave some facts about himself to the funeral home years ago. Included in that was the fact that he had worked with 78 different languages in his life. It was interesting to do that research, although we did not find the names of all 78. The research made me thankful, again, that I have a copy of God's Word in a language that is easily understandable to me. What a blessing that is, and one I often take for granted.

This evening most of the single ladies at BI went out to eat together. It was good to get to know some of the newer ones outside of the office setting, where we had enough time to sit and talk about things other than work.

Please continue to pray for BI, and for me. I love serving at BI and pray I'll continue to be able to do so for years to come, if the Lord doesn't return before then.

Henry Osborn now with the Lord

2011-05-13T23:13:00.000-04:00

Translator meets the Author

Early this morning, May 13, 2011, the Lord took Dr. Henry Osborn to be with Him. Dr. Osborn played a pivotal role in Bibles International’s early days; in fact, he worked as a translation consultant for Baptist Mid-Missions even before BMM launched the ministry of Bibles International in 1981. Dr. Osborn was born on June 4, 1924, just one week after the founder of Baptist Mid-Missions, Dr. William Haas, went to glory. Although no one could have predicted it then, Dr. Osborn would carry on the same type of ministry Dr. Haas had initiated.

Before his retirement, Dr. Osborn had worked with translators from 78 different language groups, helping them translate the Word of God into their vernacular languages. Undoubtedly there are many he has already met in heaven that are there, in part, as the result of reading about Christ’s work on the cross on their behalf in a Bible or New Testament Dr. Osborn helped to translate.

Dr. Osborn’s beloved wife, Anne, preceded him to heaven on June 20, 2006. He is survived by four children, Stephen, Grace, David, and Elizabeth, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation is tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 20 at Pederson Funeral Home in Rockford, Michigan. A memorial service will follow at Northland Baptist Church in Grand Rapids on Saturday. We at Bibles International count ourselves blessed to have had such a remarkable servant of God among us

Is Spring Coming to Grand Rapids?

2011-05-03T20:50:00.000-04:00

It seems hard to believe that spring may actually be coming at long last to Grand Rapids. Amazing!

I'm still doing rewrites on the history book, but I'm supposed to get it to the editor by the end of this week. Please continue praying.

This evening was our last ladies' Bible study for this season. I'm sad about that. Please pray for those involved, some of whom are facing some major challenges.

My housemate moved out yesterday. Now to decide what to do about housing. I really need to get out of this house. Please pray with me about that as well.

Thanks for your prayers. I need and appreciate them.

Various and Sundry Things

2011-04-12T22:13:00.000-04:00

It's late and I'm in a hurry to get to bed. I've just gotten home from Bible study, and I'm tired. So, I'm afraid to think of how many mistakes I may make, but please bare with me.

I got a call from Liberia this morning. The pastor from Pehe, the village in which I lived and worked in Cote d'Ivoire, called. He is Liberian, and so when the political situation became too hot, he chose to take his family and leave for Liberia. He told me that they are okay, but many of the churches have been destroyed or badly damaged. At the same time, he told me he doesn't know anything about the former pastor's wife and children--that would be the pastor who was there when I was there. He's been with the Lord for years, but his widow and many of his children still lived in Pehe. They fled when things got bad, and he has been unable to learn anything about where they are, or even if they're still alive.

Perhaps you know that the former president who was voted out in November, refused to step down from his position, which has been the cause of all of the political upheaval. He was taken into custody yesterday. This may or may not bring political stability to the country. He had many loyal followers. They may seek revenge and continue to bring upheaval to the country. Please pray for stability there.

I've had no news from Emmanuel and his immediate, adoptive family in weeks. My mind goes in many directions when I think of them. When I last heard from them, they were living in one of Abidjan's suburbs. If you know anything about the situation there, you know the fighting has been particularly fierce in that area in the past several weeks and people are experiencing great suffering because they could not get access to food and water. Please pray for the Lord's protection and provision for them.

I'd also like to have you pray about a situation in my family which is of great concern to me. Thank you for caring and praying.

Bibles International is having a Bible Event this week. We have a traveling display of ancient English Bibles in our office, along with many copies of older Scriptures in other languages. We'd love to have you visit this week. Hours are 9:00 to 4:00 on Wednesday and Friday, 9:00 to 8:00 on Thursday, and 9:00 to noon on Saturday. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to have a tour through the building. We'd love to have you visit. We had a family who drove over from Elyria, Ohio, today in order to see the display. If you're anywhere near us, please come and visit.

Thank you for your prayers. I need them desperately.

Yay! I've Finished the Rough Draft!

2011-03-17T20:16:00.000-04:00

It happened, friends. This afternoon between 1:30 and 2:00, I finally finished the rough draft of the history of Bibles International. I'm sure there were some that doubted I would ever finish it. Well, the truth is the book is a long way from being finished, but the rough draft is done.

Some in the office asked if I experienced a sense of relief. I haven't. Almost as soon as we I finished composing I began revising, so it doesn't feel as if the project is done, and it isn't!

The last chapter needs to be proofread by all three proofreaders. Then the entire book needs to be edited. And then there will be a tremendous amount of work left to implement the changes suggested by the editor. Pray for her, please, because she has an enormous job ahead of her.

Thank you for praying for me as I undertook this work. Without those prayers, I probably would have given up.

We had a little celebration in the office this afternoon, not only because this was finished, but because of the dedication of the Manipuri Bible for speakers in Northeast India. That is another project that has been years in the making.

I've received no news about Emmanuel this week. Please continue to pray for him. From the news media, I gather that the political situation is continuing to deteriorate.

Today's News from Ivory Coast and Emmanuel

2011-03-11T21:25:00.000-05:00

I got an email from Marcellin today. He is Emmanuel's older, adoptive brother-in-law, with whom Emmanuel lives. Marcellin wrote in French, of course, but I'm going to translate his email for you. The translation follows: "The reason I have not informed you concerning Emmanuel's health is because almost as soon as I got him released from jail, the war burst out in Abobo. the suburb in which we lived. Since then, we have had to flee to another suburb to the home of my older sister. We are in great difficulty. We left almost everything when we fled. All of the brothers and sisters from the church [in which he pastors] have dispersed everywhere. We left before the end of the month, so we went out with empty hands [meaning he wasn't paid before they fled]. But thank God none of us were touched. God has protected us from stray bullets.

Concerning Emmanuel's health, he is a bit better. Robin [a missionary friend of mine working there] told me about a place where I could take him for treatment but right now our country is so insecure that I can't do that. He is taking his last bottle of medicine that I bought before we had to flee.

Auntie, please pray a lot for us. Things are not going well at all for us as far as our morale and finances are concerned. Our children can no longer go to school.

May God keep you."

How sad! Conditions continue to deteriorate. If you have access to my Facebook account, please read the article written by a journalist with BBC, concerning conditions there. May God work in that country to bring some measure of peace and stability. When I arrived in Ivory Coast 31 years ago, it was the most stable country in West Africa. Now it is one of the most volatile. Please continue to pray about the country in general and about Emmanuel.

With regards to my book, I have about five more months to write about. Please continue to pray. Lord willing, I'll be leaving for vacation on March 22. I pray I won't have to work on the book on vacation, as I had to do on my last one. I need some real R&R.

One other note: My housemate went before the Baptist Mid-Missions General Council today to be examined for her doctrinal position, as she begins application for missionary service. I knew she was prepared spiritually and academically. I had a few concerns about whether or not she would be able to express herself in English adequately while under stress, since she is from South Korea. I'm told she did very well. She will go through candidate seminar in July, Lord willing, and will then begin her deputation ministry. Pray for her, please. Her name is Hye Ree Park.

Latest News from Ivory Coast and other Things

2011-03-06T16:50:00.000-05:00

It's an absolutely beautiful day in Grand Rapids. The sun is shining with nary a cloud in the sky. It feels and looks as if we have weeks of winter ahead of us. Friends write about flowers peaking through the ground, but there are none brave enough to do that here. It they did, they would have to push up through inches of snow in some places. In other places, they might have only a fraction of an inch of snow through which to push.

The news from Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) continues to be very troubling. Fighting is escalating in some areas of the country. Thousands of people have fled to neighboring Liberia. Emmanuel's mentor, his older, adoptive brother-in-law with whom Emmanuel lives, wrote this last week that they have had to flee their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs. He is a pastor, but now has no flock to pastor, and thus no income, because his congregation has also fled. It is impossible to get money to them because the banks in the country have no money. One could send money, but it would be just a piece of paper with nothing to exchange for it, since the banks have no money to honor checks, etc. Marcellin, Emmanuel's brother-in-law, has four or five children of his own, plus Emmanuel. How do you feed that many people without money?

Of course, with Emmanuel's post traumatic stress disorder already manifesting itself earlier, one can only imagine what his behavior is like now. Try to imagine the stress involved in having to flee your home because of the violence around you. I'm not sure they were able to take his medicine along when they fled. They can't get any more for him now. This all sounds pretty desperate to me, and it sounds as if there are no answers except for the direct intervention of God.

Some have asked if there is any way they could help. If I learn of a way, I'll let you know. For now, however, there doesn't seem to be a way to help, beyond our prayers.

I realize as I write this that the violence and political unrest is worse in many other countries. One can only imagine how many times over these kinds of scenarios are playing out around the world.

Meanwhile, I'm still writing. I estimate I have several more weeks of writing in order to finish the rough draft. Then the work will go to an editor. After she finishes her work, there will be an intense time, again, of incorporating her suggestions into the work. I continue to need your prayers for this work.

This past week, I took my little dog to the vet for some routine work. It was the first time she had been weighed in months, since she is so tiny I'm unable to weigh her at home. She now, at eight months, weighs 2.6 pounds--the perfect size for me. The vet told me he doesn't expect her to get much bigger. She and I are having a good time. She is good for me, often making me laugh. If you don't have people in your home, a dog is the next best thing!

Please Continue Praying!

2011-02-22T22:02:00.000-05:00

I'm exhausted as I write this, which probably means there will be many errors in it.

My exhaustion is based on at least two factors, I'm sure. As I wrote in my last post on this blog, our director at BI asked me to set aside writing on the history of BI to create two other very important documents. I worked on them over the weekend and yesterday, completing the last one at about 9:00 yesterday evening. This morning when I went to work, the second document was not on my jump drive. What a disappointment! When I got home and did a search on my computer at home, it was not here either. I've been having trouble with my Word program not closing properly. Even though I had attempted to save the document many times throughout the day, it did not really save. So I had to recreate the second document today, starting from scratch. I've now completed it, but I'm exhausted.

The second cause for exhaustion is the sad word that came to me from the Ivory Coast, today, about Emmanuel. On Saturday, he seemed better, cleaning the church building in the morning. But Saturday night he left the house after Marcellin and Ruth went to bed, going out and getting into some one's car. Again the police were called. When Marcellin went to rescue him, the police asked why he, Marcellin, didn't have some kind of document to prove that Emmanuel is mentally ill. So it seems that Marcellin and Ruth are exhausted from his care, as I can well imagine they are, and they are going to hospitalize him in a mental hospital not far from their home. It is not either of the two that has been recommended to me by missionary friends living there. I fear for the kind of care he will receive there. I could tell you of the horrors I saw in American mental hospitals in the 1960s. I would not even want to imagine the horrors that might occur in an African mental hospital.

In spite of his continued downward spiral, God can still intervene. Please join me in praying that He will do so. Also, please pray with me that I will be able to commit this to the Lord and leave it there. It is so easy to drag your sacrifice back off the altar, once it has been placed there, figuratively speaking!

Emmanuel, Child of my Heart!

2011-02-19T21:28:00.000-05:00

Greetings to you from Michigan, where the temps were in the fifties this week, and tomorrow we're expecting as much as nine inches of snow followed by ice. We're being warned that we may lose power before the storm is over. Pray for us! I don't like being without power in the winter.

The news from Emmanuel continues to concern me. While he is not as physically agitated as before, he is still talking incoherently. They are going to try a new medication. If that does not help, he will probably have to be hospitalized. But that would be difficult. Someone would have to stay with him at the hospital, since hospitals in third-world countries do not provide meals or nursing care. Please join me in praying that the Lord will either heal him directly, or use the medication to heal him, if it would please Him. Knowing how people with mental/emotional problems are treated there, I would certainly not want that to happen to him. By the way, the picture above is of Emmanuel and some of his adoptive family and friends. Emmanuel is the second from the left, wearing the blue shirt with orange and yellow figures in it. His adoptive brother-in-law, with whom he is living, is the tall, bald man near the right edge of the picture. Please pray for him and his wife, too--Marcellin and Ruth. Caring for someone who is irrational and incoherent is not easy.

Bibles International's director has asked me to put aside my book writing for the time being to take up another, more urgent assignment. This means that the book will not be completed on schedule. Please pray I'll have it done before time to leave on vacation. I spent much of my last vacation writing. I don't want to do that on the upcoming one.

Update on Emmanuel's Health

2011-02-11T19:06:00.000-05:00

For all of you who have assured me that you would pray for Emmanuel during these difficult days, I thank you. But please don't stop! The night before last, the mental/emotional problems caused him to behave in such a way that he would have been sent back to jail had it not been for the quick action of Emmanuel's older adoptive brother-in-law, Marcellin, who is a pastor in Abidjan. Suffice it to say, I am several hundred dollars in debt to one of my missionary friends, who gave Marcellin the money to satisfy the wronged individual. Had that not occurred, Emmanuel would have found himself back in the same horrible jail (see my previous post). Last night, Marcellin gave Emmanuel enough medication so that he slept throughout the night. Marcellin reported to my nurse/friend today that Emmanuel seems to be a bit better this evening. He is beginning to talk more coherently. Please continue to intercede on his behalf. Ask the Lord to heal him, if it would please Him.

This has been a struggle for me, being separated by thousands of miles. Perhaps it would be worse if I were there, but it doesn't feel that way to me. During the day, as I work, I'm able to put this out of my mind pretty well. However the nights are long. I think of him before I go to sleep and each time I awaken.

God's Word has comforted me. This morning in devotions, the passage was about God's concern and care for orphans. Emmanuel certainly qualifies for this kind of care. He has lost both his biological father and mother and his adoptive father.

Hymns have also been my comfort. I want to share one with you that has spoken to me in the past 48 hours.

Be still, my soul--the Lord is on thy side!

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide--

In ev'ry change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul--thy best, thy heav'nly friend

Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

In the midst of all this, the book advances. I finished chapter six yesterday, putting in some final corrections today. I had written all of it months ago except for a testimony for which I was waiting. This afternoon I finished the first half of chapter 11, going through the end of 2009. Please continue to pray that I'll get it done on time, and that it will glorify the Lord. That is the purpose for writing it. I trust it will accomplish that goal.

I'm grateful for your friendship and prayers. I've been reminded again in these past days how important they are.

He's Out of Jail!

2011-02-09T18:23:00.001-05:00

My friends, I would never have believed I would write that title referring to someone I love. But we never know what a day will bring forth.

On Monday evening I got an email from one of my missionary friends in Ivory Coast who helps me get funds to Emmanuel, the child I raised in that country from the time he was a newborn. She told me that Emmanuel had been arrested and was in jail. Earlier that day I had gotten an email from his mentor saying that Emmanuel was exhibiting the same sort of strange behavior he had displayed perhaps eight years ago, in the middle of the civil war in Ivory Coast. At that time, he was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. (No wonder! He has lost four parental figures, lived through a bombing, lived along the road over which the Liberian mercenaries marched into Ivory Coast to wreak their havoc on the country, and is now living through the demonstrations, etc. that are not as bad as those in Egypt so we hear nothing of them in this country. I would have difficulty maintaining my sanity, too, if I had gone through all of this. And lest you wonder why I didn't bring him to America, let me hasten to inform you that I would have done that in a heartbeat if given the opportunity. I was not!)

Just to give you an idea of what the jails are like in Africa (and perhaps in all third-world countries): prisoners are routinely beaten to get a "confession" out of them. They are not fed unless the family brings them food. I assume they are not allowed to bathe. I don't even know if they are offered drinking water. These are not American jails where people worry about human rights, and new bonds raise enough money to rebuild or expand them every few years.

I immediately contacted my friends at the big Baptist Hospital where I trained for a year, asking them to do what they could. God be praised, the Baptist Hospital has a very positive reputation throughout the country! One of my missionary-nurse friends there called the police chief at the jail, telling him that Emmanuel had been treated previously for a mental problem and that he would be given medications for this problem very soon. Whether the Lord chose to honor the prayers of my friends, both in Ivory Coast and on Facebook, or whether the name of the Baptist Hospital carried enough weight, Emmanuel was released and taken to the home of his older, adoptive brother-in-law with whom he lives.

I've been trying to leave this in the Lord's hands, but it's been difficult. I thought I had done pretty well until I got the message that he had been released from jail. I began crying when I was told that. But they were tears of joy and gratefulness to the Lord. If you were praying with me, I offer my heartfelt thanks!

Blizzard of 2011

2011-02-02T13:51:00.000-05:00

I've just lived through the most significant snowfall I've ever seen in the US, as contrasted with my sejour of 10 months in Canada from 1977-78. It's a record-breaking snowfall for February in the Grand Rapids area. We needed more than 16.1 inches in order to break the record for the most snow ever. We got only 15.9!

I wrote this morning that I would not have been able to get out of my house if there had been a fire. Shortly thereafter, a godly man from church came over to snowblow the driveway and my neighbor boy came to shovel my steps and sidewalk. God bless them both. Blessings on you Harold and Peter. This is a volunteer job on the part of both of them.

I have a back door, but there is a snow drift 3 1/2 to 4 feet deep on my deck. I don't think I could walk through it if I had to do so!

I'm thankful that I didn't have to leave my house to go to work today, or for any other reason. I have everything I need for now, and can work from home. Ahh, the joys of technology!

One Month from Today!

2011-01-28T19:53:00.000-05:00

Today is January 28, 2011. What is one month from today? One month from today is February 28. And what is February 28? February 28 is the day on which my book is supposed to be completed. Help!

I finished chapter 10 this evening before leaving work. And I have one sentence written in chapter 11. I must write at least 12 chapters, plus acknowledgments. I would like to write a lengthy appendix as well, listing each of the projects we've undertaken through the years. But I'm pretty certain that will not happen. Up until now, I've been spending about four weeks on each chapter. So you see, I'm up against a wall.

As I left the office this evening at about 6:05, I said to my (South Korean) housemate, who was still working there, "I'm wiped out!"

She replied, "I'd like to say that word but I can not."

"Why not?" I asked.

"I still have work to do," she replied.

Well, guess what! So do I.

I have some friends who are dangling a carrot in front of my nose. They're planning to take me to Roanoke and Williamsburg, Virginia, near the end of March. It's supposed to be a sort of reward. I have friends living in Roanoke, and I've always wanted to see Williamsburg.

Please pray for me as I enter the home stretch. I need courage and strength, and the ability to think clearly.

On an entirely different note, we're scheduled to have another snowfall this evening. We've not had nearly as much snow as usual, but we've had snow almost every day this month in small amounts. I'm ready for sunshine.

Moving Forward!

2011-01-15T21:31:00.000-05:00

It's mid-January, meaning I have about six weeks remaining to finish the book. I'm moving forward, although probably not as quickly as I should be. I am at the midway point in chapter 10, leaving me with at least two and a half more chapters to do, plus acknowledgments. I've run up against a major obstacle, which I'll not go into here. Please continue to pray.

Rejoice and Be Glad with Me!

2011-01-06T20:21:00.000-05:00

I've just reread part of my last post, written on December 24, in which I said I hoped to finish chapter nine that day. Well, I was unsuccessful, not completing it until this afternoon. Since I wrote that, I've traveled 1,000 miles down to visit my younger sister and her family. I've gotten acquainted with two new great-nephews, shared Christmas joys with my family, celebrated the "Schulte Christmas" which is an occasion when both of my sisters and as many of their offspring as possible, get together.

I've traveled back to Michigan through darkness and snow, appreciating the Lord's protection as I drove. I've rejoiced that even though I'm ten years older than I was when I moved here in 2000, I was still able to make the trip alone. I've picked up a respiratory infection that has put me down for a few days. But, most of all I've thanked God that He gave us the indescribable gift of His Son, which is the center of our celebration.

Now, it's time to move on to chapter ten. Please continue to pray. I have less than two months left in which I must write at least three more chapters, acknowledgments, and a detailed appendix, if possible. And until now, it's been taking me at least a month to write each chapter. It doesn't take an advanced mathematician to see that I'm running out of time. So, I need your prayers in order to be able to write faster than ever before. May I count on that?

Also, please pray that those from whom I'm waiting on information in order to complete chapters, will get that info to me as soon as possible. Thank you for walking this journey with me.

Christmas Greetings to You

2010-12-24T11:11:00.000-05:00

It's Christmas Eve morning, and I'm enjoying a semi-quiet day. I'm preparing some of my favorite Constant Comment tea, while my four-footed baby alternately plays at my feet and kills her little three inch Teddy bear.

I should be writing, and I will be before much longer. I wrote until late last night/early this morning, and would love to finish chapter nine today and tomorrow, although I doubt I will succeed. For the first time ever, I'll be attending a Christmas Eve service at our church this evening, Lord willing.

I met friends yesterday evening at the Olive Garden. It was good to catch up on their news since they've moved out of town. Having their missionary daughter with them gave our time of food and fellowship an added dimension.

Let me give you my Christmas greetings, wishing you and yours a Christ-filled CHRISTmas. May you know the joy and peace that comes from having Him in the center of your life.

Please continue to pray for progress on the book. And that it will honor the Lord, which is the only reason for writing it.

It's Here, Ready or Not!

2010-12-01T20:29:00.002-05:00

As you can see from this radar view, courtesy of WOODTV8, we have snow throughout our area. It's December, so we should expect this, but I wasn't ready for it.

From the sound of news reports around here, I wasn't the only one who wasn't ready. At one point this morning, there was a nine-car pile-up in Grand Rapids. I'm glad I wasn't one of the people involved in that mess. Once I got into my garage this evening, I thanked the Lord profusely that I had arrived home safely.

I'm working on chapter eight of the history book, more than half done with it. Please continue to pray with me as I persist in my work, plowing my way through the historical documents. I'm enjoying the process, but wish I had a few more months in which to complete the project. The deadline for me is the end of February. It needs to be done by that time because we want to have it for our 30th anniversary which is July 15, 2011. Pray that I'll not only be able to complete it on time, but that it will be God-honoring.

Rough Draft of Another Chapter Completed!

2010-11-21T21:37:00.000-05:00

Rejoice with me that I've finished the rough draft of chapter seven this evening. I'm more than halfway through the rough drafts if I write only 12 chapters. I'm halfway through if I write 13 chapters, as I'd like. However, I continue to spend four weeks on each chapter and you can do the math as well as I. There are not enough weeks left if this is to be finished by the end of February, as I've been told it needs to be. Please be in prayer for me. I got up shortly after five this morning because I couldn't sleep. Besides, I had determined that I must finish chapter seven today. Please pray that I'll be able to get through these chapters more quickly.

The meteorologists are predicting that we will have measurable snow, and perhaps treacherous driving, on Thanksgiving Day and the day afterward. I've been invited to go to Jackson, Michigan, to celebrate Thanksgiving Day there. Since the drive takes more than an hour, close to two hours I think, I'll be staying in my little house alone with my sweet Snookums if it is slick, or if the radar shows approaching snow. Maybe the Lord would keep me here so that I can get more writing done.

Bibles International is poised to begin three new translation projects that are projected to be among the most expensive we've ever undertaken, and Michigan continues to be in a financial slump, as does much of the country. Pray with us for God's provision for His work here.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving. Remember to thank Him for all He's given you.

Finally!

2010-10-29T21:58:00.002-04:00

Today I finally finished the sixth of at least 12 chapters of the history book, except for some information I'm awaiting from two individuals. I had to drop a segment of information into chapter three because one of my proofreaders noticed I'd forgotten something important, so that took a bit of editing. Now chapters one through three are with an outside editor. I finished corrections suggested by the second proofreader in chapter four, and sent that chapter on to the director for his comments. Chapter five is with my first proofreader. If this is as confusing to you as it is to me, I can understand. I have to make a list of which step I'm in with each chapter or I would certainly forget.

I've started, but just barely, chapter seven. I'm way behind schedule because of being sick with bronchitis and sinusitis for almost two weeks. Two weeks ago this evening I was in the ER. I'm thankful that except for an occasional cough, I'm back up to speed, I think.

Thank you to all who sent birthday cards and gifts. Yes, another birthday has rolled around. BI's director recently told us that we must each work until we're 80, so I still have several more years to go--in fact, more than a decade! Since I love what I'm doing (most of the time) and am so thankful to be involved in getting Scriptures into the hands of those who've never before had them, I want to work as long as the Lord gives me strength. Thank you to those of you who are helping to make this possible.

Ta Dah! Here She Is!

2010-10-06T21:52:00.000-04:00

This is my new baby, Snookums. She is now three months old and weighs 24 ounces.

She prefers that I spoon feed her or allow her to eat her kibble from my hand. May I hasten to say that I don't always oblige her in her wants.

I've been accused of spoiling her. Would you agree? Surely not!

On a more serious note, I continue to plod through the sixth of at least 12 chapters of the book. Please continue to pray for me.

PRAYER and PRAISE, SEPTEMBER 2010

2010-09-30T17:35:00.002-04:00

PRAYER and PRAISE, SEPTEMBER 2010

Dear Supporters and Friends,

The past months have been some of the busiest in my life. Thank you for those of you who have prayed faithfully for me throughout this time. Without your prayers and support, I could not continue this ministry.

PRAISES

The staff had a wonderful time of blessing at our annual meeting in August at The Shack, a beautiful bed and breakfast north of Grand Rapids, where we gather each year. Pastor David Pennington from South Bend, Indiana, blessed us as he spoke on the theme, “Walk Worthy of the Lord.” Besides the blessings from the Word, the food and fellowship were also terrific, as is the setting. This is always one of the highlights of the year for me.
For two weeks during the month of June, a couple from one of my supporting churches in Indiana came to work with me here at BI. What a blessing to have Cal and Bobbi Biddle from the First Baptist Church of Princeton, Indiana, working with us. Bobbi’s work was primarily in the stewardship department. Cal worked with me doing research for the history book I’ve been assigned to write. I was sorry to see them go. Thank the Lord, with me for their help while they were here. Since they are Cedarville grads from my class, it was fun reminiscing about many things that happened some forty years ago!
Thank the Lord for a new volunteer who has begun coming into the office three days/week to help us. He is a recent retiree from Zondervan, understands publication, and is a blessing.

PRAYER

As you know, the economy in the state of Michigan is in a deplorable condition. Because many of our donors are from Michigan, and because other parts of the US are also feeling the economic pinch, our donations are significantly less than they have been in past years. Please pray with us that the Lord will continue to supply our needs. We have always been dependent on Him; that is nothing new. Perhaps we’re more aware of this now than we have been in the past.
Pray for our staff, many of whom travel frequently. They are often away from spouses and in less than ideal circumstances. In spite of this, the Lord has given safety in travels and good health for the most part.
Pray that the Lord will continue to help me in my ministry. Because of current assignments and looming deadlines, I’m experiencing some stress. Pray that I’ll give the Lord my burdens, allowing Him to carry them for me. One of the major sources of stress is the approaching deadline for the history book I’ve been commissioned to write. I’m making progress, but am behind schedule.
We have three Scriptures (one Bible and two New Testaments) that are in the formatting stage before going to the printer. Ask the Lord to help those involved in the formatting to see any errors and correct them before the manuscript goes to print. The Bible is in the Bengali script, which makes that work more complicated. People have spent countless hours on that Bible, and the work is still not completed.
As of September 21, the Ladies’ Bible Study I lead has resumed meeting. We are studying three of the minor prophets this year and have some new members. Pray for me as I lead, and for all of us, that we’ll grow spiritually.

I am so grateful that you are a part of my team. God bless you for enabling me to have the rich privilege of working here at Bibles International. When we stand before the Lord, you will share equally in the rewards He gives to His children. Won’t that be a glorious day? And think of those who will join us at the throne because they read and understood the Gospel from one of the Scripture portions which BI helped to produce!

The Latest News

2010-09-25T15:56:00.002-04:00

You must have wondered if I've dropped off the face of the earth. I have not; I've just been very busy.

In my last post I told you about the loss of my little Precious. Oh, how I missed her after she was gone. Because I was grieving so much, several of my family members suggested that I get a new puppy. In fact, they paid for her.

Let me tell you a bit about my new baby. She is also a Yorkie, who was only 9 1/2 weeks old when I got her. She weighed only 21 ounces when she came to my home. She looks very much like Precious. In fact, it would be hard to tell them apart if they were side by side and the same size, I think. My new baby's name is Snookums. But truthfully, I often call her Precious by mistake.

I continue to work on the history of BI. As of a few minutes ago, I've finished the fifth chapter. Since the book will be at least 12 chapters, assuming each of them is about the same size, I'm approximately 41% done with the writing. There remains endless editing, rearranging, correcting, etc. Please continue to pray.

Precious--My Baby

2010-08-30T17:03:00.000-04:00

I know I've used both of these picture before, but please humor me. I'm sure you won't believe this, and I can hardly believe it myself. Precious has been with my friend, someone I've known since we went to school together many years ago. Linda is a dog trainer, and she was working with Precious on potty training.

This morning when she went to get Precious out of her crate, she found that Precious had died during the night! My sweet little baby is gone. I've been crying buckets, and I have to quit because that increases my vertigo and head pain, which I'm already struggling with. Precious was such a sweet puppy, just the perfect size for me. Linda immediately called her vet who told her that often small dogs have undetected heart problems. I had noticed she often coughed, and that bothered me a bit. I know that in people a cough is often symptomatic of heart problems. In retrospect, I wonder if that is why she had the cough.

I'm angry with myself that I'm so upset over an animal, but believe me, this is not easy! I need your prayers. For one thing, pray that I'll be able to quit crying. And pray that I'll learn the lessons the Lord wants me to learn. He doesn't put us through pain for nothing. I will miss my little Precious. In fact, I already do!

A Quick Update

2010-08-22T21:21:00.002-04:00

I want to give just a brief update. I finished the rough draft of chapter three of the Bibles International history book yesterday afternoon and emailed it to my first proofreader. The director, my third proofreader, is supposed to send chapter two back to me tomorrow. I started chapter four yesterday afternoon, although I got less than one page done on that chapter. I must pick up the pace in order to get this work done by February, which is my deadline. Pray with me about that, please.

My housemate, Hye Ree, is from Seoul, Korea. She plans to fly home tomorrow for the first time in two years. She and her family will be celebrating her father's 70th birthday. Pray she'll have safe travel as she goes. Her flight will be direct from Chicago, lasting 13 1/2 hours, if all goes well.

August Events

2010-08-18T16:44:00.000-04:00

We've just returned from our annual meeting at the Shack, a lovely B&B north of Grand Rapids. I'm so thankful Bibles International requires us to go there. Otherwise, I would never be able to afford this lovely retreat. As always, the thing that was the highlight for me was the time on the back veranda (is that a word used only about porches in Africa?) where I had my personal devotions overlooking this beautiful lake. This is such a lovely setting and so quiet and peaceful. May it continue to thrive!

This year, Dr. David Pennington, a pastor from South Bend, Indiana, spoke to us. His messages, taken from Ephesians chapters four and five, were so profound. I'm praying I'll be able to put some of the things into practice that he challenged us to do in our walk with the Lord.

While I was at the Shack, my Precious was vacationing, too. She has been at the Dog House in Stevensville, Michigan, where my friend is working on training her. I know I'm biased, but isn't she an adorable little thing? She is now 13 months old and continuing to grow a bit, in spite of the fact that I would have preferred her to stay a bit smaller than she is. She's not quite 3 1/2 pounds.

While at the Shack, I got a bit of work done on my writing project, although not as much as I had hoped. I'm still working on chapter three. Pray I'll be able to finish is by the end of this week. I do need your prayers for this project. God bless you if you're already praying about it!

God is SO Good!

2010-08-15T20:45:00.003-04:00

This has been such an interesting day. I had been planning to take my puppy to meet someone this afternoon, so that this friend could keep Precious while I'm gone to our annual meeting at the Shack, a lovely B&B north of Grand Rapids. I've known Linda, my friend, since school days. She is about five years younger than I, but in the small-town school we attended, we were all in the same location. Later, when I was on staff at Cedarville (College, at that time) now University, she was a student there. We both came from the same little Baptist church. But we haven't seen each other in what she says is 30 years. She found me on Facebook last year, and we've talked about getting together since then. Linda is a dog trainer, and since Precious is a typical, strong-willed Yorkie, I'm looking for some help training her. So we decided that Precious would spend this time at Linda's business, called the Dog House.

Linda lives in southwest Michigan, but miles from me. So she researched a halfway point between my house and hers. We decided to meet at Mattawan at a coffee shop. I was very uneasy about driving there, although I'm not sure why. After lunch time today I finally thought of someone who might be willing to ride along with me. That was of the Lord! I called Sarah, and she agreed to ride with me.

If Sarah had not been with me, I would not have seen the "coffee shop" which turned out to be inside a Shell service station. We were to meet Linda at 4:00. We arrived at 3:55. When she had not yet arrived at 4:15 or 4:20, I decided I'd better call her. I pulled out my cell phone, only to find that I had no service in that area. We knew Sarah had service, because she had gotten a phone call while we waited. So we called Linda, using Sarah's cell phone. Linda had not been able to locate the coffee shop we had agreed on, so she was sitting at another coffee shop, thinking maybe I would go there since the designated one seemed not to be in existence. I'm soooo thankful Sarah was with me. Linda arrived within five minutes of the phone call. We transferred Precious, I told her a bit about her and transferred her crate and food, etc. and we were off again. Unfortunately, we didn't even have time to catch up on news.

Sarah and I came flying back to Grand Rapids because we had two young ladies, one a high school-er, and one a college student, giving a report on the missions trip they took in June. They had gone to the hospital at Koumra, Chad, Africa, the very hospital at which I had my first overseas experience. Sarah had been there as well several years ago, so it was very interesting for both of us. The girls did a very good job. They presented their work, and what the Lord had done in their lives during their time there. It brought back many memories for me. Most of their support came from our church and individual members. The pastor said after the presentation, "Don't you think our money was well invested?" It certainly was.

Let me give you a bit of a report on my history-writing project. My second chapter has gone through the first two proofreaders, and has now been sent to the director. I'm still working on the third chapter. It is taking so much more time than the first two did. I anticipate 13 chapters, so you can see I still have quite a ways to go. Please continue to pray with me about this.

Also pray for us as we members of Bibles International go to our annual meeting tomorrow. Pray for physical, emotional, and spiritual refreshment.

Thank you for your prayers on my behalf. And while you're praying, thank the Lord, as I have been doing, for sending Sarah with me this afternoon. Without her, the afternoon would have been much more complicated and frustrating.

Incremental Progress

2010-08-11T21:27:00.002-04:00

I continue to make incremental progress on my most major project, the Bibles International history book. My first proofreader finished reading and marking the second chapter today. I made the changes she suggested and then sent it winging its way through cyberspace to the second proofreader. Meanwhile, I continued my work on the third chapter. I've been working on it for weeks, and am still only in 1986. That chapter goes half way through 1987, so I still have about a year's material to cover. (Our organization was founded in the middle of the year, so I'm breaking my chapters according to our organizational calendar.)

There was an electrical storm near Bibles International this morning. Lightning apparently hit something near the office, causing the power to go out. In our building it is really dark without lights. The restrooms have no windows, for example. The a/c shuts down, of course, as do our most important tools, our computers. The power went off at about 9:50. We have break time and devotions at 10:00 normally. The lunch room, where we gather for that, has a window. We had candles on each table and the man who read from the Bible read by flashlight. Bob, the man in charge, told us that we could go home if the power had not come back on by 11:00. It hadn't, so I think everyone went home except Bob. I assume he stayed to see if the power company would come.

So I worked at home for the rest of the day. Fortunately, I have the chapters of my book on a jump drive, so it was easy to bring that home. I brought the research materials from which I was writing as well. I called the office late this afternoon and the phone system was working, so I assume the power had been restored by that time. It looks like we'll all be back at work tomorrow, Lord willing.

Working at home today allowed me to be aided by my four-footed assistant, which makes life interesting if not terribly efficient.

God's blessings on each one of you.

Odds and Ends

2010-08-06T21:14:00.002-04:00

Another workweek has ended and I'm very tired. But the wonderful part is that we're now one week closer to the Lord's return than we were a week ago. How I long for that day! I trust you're looking forward to it too. If not, you could be. Ask me how to have the confidence that you'll meet the Lord in the air when He comes for His Bride, the Church. I'll be glad to tell you. It's not a secret.

Last week at this time, I was working on chapter three in my book. At this point, I'm still working on chapter three. I've done two very interesting interviews this week, one on Tuesday evening and one this afternoon. Both of the interviewees are early volunteers/employees of Bibles International. Each of them gave me an interesting perspective I'd not heard before. These interviews are invaluable.

One of the administrative assistants at Bibles International had a grandson born about a month ago with a diaphragmatic hernia. He had surgery within 24 hours of his birth, and did well following the surgery. But he was never able to leave the NICU, and his young parents never got to hold him until he was dying last Sunday night. His funeral is tomorrow. One of the other Bibles International missionaries and I plan to attend the funeral. Pray for his young parents. He was their firstborn.

Today has been such a pleasant day. Praise the Lord! I know our weather has not been as bad as it has been further south, but it certainly has been hot and humid, nonetheless. I'm so thankful that I can open the windows and let some of the cool, pleasant air come in this evening. I think it will be a good night for sleeping.

God bless you, each one.

Progress--I Think!

2010-08-01T22:15:00.002-04:00

I'm making progress on the book, I think. Chapter one has been proofread by two very trusted proofreaders and is now in the hands of the director. Chapter two is in the hands of the first proofreader. I'm working on the third chapter, but need wisdom as I try to decide how to handle some issues. Please continue to pray.

My proofreading mentor has agreed to do a final edit on the material before it goes to print. I'm delighted she has agreed to do this. Her work will make mine better, I believe.

Writing Continues

2010-07-25T19:48:00.000-04:00

I continue writing the history book, along with other responsibilities I have these days. It may not be immediately obvious to you as you look at this picture, but every surface in my work space is covered with papers. That includes the chair behind me. No space is untouched! I have finished the rough draft of the first two chapters, taking me through the middle of 1984. But that leaves 27 more years to write about, including next year. Please continue to pray. I have had both encouraging words and some not so encouraging this past week. Pray that I'll keep my focus on the task before me, not allowing discouragements to stop the progress.

Some of you prayed for me as I went to Oakfield Baptist Church today. This is a church about 35 miles from here, one of two supporting churches in Michigan. It was good to be with them again and fellowship together over a potluck dinner. The food was delicious and the fellowship was sweet. The best part was that I had no vertigo nor pressure in my head until after I returned home. For those of you who prayed about that, thank you.

My little Yorkie, Precious, was a year old July 15. I took her to the veterinarian to have her weighed so I would know how much she weighed at that age. She is still three pounds and three ounces. Since she is now a year old, and since she hasn't gained weight in the past couple of months, I assume she has reached her full growth. She's just a little handful, and I continue to enjoy her.

The Current Status of the History Book

2010-07-17T21:45:00.003-04:00

My Indiana helpers, Cal and Bobbi Biddle, left to go back home yesterday afternoon. Thank the Lord with me for their help. It was so good to have them here working with me. We got a huge amount done. But there remains a huge amount to do.

When I left yesterday afternoon, I felt like I had completed the first 2 1/2 years. When I got back to the office today, I found so much good material that needed to be included that I worked five more hours to get through it. I'm concerned that I may forget some major event or some key player. Pray for me, please. Pray for good health. Pray for a clear mind to recall things that need to be included. Pray that I'll remember all key players. Pray that the Lord will be glorified through it all. Thanks for being my prayer warriors.

Pray, too, as I go to speak in one of my supporting churches in this area, next Sunday, July 25--Oakfield Baptist Church. I'm not yet sure what I should present there. Pray that it will become clear to me in time that I can prepare adequately.

Just a Quick Update

2010-07-13T20:20:00.002-04:00

No pics tonight, friends. Just a quick update to tell you where I am in my writing project. After about 15 drafts of the first chapter of the history book, I've moved on to chapter 2, and have made it through the end of 1982. Don't any of you laugh! At least I'm putting words on the paper.

My southern Indiana assistant continues to do research and hands me information that I need right where I am in the writing process, from time to time. Praise God for the help Cal and Bobbi are providing, even though she is working mostly on another project. It has definitely increased the speed at which I'm able to work.

Please continue to pray. Ask the Lord to bring to my mind the things I must include, to give me wisdom to write it fairly and clearly, and to do everything in such a way that the Lord will be glorified. Please pray too that I'll not be bothered with vertigo or pressure in my head from my sinuses.

And thank the Lord that during this period of time, meals have been provided for almost every meal except breakfast. What a blessing for a non-cook!

Amazing!

2010-07-10T15:12:00.004-04:00

It was a time in my life that was so painful and embarrassing, I rarely ever speak of it. In fact, I try not to think about it. But about a year ago, the Lord laid it on my heart to write about it and submit the article to one of the Christian editors with whom I've worked in the past. I did so using a pseudonym because I didn't want to be identified publicly with the event. The editor accepted the article and published it in her Christian publication in February, five months ago, using the pseudonym.

Today I went to the mailbox. There was one envelope in the box--a letter from this editor. When I opened the envelope, there were two letters inside. One was from the editor, explaining that a letter had come from a reader, expressing her thanks for this article. The editor had also included the letter from the reader, who said she had experienced a similar, painful event, and was still suffering from it. The article had given her hope that she could still serve the Lord in spite of what she had experienced. The editor told me she would respond to the reader, and I could do so also if I wished.

God is an amazing God! He laid it upon my heart to share this experience last year. It was published in February of this year, and five months later, just when I'm agonizing over whether or not He can use my skills to write the history of Bibles International, I get a letter from both an editor and a reader, encouraging me to continue to write for His glory. Amazing! Simply amazing!

My Assistants

2010-07-10T00:58:00.000-04:00

These pictures show you two of my assistants. I'm so thankful for the arrival of Bobbi and Cal Biddle, classmates of mine at Cedarville. Cal is chairman of the deacon board at First Baptist Church of Princeton, Indiana, one of my supporting churches.

They arrived late last Saturday afternoon, coming to help me with the history-writing project. It turns out that Bobbi has been asked to help with another project at Bibles International, but Cal and I are working away on the book. He is doing research and organizing some of the materials I've already set aside in my research.

While he's been doing that, I've been polishing the first chapter, "Before the World Began." I think I'm up to about the ninth draft of the first chapter. I've also begun work on the second chapter, "In the Beginning."
The first chapter speaks to the question: Why have another Bible society? The second chapter answers the question: How do you start a Bible society?

Please continue to pray about work on the history book. I do need your prayers.

Today ended what was reported to be a very successful consultant seminar in our office. The main speaker was Dr. Ettien Koffi, a linguist teaching at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Dr. Koffi is an Ivorian and is working on translating the Bible into his mother tongue, Agni. Seeing and hearing him made me homesick for Ivory Coast.

Because I'm not a consultant, I don't attend the seminar, but it's always fun to have the consultants in the office. These are people that we usually see no more than once a year, so it's good to have this opportunity to fellowship with them.

As you can see, I have another assistant when I work at home! My little Precious often sits on my lap when I work on the laptop at home. Sometimes she sits on the keyboard.

Rejoice with Me!

2010-06-27T21:59:00.002-04:00

I'm going to post a short update for those not on Facebook. As I said there, I have "a cloud the size of a man's hand (1 Kings 18:44)" to report. After years of interviewing, researching, brainstorming, planning, etc. I have finally written a rough draft of the first chapter of the history book I've been commissioned to write. It still needs much editing/proofreading, but it's a start and definitely cause for rejoicing. I'm grateful that I've gotten this far.

I still have lots of researching, brainstorming, and planning to do, and a few more interviews, but I feel I've made some significant progress having written this first chapter. But please continue to pray. There is still much to be done.

My friends, Cal and Bobbi Biddle should arrive on Saturday to begin helping me with the project. Pray that I'll be able to utilize their abilities and gifts to the best advantage and that they'll find this to be a satisfying project.

Rejoice with Me, Please!

2010-06-15T21:00:00.000-04:00

On April 27, 2009, and June 3, 2009, I had two related outpatient surgeries. I had jumped through all the necessary hoops before scheduling the procedures including precertification, etc. The procedures totaled $57,474.55, which was far more than I expected, but I had insurance so I expected all would be fine. After all, that's why we pay monthly insurance premiums, isn't it?

Throughout the rest of 2009, the hospital and the insurance company negotiated a settlement of these two bills. The insurance company paid a fraction of the total cost, but I assumed that since they had paid something, the hospital would write off the rest.

In December, I received a phone call from the patient accounts representative at the hospital. "Elaine, what do you plan to do about your bill with us? You've got to begin paying on it." Really? I thought that's what insurance companies did.

I contacted the Baptist Mid-Missions insurance man. He informed me I would have to file an appeal. But my doctor had moved from her previous practice and I couldn't locate her new office. "Elaine, you'll have to have a letter of medical necessity from your doctor. You won't win this appeal without it."

After much prayer particularly by the ladies in my Bible study, the doctor was finally located in February 2010. She was amazed to learn that the procedures had not been paid.

I met with her, then with one of her associates, who walked me through the appeal process. I sent the appeal on March 9, 2010.

Five weeks later, when the insurance company had not even acknowledged receipt of my appeal materials, BMM's insurance man again contacted the insurance company. "They haven't received an appeal," he told me. It "had been lost."

I resubmitted the entire packet of information and sent it by registered mail, an expensive procedure.

Three weeks ago, the BMM insurance man called me. "Elaine, are you sitting down? The insurance company has reversed their decision. They've paid $5,000." But would the hospital accept $5,000 when the total bill was for almost $57,500?

Today, I received a copy of the Explanation of Benefits as seen above. The insurance company paid the entire amount. The EOB states, "The patient owes $0.00 to the hospital!"

Rejoice with me! God is good and I'm so thankful this evening. I'm grateful for this resolution to a problem that has been weighing heavily on me. I should rest well tonight!

The Writing has Begun!

2010-06-13T21:12:00.004-04:00

A dear friend recently wrote me saying that I hadn't updated my blog recently. The reason I haven't is twofold. First of all, I'm busy. But also, one of my nieces told me years ago that people wouldn't read my blog if I didn't use pictures, and I'm having trouble transferring pictures from my camera to my computer.

So, here goes an update without a picture. Please forgive me!

We're had a major event through Bibles International. Our director recently returned from Ghana where the Waalii Bible was dedicated for the Waala people. These poor people have waited many years for this Bible in their language. They are being challenged to read through the Bible in one year, now that they have it in their heart language--a real challenge since some of them are beginning readers!

And now for some personal news: I have finally begun writing the history of Bibles International. That's right--I've begun writing, although I have only finished two pages. But they were important pages because I've decided on the format, and how to include endnotes from atypical sources such as interviews and undated brochures. I could find nothing in my reference books about how to note those kinds of sources. I'm not finished with the research, but I've decided that I must begin writing now in order to finish it by the deadline: February 2011. Please continue praying.

I need to mention that as I key this into the computer, I'm being "helped" by Precious. She continues to give me much pleasure and I often thank the Lord for her.

My Precious is Growing Up!

2010-05-22T12:32:00.002-04:00

When I got my little Precious in November she looked, as one of my neighbors said, like a little fur ball. Now, as you can see, she's beginning to look like a puppy. I just had her weighed this morning and she's up to 3 pounds, 3 ounces--already bigger than I wanted her to be. (I have to take her to the vet to be weighed, because I don't have a scales small enough to weigh her. Thankfully, they don't charge to weigh her.) But I sure enjoy having her. She really is precious.

Work continues to go on! We have one man leaving today to go to Peru and another leaving to go to Ghana for the dedication of the Waalii Bible, which has been a long time coming. That dedication is next weekend, and people will be rejoicing at receiving their Bible after years of waiting for it.

I continue researching for the history, among other things. I'm delighted that a couple from one of my supporting churches is planning to come up for the month of July to help me with the work on the book. I certainly feel a need for your prayers, probably now more than ever.

Praise the Lord for a housemate. Hye Ree moved in about 10 days ago, after earning her doctorate from Bob Jones University. She is working with us at Bibles International for the next year. Pray for adjustment to this new environment. And pray that she'll feel a real sense of satisfaction in serving the Lord with us at BI.

Our Host and Hostess outside Eckerman, Michigan

2010-04-26T20:02:00.002-04:00

During my first year in Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) I was mentored at the big Baptist Hospital in Ferkessedougou. Two of my mentors were Dr. Dwight and Barb Slater. (Barb was an RN.) Not only did they mentor me during that time, but they were our host and hostess during my mini vacation in the Upper Peninsula. (I went up to the UP with another missionary nurse/mentor, Robin Hampton.) Without the help of these three missionaries, and others like them, I would not have known how to open and run a dispensary in the southwestern part of that country. So, I'm very grateful for these people who cared enough to help me.

I'd not seen the Slaters for about 25 years, so it was good to visit with them.

My Mini Vacation to the Upper Peninsula

2010-04-26T19:33:00.003-04:00

Tahquamenon Falls (notice the root-beer color)

Lake Superior with Canada in the right background

Whitecaps on the south shore of Lake Superior

I truly enjoyed my visit to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
While the scenery was wonderful, the visits with missionary
friends were even better. If I can manage the technology,
I'll put pictures of those friends up in another post.

Research Continues

2010-04-18T22:18:00.002-04:00

I'm still doing research on the history of Bibles International, the organization with which I've been serving since 1998. It is to be a thorough, detailed history of this organization that will be 30 years old next year. We hope to have a celebration that will remind all those interested that this is an organization/mission started by missionaries who knew nothing about starting a Bible society, but determined to follow God's leading and watch Him build this organization from the ground up.

In order to be able to write this book, I'm reading through hundreds of thousands of pages of historical documents. My research time is running out, since I'm to have completed the writing by the end of February. Please pray with me. Pray that I'll know when I must stop researching and start writing. Pray that the Lord will lead me to the documents that are of greatest importance. Most of all, pray that I'll be able to demonstrate the faithfulness of God to our organization, Bibles International, and its parent mission, Baptist Mid-Missions, throughout these past years. I want this book to honor Him.

Praise God, Spring is Coming even in Michigan!

2010-03-25T19:59:00.003-04:00

Each winter since I've been living in Grand Rapids there has come a time that I've been so tired of snow I could hardly stand the thought of more of it. So imagine my excitement when I saw crocuses in bloom as I drove home from work yesterday. Praise God! He has been faithful again, for He has promised that seasons would change every year. "While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease" (Genesis 8:22).

I would truly appreciate your prayers. I'm still doing research for the detailed history book I'm to write regarding the work of Bibles International. There are still hundreds of thousands of pages of historical documents that I feel I need to read, but time is running out. The book is to be completed by July 2011. That means I'll have to have completed the writing months before then. Pray that the Lord will give me wisdom to know when to quit researching, when to begin writing, and what I should write. I want to honor Him, for without Him, Bibles International would never have come into existence. Ask Him to help me be able to show what a big God we serve!

Thank you for praying with me about this.

The Way it Looks up Here!

2010-02-26T19:06:00.000-05:00

I wish I could have taken this with a car sitting in the foreground or something to give you perspective. This is the snow piled up behind the parking lot at Bibles International. I took this picture on Monday. Since then, it has snowed three out of four days. I would guess that the height of the piles of snow is probably about 17 feet, but I'm pretty poor at estimating heights, so I may be off by several feet either way.

At this time of the year, where to pile the snow becomes a problem any year that we have average or greater snowfall (average is 72 inches/season in Grand Rapids). The most obvious problem is where to push the snow at the edge of a parking lot that butts up against a street. There is a church parking lot less than a mile from my home where they have pushed the snow into the corner. The only problem is that one has to advance out into the street in order to see if there is a car coming on the street that has the right of way. I'm sure our problems are minor compared to those on the eastern seaboard. All I can do is tell you what it looks like here.

On an entirely different note, I'm battling a cold/sore throat/cough/sinus problem and would appreciate your prayers. We've been passing this around the office on an equal-opportunity basis. Some are sicker than I. Would you pray that we'd all get well and be able to come up to full speed, so that we could continue the Lord's work without being hampered by this?

This is a really exciting time at BI. Dedications of Scriptures have occurred for two languages and another is scheduled in May. But when the Lord is at work, the devil works too. We are facing a challenging time in our finances. The Lord has always taken care of His work, and we can trust Him now, as always. But we would appreciate your prayers.

Haitian Heartache

2010-01-15T18:01:00.004-05:00

I'm unhappy with how these pictures loaded, but that's minor compared to the heartache and tragedy taking place in Haiti. These pictures, and others like them, were emailed to us today by the main translator of the Haitian Creole Old Testament project with which we're currently working.

I don't have his permission to quote from his email, because it's too difficult to get emails back and forth, but since I'm using it to ask for prayer for the Haitian people, I'm sure he would not care that I'm using it.

I'm going to quote it verbatim for the most part.

Dear Prayer Partner,

It is with great grief and sorrow that I write you today to let you know how I and my folks are surviving through the earthquake that beats upon my country this past January 12, 2010. Haiti has never been damaged in such a heavy way. It is by God's grace only we came out from that terrible catastrophe.

I was in Hinche, my hometown, just to spend Christmas with my mother. Classes at the seminaries resumed on Monday, January 11 both in Port-au-Prince and Jacmel. So I have been back to Jacmel since Sunday evening (10th). Everything went well on Monday. Tuesday was just another day of work. [He is a professor at the seminary along with his translation work.] It was about 4:50 pm while I was teaching a class when the earthquake began. From the first three second I understood it was an earthquake, but I thought it would not have lasted. But after 5 to 6 second I realized the seriousness of it and immediately tell my students to rush outside. The building where we met was being shaken so harshly that I thought it was going to fall flat. The earthquake lasted for about 15 to 18 seconds. It amazed me that the earthquake came about as I was explaining to my students the necessity of showing the atheists (people who say that God does not exist) how and why they are wrong and heading to hell. Fortunately everybody got out safely and there is no big damage done to the building and to the church which is right beside it. However, it was during the aftershocks that we started to realize how God Almighty has spared our lives and the church building: Jacmel's downtown is almost completely destroyed, two young men from the church in Jacmel (pastor Dieupie) died. Many people lost their home, several hundreds of them poorly sheltered in the aerodrome in Jacmel, the road from Jacmel to Port-au-Prince is blocked big rocks are found all over the road. It may take several weeks, even months for that road to be repaired.

Then we heard about Port-au-Prince. When I try to call some of my folks from the seminary in Port-au-Prince I could not get hold of them. Finally I got a little bit of news: at least two buildings are seriously damaged. Pastor Pierre-Pierre [a teacher at the seminary in Port-au-Prince] came safely miraculously and the worst is that two students died and several others are injured. According to the government's estimate 100,000 people die, corps [dead bodies] are laid along many of the streets of the capital city. In fact more than half of the city is destroyed. There still are people who are calling for help from under the fallen houses and walls. This morning, I got news from my Pastor in Port-au-Prince about my church: a deacon with his daughter (about 8 years old) were killed in the earthquake; a Sunday school teacher (a young lady) dies as well. We will know more about people who die from the disaster later on.

I thank God that everyone in my family came out safe. Now the big question is how we are going to survive these difficult days. The Lord knows all about it: we have very little access to food and water and gas. Even when Port-au-Prince would have some of those things, trucks cannot get to the regional cities to bring them to us. I need much prayer: it has already been hard to [live] in Haiti and unless God steps in and do something, it will be even harder in the days to come....

Please, pray that God might have mercy on my country and help my people see the necessity of living a life for God, receiving Christ as their Savior. Please take some time to look at the pictures taken in Jacmel.

God bless you and God bless Haiti!

Daniel Telfort

I think this letter and the pictures speak for themselves. Please do pray faithfully for these suffering people, some of whom are friends of mine. We have much for which to thank the Lord here in America.

The director of Bibles International is Haitian. He tells us to imagine 9/11 and Katrina happening at the same time. Then we might have some idea of the extent of this tragedy. Since many of the government leaders have been killed and most of the government buildings are destroyed, it seems to me that Haiti's problems are worse than anything we could possibly imagine. God knows what He is doing, but I admit to wondering. Still, I love Him and trust Him implicitly.

My Baby is Growing!

2010-01-08T00:23:00.002-05:00

I thought you might enjoy seeing a recent picture of my little Precious. This little girl is proving to be such a sweet companion for me. In fact, we've bonded so much, it scares me. What would I do if I lost her? I've had other dogs, but none that meant as much to me as my little Precious. She is a real lap dog, sitting on my lap for as long as I stay seated. And she's so light; her weight is nearly imperceptible. At almost six months, she weights only two pounds and two ounces!

God has been good to give me such a loving companion. I pray we'll have many long years together.

On a completely unrelated subject, the snow is falling and the streets are miserable. I had to be out this evening until after dark. By that time, the streets had a thick coat of snow, and one had no idea where the lines were indicating where the lanes of traffic should be. I was very glad to arrive home safely.

Christmas Celebrations, 2009

2009-12-31T21:27:00.000-05:00

I'm so grateful for the family time I had over Christmas. What a privilege it was to celebrate the birth of our Savior with our family.

I tried to make a collage of these pictures, but it didn't come together. The first picture is of the three Schulte girls. Sharon, the firstborn, is kneeling, I'm the middle child, and Mary Ellen, the youngest is standing at the end of the couch.

The second picture is of our second Christmas celebration. This is the one in which all of the Norman and Leona Schulte descendants who could, came together to celebrate. We missed doing this last year. I really enjoyed being able to do it again this year.

The third picture takes place at that same celebration. It shows the two Lee girls, Rachel and Rebekah, who are now married, with one of their sisters-in-law, Octavia Lee. If you look closely, you'll see that Rebekah is holding my little Precious, who is indeed Precious.

The last picture is of my youngest sister and her husband with their Indiana grandchildren. They have one grandchild in Texas, and will soon have another, but that family was not able to attend the celebration, because of the impending birth of the second child.

Of all the gifts I received this Christmas, none was better than being able to celebrate with most of my family together. When you live alone, and away from your family, you quickly realize how special family is.

My Christmas Gift to Myself

2009-12-15T14:03:00.004-05:00

This is my early Christmas gift to myself. I have long prayed about having a little dog. I had a tiny toy poodle when I began deputation the second time, but I had to give him up because I had to travel so much.

I've had this little one about a month. When she came home with me, she weighed two pounds, 1/2 ounce. I think she's gained a significant amount of weight since then. I'm trying not to overfeed her, but I don't know how much she needs. She is a lap dog, and I love holding her on my lap when I sit. It's very comforting to hold a living being. (Those of you who are not pet lovers will not understand that statement. Those of you who are, will understand completely!) It feels almost as if I have a human with me. Even though she is so tiny, she is now five months old. The veterinarian tells me he thinks she will be about four pounds when full grown. The breeder, because she knew I wanted a small dog, told me she would be only 2 1/2 to 3 pounds when full grown. In any case, I enjoy her tiny size, although I have to watch her closely when she's around my feet. I could easily trip over her, injuring both of us, because she's so tiny. She is very quick as well.

Her name is Precious. She is a Yorkie.

Although I'm enjoying this gift to myself, there is a much better gift I'm enjoying much more--the gift of Jesus Christ, come to be our Savior! And that gift came from God, the Father. He loved His Son very much, but He was willing to give Him as a gift to any who believe Him, to those who call on His name. That is the gift I'll celebrate the most this Christmas season.

Our First Major Snowfall

2009-12-04T20:02:00.000-05:00

As I've said on my Facebook account, I think the meteorologists in this area major on sensationalism. I've long since learned to take what they predict with a grain of salt. So I don't suppose anyone was more surprised than I when the first measurable snowfall of the season started falling last night. I estimate that we got between 4-6 inches at my home, but within this area, I've heard some people got 16 inches. Help! The biggest problem with snowfalls such as these is my inability to walk in the snow. While I'm not a fan of driving in it, that is much easier for me than trying to stay on my feet. Tomorrow is grocery shopping day, so pray with me that the parking lot will be cleared.

In the midst of this snowfall, one of my guardian angels came over and shoveled my driveway and sidewalk. I don't know who did it, but I'm grateful for him or her. I usually do not even hear him or her doing it--I just look out and see it has been done. Bless that person!

I've been on vacation yesterday and today. I intended to spend the days vacationing in my home, relaxing and reading. But the Lord had other ideas for me. Before I was even out of bed yesterday morning, I got a call asking me to do a freelance proofreading job. Since I try not to turn those down unless I'm facing a crisis, I quickly got myself together and picked up the job. It's a Bible with 1573 pages including helps, and I'm just over half way through it. I would have made more progress except for the migraine headache with which I awakened this morning. I have no idea why I had the headache. About half of the time, I can go back and trace probable reasons, but this one seems to have no logical reason.Well, it's now time to get back to the proofreading.

Blessings on You at Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T23:45:00.000-05:00

I trust you're all enjoying this Thanksgiving holiday. May you enjoy the day with family and friends, and a grateful heart. I plan to spend the day with coworkers Glenn and Becky Kerr and their daughter and future son-in-law. I hear there will be lots of good food and some football on the agenda.

God has blessed us richly. The greatest of these blessings is the gift of His Son. I'm very grateful for that gift that literally changed my life. I trust you have also experienced this gift. If you've not yet done so, all you need to do is cry out to Him. He's always waiting to hear such a cry.

Piano and Organ Duet

2009-11-14T20:55:00.002-05:00

Three ladies from my church and I went to an organ and piano concert last night in the Grand Rapids Public Museum (as opposed to the presidential museum just across the street that honors Grand Rapids' favorite son--former President Gerald R. Ford). The concert was very interesting. The couple putting on the concert, a husband and wife team, are Dale and Gail Zieger. (Are those their original names, or have they changed them so they have a better ring to them? I don't know.)

The organ is a huge, old Wurlitzer instrument with so many interesting sounds. My oldest niece, Susan, who often laments the languishing and approaching death of the organ, for lack of interest, would have been enthralled. What a musician Mr. Zieger is! I do not exaggerate when I say that he created sounds on the organ I didn't know it was possible to create with that instrument.

Gail arranged most of their music. She obviously plays both by note and by ear. They played a variety of music including semi-classical, patriotic, show tunes, musicals, hymns, and other genres. As one of the ladies mentioned when we were leaving, "That was the best ten dollars I ever spent. There was something there for everyone!" She's right.

Lest We Forget

2009-11-11T18:39:00.002-05:00

I, like many of you, am thankful for those who have fought for our country. One of my uncles fought in the Battle of the Bulge. At least one of my older cousins also fought in WWII. I want to express my thanks for all those who have sacrificed so much for us. If any of my readers are veterans, please accept my thanks for your service.

Particularly, let's remember the chaplains who serve men and women who are under tremendous strain. My prayer is that these chaplains will have the opportunity to lead many of our military to a saving knowledge of Christ.

Autumn Leaves in Michigan

2009-10-28T19:11:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share pictures I've taken recently in southwest Michigan.

Since God has made this fallen world such a beautiful place, I wonder what heaven will be like. The colors will be brighter, purer, and more vibrant, undoubtedly. And my hand won't be shaking when I look at those colors!

The first picture was taken at Lake Odessa. The others were taken in Holland, Michigan.