03/19/04: Tribal Update: This and that on family and translation

And in that time, if any person asks me to help, for sure, I will help him so that he passes through/( is saved)’ —Says the true God. Acts 2:21

Hi there:

This is how Acts 2:21 sounds when it is translated back to English from Tribal!! ‘Passing through’ is the Tribal way to say ‘salvation’, and ‘true’ or ‘head God’ is their way of saying God. Our God is truly: “Head of all gods”

We are all set to put the Tribal translation of the entire book of Acts through it’s final comprehension check. We leave tomorrow for our rendezvous site with the Tribal. 100’s of hours have been put in to getting Acts translated into Tribal, keyed into the computer and scrutinized carefully as the initial draft goes thru 10 different checks. We are rejoicing that the final product is coming just “around the corner. Next week we will be checking all of Acts with Hernan, our main Tribal pastor. It’s a joy to sit with him and watch his countenance as he “drinks up” each new truth. The Tribal often compare the light of the Word in their lives to holding forth a firebrand or flashlight on a trail in the night to help them see the snakes, ditches, and holes that would be a source of danger for them. So in the same way the light of the word shines forth to keep their hearts and minds from the dangers of the Enemy of their souls. Thanks for your prayers for us as we trust God to get more of those “light beams” of scripture translated into the Tribal language.

This next month is the last leg of the race to the finish line of this 4 year term on the field. Thanks for praying for strength and stamina as we pack a LOT into one month’s time. After 10 days of all-day translation checks, followed by another 9 days of 24/7 Tribal discipleship, we have a week back in the city before we finish. In that time we need to get Acts formatted for printing, get the house and paper work in order, pack and head to the US!

Our whole family is pushing hard in these days. Josh is in the process of finishing up his bachelors’ of Business Administration and Accounting now in Spring. Josie’s life keeps full as wife, mom, and being involved in women’s ministries at church. And thinking of their family, I have to tell this about Spencer, our eldest grandson: Josie called us one day and Spencer wanted to talk to 'Grandpa Dyck'. Well, as they were talking, Merrill told him, "Wow, Spencer, you are talking really good". Spencer answered, "Yeah, I have a big mouth!" What a hoot! We sure miss those little rascals!! Yes, we sure do look forward to being with them again!

Jodi is doing full time studies at Masters’ college in CA and loving it! This year she has also taken on the challenge of being a part of a mission’s group on campus. She is preparing to co-lead a short term mission’s team to Thailand for one month right after school ends. The team will be helping some ABWE missionaries there!! Then for her Fall semester she is planning to go to Israel!! Master's has a campus there!! 40 students go over there every semester. Every one who has gone raves about the Biblical studies program there! So as Jodi steps out by faith in all these new ventures, we also are being exercised in trusting the Lord for her and with her. Do you even have to wonder where this world vision comes from? Hmm, how true that the apple does not fall far from the tree!!

So that's the news on us, and our work and family. Hope I didn't bore you with all the details!! What a privilege to be able to share with you some of what God is doing here in the Tribal work. And as always, it is a blessing and joy to take this time to write you as part of the team of people God has raised up to reach the Tribal people with the Gospel. Thanks so much for your partnership in outreach to these deal tribal folks. And thanks so much too for praying for our Venezuelan (Hispanic) co-workers who are still able to be there with the Tribal; Jose and Elia, Jacinto and Ruby, and the recent new addition: Andres Diamont.

Much love and greetings to you, and we hope we can see you sometime during our furlough wanderings!

Teresa...for Merrill too