I thought some of you might be interested in this update from the Wycliffe Associates website. This project and these people are the ones I was working with on my last trip.
CURRENT PROJECT UPDATES
MADAGASCAR TRANSLATION PROJECT
More than 22 million people—most of them practice animistic worship—live in the island nation of Madagascar. Millions are living in utter spiritual darkness!
Ten different translation efforts have begun in this spiritually barren region of the world and another six are waiting to launch.
Most of the translation efforts in Madagascar are done painstakingly by hand.
Hand written notes and translations go back and forth—then the final draft can be typed.
Every verse . . . every Scripture by hand.
Imagine the time and commitment!
Two strong and very brave missionary ladies, Lioni and Bev, have been training and consulting national Bible translators in Madagascar for decades.
They are isolated and alone. Their training location has changed hands—it’s no longer available. The task is overwhelming!
A WORK IN PROGRESS
Wycliffe Associates is prepared to come alongside Leoni and Bev, and the 10 Bible translation teams with support and much-needed encouragement.
Prepared to empower them to accelerate Bible translation—we will provide a new translation training center, technology, and other resources.
Leoni and Bev have no one else to turn to for support!
Please help! The need is so great. People are waiting for even a word of Scripture. Eternity is literally on the line for millions of men, women, and children.
You are their best help. Help place the priceless Word of God in the hands of people in desperate need of truth and hope.
Without your help today NO new startups can begin in Madagascar . . .
And the current translation efforts could be stalled!
Would you prayerfully consider giving a generous gift to support Bible translation efforts for these spiritually hungry people?
Or, would you consider volunteering? Be an encouragement with your presence. Help advance Bible translation in Madagascar!
To contribute to this project, you can donate online, use the printable giving form, or call us at
1-800-THE WORD (1-800-843-9673). Thank you!
If you are interested in volunteering for this project, please complete a sign-up form.
If you wall like to see this post from the Wycliffe Associates website click this link.
http://www.wycliffeassociates.org/ministries/project.asp?id=50
Welcome to my blog. Here you can keep up to date with what I am doing and communicate with me.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
Trip Report Madagasar
Tech Advance Madagascar Trip
May 17-June 10
Welcome to Madagascar! If you like warm days and cool evenings than you might like winter here. Being located in the Southern Hemisphere, Madagascar has its winter in America’s summer.
It took me three days of flying to get to Madagascar and another day of flying to get down to Toliara. I went to Madagascar to participate in a Bible translation workshop.
My part in the workshop was to co-lead a computer training class for the national translation teams with Russ Perry. Around 30-35 pastors and church leaders participated in the computer training. Most of these individuals had never used a computer before and really looked forward to learning what I could teach them.
The goal of the computer training is to equip translation team members with the ability to use computers in the translation process. Beyond computers, I am looking into the possibility of using Bgans (Satellite Communication equipment) to facilitate communication between national translation teams and the translation project leaders. I also want to help find ways to make Bible translation self sustainable. Hopefully better communication and the use of computers can speed up the process of Bible translation for the 20 current translation projects.
There are multiple stages to translating the Bible into someone’s heart language. The first step is usually to translate Luke and use that to create a Jesus Film translation. Once Luke is done, the other gospels and letters follow; eventually followed by the Old Testament. This translation workshop was focused on Colossians. Ten different teams were present to begin a first draft of Colossians.
Each day the teams would begin with training sessions on the translation process. They would then have sessions focused on actual translation work.
South African, Irish, British, Norwegian and Dutch consultants helped train and give aid to the national translation teams; making this truly an international affair.
In the third week, some of the translation teams turned their focus to polishing the translation of Luke which had already been finished. Those teams which had already polished Luke looked to begin new projects.
Meanwhile, a couple of the translation consultants, Russ Perry and I set off to the mountains. We went to test the finished Luke translation on several villages. I was excited to find out I would be able to take a helicopter to these various villages. Andy was our Helimission pilot and he stayed with us the entire trip. Besides myself and Russ Perry; two long term Norweigan missionaries and Leoni all headed inland.
We had been worried the helicopter would be an option as weather, mechanical problems and other issues had delayed other trips. Indeed we were delayed at first with a bad fuel pump. However the excellent people at Helimission drove all night and fixed the helicopter by the next day so we could proceed.
The first village we came to was called on a hill. Here a male nurse and his family worked. This nurse is a remarkable person, so I will describe what he does briefly. He came from Antananarivo and sacrificed a much more pleasant lifestyle to work in very primitive circumstances. There was no running water, or electricity or plumbing. Bjørn and Johanna had helped build him a cement brick house and small building to act as a hospital. This single man serves hundreds of square miles as the only medical option. He gives thousands of consultations and delivers hundreds of babies every year. He also is very involved with the church and sang in a choir that greeted the translation group. He and his wife have a tremendous ministry and I can't say enough about his wonderful work.
The first order of business for our team was to test the recently completed Luke translations in the local Bari language. We wanted to see if these translations actually communicated and were understandable by the people. There was another language very similar that we wanted to test to see if the Bari translation could act as a translation for them as well; or if they would need their own translation.
Over the next several days, we traveled from Mitsinjo to Mahabu, Andranosoa and Andeka. We landed and greeted the village as they came out to the helicopter. We then walked into the village and visited the school and church. We distributed Malagasy Bibles to the local evangelist while Bjørn, Johanna and Leoni gave advise and reconnected with friends. In several of these villages, this was the first time that they had received a bible in Malagasy, or that matter a Bible at all. We were excited to be able to give them these Bibles and I look forward to the day when they can have a translation in their own heart language.
It took me three days of flying to get to Madagascar and another day of flying to get down to Toliara. I went to Madagascar to participate in a Bible translation workshop.
My part in the workshop was to co-lead a computer training class for the national translation teams with Russ Perry. Around 30-35 pastors and church leaders participated in the computer training. Most of these individuals had never used a computer before and really looked forward to learning what I could teach them.
Meanwhile, a couple of the translation consultants, Russ Perry and I set off to the mountains. We went to test the finished Luke translation on several villages. I was excited to find out I would be able to take a helicopter to these various villages. Andy was our Helimission pilot and he stayed with us the entire trip. Besides myself and Russ Perry; two long term Norweigan missionaries and Leoni all headed inland.
We had been worried the helicopter would be an option as weather, mechanical problems and other issues had delayed other trips. Indeed we were delayed at first with a bad fuel pump. However the excellent people at Helimission drove all night and fixed the helicopter by the next day so we could proceed.
Over the next several days, we traveled from Mitsinjo to Mahabu, Andranosoa and Andeka. We landed and greeted the village as they came out to the helicopter. We then walked into the village and visited the school and church. We distributed Malagasy Bibles to the local evangelist while Bjørn, Johanna and Leoni gave advise and reconnected with friends. In several of these villages, this was the first time that they had received a bible in Malagasy, or that matter a Bible at all. We were excited to be able to give them these Bibles and I look forward to the day when they can have a translation in their own heart language.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Lets catch up
Catching Up
Greetings,
It has been several years since I have touched my blog and the time has come again to revitalize it. My intention here is to catch you up on what has happened since my last posts and give a taste for whats coming in the future.
In my last several posts I talked about becoming a stamps intern, beginning weight lifting and a spiritual formation class. Since these posts I graduated from Talbot Theological Seminary and finished my internship. My Stamps internship ended the day I graduated, however I continued to volunteer in the same manner as when I was an intern. I and my roommates moved to an apartment on Stage Rd. in Buena Park and that is where I am currently living.
Toward the end of my time at Talbot I found myself making a job decision. I had to choose between working in the Financial Aid office at Biola or working with the Tech Advance team with Wycliffe Associates. After much prayer, I decided to work with the Financial Aid Office at Biola. As the Technology Systems Coordinator for Financial Aid I had many responsibilities. I helped prepare the office for the new registration cycle. I built or updated all the forms students would be turning into the office. I updated the Financial Aid section of our database program called Banner for the new aidyear. I built reports called popsels and cognos reports for the financial aid team to find the students they needed to work with. I also participated in meetings concerning Noel Levitz; which is the system used to determine the costs Biola would charge and the aid Biola would give to students. I also helped maintain and update the Financial Aid Website (http://offices.biola.edu/finaid/). Beyond this I helped provide basic level IT for the Financial Aid Office when something went wrong. Oh, and I would help do research on upcoming issues the Office would be dealing with. For instance the emergence of net price calculators has brought about new comparison tools for students looking at schools. I researched some of the tools that would be used and how Biola was seen through these.
At the beginning of this year, I was approached again by Wycliffe Associates about joining their team. To make a long story short, a number of events led me to accept Wycliffe Associates offer and I am now in the process of preparing to move to Florida and begin my work with them. I finished my work with the Financial Aid Office on April 5th and have begun my efforts to build a support team to fund my work with Wycliffe Associates. This blog will serve as one way to communicate with my support team and keep them up to date on what I have been doing.
Going Forward
In May I will be looking to travel to Florida where I will take up residence close to the Wycliffe Associates headquarters. Later in the month I will be taking a trip to Madagascar to participate in training Bible translation teams in the use of computers and other technology that will help speed up their Bible translation efforts. I will then head back to the US for orientation with Wycliffe and to concentrate on building my support team. I plan on traveling up to the Northwest to Washington in order to participate in a number of Wycliffe banquets focused on growing my support team. At the end of the year I am looking at a long term trip to Madagascar which will last a couple years. My goal is to raise my total support by the end of the year.
Thoughts
I have been wonderfully blessed by my time at Talbot and Ocean View Baptist in California. I have made good friends who I will stay in contact with. My fellow workers at Ocean View Baptist are wonderful. I must mention Jared Kilduff (Youth Pastor), Sara Sherman and Ramos Smith; who worked with me while I helped with the Junior High age group at Ocean View. You have inspired me to deeper study of scripture and greater asperations for impacting others.
I thank my roommates Larry Briner and Nathan Hagberg for the years we have lived together.
I thank Don and Amy Joel for opening their home to me and being such good friends over these years. Also my friends Sara Lawson and Adam Chute who spent some good time with me at the Joel's house. I wont forget our guild group "Geek Believer's" (http://geekbeliever.co/) and our gaming group. I also am very grateful for MOFA or the men of financial aid. I won't mention there names here, but I have been incredibly blessed by you and our times together. Some of the lessons I gleaned while being among you I will carry with me the rest of my life.
It is exciting thinking about what is coming and I look forward to the adventure that awaits.
Further up and further in!
Adam Lewis
Greetings,
It has been several years since I have touched my blog and the time has come again to revitalize it. My intention here is to catch you up on what has happened since my last posts and give a taste for whats coming in the future.
In my last several posts I talked about becoming a stamps intern, beginning weight lifting and a spiritual formation class. Since these posts I graduated from Talbot Theological Seminary and finished my internship. My Stamps internship ended the day I graduated, however I continued to volunteer in the same manner as when I was an intern. I and my roommates moved to an apartment on Stage Rd. in Buena Park and that is where I am currently living.
Toward the end of my time at Talbot I found myself making a job decision. I had to choose between working in the Financial Aid office at Biola or working with the Tech Advance team with Wycliffe Associates. After much prayer, I decided to work with the Financial Aid Office at Biola. As the Technology Systems Coordinator for Financial Aid I had many responsibilities. I helped prepare the office for the new registration cycle. I built or updated all the forms students would be turning into the office. I updated the Financial Aid section of our database program called Banner for the new aidyear. I built reports called popsels and cognos reports for the financial aid team to find the students they needed to work with. I also participated in meetings concerning Noel Levitz; which is the system used to determine the costs Biola would charge and the aid Biola would give to students. I also helped maintain and update the Financial Aid Website (http://offices.biola.edu/finaid/). Beyond this I helped provide basic level IT for the Financial Aid Office when something went wrong. Oh, and I would help do research on upcoming issues the Office would be dealing with. For instance the emergence of net price calculators has brought about new comparison tools for students looking at schools. I researched some of the tools that would be used and how Biola was seen through these.
At the beginning of this year, I was approached again by Wycliffe Associates about joining their team. To make a long story short, a number of events led me to accept Wycliffe Associates offer and I am now in the process of preparing to move to Florida and begin my work with them. I finished my work with the Financial Aid Office on April 5th and have begun my efforts to build a support team to fund my work with Wycliffe Associates. This blog will serve as one way to communicate with my support team and keep them up to date on what I have been doing.
Going Forward
In May I will be looking to travel to Florida where I will take up residence close to the Wycliffe Associates headquarters. Later in the month I will be taking a trip to Madagascar to participate in training Bible translation teams in the use of computers and other technology that will help speed up their Bible translation efforts. I will then head back to the US for orientation with Wycliffe and to concentrate on building my support team. I plan on traveling up to the Northwest to Washington in order to participate in a number of Wycliffe banquets focused on growing my support team. At the end of the year I am looking at a long term trip to Madagascar which will last a couple years. My goal is to raise my total support by the end of the year.
Thoughts
I have been wonderfully blessed by my time at Talbot and Ocean View Baptist in California. I have made good friends who I will stay in contact with. My fellow workers at Ocean View Baptist are wonderful. I must mention Jared Kilduff (Youth Pastor), Sara Sherman and Ramos Smith; who worked with me while I helped with the Junior High age group at Ocean View. You have inspired me to deeper study of scripture and greater asperations for impacting others.
I thank my roommates Larry Briner and Nathan Hagberg for the years we have lived together.
I thank Don and Amy Joel for opening their home to me and being such good friends over these years. Also my friends Sara Lawson and Adam Chute who spent some good time with me at the Joel's house. I wont forget our guild group "Geek Believer's" (http://geekbeliever.co/) and our gaming group. I also am very grateful for MOFA or the men of financial aid. I won't mention there names here, but I have been incredibly blessed by you and our times together. Some of the lessons I gleaned while being among you I will carry with me the rest of my life.
It is exciting thinking about what is coming and I look forward to the adventure that awaits.
Further up and further in!
Adam Lewis
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Spiritual Formation
Spirituality is motivated by gratitude and
gratitude is motivated when the wonder of the salvation of the Cross is clearly understood, and
that is salvation from sin
From Robert Saucy a paper on spiritual formation
gratitude is motivated when the wonder of the salvation of the Cross is clearly understood, and
that is salvation from sin
From Robert Saucy a paper on spiritual formation
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Groaning Pains
I started working out and doing some weight lifting again. This time I have a workout buddy named Don Joel. He is a fellow Talbot student and he works for Biola in the financial Aid office. I am being reminded about how painful proper sit-ups and crunches can be!!!
Stamps Intern
Greetings all,
I have good news, though admittedly late. I got a job as a stamps intern at Ocean View Baptist Church. I started in February 2011 and will be able to hold the position till I graduate or for up to two years.
This position has been a real blessing to me. Not only has it provided me with the funds to pay for necessities of life, but it will allow me to finish my program of study at Talbot Theological Seminary. I plan on graduating with a M.A. Biblical and Theological degree.
Ocean View Baptist church is located in San Pedro. 1900 S. Western Avenue, CA 90732. Here is the web site. http://www.ovbchurch.org/
The church is on the smaller side with about three hundred people. It has a nice view of the coast, mountains and downtown LA. On clear days all three are visible in a panorama from the front of the church.
I work with the junior high youth group. Sometimes I teach on Sundays or the Tuesday night bible study. We do a bunch of activities like summer and winter camps, coffee house, game nights, sleepovers, ice skating, etc. I work with a great bunch of kids/teenagers. We just held a church pick nick with group games and volleyball. Between Seminary studies and my duties for church I find myself happily busy.
As for the blog, I am going to try to update and be more faithful in making this a site where people can keep up with me.
Adam
I have good news, though admittedly late. I got a job as a stamps intern at Ocean View Baptist Church. I started in February 2011 and will be able to hold the position till I graduate or for up to two years.
This position has been a real blessing to me. Not only has it provided me with the funds to pay for necessities of life, but it will allow me to finish my program of study at Talbot Theological Seminary. I plan on graduating with a M.A. Biblical and Theological degree.
Ocean View Baptist church is located in San Pedro. 1900 S. Western Avenue, CA 90732. Here is the web site. http://www.ovbchurch.org/
The church is on the smaller side with about three hundred people. It has a nice view of the coast, mountains and downtown LA. On clear days all three are visible in a panorama from the front of the church.
I work with the junior high youth group. Sometimes I teach on Sundays or the Tuesday night bible study. We do a bunch of activities like summer and winter camps, coffee house, game nights, sleepovers, ice skating, etc. I work with a great bunch of kids/teenagers. We just held a church pick nick with group games and volleyball. Between Seminary studies and my duties for church I find myself happily busy.
As for the blog, I am going to try to update and be more faithful in making this a site where people can keep up with me.
Adam
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The Finish of Summer School and the Continued Hunt For Work
Hello all,
Over the past number of weeks I participated in a summer school course at Talbot. The course dealt with apologetics and allowed for an introductory look at apologetics and some topics it would deal with. My final paper was a brief look at 8 different topics. As the paper is turned in, I am done with the class and now am researching more applications to submit for work. In another few weeks I will be moving in with Nathan and Joel at the new house. I think the move is going to be a good one and I look forward to it. I have had a very good time at the Gunther's house and can only say positive things about them and Elijah their son.
Adam Lewis
Over the past number of weeks I participated in a summer school course at Talbot. The course dealt with apologetics and allowed for an introductory look at apologetics and some topics it would deal with. My final paper was a brief look at 8 different topics. As the paper is turned in, I am done with the class and now am researching more applications to submit for work. In another few weeks I will be moving in with Nathan and Joel at the new house. I think the move is going to be a good one and I look forward to it. I have had a very good time at the Gunther's house and can only say positive things about them and Elijah their son.
Adam Lewis
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