|
|
| The Scribe online for August 2009
Memo from Madagascar Greetings! Hi Everyone, I got back to Mahajanga just in time for the last two
weeks of school at Centre Fitiavana. It
has been fun. I decided that since I
had such a short time left this year, I'd just teach them some songs in English.
So — what will I remember about these times?
Freddy, whom I've never before heard making a verbal sound, giving a very
credible "meow" that would do "Old MacDonald" lovers proud;
the first and second graders jumping up to sing their parts with gusto in "Hallelu,
Hallelu, Hallelu, Halleluia"; the third and fourth graders with their
voices and hands raised in a not-too-musical but very joyful rendition, singing
"Praise Him, Praise Him ..." The
fifth graders did so well with all of those songs that we got into singing a
couple of rounds. Then we got into a
discussion about the word "fun," a brand-new word for them.
They liked having a word to describe something they do just because it
makes them happy to do it. Ten fifth graders took the big CPE exam, which if
they pass, qualifies them to go into sixth grade.
I haven't heard yet how they did, but they all said that it was pretty
easy. The teachers ended the year
with a day at the beach on Saturday. We all had a great time and went home
exhausted. So, now that I got here, it's time for vacation, so what
will I do? I invited the teachers
from Centre Fitiavana to come over for a movie on Tuesday afternoon.
Then my assistance (and my American accent) has been requested in a
couple of English classes, so I won't be lacking for things to do for the rest
of the time. Things continue to be pretty calm here.
I have felt safe on the couple of trips into town that I have made, and I
do see other white people around, so things feel almost normal.
The American Embassy has ended its evacuation order for non-essential
embassy staff. Most people don't
want to talk much about the political situation, but it has affected the daily
lives of many, as jobs are more scarce and many things are more expensive. Now, for a few prayer requests: + Praise for a good and happy end to the school year. + Pray for people like Maman i' Rojo's daughter, Rojo, whose
job ended because of the political crisis, and she is now trying to find another
job. + Pray that God is glorified during the course of these
vacation English classes. + Maman i' Tahiri has asked for prayer for her son, Tahiri.
The reasons are too complicated for an e-mail, but he is having a difficult
time. Thank you for continuing to support me and Centre
Fitiavana financially and with your prayers. Blessings, Kathy McElmurry
The Beans’Talk Update from Mark and Patti Bean:
Translating God’s Word for Quechua
speakers in central Peru The Cost
of being a Quechua Pastor
There is no such thing as a full-time pastor in Quechua communities because
no church can support a man and his family. All Quechua pastors work; most in
their fields, one or two may have a job. But what may be a surprise to learn is that most Quechua
pastors actually end up paying from their own pocket for the privilege of being
a pastor! That’s because the church usually can’t reimburse them for
expenses incurred to attend required area meetings. It’s an eye opener! What do you think? Would your pastor
pay to pastor your congregation? Meet four
faithful pastors
There are 23 churches in the Margos area. There are still quite a number of
villages without any church at all. We’d like you to meet a few pastors: + Pedro – an old timer, has pastored churches all over. + Leonardo – another old-timer, walks with a pronounced
limp; he hobbles all over the mountains to minister to others. + Melchiades – lives and pastors in the town of
“Llama’s Hoof,” hours from any road. + Albino – recently started a new outreach in a tiny
hamlet a five-hour walk from his home. There’s
no word for it?
In the middle of our current Old Testament workshop, some visitors asked
Mark what he is doing. The problem in focus at that moment was how to say “in
the day of trouble.” There is no word for “trouble,” Mark explained. “What?!! No word for trouble?” There’s no word for lots of common English words.
Translation is not just finding the right word and plugging it in. It is trying
to communicate ideas with a different set of vocabulary and way of thinking. Are you
taking note, Grandma?
Jeremiah’s first birthday is just four days away. Hurray for digital
photos! Ever on the go, he sounds like Mr. Keep-My-Mom-Busy! Pray for Andy & Rachel, Jeremiah’s parents. This
year our son Andy is training to become an Air Force pilot. It is proving to be
a stressful year with competitive academics and flying. It’s tough watching
his classmates “wash out” and be dropped from the program. Praises:
+ While the book of Esther is now community tested,
there’s been steady progress in Proverbs. + Our middle two, Emily and Eric, have an opportunity to
finally meet Jeremiah and spend a bit of time with Andy and Rachel (Del Rio, TX)
in August. + Our youngest son, Ernie, survived seven weeks of being
homeless and is now safely back in school in Honolulu taking summer courses. Things to
pray about:
+ July 30 – August 2: Annual Quechua Church convention in
the Margos area in the village of Colpashpampa. Mark will be one of the
speakers. + August 6 – 9: Annual Quechua Church convention in the
Yarowilca area (16 churches)—in the town of Chavinillo. Mark will be one of the speakers here, too. + August 28: Patti will be down in Lima for a one-day
meeting. Thank you for your prayers! We really appreciate each one
of you!
Czeching In Forty years ago we learned “The Eagle has landed” on
the moon with a small step for man and a giant leap for mankind. Today we can announce the American team has landed in
Svitavy. English camp begins Saturday the 18th, and this will be the largest
camp enrollment we’ve ever had. Please pray for the many
not-yet-believers…some are first-time campers, and some are returning campers.
Pray for the Carney, MI, EFC and Czech teams…for God’s Spirit to cover and
protect and fill this camp. The Camp theme is “Experience the Power.” Each New
Testament lesson will highlight the power of God in some way…over nature, over
wounded bodies, over history and with the power to transform lives. Nancy and I
have sure experienced God’s protective and healing power this summer. Each day
campers will hear a Czech testimony and an American testimony about the saving
and guiding power of God in one’s life. Pray that many will take the “giant
leap” toward God and salvation. Nancy is in Svitavy participating in Camp. I
[Dan] have a return ticket for August 17. God works through prayer! Things we are praying for and
ask you to join us: For a productive and fruitful time of sowing, watering,
and celebrations in the harvest of those who believe at English Camp. What joy
there is for each camper who is spiritually reborn. That a dozen new households and one new church will come
on to our support team. Our goal is 12 churches and 120 individuals or families
who will support us. This will be our 12X120 Team, which remembers that in the
Book of Acts, Christ launched his church with a team of 12 apostles and 120
praying and giving and witnessing believers. For God’s Spirit to guide us in many autumn
opportunities. My heart surgery has stirred a lot of attention… Christ is
using even this. Last year I taught in two high schools. Teachers and
administrators in five high schools are now interested in our services. I can’t teach in that
many…three would be a stretch…God will lead us. But the call of open door
opportunities is greater than ever. The wisdom and wonder and power of God are
to be praised. Nancy is having a splendid time with our fellow servants
in Svitavy, and I’m eager to join her there soon. Together we thank you for
your continued interest in what God is doing through his calling and our
commitment to the region of Svitavy, the Czech Republic. Your prayers are
God’s gift to us too, and we thank Him for you. Wishing you a summer of refreshment in the Lord…body,
soul and spirit, and Longing for fruit for your heavenly account, Dan and Nancy Lupton “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that
may abound to your account.” [Philippians 4:17]
|
|
Send mail to info@3efc.org with questions
or comments about this web site.
|
