MEMOIRS
May 2023
Dear Friends and Family,
To accomplish Bible translationwork, one thing we can all agree on is that workers are needed. Not only do new Bible translation projects need to be started, but existing projects need to be supported and if you have ever tried to find workers for a project, you know that you won’t find workers all in one place!
One way that the number of workers is increasing is that more of the task of Bible Translation is being taken up by people from within the country where there are still Bible translation needs. Another way is through Volunteers and Interns. That is where Barb’s work with Wycliffe is so critical.
skills are needed and sometimes those skills are only needed for specific periods of times. That is when the work of volunteers is so important.
Sometimes a college student needs to do an internship and/or someone wants to test the waters and do an internship with Wycliffe before committing to long term work. This helps people learn about our work and often has resulted in them staying on to serve with us long term.
If you were to visit us at home where we do our work with Wycliffe, one scene that you would see is the one to the left. That is Barb at work doing many things to handle these volunteer and internship applications. That’s why her job title is Wycliffe’s Volunteer and Internship Placement Specialist. That makes her a VIP!
Barb at work each day for Wycliffe Bible Translators
For over 12 years now, Barb has been helping people join in our work through the Volunteer and Intern program. Not all the workers needed to finish the work of Bible translation will come from within countries where Wycliffe is working and not all can devote a career to this effort like we have with Wycliffe. Many times, very specific
So, what does Barb do as a VIP Specialist with Wycliffe? It normally starts with either a Wycliffe recruiter or one of our field HR teams sending Barb the applications of those who want to apply in one of these two application options.
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Barb and Wycliffe Intern Tim Baggenstos that she processed
Barb’s Work
The application includes standard application questions, information about their Christian faith, their connection to a Protestant church, names of the church pastor and their involvement in Christian ministry at church and elsewhere. Then references are gathered. We ask for 3 references from a Christian leader (pastor, mission leader at a church), a friend and a work colleague. If anyone wants to serve overseas they are also asked to fill out a Confidential Questionnaire.
After the references are turned in and are approved an interview is done with the applicant. That’s where Barb learns more about their desire to serve, inquires about their skills in greater detail and asks about other issues related to their family and to themselves personally.
Intern and they move on to a criminal background check and on passing that Barb begins the Hire process.
In all there are more than 50 steps from start of contact to placement on the field. There are really no shortcuts to this process as legal issues needto be addressed as wellas makingsure they meet Wycliffe standards of acceptance.
Usually, a job has already been identified for the Volunteer or Intern by the recruiter or field HR team. Great care is given to make sure skills match and that the location of service is good for the individual as well. Not every location has schools for missionary kids and not every location has easily accessible health care facilities, etc. We work hard to have a place of service that not only accelerates and supports the work of Bible translation, but will allow them to serve successfully.
After consulting with the field supervisors an acceptance email is sent to the Volunteer or
Once the Volunteer or Intern is hired by Wycliffe then it is time to help them get ready to serve. That means helping them get needed orientation (cross-cultural orientation, training on how to handle finances, etc.), then making sure required training is completed in the area of child safety training, harassment prevention training, security training and signing needed documents dealing with policy about Wycliffe’s HR policy, agreement with Wycliffe’s doctrinal statements and even documents related to the unthinkable situation of kidnapping and or death. All pretty sobering things we had to sign 38 years ago!
As that is ongoing, Barb then begins to set up a budget for the person, helps them learn how to begin to raise support. Yes, interns and some volunteers have to raise their own financial support, just like we have had to do all these years as Wycliffe does not pay a salary. All funds come from interested churches andfriends. Barb also helps them with a timetable for getting to their place of service and also helps many purchase their airline tickets. However, she is still not done!
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Wycliffe internship team headed to Ecuador
Barb’s Work Continues
Many of these volunteers and interns are headed to challenging locations so they need special help in setting up secure communication systems, setting up in country orientation and making sure people leave only when their budgets are fully funded.Raisingneeded support can take 2-6 months in some cases.
Then, finally it is launch time and the person, couple or family head overseas. That requires coordination with field locations to make sure someone is there to greet them at the airport and help them find a place there to live. Once on the field then it’s a matter of checking on them to make sure they are doing well and after completing the field term, then Barb starts the process of ending the assignment.
One thing we do at the end of an assignment is a debrief with both the Volunteer/Intern and the field supervisor. We then provide special services if issues need to be addressed. If the person wants to go on to long term service it is off to other specialists who handle full time service applications. Otherwise it is time for a hearty thank you.
All along the way, the work is bathed with prayer and as you can image takes great wisdom and skill to be able to successfully handle all of this. As Barb has done such work for a dozen years, she is the resident go to person to assist others and is the main person handling a large portion of these applications.
In all our years with Wycliffe, as it relates to work directly with Wycliffe, I have not seen Barb busier. Although her job says she is working part time, in reality for quite some time she has worked almost full time every week. She loves her job and volunteers and interns and other staff love her. It’s great to see her in such a place and keeping up with home and church life where she co-leads a women’s Bible study. To God be the glory!
Ministry Update
Inthepastyears Barbhasbeendoingthiswork, the number of people serving as volunteers and interns has grown very large. Perhaps as many as 300 – 400 people have been involved due to her work and the numbers continue to be strong.
We know that financial support goes up and down, so please pray for our continued 100% support!!!
Please pray that Barb would continue to be effective as a VIP Specialist and that many more people would find their place of service in the task of Bible translation!!!
FOR SUPPORTING US FINANCIALLY NOW
Wycliffe Bible Translators
P. O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8200
Mark on separate sheet mark: “Preference for the Wycliffe ministry of Chuck & Barb Micheals, Account # 221879.”
Online Giving:
www.wycliffe.org/partner/cbmicheals
FOR PRAYER SUPPORT / OUR HOME ADDRESS
Chuck & Barb Micheals 5167 Poinsetta Ave Winter Park, Florida 32792
(321) 278-2225 (Chuck)
(321) 695-0281 (Barb)
Email: Chuck_Micheals@wycliffe.org
Barb_Micheals@wycliffe.org
Web: www.issuu.com/wycliffe-cbmicheals
www.cbmicheals.ning.com (photos follow)
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Family Photos
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At Hannah Wassenaar’s Graduation
Chris and Rachel Wassenaar and (L-R) Caden, Saylor, Hannah and Dawson
Caden Wassenaar loves fishing!
Barb sewing a “Little House On The Prairie” dress for granddaughter Saylor Wassenaar
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Cutting out the pattern
Hand stitching
More sewing on the dress
Almost finished!
Trying it on Saylor!
It fits Saylor!
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Dawson Wassenaar playing Pin Ball!
Garrett Struyk at soccer and Jenny Struyk
Jack Struyk’s soccer team - Kevin (L), Jack (2R bottom row)
Celebrating the soccer season!
Granddaughter Kate, Barb and daughter Jenny Struyk celebrating Mother’s Day
