MICHEALS’ MEMOIRS November 2010 Update
Dear Friends and Family, The fiscal year for Wycliffe is over and this means we add up the results of our recruitment work with Wycliffe USA. We praise the Lord that He has blessed our work and we had 209 people join Wycliffe as new missionaries this fiscal year! That means since 2004 when Chuck became involved in the leadership of Wycliffe’s recruitment work we have had over 1,200 people become Wycliffe USA missionaries. What does this mean? More Bible translation projects have been started and existing projects have been better supported. In 1999 there were more than 3,000 languages needing Bible translation work started. However, due to the increased pace of Bible translation around the world, that number of remaining Bible translation projects that need to be started next year may be below 2,000!!! Why do we continue to serve with Wycliffe and why is your partnership with us in this work so important?
After the four Gospels and Acts were published in 2006, God moved in a way that led the people to renounce witchcraft and to burn their idols and fetishes. That was a turning point in the lives of the Mandara people. The theme of the dedication was ‘Varam’ which means reconciliation. “On the cross, Jesus cut the ‘araora’ (vine) to release us from sin forever. We know this because the Word of God is written in our heart language. God did the Great ‘Varam’ through his Son on the cross. It has eternal effect. He cut the ‘oraora’ to release people from bondage. The cross is the symbol for us forever.”
In 1990 when we were at Ukarumpa, Steven and Holly Hong were just beginning the translation of the New Testament into the Mandara language. On May 20, 2010 the Mandara people were excited to celebrate with the Hongs the culmination of this 20 year task! Many Mandara people came from other islands to celebrate. From the reenactment of the first missionaries bringing the gospel, to the amazing singing from their choirs, the day was filled with gladness, speeches, a huge feast with many pigs, and calls to commitment to reading and following God’s Word.
Bible Translators, Wycliffe USA Members Steven and Holly Hong and Family