Dear Family and Friends,
I like to read missionary biographies to keep my heart aflame with a passion for the lost. Borden of Yale ‘09, by Mrs. Howard Taylor, accomplished that goal. I wanted to pass on to you an encouraging poem to from this book. Would you keep it in mind as you pray for me and my ministry?
The weary ones had rest, the sad had joy
That day, and wondered “how?”
A ploughman singing at his work had prayed,
“Lord, bless them now.”
Away in foreign lands they wondered “how”
Their simple word had power.
At home, the “Gleaners,” two or three, had met
To pray an hour.
Yes, we are always wondering “how?”
Because we do not see
Someone, unknown perhaps, and far away,
On bended knee.
As I mature in my Christian walk, I’m beginning to realize more and more just how dependent I am upon the prayers of others. I used to wonder how a person could say, “I know someone must have been praying,” but I don’t wonder any more. Thanks for all your prayers and support!
DEPUTATION
Over the past three months, my deputation schedule has taken me to Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Though my support dipped down some, I’m thankful for a new supporting couple and the additional support of another individual. I’m still at 45%, but I’m encouraged to hear of another family that has prayerfully decided to take me on for support. It’s such a blessing to see how God’s people continue to give through monthly support and love offerings. In the next few months, I have only one meeting, but my deputation activities will pick up once again in the fall.
My back continues to heal, though I still experience pain, especially at 3:00 a.m. each morning. It’s so nice to be out of my back brace and exercising once again. Please pray for continued recovery, especially as I will no longer be able to enjoy the comfort of my own bed in SC.
MINISTRY
Though I won’t be involved in deputation activities over these next few months, I will be heavily involved in ministry activities. During the first full week of July, I’ll be attending Baptist Mid-Missions’ annual conference. I look forward to rubbing shoulders with missionaries from around the world and being challenged and encouraged by the workshops.
On July 14 I head to Togo, West Africa, for a two-week translation workshop to check portions of the Kabiyé NT. I’ve spent numerous hours preparing for this workshop over the past few weeks. The Togo team sent me a back-translation of the texts in very literal French. It’s been challenging to piece together the French and then compare it to the Greek NT. Please PRAY as I continue to prepare and then as I conduct my first workshop by myself and in French for the first time. PRAY that I would have wisdom and grace to help this project. PRAY also that I would have great facility in French in the workshop and with other ministry opportunities. I’m excited to get back to the continent where I spent two years of my life. I’m also thankful to help the Kabiyé churches gain access to the precious truths of the NT. There are over half a million speakers of this language, so the need is great!
As soon as I return, I will begin preparing for the BI staff retreat and consultant seminar in late August. I look forward to catching up with the staff on various issues, since I have been away from the office since mid-April. I have almost weekly meetings with the director and another manager, but there’s nothing like face-to-face conversations. PRAY for wisdom as I meet with various people, especially the consultants. The seminar is a very crucial week because it’s the only time in the year in which most of the consultants can gather together in one room to discuss various matters and chart out the next year.
PRAY also as we bring 11 Scripture projects to completion in Chad, Ghana, India, Myanmar, Peru, and Venezuela. We still have to raise $140,000 and to finish much detail work to get these projects ready for publication. We have faced many obstacles in this last stage of the work, and no doubt many of them have been satanically engineered. PRAY for the Lord to smooth our way as many around the world wait for the Scriptures.
For a conservative translation in every language,
Troy
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