Here are a few points that I wanted to let you know about, but wasn't able to fit in my prayer letter:
Update on Fuel Prices
Thank you for praying about the problem of high gas and diesel prices. After about a month of skyrocketing fuel prices, the situation was resolved and prices returned to normal.
Sara Kaba Deme Old Testament Project
In spite of the condition of the assistant Sara Kaba Deme translator, Paul Yongo, in February I was able to hold a workshop with the chief translator and one of the younger potential translators. We checked 60 chapters of Psalms and the whole of Ezra.
Ministering in the Chadian Hot Season
Although many of you are probably still experiencing snow and ice, here in Chad we are just starting our hot season. Between mid-February and mid-May, and especially in the month of April, daytime temperatures can reach as high as 110 F / 45 C. Nights aren't much better, getting only down into the 90's F / 30's C. There is little relief from the heat, since very few places have air conditioning. As you can imagine, everyone (including Chadians) gets hot and cranky. During all this heat, we have a number of different visitors coming from the US to help with various ministries: Bible translation, literacy training, teaching nationals, and exhorting Chadian church leadership. It can be quite a shock to the system to come into this climate from the American springtime. Please pray for these people and their different ministries, that the Lord will give them grace and strength to cope.
February Prayer Letter
Dear Prayer Supporters,
These past few months have been so eventful that I have been wondering how I can keep this letter from turning into an epistle! How can I begin to describe, in such a short space, all the ups and downs that can happen on an almost daily basis here in Chad? The recent months have been like a rollercoaster, but I will try to give you the highlights.
In December, I had planned to meet with the Sara Madjingay, but as the team was not able to be ready in time for the workshop, I instead met with the Sara Kaba Naa team to finish checking the book of Proverbs. We were glad that the Lord gave us the opportunity to make more progress. I will meet with the Sara Madjingay again in May or June of this year.
Les and Carol Carew, who have been doing language study in Chad for the past nine months, have been getting ready to move to their intended destination, the Central African Republic. They had planned to fly there on a Missionary Aviation Fellowship plane at the end of January, but the flight was cancelled due to a difficulty in acquiring the necessary paperwork. Eventually the problem was resolved, and the flight has been rescheduled for late February. Please pray for Les and Carol as they make this new transition.
In Christ's Service,
Anna Beth Wivell
These past few months have been so eventful that I have been wondering how I can keep this letter from turning into an epistle! How can I begin to describe, in such a short space, all the ups and downs that can happen on an almost daily basis here in Chad? The recent months have been like a rollercoaster, but I will try to give you the highlights.
Workshop Update
In November 2014, I met with the Sara Kaba Deme translators to check the second half of 1 Chronicles and all of 2 Chronicles. We had a great workshop and even finished a day ahead of schedule. But we all had a shock when just a few hours after we finished our work, Paul Yongo, the assistant translator (see photo above), suffered a stroke and was rushed to the hospital. He remains partially paralyzed and unable to speak. Please pray for him, and for his wife and ten children. Pray also for the Sara Kaba Deme translation team, which is now without its assistant translator and typist. Two younger men have undergone translator training, but have not yet been installed as translators, so that chief translator Job Hondo is currently working alone. Please pray for him also at this time.In December, I had planned to meet with the Sara Madjingay, but as the team was not able to be ready in time for the workshop, I instead met with the Sara Kaba Naa team to finish checking the book of Proverbs. We were glad that the Lord gave us the opportunity to make more progress. I will meet with the Sara Madjingay again in May or June of this year.
Comings and Goings
My coworker, Susan Hossack, arrived in Balimba on January 25. Please pray for her as she settles back into life and ministry in Chad. We are looking forward to a busy schedule of translation and literacy workshops this year.Les and Carol Carew, who have been doing language study in Chad for the past nine months, have been getting ready to move to their intended destination, the Central African Republic. They had planned to fly there on a Missionary Aviation Fellowship plane at the end of January, but the flight was cancelled due to a difficulty in acquiring the necessary paperwork. Eventually the problem was resolved, and the flight has been rescheduled for late February. Please pray for Les and Carol as they make this new transition.
The Chadian Baptist Church Association
In mid January, our national Baptist church association elected a new set of officers. It was very encouraging to watch the Lord at work as the association chose a godly group of men. Their ministry among the churches will not be easy. Over the past several years, there have been many problems among our churches, so that their task is rather like being given the job of driving a runaway freight train! Please pray for a special measure of strength, wisdom, and courage for these men.In Christ's Service,
Anna Beth Wivell
October Prayer Letter
Dear Prayer Supporters,
“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
A few weeks ago, as I helped a team to check their translation of the book of Jeremiah, we came across these verses in chapter 17, and I was reminded again of God’s care and provision for us, through all the trials and blessings of life.
Particularly during this fuel shortage, I’m also thankful for the Lord’s provision and answer to our prayers: I now own a vehicle! It is a used four-wheel-drive but seems to be in good condition. I’m enjoying the extra mobility that it provides. I’m also thankful that my vehicle runs on diesel and not on gas! There is a shortage of diesel too, and prices for diesel are nearly double what they were just a few weeks ago – currently selling at about $8 a gallon – but at least that is still better than the price of gas.
In October, I met with the Sara Madjingay to continue checking the book of Jeremiah. It is a long and complicated book, but the Lord helped us to finish most of the book.
In November, I plan to meet with the Sara Kaba Deme to check the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles. In early December, I will meet again with the Sara Madjingay to check the remaining chapters of Jeremiah, and to check some of the other prophetic books as well.
In the latter part of December, I hope to enjoy a bit of a break from what has been a very busy time of workshops! The Lord has been been so gracious, through the busy times and the restful times, the easy days and the hard days. Thank you for joining with me in praying and praising our Lord, who is indeed worthy of our trust and our love!
In Christ's Service,
Anna Beth Wivell
“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
A few weeks ago, as I helped a team to check their translation of the book of Jeremiah, we came across these verses in chapter 17, and I was reminded again of God’s care and provision for us, through all the trials and blessings of life.
Provision of a Vehicle, Shortage of Fuel
For a couple weeks now, there has been a different kind of drought: a fuel shortage. This shortage has made prices skyrocket, with gas in some places selling for around $44 a gallon, and in some places as high as $66 a gallon! As you might imagine, this is making life difficult for everyone. Please pray that the situation will soon be resolved.+small.jpg)
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Update on Bible Translation Workshops
Thank you for praying for the health of the Sara Kaba Naa translator, Gali Simon. His overall health has improved, but his leg has still not fully mended. However, we were able to meet in September and check the whole book of 2 Chronicles and the first ten chapters of Proverbs. Thanks for your continued prayers for Gali!In October, I met with the Sara Madjingay to continue checking the book of Jeremiah. It is a long and complicated book, but the Lord helped us to finish most of the book.
In November, I plan to meet with the Sara Kaba Deme to check the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles. In early December, I will meet again with the Sara Madjingay to check the remaining chapters of Jeremiah, and to check some of the other prophetic books as well.
In the latter part of December, I hope to enjoy a bit of a break from what has been a very busy time of workshops! The Lord has been been so gracious, through the busy times and the restful times, the easy days and the hard days. Thank you for joining with me in praying and praising our Lord, who is indeed worthy of our trust and our love!
In Christ's Service,
Anna Beth Wivell
Why are you weeping?
I recently heard a Chadian pastor give this little story as a sermon illustration, and although it is short and simple, it is poignant, so I would like to share with you.
A young Chadian girl, about 8 or 9 years old, lived in a remote village with her family. One day, she was bitten by a rabid dog. This would be a terrible thing to happen to a child even in the developed world, but in Chad it is often no less than tragic. Medical care in this part of Africa is seldom better than mediocre even in the larger towns, and in small villages it is often practically non-existant. Sadly, there was no medical care available for the little girl, and soon the effects of the disease began to be evident.
The little girl’s family was naturally very distressed. As the girl’s illness continued to advance, the family members began to gather around her, and they began to weep and lament in their grief. It must have been a heartbreaking scene; Chadians can really pull out all the stops when it comes to grieving for a loved one.
Then the sick girl herself spoke up. “Why are you weeping?” she said. “Don’t you know that I have accepted Jesus as my Savior, and even if I die, I will go to be with Him in heaven? Do not weep!”
Even in a remote village in Africa, the good news of salvation entered and reached the heart of a young child, bringing peace and the hope of heaven, even in the face of death and despair. Do you also have this hope? If not, I pray that you will soon come to know the Savior.
If you do know Him, pray with me for those who are still without hope, whether in remote villages in Chad or big cities in North America. May the Lord give us opportunities to reach them with the gospel!
A young Chadian girl, about 8 or 9 years old, lived in a remote village with her family. One day, she was bitten by a rabid dog. This would be a terrible thing to happen to a child even in the developed world, but in Chad it is often no less than tragic. Medical care in this part of Africa is seldom better than mediocre even in the larger towns, and in small villages it is often practically non-existant. Sadly, there was no medical care available for the little girl, and soon the effects of the disease began to be evident.
The little girl’s family was naturally very distressed. As the girl’s illness continued to advance, the family members began to gather around her, and they began to weep and lament in their grief. It must have been a heartbreaking scene; Chadians can really pull out all the stops when it comes to grieving for a loved one.
Then the sick girl herself spoke up. “Why are you weeping?” she said. “Don’t you know that I have accepted Jesus as my Savior, and even if I die, I will go to be with Him in heaven? Do not weep!”
Even in a remote village in Africa, the good news of salvation entered and reached the heart of a young child, bringing peace and the hope of heaven, even in the face of death and despair. Do you also have this hope? If not, I pray that you will soon come to know the Savior.
Romans 10:9,10,13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation … For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
If you do know Him, pray with me for those who are still without hope, whether in remote villages in Chad or big cities in North America. May the Lord give us opportunities to reach them with the gospel!
Romans 10:14-17 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
August Prayer Letter
Dear Prayer Supporters,
“How soon will the whole Bible be printed in our language? We are waiting eagerly!” several Chadian friends asked me recently. It is always hard to have to tell them that they must continue to wait; the translation work is not yet finished. However, by God’s grace, and through your prayers, the work is going forward, and our prayer is that someday, my friends’ long wait will be over, and they will be able to hold in their hands the Bible in their own language.
Update on Translation Work
In July, I met with the Sara Kaba Naa translators to check the latter part of the book of Psalms. Thanks for praying for the health of Gali Simon, the chief translator, who broke his leg in a motorcycle accident, and has ongoing health problems as well. He is still hobbling about on crutches, but his health had improved enough to allow him to travel to Balimba and be present for the entire workshop.
During the first week of August, I met for another workshop with the Sara Kaba Deme translators. We finished checking the book of 2 Kings and got well into 1 Chronicles before we parted ways. The translation work for the Sara Kaba Deme is making progress, with at least a rough draft completed for 26 Old Testament books. However, much work still remains to check the work that has been translated.
Consultant Joshua Hedges came to Chad in July and checked portions of the Old Testament in the Day and Ngam languages. We are thankful that the Lord kept him safe in the long trip (in spite of a delay in his travel plans due to bad weather) and for the progress that was made while he was here.
Update on the Carews
Les and Carol Carew found a home to rent in Sarh, and are settling in and studying the Sango language. They were able to find a Sango-speaking Baptist church in Sarh to attend, and the Lord has provided Sango-speaking workers to guard and clean their home. This will help them to have exposure to Sango on a daily basis. Thanks for praying for them as they continue to adjust to life in Africa.
What’s Ahead
The next several months will be very busy, as I have translation checking workshops scheduled for the Sara Madjingay, Sara Kaba Naa, and Sara Kaba Deme translation projects. Please pray for good health and strength, as well as wisdom as we continue to work together on translating the Scripture into Chadian languages.
For the past few months, I have felt an increasing need for my own means of transportation, so I have begun searching for my own vehicle. Praise the Lord that He has provided the financial means for a vehicle; but please pray with me that He will lead me to a vehicle that will meet my needs, and that will also be reliable and sturdy enough to withstand the road conditions here in Africa.
In Christ's Service,
Anna Beth Wivell
“How soon will the whole Bible be printed in our language? We are waiting eagerly!” several Chadian friends asked me recently. It is always hard to have to tell them that they must continue to wait; the translation work is not yet finished. However, by God’s grace, and through your prayers, the work is going forward, and our prayer is that someday, my friends’ long wait will be over, and they will be able to hold in their hands the Bible in their own language.
Update on Translation Work
In July, I met with the Sara Kaba Naa translators to check the latter part of the book of Psalms. Thanks for praying for the health of Gali Simon, the chief translator, who broke his leg in a motorcycle accident, and has ongoing health problems as well. He is still hobbling about on crutches, but his health had improved enough to allow him to travel to Balimba and be present for the entire workshop.
During the first week of August, I met for another workshop with the Sara Kaba Deme translators. We finished checking the book of 2 Kings and got well into 1 Chronicles before we parted ways. The translation work for the Sara Kaba Deme is making progress, with at least a rough draft completed for 26 Old Testament books. However, much work still remains to check the work that has been translated.
Consultant Joshua Hedges came to Chad in July and checked portions of the Old Testament in the Day and Ngam languages. We are thankful that the Lord kept him safe in the long trip (in spite of a delay in his travel plans due to bad weather) and for the progress that was made while he was here.
Update on the Carews
Les and Carol Carew found a home to rent in Sarh, and are settling in and studying the Sango language. They were able to find a Sango-speaking Baptist church in Sarh to attend, and the Lord has provided Sango-speaking workers to guard and clean their home. This will help them to have exposure to Sango on a daily basis. Thanks for praying for them as they continue to adjust to life in Africa.
What’s Ahead
The next several months will be very busy, as I have translation checking workshops scheduled for the Sara Madjingay, Sara Kaba Naa, and Sara Kaba Deme translation projects. Please pray for good health and strength, as well as wisdom as we continue to work together on translating the Scripture into Chadian languages.
For the past few months, I have felt an increasing need for my own means of transportation, so I have begun searching for my own vehicle. Praise the Lord that He has provided the financial means for a vehicle; but please pray with me that He will lead me to a vehicle that will meet my needs, and that will also be reliable and sturdy enough to withstand the road conditions here in Africa.
In Christ's Service,
Anna Beth Wivell
June Prayer Letter
Dear Prayer Supporters,
Thank you for praying for me during
my two-month stay in Australia. My time
there went very well, and was loaded with blessings. I spoke to 7 churches and 5 ladies’
groups. Everyone was very welcoming and
interested in the ministry in Chad, and I was truly overwhelmed by the love and
generosity of God’s people. I also
enjoyed many great times with my parents and friends, and I appreciated the
chance to rest and recuperate. I
returned to Africa in mid-May, feeling much refreshed and ready to settle back
into ministry in Chad.
Workshops
In late May, I met with the Sara Kaba Dem
translators to check the book of 2 Kings.
We worked together for one week and finished most of the book. Then, as the annual planting season was
beginning, the translators returned to their village to begin their crops. Lord willing, we will meet again in early
August to finish the remainder of 2 Kings and begin checking the book of 1
Chronicles.
In late June, consultant Joshua Hedges will come to Chad
to conduct workshops with the Day (pronounced “die”) and Ngamh
Old Testament projects. Please pray for
Joshua’s safety as he travels and for profitable workshops while he is here.
Pray for Gali Simon
Gali Simon is the chief
translator for the Sara Kaba Naa Old Testament. Several weeks ago, while traveling to attend
his mother’s funeral, he had a motorcycle accident and broke his leg. As his health is already poor due to ongoing
heart problems, his recovery may not be easy.
Please pray for Gali during this time.
I am planning to meet with the Sara Kaba Naa translators in early July for a workshop, to check the latter part of the book of Psalms. Pray that Gali’s health will be able to hold out during the workshop, and that he will take the rest that he needs in order to make a full recovery.
New Coworkers
Les and Carol Carew are missionaries heading for the Central African
Republic, Chad’s neighbor to the south.
Because of ongoing civil strife in CAR, the Carews are temporarily settling
in Sarh for language study, while still praying that the situation in CAR will
calm down so they can begin their ministry there. While they are in Chad, Les will be learning
Sango, the national language of CAR.
Carol grew up as an MK in CAR, so she already knows Sango, but she is
working on improving her French communication skills and assisting Les as he
studies. Please pray for the Carews as
they adjust to life here in Chad.
In Christ's Service,
Anna Beth Wivell
A satisfying end to a great mini-furlough
In just about 24 hours, I'll be on my way back to Chad. It's been a tremendous two months in Australia! It's been wonderful to be with my parents and see many old friends again. My parents and I have enjoyed seeing some of the places I used to enjoy visiting as a child, and to enjoy pleasant hours at home playing games, watching movies, or just chatting.
I've also realized I needed the break from African life more than I knew, and the pleasant hours of relaxing or studying in my parents' quiet home have been greatly refreshing. It's been good to get a break from the heat and dust of the Chadian hot season, and enjoy the mild temperatures of southern Australia. Facilities such as hot showers and high-speed internet have been great too, and plenty of doses of Mum's good cooking mean that I will be returning very well-fed!
On ministry lines, I spoke in 7 churches and 5 ladies' meetings. In each place, everyone was gracious, welcoming, interested to hear about the translation work in Chad, and amazingly generous. A huge THANK YOU to each one of the churches and ladies' groups that I visited in Australia! I have felt greatly loved and blessed by all of you.
In every respect, these past two months in Australia could not have been more blessed. Each time I was feeling astounded at the blessings the Lord had given me, He bestowed even more!
Now as I head back to Africa to continue the work there, I know there is a busy year ahead of me, and life there is always full of challenges. Yet at the same time, I'm looking forward to getting back and seeing all my Chadian friends again, and to get back into the work to which the Lord has called me.
I've also realized I needed the break from African life more than I knew, and the pleasant hours of relaxing or studying in my parents' quiet home have been greatly refreshing. It's been good to get a break from the heat and dust of the Chadian hot season, and enjoy the mild temperatures of southern Australia. Facilities such as hot showers and high-speed internet have been great too, and plenty of doses of Mum's good cooking mean that I will be returning very well-fed!
On ministry lines, I spoke in 7 churches and 5 ladies' meetings. In each place, everyone was gracious, welcoming, interested to hear about the translation work in Chad, and amazingly generous. A huge THANK YOU to each one of the churches and ladies' groups that I visited in Australia! I have felt greatly loved and blessed by all of you.
In every respect, these past two months in Australia could not have been more blessed. Each time I was feeling astounded at the blessings the Lord had given me, He bestowed even more!
Now as I head back to Africa to continue the work there, I know there is a busy year ahead of me, and life there is always full of challenges. Yet at the same time, I'm looking forward to getting back and seeing all my Chadian friends again, and to get back into the work to which the Lord has called me.
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