July Prayer Letter

Dear Prayer Supporters,

For many Chadians, this is an important time of the year, for our rainy season is now in full swing and many people are starting to grow crops. Agriculture in Chad is quite different from other countries where I have lived. Here, people do not have tractors or other large machinery. Gardens are typically plowed with a hand-held plow pulled by a pair of oxen, then they are planted and weeded and harvested by hand. It is hard work, but in the end, the gardens will provide both food and income for the families who own them. These gardens are a frequent reminder of how God uses His Word to plant spiritual seeds in people’s lives, which in time will produce spiritual fruit, which will in turn benefit many others. Thank you for your continued prayers that God will use His Word to produce much fruit in the lives of the Chadian people!

Bible Translation Workshops
In May, my colleague, Susan Hossack, met with the translators of the Sara Madjingaye (pronounced sah-rah mah-jing-guy) Old Testament. Together they checked and edited the book of Ezra and nearly half of the book of Proverbs. Sara is an important local language spoken by around two million Chadians, either as a first or second language, so this Bible translation can potentially reach many people.

This month, another colleague, Joshua Hedges, has come to Chad for an editing session with the translators of the Day (pronounced like die) Old Testament. They are checking the book of Job.

In late August and early September, two more consultants will visit Chad the translations of the Old Testament in the languages of Sara Kaba Dem, Sara Kaba Naa, and Sara Madjingaye. I will be leading portions of all three workshops with the help of the senior consultants.

Please pray for me and the other consultants as we prepare for these workshops, and pray that good progress will be made in each translation. Pray also that the Lord would encourage and strengthen each of the translators as they sacrifice their time and energy to translate His Word.

Sara Kaba Dem Study
I am continuing to study the Sara Kaba Dem language with Ηélène, the Christian woman who has been helping me to learn the language. While our study sessions together have been good and beneficial, sicknesses and family events have often resulted our sessions being cancelled. Pray that we will be able to meet more regularly so that I can continue to make good progress in the language. Pray also that the Lord will use me to be a spiritual encouragement to Ηélène, and that she will depend on the Lord’s strength every day.

In Christ's Service,
Anna Beth Wivell