August Prayer Letter

Dear Prayer Supporters,

“With Jesus we must walk step by step,” reads a line from a popular Chadian Christian chorus. It’s certainly true of life in Africa, which is often so unpredictable. It’s also true of Bible translation work, which is a long and often difficult process. But step by step, we continue to make progress by God’s grace.

Trip to Mali

For the past two and a half years, the translation work in Chad has kept me fully occupied. Now, for the first time since I came to Chad, I have been making plans for a trip to help a translation project in another African country. I have been asked to go to Mali in early September to help the Songhay New Testament project with some of their final quality checks. We plan to check key Greek words to make sure they have been translated consistently in each of their occurrences throughout the New Testament. This will be different from most of the translation workshops I have helped with in Chad, so please pray for me, as well as for the translators and missionaries I will be working with.

In making my plans for this trip, I have encountered an obstacle: paperwork. I was unable to get a visa from the Mali consulate in Chad, but they said they would try to get a letter which should allow me to enter the country. Please pray that if the Lord wants me to make this trip at this time, the letter would come through in time for me to travel. Pray also that the immigration officials and airlines will accept this paperwork without any serious complications.

Translation Update

I met with the Sara Kaba Naa translators again in July, and we checked the book of Ecclesiastes and the first 28 chapters of Isaiah. The translators only have four books left to translate to finish the rough draft of the Old Testament, but the work is far from over yet. The local committee especially has a lot of work to do in editing the rough draft. Pray the committee will make good progress and have a true heart for the translation work.

Update on security situation in Chad

In July, another suicide bomber set off his bomb in the capital city of Chad, this time in the market place, killing about 15 people. Here in the south of the country, all has been calm, and life goes on mostly as normal, except for increased police security checks. Please keep praying for peace in Chad.

In Christ's Service,
Anna Beth Wivell

June Prayer Letter

Dear Prayer Supporters,

It is early rainy season in Chad: peanut-planting season. This year, as sometimes happens, the first rains were a bit sporadic. Just as the fresh green grass and new crops began to grow, no rain fell for a week or two. The young grass started looking sickly and the fresh shoots started to dry up. Each morning as I met with a group of Chadians to work on their translation of the Bible, we prayed for rain. A few days later, the rain fell in buckets, hammering so loudly on the tin roof that we could barely hear each other’s shouts and had to take an unscheduled coffee break. But no one was upset at the interruption! “God answered our prayers!” the translators rejoiced. Yes, He does answer our prayers, both big and small! Thank you all for your prayers for the ministry of the Word here in Chad!

Special visitors

Just down the road from my house in Balimba is a theological school run by the Chadian Baptist churches. While most of the classes are taught by Chadian pastors, occasionally visiting missionaries come from America to teach as well. One regular guest is Dr Larry Fogle, who often brings another professor with him to help with the teaching load.

In early May, Dr Fogle came to teach a class on pastoral leadership, accompanied by Dwight and Cindy Strickland. Dwight had actually lived in Chad when he was a young child, so it was a particularly memorable trip for both him and his wife. Since he cannot speak French, we missionaries shared the work of interpreting for him in the class, as well as for Cindy who taught an ESL class to a group of church members. Interpreting for a teacher in a classroom setting was a new experience for me. I was nervous about it at first, but in the end I surprised myself by how much I enjoyed it!

Translation update

Although my coworker, Susan Hossack, is the primary consultant for the Sara Madjingay Bible, I am still helping with this project occasionally. So in the latter part of May, I met with the Sara Madjingay translators to check some of the Old Testament prophetic books. We checked the last six chapters of Jeremiah, then we moved on to check Lamentations, Zechariah, and Malachi.

In mid June, I met with the Sara Kaba Deme translators. We checked Nehemiah, Esther, Song of Solomon, and then started checking the book of Proverbs. The younger translator, Azor Ngamal, whom I mentioned in my last letter, is making good progress in learning how to type. Please keep praying for him and for all of our translators.

Pray for peace and safety

While I was still busy with translation work in Balimba, we heard that away in the capital of the country, several suicide bombers from a terrorist group based in a neighboring country had set off their bombs, killing or injuring dozens of people. We were thankful to be far away from the action, since Chad’s capital is a good 12-hour drive away. There have been no further incidents since then, and I have not heard that any of our Chadian Christian brothers or sisters were directly affected by the event. However, it is a reminder that things in this part of the world can change quickly. Please pray for the continued peace and stability of Chad. Ultimately, our safety rests in the hands of God.

In Christ's Service,
Anna Beth Wivell

April Prayer Letter

For me, the month of April in Chad in particular seems to be a mixture of pleasure and trial. It is the height of “hot season”, which means constant heat and dust. Yet it is also the season for mangoes: so sweet and juicy, at their best (in my opinion) eaten fresh here in this tropical climate.

Ministry is much the same, always full of joys and hardships. We see God’s hand at work and we have many blessings and encouragements, yet there are always obstacles and discouragements. If you have ever served in a Christian ministry, I’m sure you can relate to that!

Update on Paul Yongo

Many of you have been praying for the assistant Sara Kaba Deme translator, Paul Yongo, who suffered a stroke last November. Currently he remains partially paralyzed and unable to speak, and sadly, it is unlikely at this point that his condition will improve enough to allow him to return to translation work.

One of Paul’s tasks as assistant translator was that of typist. Since most of our Chadian translators are not able to have computers, the chief translator writes out the first draft of the translation by hand. The assistant translator then types it up on a battery-powered machine that looks rather like a typewriter with a miniature screen. The text is then transferred directly from this machine into a file on a computer so that it can be printed and edited. Since Paul is now unable to do this, we knew we needed to find another person to take over for him.

Thankfully, two younger Sara Kaba Deme men have already undergone training as translators. One of them, Azor Ngamal, is a Bible school student right here in Balimba. I have started working with him to train him to be able to take over some of the tasks that Paul used to do, including the typist work. While Azor’s studies currently limit the time he has to devote to translation work, my prayer is that in time he will be able to be a great help to the Sara Kaba Deme team.

Computer Problems

In March, missionary Birch Champeon and volunteer Nathan Babcock came to Chad to upgrade the computer system in our translation center. The old computers were suffering from viruses which were making work difficult, so they brought new computers running a different operating system. Hopefully this operating system will help prevent viruses from getting into the computers in the future. It has already been a blessing to be able to share important files without the risk of sharing viruses!

Translation Update

Both the Sara Kaba Deme and Sara Kaba Naa teams have now finished, or nearly finished, corrections on all the historical books and much of the poetic books. We are encouraged by the progress that has been made, but we are aware that many of the remaining books are the most difficult, including the prophetic books and some poetic books such as the book of Job. We appreciate your continued prayers for us.

In Christ's Service,
Anna Beth Wivell

Prayer Letter Postscript

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.