Walking down the streets, the melding of diesel fuel, dust, ripe tomatoes, freshly fried foods, and second hand clothes that have traveled over seas to find themselves in this familiar town, I felt a sense of belonging that made my heart glad.
If that wasn't enough--and I DON'T underestimate the precious sense of being home--I walked into a room full of men who warmly greeting me and my colleague, Rachel. With sleeping Mariama strapped to my front, I stepped around the room, greeting each man with my right hand and a curtsy.
It was right to be there with them. Since I returned to the USA to study almost three years ago, new people have joined the team, and some that were trained in literacy have gained positions that will allow them to make greater change. I was privileged to encourage them in this new development and to lead discussions that allowed them to express their vision for the Bible translation and its use in the church.
Four days later, we returned to climb motorcycles (This time with Mariama strapped on my back) and we headed to a church in Kiceland to meet a group of pastors. Two and a half hours after the scheduled starting time, we began with a meeting considerably smaller than the one we had anticipated, but it was so powerful. Each individual present participated in the discussion about language use, and one man who works for the public education system answered our question, "So, what do you want to change, now that we've discussed?" with "We want to move all of these activities (Bible studies, prayer meetings, weddings, etc) that are being done in Hausa," he declared in a booming, confident voice that echoed in the cavity of the sanctuary, "and move them here!" he exclaimed, indicating with a sweeping, definite gesture that hovered over the Kuce circle where only traditional cultural activities had been placed. Everyone smiled and laughed at his enthusiastic ambitious desire before seriously discussing what it would take to make that happen.
Please pray for the Bace people who speak the Kuce language in the land of Kice. I am so thankful to be working with them again in a new capacity, but the work is so great! To make God's words as close and native as their traditional practices will be a miraculous grace-filled achievement! It will only happen as we move prayerfully forward, depending on God for guidance and strength. Pray for more laborers in the field, and for more Bace to be mobilized and see the need for themselves.
[Bace, Kuce, and Kice are pronounced something like Ba-CHAY, Ku-CHAY, and Kee-CHAY]
If that wasn't enough--and I DON'T underestimate the precious sense of being home--I walked into a room full of men who warmly greeting me and my colleague, Rachel. With sleeping Mariama strapped to my front, I stepped around the room, greeting each man with my right hand and a curtsy.
It was right to be there with them. Since I returned to the USA to study almost three years ago, new people have joined the team, and some that were trained in literacy have gained positions that will allow them to make greater change. I was privileged to encourage them in this new development and to lead discussions that allowed them to express their vision for the Bible translation and its use in the church.
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| To show the church activities and which of the three languages are used for each activity. |
Please pray for the Bace people who speak the Kuce language in the land of Kice. I am so thankful to be working with them again in a new capacity, but the work is so great! To make God's words as close and native as their traditional practices will be a miraculous grace-filled achievement! It will only happen as we move prayerfully forward, depending on God for guidance and strength. Pray for more laborers in the field, and for more Bace to be mobilized and see the need for themselves.
[Bace, Kuce, and Kice are pronounced something like Ba-CHAY, Ku-CHAY, and Kee-CHAY]
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