Yesterday, we returned from several days in Bamenda at an annual retreat for missionaries. Kelly and I had a great time, as did the kids, seen here playing with their new friends.
Two things really struck me this past week. The first is the privilege of worshiping with those of your same language and same culture. It's certainly a joy to worship with believers around the globe cross-culturally, but sometimes things go missing when you don't quite understand what's going on. This then lead me to a better understanding of the HUGE need for bible translation. Imagine using God's word in your 2nd (or maybe 3rd) language. How joyful would you be to receive a bible in your heart language?
Which brings me to the second thing that spoke to me this week: other missionaries stories. We met a couple serving as the only missionaries at a rural hospital. They're in their 70's. The husband is a retired GI doctor. He retired after a full career in Colorado Springs, then moved to a hot, dusty place with lots of malaria! They specifically chose this path because they wanted to have an impact for God's kingdom in their retirement, and the place they work serves many unreached people. Wow!
We also met a few bible translators. One of them stood up and stated, "On average it takes 20 years to translate the Bible when you're starting without a written language. If God gives us health and life for that long, we're here to see that through."
We were blessed by an awesome children's program as well. One might think, "How can you get any sleep with 4 kids in a single room?" Well, they played so hard each day, they slept great every night!
One day, the kids made puppets during craft time, then used then in a show that night.
