Chris and I drove to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and back on Tuesday, October 21st. We left at 4:20 am from Grand Rapids and drove straight there; just an effort on our part to minimize time away from the kids.\u00a0 Chris had scans in the morning, both CT and MRI, and we took a walk downtown as we waited for our appointment slot with the doctors.\u00a0 We met with our teams, lymphoma and neuro-oncology, and both are confident as they review blood work and scans that Chris is doing well.\u00a0 We praise God for his mercies!\u00a0 Chris’s next set of scans will be in January, and then again in April, continuing every 3 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While we live in the US we are in roles which are very similar to when we lived in Thailand. Our day-to-day life has changed significantly\u2026but amazingly, our work has changed very little. \u201cSame same but different<\/a>\u201d as we often say in Thailand. We are honored to continue to serve with Wycliffe from the US and that the reasons that have forced us to return to the US have not forced us to abandon the work to further Bible translation for those who do not yet have access. The Lord would have us serve at such a time as this when technology has made it possible to serve anywhere in the world. Historically, in missions, the emphasis has been on \u201cgoing\u201d. And yes, going is still pivotal in the work of missions, but it is no longer the only way to serve. The Bible was not written at a time when the technology we have all come to love\/hate was possible, and yet the Lord has opened doors to allow service from anywhere and everywhere when \u201cgoing\u201d is not wise or possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n “Don\u2019t you have a saying, \u2018It\u2019s still four months until harvest\u2019? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. <\/strong>Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying \u2018One sows and another reaps\u2019 is true. <\/strong>I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.\u201d – John 4:35-37<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n John 4 is an encouragement to me – the message I receive is a charge to be faithful where God has placed me, though it may not be the location of my choice. The disciples had the gift of reaping what they did not sow, also in a location not of their preference (Samaria). Both the sower and the reaper are called to obedience and faithfulness despite circumstances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chris is working on several different projects, including the intersection of AI and Bible translation. It is a challenging dynamic to use AI for Bible translation and it must be done prudently. One of the biggest joys for Chris over the course of his work is when translators provide feedback regarding the software which he and his team work on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am literally speechless. I\u2019ve had a look at the first file, using English and the NT as the sources, and it is amazing. It\u2019s a very good draft. If we can do a draft of the entire OT using this method it will take 20 +years off the translation timeline for the OT. Yes, we will still go through every verse and check and correct and tweak but oh my goodness what a blessing that would be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It took us 27 years to translate the NT. And our translation team is now working on the OT. I am 63 years old now and was planning on retiring soon and passing the baton on to the team to carry the work on. If I could help them with a good beginning draft of the OT before I retire that would be so incredible. Then they would have something, as rough as it may be, to guide them a bit. Otherwise, I feel like I\u2019m leaving them high and dry and walking away. Actually, this new possibility has given me more thought about continuing to work with the team to finish the OT. What a miracle that would be. I said to my wife this morning, \u201cHoney, this confirms to my heart that God really wants [these] people to have the OT in their language!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Please pass on our immense thanks to your team for the amazing work you all are doing. Keep doing it. You are making a huge impact on the lives of people around the world for His Kingdom.\u201d And so, in addition we thank so many of you for your support and care for our family that has enabled us to continue to serve, either in Thailand or the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Please be in prayer for decisions and discussions around the use of AI in Bible translation. Naturally, there are strong opinions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We ask for prayer for us as we navigate another year of medical bills as our new plan year began October 1. Last year, we tracked that we spent more than $3000 over and above our out of pocket maximum ($10,600). We are very thankful for medical insurance, our medical team, and the care we receive; though the costs are a challenge, especially within the US system. Click to read more about our financial needs this year<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Chris and I drove to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and back on Tuesday, October 21st. 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– Bible translation advisor<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n