Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Al & Mickey Williams January Prayer and Praise Bulletin

AL’S TRIP TO NORTH CAROLINA - Thank you once again for your prayers as I drove to the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina. I was able to accomplish quite a few things on this trip even though the JAARS Center was closed for a day and a half due to snow and ice. Some days it was actually colder in North Carolina than it was at our home in Pennsylvania. I had meetings with some of the Security and Crisis Management staff that I usually relate to from a distance and also had time to catch up with some (but, unfortunately, not all) of our friends who live there.

One of the major reasons for this trip was an invitation to attend the JAARS Board of Directors meetings. This is the body that provides oversight and direction to the JAARS President and is highly engaged in the focus and activities that JAARS will be involved in for the future. Many of you will remember that when Mickey and I joined Wycliffe Bible Translators, we were focused on serving the work of Bible Translation in the Philippines – I, as a pilot and mechanic; Mickey as a nurse, secretary, etc. JAARS is the organization that trains and supports the pilots and mechanics that serve with SIL and has been a very significant part of our lives. A few months ago I received a request to consider becoming one of the directors on the JAARS Board. The meetings this week were an opportunity for me to get to know the current Board members and to observe their process in this round of meetings. It was also an opportunity for them to get to know me briefly as they consider my gifts, abilities and skills as they consider the talents needed on the Board in the future.

We will appreciate your prayers as Mickey and I consider this opportunity, and for the JAARS Board as they consider inviting me to become one of the directors in 2019. A decision on this position will be made later in 2018.

IVATAN NEW TESTAMENT; RE-LAUNCHING – In early 2016, as the Jesus Film was being dubbed into the Ivatan language of the northern Philippines, many Ivatan asked how they could get a copy of the New Testament in their language. Sadly, it had been out of print since the 1990’s. But in November 2016, during the launching of the Ivatan Jesus Film, our colleagues were able to make the Ivatan Scripture App available to those with mobile phones. They also shared the exciting news that the Ivatan New Testament was being reprinted and would be available within the next year! On December 9, 2017 that promise came true as the Ivatan New Testament (including selected Psalms and the Book of Proverbs) was made available to the people during a special re-launching celebration! Praise the Lord! Pray that God’s Word will draw many Ivatan to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

JEREMY’S HOUSE - Thanks so much for your prayers regarding someone to buy our son Jeremy’s house. On December 29, God answered as the sale of the house was finalized! This is a huge relief for all of us. 

PRAYER ITEMS:
UPCOMING TRIPS - I (Al) am in the process of planning an extended trip to Indonesia in March. This will be an opportunity to provide security and crisis management training to some of our teams and partners working there. I’ll also be attending our annual leadership meeting. This is the round of meetings where we discuss planning for the work ahead, not only in Indonesia but across Asia. In addition to that upcoming trip, I’m working to develop security and crisis management training that can be done via video conferencing over the Internet. Travel expenses and time being in short supply, my hope is that this means of training will allow me to reach more people at less expense and time than seeking to be at each place in person. There is no replacement for in-person training, but I hope this will be valuable too. Please pray for wisdom and good success as I seek to grow in this area.

JEREMY - “Thank you” is not a strong enough term to express our appreciation to those of you who are praying for our son Jeremy and his children as they continue to walk through the divorce process. Although we are not at liberty to give you more details, please know that your prayers are extremely important right now for all involved!

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