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SIMBA BIBLE COURSE A
SUCCESS
For some time the Simba team has
recognized the advantages of bringing Simba men to Taperillas for short
periods of time for teaching and disciplining. That way these men would
be away from the pressures and demands of their homes, and could
concentrate and give themselves to learning. Therefore, March 29-31 we
held our first, three day Bible seminar (cursillo) here in Taperillas. Read
more ...
We invited 12 Simba men from 6
communities. Jack prepared the first 10 chronological lessons in the
Simba language. This material foundationally teaches from an
introduction of how we got the Bible, who God is, what God is like, and
on through creation. As it turned out, the roads throughout Simba land
were in terrible shape due to rain and only half of those invited were
able to make it. Therefore, we invited 6 more men from Taperillas and
had a full house.
We started each day with a devotional
by Larry Depue. Jack taught the main lessons, and Felix Avendaño
reviewed the lesson. Pascual Avendaño then taught a short lesson which
concluded the morning session. After a great lunch, prepared by three
local woman that we had hired, we met again in the afternoon for another
lesson and review. We also had a church meeting each night and those who
attended the cursillo took turns sharing what they were learning in
class. During the last session of the cursillo we gave them time to make
suggestions and comments. Each of those attending expressed their
excitement over having such teaching in their own language. Several said
that they had been to Bible conferences where the teaching had been in
Spanish, but they didn't understand the teaching very well. They were
thrilled that we were preparing this material in Simba and asked that we
have another cursillo in September when the roads will be dry.
They weren't the only ones that had
learned some things. The missionary team had learned much as well. We
believe that we are much better prepared for the next cursillo. Before
they left on Monday, the four from outside communities came to us
wanting to get Simba New Testaments to take back to their people. One of
them took only 10 because he had to walk about 16 miles carrying them.
So, our first seminar was a success. The Lord has opened a door to us
here amongst the Simba. There is much to do. Thank you all for praying!
OUR FIRST TRANSLATION
CHECK
Although there is a New Testament in
the Simba language, there is no Old Testament. Therefore, Jack is having
to translate all of the Old Testament scriptures that are needed for the
foundational teaching. That will be a lot of scripture. He had finished
the first three chapters of Genesis for the first 10 lessons, so it was
time for Cam and Mary Hurst, our translation consultants, to pay a
visit. They came at the end of April and we spent several days going
over the material. Jack had given Cam a "Back to English"
translation of all the material to be checked. This process proved to be
very helpful and to be a vital step in the process of providing the
Simba people with a good, clear, accurate Bible translation. Jack will
continue translating key Old Testament scriptures, and the lessons that
go with them. Please pray for the Simba team. This includes the Simba
men that are serving as language informants. Their job is very
difficult. Although it is their language, we are looking for phrases
that perhaps have never been put together in the Simba language.
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THE BIG SOCCER BALL GIVE AWAY
The Hillside Wesleyan Youth Group of
North Street, MI did a project to provide soccer balls for each family
in Taperillas. They raised $580.00, so we were able to buy not only good
quality soccer balls, but also a few air pumps, extra bladders, some
volley balls, a basketball, and more. The saying in Taperillas these
days is, "We are well equipped to play." The group also sent
some used soccer uniforms. Yasurupai (thanks) to all of you there at
Hillside for your efforts. Here are a few pictures, although they don't
really show the brightness of the many smiles that we experienced as we
gave away these wonderful gifts.
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SIMBA TEAM MEETINGS
In mid October the Simba team went up
to Cochabamba for team meetings with the NTM Bolivia committee. Tim Wyma,
chairman of NTM Panama, sat in on the meetings as well. The meetings
lasted three days and we didn't really finish, but ran out of time. It
was time very well spent, though. The Lord used this time to bring us
and the Depues, and the rest of the field committee together with a
clearer vision of what He wants to do among the Simba people. Our
purpose Statement will be;
Motivated by the love of Christ and
empowered by the Holy Spirit, and walking in fellowship with the Lord
and with our co-workers, this team exists to evangelize, disciple, and
assist Simba believers in order to establish functioning, indigenous,
New Testament churches among the Simba people.
We took a lot of time to clarify and
define the terms used in the language of the statement. Then we worked
at establishing short, medium, and long range goals for the team, and
the strategy of how to accomplish these goals. All the while being aware
that we need to respond and adjust to God's plan for the Simba people.
We are encouraged in the Lord with the work, but somewhat overwhelmed at
how much needs to be done. It is apparent that we need more laborers in
this ministry, as there is no way that we can do it. It's nice to
remember that it's God's work and that He is the God of the impossible.
My (Jack) job description for the next six months is translation and
culture investigation. I am translating and preparing the script for the
video, "God's Story." I am also preparing chronological Bible
lessons. This requires me to translate many Old Testament scriptures. It
is extremely challenging to discover the "Spiritual
Vocabulary" in Simba so I would appreciate your prayers. Suzie will
continue language and culture study. She also "Runs
interference" with the many visitors that come to our house while I
am working with my language helpers.
We appreciate your prayers!
Receiving a language test
Gathering at the water tank.
One day early in September, Pascual
came and told us that there were several that wanted to be baptized. After
that, we got together a few times to study what the Bible has to say about
it. Pascual was confident that we should move forward, so on September 17
we gathered with the believers at a small water tank and baptized 19 men,
women, and children. What a blessing it was for us and such an
encouragement to the people. After the baptism, we all went back to
Pascual's house where the ladies had prepared a huge lunch. We then went
to the soccer field for games of soccer and volleyball. Meanwhile, our
language study continues on, and on, and on. We are starting to see good
results. Jack should be far enough along by May, 2000 to begin teaching.
Please pray on, and on, and on for us, and for the Simba believers.
Pascual baptizing a believer.
Gran Chaco Survey
Trip
Jack had the privilege to lead a
group on a survey of the Gran Chaco of Southern Bolivia during the first
week and a half of November. They were looking for information on two
tribes; the Wehnayek, and the Tapiete. The Gran Chaco is the hottest place
in Bolivia with temperatures soaring to over 120 deg. The Wehnayek is a
group of around 3770 people that live along the Pilcomayo River. They
depend on fishing for their food. Another mission has worked with them,
but the team soon realized that the people do not understand the
Gospel.
Wehnayek Woman
Wehnayek Woman
The information gathered on this
tribe is now in the hands of the NTM field committee. They will decide if
this is a work for NTM to pursue. The Tapiete is a much smaller tribal
group made up of only 15 families in Bolivia. (There are another 3000
Tapiete people in Paraguay.) They also fish the Pilcomayo for a living. To
our surprise we found that they speak a dialect of Guaraní very close to
Simba. Jack was able to communicate with them very easily using the Simba
language. The survey team is recommending that the Tapiete be considered
an outreach for the Simba team. The survey was a great success. Please
pray for these two people groups. (For
more info read a recent email ...)
Stuck in the mud
Tapiete family
Wehnayek Family
Pascual and wife
Meeting at a Simba village called
Yaguapua (raised up Jaguar)
Simba girl at her home in Yaguapua
Grinding peppers to make hot sauce.
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