The Bean Family

The Bean Family

Event
01/22/18

Beans'talk February 2018

Download the February Beans'talk with photos here.

A Quechua-speaking Good Shepherd

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Sumer represents the Huacaybamba area on the translation team. His church sent him to a large neighboring community to read Scrip-ture as part of a big community festival. He chose to read John 10 about Jesus being the Good Shepherd.

Quechua people shepherd their sheep daily. They can really relate to John 10. Sumer’s au-dience raved about how clear and special it was to hear this in their own language. They lamented that it was too bad that Sumer hadn’t been there the previous day to read Scripture, too.

Because it was a community festival, many family members had returned to the area from the capital city to be there for the occa-sion. Even though they are usually immersed in Spanish while in the city, they too, ex-claimed how special it was to hear the mes-sage in the language of their heart.

How to eat an elephant

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You are probably familiar with the question that asks: How do you eat an elephant? The answer goes: One bite at a time.

It is a bit crude for comparison, but, the way to bring these six Quechua Bibles to publica-tion is a similarly giant task. The way to fin-ish: proofing verse by verse, one page at a time.

Mark is meeting with the men right now. They are even working today, since they work Saturdays. They are 71% of the way through the biblical text.

Dedicated teammates

Four teams are meeting in Huaraz and two in Huanuco. Two of the men in Huanuco live in or are staying at the opposite end of the city from where they meet to work. During this current workshop, there have been a number of days when all roads are closed with no traffic due to a city-wide strike. On those days, Leoncio and Shatu walk about an hour and a half to get to work, and then do the same to get home. That’s being dedicated!

Holding him up

Since mid-November, Mark has been struggling with bronchitis. Although as the weeks went by he saw some improvement, the days immediately before this workshop Mark’s health and energy plummeted. We let some people and prayer chains in on our need. WHAT A DIFFERENCE those prayers are making! The first workshop days, Mark napped during the morning break, during the lunch break, and promptly fell asleep when the workday was over. But, eventually with continued support from your prayers, he’s been able to join the world after his long workday. Mark still naps when possible, but what seemed impossible is happening.

Praises and Prayer Requests

Praise – For God’s grace and strength to meet each day of this current workshop. Praise for the many of you who’ve prayed extra for Mark and the team during this workshop. Praise for the steady progress being made.

February 12 thru March 2 – our final proofing workshop is scheduled. Once again, please pray for the myriad of details involved: good health and safe travels for each Quechua translator; stable family, field and livestock situations so the men aren’t distracted; a keen eye for detail; alertness through the long hours; hearts receptive to God speaking to them personally through his Word; and uninterrupted electricity and Internet connections. These are key prayer items to lift up.

Pray - For this last workshop we had planned to be in Peru. When I first started thinking about writing this letter, Mark thought surely he would be able to go. The fact is, healing progress is very slow. He still has a bad cough, limited energy, etc. Mark now realizes that the best thing to do is stay put. It’s not where his heart’s been, but God’s making it pretty obvious that’s what he needs to do. Pray for everyone to be understanding and give any disappointment to God.

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Really, there’s so much to be thankful for! Thanks for praying us through to the end!

Mark & Patti