The Beans’ Talk - June 2009
Update from Mark and Patti Bean:
Translating God’s Word for Quechua speakers in central Peru
A church retreat
This past weekend we attended a “retreat” a two-hour hike up from the end of a road. As we approached the village several preschoolers came running up, formed a line, and extended chubby little hands to greet us. We were charmed!
When we came home, our mail included a report on a supporting church’s men’s retreat. We couldn’t help making some comparisons.
Differences
- Most wore their very best clothes.
- Seating in a field with animals grazing.
- Meals prepared outside and served from big buckets.
- No beds, bathrooms, water, electricity or snacks.
Similarities
- Gorgeous physical settings (though we’d argue that ours was more spectacular.)
- A year in the planning.
- Biblical teaching. (Mark taught several Psalms as well as Phil.4:8–13.)
- Greatly enjoyed!
Unexpected blessing
Last fall a study tour of Israel was advertised for Wycliffe translators. I’ve always hoped that someday Mark could visit Israel and see first-hand the land he’s studied so much. We didn’t tell anyone about the opportunity, and waited to see what God would do.
God not only provided for Mark to go, but he also provided for my way, too! We’ve just about finished a pre-requisite map course. The study tour is two full weeks in Israel. What a dream come true! With travel back and forth and up again into the mountains, we’ll be gone from home nearly three weeks.
Praises
- Opportunities to travel to remote villages and teach.
- The opportunity to travel to Israel next month!
- The books of Esther and Nahum are now yellow on the chart below. The book of Joel is now green!
- My ear infection was gone within days of mailing out our last Beans’talk. Thanks for praying!
Prayers
- For Quechua pastors to make the effort to learn to read well. This continues to be a major roadblock to their using Quechua scriptures publicly.
- For God to meet people in his word as they take time to read it.
- For solid growth and grounding of Quechua churches.
NOTE 1: The June edition of our Beans’talk will be nearly a week late due to travels!
NOTE 2: Wycliffe offers FREE downloadable children’s curriculum at http://www.wycliffe.org/Kids/FreeCurriculum.aspx. Check it out!
NOTE 3: Click here to see pictures from Andrew and Angie's wedding!
We really appreciate each one of you!
Patti
