Update from Mark and Patti Bean Translating God’s Word for Quechua speakers in central Peru
Download the PDF version of the letter here.
Bean Sprout news
Andy, our first Bean Sprout, now has his Air Force pilot wings. He’s moved on to fighter pilot training to eventually fly the plane parked behind us in the photo: an A10.
Emily, our second Sprout was able to join us in Texas for the ceremony.
See the newest Bean Sprout bumping out of Rachel’s tummy? Jeremiah, their first Sprout, was happy to let us be on–hand grandparents. What joy!
Our two youngest Sprouts, Eric & Ernie, couldn’t make it. In July Ernie will be in Taiwan as part of the Army’s cross–cultural program. He’s not sure yet exactly what he will be doing.
“Cheap Wife”
Traveling back through Lima after our trip to Texas, we had medical checkups. The dentist animatedly told Mark in English, “You have a cheap wife!” He was trying to convey that compared to some patients my mouth didn’t need expensive work done. He had no clue that this phrase, which he repeated several times, could mean anything negative. Mark sometimes says something in Quechua that seems straight–forward enough only to have men chuckle and tell him, “No, Mark! You can’t say it like that!” Language is so much more than just knowing the definitions of words. When and how you say words can change everything!
An ear update
While in Lima I also had my cochlear implant re-programmed. It’s an annual checkup. Guess what? The following Sunday morning back in Huánuco, Mark said “Hey! You are singing on key!”
It turns out I’ve been consistently singing just slightly off these past years. Mark hadn’t said anything figuring that is how I heard the music. He didn’t want me to not sing. Isn’t he considerate! My dear colleagues have been gracious too.
With the new tweaks to the program, I now hear birds better and can distinguish between some of them. Another new change makes my battery last hours longer. I’m so thankful to have this cochlear implant!
Lots of hoops!
Teófilo is the newest man on the translation team. He wants to start studying at a Bible institute in the evenings. To sign up, he needs to be baptized. And, to be baptized according to the local denomination, he needs to formalize his marriage in a church ceremony. He is married according to Quechua custom which does not take the church into account.
Now, to complicate things, baptisms and weddings are usually just offered once a year in August. That’s when a licensed minister is on hand to legally perform a mass wedding ceremony at the annual convention. Teófilo’s pastor is working hard to see if something can be done to meet these requirements before the month is out.
More Quechua Bible studies starting
This month eight villages in the district of Margos will be starting up women’s Bible studies. The exciting part is that we had nothing to do with organizing them! Those who took part in the basic discipleship course last year as students will be offering it to women in seven new locations as well as in the same place last year’s class was held. Some of the new locations are quite remote. Hurray for multiplication! Hurray for churches figuring out how to do ministry within their own means!
Praises & Prayer Requests
• Praise God for Teófilo’s hunger to learn the things of God. Pray that at the right time he can meet the requirements to attend a local Bible institute that meets in the evenings.
• Pray for the teams leading the new basic follow-up Bible studies: Susana & Graciela in Cochas, Francisco in Llampashillon, Damacina in Yacus, Hercelia in Pacayhua, Allica & Luci in Chaulán, María & Filomón in Margos, Próspero in Huancacancha, and Tula in Chacras.
• Pray for the upcoming Old Testament workshop June 28 through July 10th. Mark and the teams will be working on adapting Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. They hope to polish Nehemiah, Daniel and Zephaniah.
Isn’t God good! Thank you SO much for joining us in prayer!
Mark & Patti Bean
