Download this letter as a PDF including the Bible translation chart here.
Last month we asked you to pray for Mark’s message in Quechua at the dedication of a neighboring Quechua Bible. Note: Mark did not work on that translation. He just gave the message at the dedication.
God’s Word is…
1). Powerful, 2). For everyone, and 3). Meant to be shared with others. Those were the three main points. As you can see in the photo, God’s Word is compared to light, a sword, a fire, and a hammer. Many people commented on it afterwards. The local Quechua organization that promotes the use of Scripture in Quechua would like to distribute the message over radio stations and even by DVD. Mark included the following parable in his message:
The parable of the bad shepherd
A rich man had a bunch of sheep. He left them in care of a hired man while he took off for a distant country. Before he left, he and the hired shepherd carefully counted how many ewes there were, how many lambs, how many rams, and how many sheep were of a special breed.
Well, those few special breed sheep were very special. The hired shepherd treated them like pets and did everything for them: gave them the best food, doctored them, fed them salt, and pampered them in general.
To be sure that the other normal sheep stayed out of trouble, the hired shepherd kept them locked in a corral. The grass in the corral was soon nibbled down to nothing. The sheep got hungry, skinny and sick. Some died. But the shepherd continued to only pay attention to the really special sheep.
After a long time the rich owner returned. How do you think he reacted when he discovered the state of his flock?
Obvious…who is who
When Mark told his parable it was obvious to his listeners who or what represented whom. The ordinary sheep represent most of them: common Quechua speakers. The really special sheep represent those in a congregation who understand Spanish. The hired shepherd? The typical pastor of a church filled with Quechua speakers.
Convicted and repentant
Immediately after Mark spoke a convicted pastor sought him out to ask for prayer. The pastor, a Quechua speaker, said, “Pray for me!” I want to teach in Quechua, too! I want to be a good shepherd!”
Pray for Quechua speaking pastors to make the switch to Quechua. You may wonder why it is such a tough switch to teach in their own language.
It is humbling. People know when they make mistakes reading. It is obvious if they don’t really know what they are talking about or aren’t prepared. All the role models use Spanish. Culturally it is simply more “cool” to do things in Spanish. And up until now, they haven’t even had a Bible in their own language.
Pray for them to diligently apply themselves to practice reading well and teaching in Quechua.
Prayer and Praise
Right now…August 20–21, we are out at an annual church convention hosted this year in a little village over 12,000 feet in altitude. Nights and mornings are really cold now, and all the meetings are outdoors! Pray that we will be an encouragement to the believers gathered there.
September 12 through 30 the next Old Testament workshop will be held over in Huaraz. Another mission will host us. We are thankful for their support of Quechua scripture over in that area. Pray for the team to work through another chunk of Isaiah.
Mark continues to push his arm and hand for more range of motion and to rebuild strength. Thank you for your continued prayers for him in this area.
Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement and support.
Patti
