Beans'Talk August-September 2020

Download the August-September Beans'Talk with photos here.

Cool screenshots!

One of our goals this past month was to begin advertising the (now) twenty-nine apps Mark has been working on, introduced in our last letter. However, it soon became apparent that we need a more attractive presentation. So, Mark has been developing more eye-catching screenshots for the landing page in Google Play Store.

Next are three screenshots (out of seven) from the newest app. This app is designed to give people practice reading, and will soon be available for two Quechua varieties. We still need to finish the last audio narrations before we post it.

Music in the air

Mark was able to improve the apps for the five hymnbooks by including a new option allowing the user to listen to each hymn. One of the hymnbooks is located here. You can click here to listen to a favorite Quechua hymn accompanied by a traditional Andean harp and violin. The start of the hymn translates: Day after day I keep on, trusting in you, continually thinking of your Word…

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Mark & Patti August 2020 Prayer Requests

*Continue to pray for our Quechua partners who are giving messages and devotionals on Facebook and recording easy reading materials for do-it-yourself practice since no classes are happening. Pray for their safety as well as the safety of their families as they seek ways to minister while remaining stuck at home.

*We are thankful for continued good health, energy and rewarding work. Mark continues to tweek different apps and is figuring out how to best show them off for people to find them and have access to their Quechua Bible, Bible study materials, easy reading materials and their hymnbook - all on their phones.

Beans'Talk June-July 2020

Download a copy of the June-July 2020 Beans'talk with photos here.

Hey! How does everybody know?

Turning 65 must be a big deal. We can tell by all that comes in our mailbox. First it was Mark who kept receiving massive amounts of junk mail. Now, it’s my turn. All sorts of people know not only when our birthdays are, but also how old we’ll be.

If you haven’t hit this milestone, be forewarned. Everyone wants your attention. The upside: you won’t have to be sad about an empty mailbox! Mark just had his birthday earlier this month. Mine’s coming up in August. I guess that officially makes us senior citizens.

Consulting

One of Mark’s jobs is checking over the translation work of colleagues. Since our last Beans’Talk, Mark finished checking the book of Acts for another variety of Quechua. He also worked through the book of Colossians along with the book of Mark. Now his consultant hat is hanging on a peg until more books come his way—which could be any day now.

App progress

Mark continues to convert Quechua materials so they can be accessible on people’s cell phones. Building apps for cell phones has not been a smooth process, but Mark is thankful for the progress made so far. To date he has posted 16 apps to Google Play Store:

• Three apps with 75 topical Bible studies in each, one app for each of 3 different Quechua groups.

• Three apps with 14 topical Bible studies in each, one app for each of 3 other Quechua groups.

• Five apps with an assortment of resources for Scripture memory, evangelism, basic discipleship, using the helps in the Bible, etc. Each app is for a different Quechua group.

• A course about the Bible, with readings, assignments and final exam. This is also x 5 apps for 5 Quechua groups.

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