The Bean Family
Mark & Patti May-June 2025 Beans'talk
Download a printable copy of the May-June 2025 Beans'talk with photos.
BIG news with a BIG birthday
In June, Mark turns 70. That means he is old enough to start receiving maximum Social Security. That, plus our retirement accounts, will be enough for us to live on. So, starting the end of June, we will stop receiving financial support through Wycliffe Bible Translators and "retire" from Wycliffe as supported staff. Instead, we will work as volunteers. Many, many thanks to all of you who have faithfully kept us going over these past nearly 44 years.
Your prayer support is still very much appreciated. We will continue the same work we have been doing. Mark is still consulting for and supporting several Quechua translation projects with years to go.
Did you read that carefully?
We are still working. After June, we will work as volunteers rather than supported members of Wycliffe.
Do we need financial support?
No. Any gifts for us received by Wycliffe after June will be applied to their general budget.
Do we need prayer support?
Absolutely! It would be such a privilege to count on your continued prayers for our work and for the Quechua-speaking churches.
Oldie goldies
We joined WBT in 1981. After finishing seminary, linguistic and cross-cultural training, we arrived in Peru January 1984, with Andy & Emily. Later Eric, and then Ernie joined the family.
What’s coming up?
*May 5th, Mark starts another translation workshop, helping four central Quechua teams prepare the books of Ruth, Jonah and more of Genesis for their respective language areas. He’s teaching and consulting long distance from Ohio.
* When the workshop above ends, Mark will change gears and concentrate on the Panatawa Quechua project, checking 1 Samuel.
* To celebrate the Big Birthday, June 12th, we have a week-long bucket-list trip planned to see the California redwoods. (Did you know that Mark’s undergraduate degree is in forestry?) We’ll be visiting several different parks.
* June 16th another three-week translation workshop will begin in Peru with Mark once again participating from Ohio. At that time the four central Quechua teams hope to finish Genesis. The workshop ends July 4th,which obviously isn’t a holiday in Peru!
Praise and Prayer Requests
Praise God for his goodness over these many years. We praise him for many of you who have faithfully supported us financially and in prayer all this time. You have been, and are, such an essential part of all God has done and is doing in Peru.
Pray that we will continue to serve God faithfully as he gives us strength in the years ahead
We are so thankful for each of you. We thank God for your encouragement, prayers and partnership with us. May God’s lavish love continue to pour into your lives.
Mark and Patti Bean