The Bean Family

The Bean Family

Recent Blogposts

  • Beans'talk April 2016

    Download the April 2016 Beans'talk with photos here.

    A woman who shows her teeth

    What if you were reading along in Proverbs and read about the “woman who shows her teeth”? From the context you’d know you should stay clear of her! But who is she?

    Quechua speakers on the Huanuco side of the state line use that phrase to describe an immoral or seductive woman. While the phrase isn’t common over here in Ancash, women often hold a hand over their mouths when they are visiting—like the woman here. She’s being modest: not showing her teeth!

    You can always find more rocks

    Shatu did a great job summing up where we find ourselves. One day he gave the following comparison. “When you prepare a field for planting,” Shatu explained, “you can always find more rocks to remove. But, if you never stop removing rocks, you’ll never plant. And if you never plant, you’ll never have a harvest. Translation is kind of like that,” he concluded. “We could keep going over these books and chapters and we’ll always find something that could be improved. But, if we don’t stop and get this out into the hands of people, what good is it?”

  • Bean Family April 2016 Prayer Requests

    1. Our LAST translation workshop meets April 12 - 29th. It starts on a Tuesday because everyone needs to be in their respective towns/villages on Sunday the 10th to vote in national elections. Goals include: work on an introduction to the Bible, select illustrations, 2 groups need to finish editing their glossary, one last discussion about which word to use for “covenant,” look at the remaining outstanding questions/issues and hopefully wrap things up. Pray against disruptions, illness and distractions. Pray for everyone to make it, for good concentration and for super attention to detail.

    2. Saturday, April 30th we've invited the men who used to work with us in translation to join us for a mini-reunion and celebration of nearly 12 years of working on these Bibles. Family members who are close enough or can travel are invited as well. Pray for a special time of honoring these men who've given so much to help translate God's word for speakers of their language.

  • Beans'Talk March 2016

    Download the March 2016 Beans'Talk with photos here.

    A couple weeks ago we were out in a nearby village teaching all weekend. It wasn’t clear if we would be coming back home to spend the night or not since it was so close. We took Mark’s extra-long sleeping bag, just in case. At my size, I’m fine with a blanket or two.

    Warm & Toasty

    Look at this stack! There are enough sheep skins and woolen blankets to sleep a large family! The closer stack is made up of home-made blankets from our hosts’ own sheep: sheared, cleaned, spun, dyed and woven by hand. Take note, ladies! This is an example of generous Quechua hospitality!

    With the sheepskins on the floor, we layered most of the blankets under us. It reminded me of the story of the Princess and the Pea. I felt like royalty being so well cared for. Unlike the princess in the story, I slept very well.

  • Beans'Talk February 2016

    Download the February 2016 Beans'Talk with photos here.

    Over and up in Huamalies

    At the time of our last letter we had no idea that we would soon take off for Huamalies—one of the language areas we translate for. One of the men on the translation team set up a weekend in the provincial capital, Llata, with church leaders from a number of towns and villages in the area. We traveled over a couple days early to avoid being on the road over New Year’s.

    Brrr….on the air

    Those first extra days there, Mark was interviewed and taught on the radio at 5:15 each morning. The down coat and woolen hat give you an idea that it was chilly! One morning during the program a man from a different town called into the station all excited about the prospect of meeting Mark in person. He traveled up with his wife and daughter to attend the events scheduled for Sunday.

  • Beans'talk January 2016

    Download the January 2016 Beans'talk here.

    It’s the end of the year

    Our goal has been to finish five Bibles before the 2015 calendar runs out. With only ten days to go, it is not going to happen. But, we are definitely getting closer!

    Our goals expanded this year as one translation split into two. Both sides need more time to re-work all the books. Another translation needs more time to incorporate suggestions from the northern part of their area.

    We trust that sometime this summer we will be able to turn these Bibles over for layout.

    Checking things off

  • Beans'talk December 2015

    Download the December Beans'talk with photos here.

    A shot in the arm

    After our last Beans’talk, I had a lump in my throat and teary eyes reading all the encouragement many of you sent our way. Thanks team! Thank you for your faithful prayers moving this work forward and holding us all up in the process.

    Missions

    Some of you may remember Wilmer who worked in translation with us for years. His church now devotes the last Sunday night service each month to missions. Wilmer invited us to speak at their October missions night. We were impressed! With Wilmer’s guidance and the Holy Spirit’s work, adults and youth alike are learning & praying about the world.

  • Beans'talk November 2015

    Download the November 2015 Beans'talk here.

    This month, in addition to our regular Beans'talk, we're including an extra page for those of you who have been following the progress of these translations. We explain why the one-chart-for-all approach no longer works. For this time only, we give an updated progress chart for each of the Quechua varieties.

    There is still a lot that needs to be done. Like Moses who needed help to keep his arms raised during battle, we need your continued prayers to see us through to the end. This is definitely a team effort. Let's keep it up, team!

    We can make it!

    Mark & Patti

  • Beans'Talk October 2015

    Download the October 2015 Beans'Talk with photos here.

    We are still marveling over the last weekend's amazing wedding in Tennesee. Emily is now Mrs. Blake Ackerson. The Beans'talk contains some comments about the wedding, a map, and a brief summary of our time with pastors and leaders over in Ancash at the beginning of the month. Note: the map only highlights where some people in the wedding came from. We counted 26 countries "pinned" by wedding guests.

    Now, we are back in Huanuco and back to real life. Last night a neighbor knocked on the door to let us know we have a water problem. The main pipe from the street into the property is broken. Also last night our landlord asked us to trim the monster bougainvillea growing over our front wall. It really did need attention. So we were up early to tackle it before the day unfolded.

    Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement.

    Mark & Patti Bean

  • Beans'Talk September 2015

    Download the September 2015 BeansTalk with photos here.

    In our letter....really good news! Don't miss it! Page one tells about pastors and page two about family!

    Heading home after our last workshop, Yepo and Pedro traveled together for the first leg of their trips. They were involved in TWO accidents. The first car ran into a bridge and was unable to continue. The replacement car hit a truck but was able to keep going. Thankfully no one was seriously injured in either accident.

    Lots of us will be traveling between now and our next Beans'talk.

    Thank you for remembering all of us in your prayers.

    Mark & Patti Bean

  • Beans'Talk August 2015

    Download the Beans'Talk August 2015 with photos here.

    Letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Rom. 8:6b

    This verse speaks truth I experienced this month. Below are some recent opportunities we and the translation team have had to put this verse into practice.

    Lots of changes

    In the days leading up to the regional women’s conference many things changed: the number of times I was to speak, the days I was to speak, how long I was to speak, and the place I was to speak (from inside to outside for the evening meeting.) All the uncertainty and change wasn’t easy for me. Mark is always so encouraging. He helped me get my heart and thoughts on track. The weekend went well even when things didn’t go as planned. I was able to relax and enjoy the time. People were paying attention. The women were able to repeat the main points from the first night when I taught the next day. Thank you for praying for them and me.