Literacy

When people can read Scripture in a language they clearly understand, they can better interact with it and integrate it into their lives. That's why literacy programs often go hand in hand with Bible translation. And when they gain access to other translated resources like Bible studies and devotional materials, local churches thrive spiritually.

Literacy also benefits the broader community. It can preserve previously unwritten languages and help record traditional forms of oral history and storytelling. Literacy is also an important part of life-saving health and hygiene promotion and helps subsistence farmers grow more productively and sustainably. In a rapidly changing world, literacy opens doors to education, economic empowerment, and a better life for the next generation. 

The above text is taken from the website www.wycliffe.ca. You can visit it to find out about different projects that are engaged in literacy. It explains well the importance of literacy and why it is a necessary part of what Wycliffe does. In some countries literacy doesn't need to be a focus. For example, the translation may use a script that is already used by the "official" language of the country and the language community learned it in school. However, in many places a writing system has to be developed and people have to be taught how to use it and read it. 

While Wycliffe does have projects engaged with literacy, we also have members whose own work and ministry is focused on furthering Bible translation through literacy. Let me introduce you to one of our members, Nancy. She has worked with us for 12 years. Similar to my own experience overseas, Nancy lives in Asia, though a different country than I was in. Nancy is a literacy and education specialist. She is positioned to support both the educational needs of the community she works in as well as the spiritual needs. This started with first having to compile an alphabet and has progressed all the way developing reading and math materials, as well as Sunday Sunday materials. Nancy is involved in the development of those resources and also does teacher training events for school teachers and Sunday school teachers, who then return to their communities to teach their students. 

Nancy's work is a vital component of enabling people to access the word of God. A community has to be literate if the Bible is being translated in written form. Churches, leaders, and any Jesus follower needs to be able to use the scriptures in their own language to grow in their faith. Further, literacy is foundational to community development, capacity building, and scripture engagement. Fourty nine percent of the global illiterate live in Southeast Asia, and 27% live in sub-Saharan Africa. There is a lot of literacy work to be done in these parts of the world.

To learn more about literacy projects that Wycliffe Canada supports visit www.wycliffe.ca. To learn more about Nancy's work, and due to the sensitive location in which she ministers, please write to me for contact information.

Pray for the projects around the world where Wycliffe Canada is involved in Capacity Building. Visit our website https://www.wycliffe.ca/projects/literacy/ to learn more about how Wycliffe Canada works towards this pillar.

Pray for my own work in member care as we look at ways to better use my education and training to support Wycliffe Canada staff and our partners.

For the past year Wycliffe Canada has been on the search for a new president. In the middle of October we welcomed Jon Imbeau to Wycliffe. Give thanks for the success of this search, and pray for him as he gives direction and leadership to our organization. 

Over the next few newsletters I am going to reintroduce you to the vision of Wycliffe Canada and its four pillars, which are Scripture Engagement, Literacy, Engagement with Scripture, and Capacity Building. Each newsletter will focus on one pillar, introducing you to its meaning and purpose, as well as a member whose ministry represents that pillar.

A world where translated Scriptures 

lead to transformed lives 

among people of all languages.

Capacity Building is about strengthening the global church’s ability to carry out Bible translation. It happens when transformed lives bring glory to God. The translating of scripture has many steps and phases. A wide variety of people contribute to the task, leveraging skills ranging from linguistic and mother tongue education skills, to translation and exegetical knowledge, to IT support and typesetting, and even accounting and fund raising abilities.

The desire to build capacity comes from the recognition that local, sustainable ownership of translation is important. However, the needed experience and education are not yet available in many countries. A sense of ownership is important to meaningful translation and use of scripture. The more rooted in a culture a translation is, the more that meaning and nuance can come through correctly.

The world is changing. Factors such as politics, war, religious idealism, and less acceptance of foreigners are making it more difficult for our people to travel to and live in many countries where we work. The more local capacity exists, the less reliance there is on external skills and people. The result is a more stable translation project in an ever-changing international landscape.

One of our members tells of a workshop taught in Chad late last year, called Faith and Farming. The teacher at this workshop had attended a previous Faith and Farming workshop in Senegal. This material is being taught more and more across Africa by those who have themselves attended workshops. This is a perfect example of building capacity and multiplying the work of one into many. (To learn more about this initiative please visit the Faith and Farming website). Another way to build capacity is within Wycliffe Canada, as we recruit teachers and trainers to serve local colleagues. In this way, Wycliffe Canada strategically strengthens our focus regions with “value added” people and resources.

I want to introduce you to a fellow Wycliffe Canada member and Ontarian, Rachel Nweke and her husband Uche. Rachel explains her ministry as being about, “stewarding, strengthening and strategizing with SIL, our main partner, and other national Nigerian partners.” In Rachel’s work in mobilization as a mission coach, she learns the personnel needs of our partners around the world, and in turn, recruits Canadians accordingly, so as to strengthen the Bible translation work they are doing. She also supports the Scripture Engagement team with SIL Nigeria in their Faith and Farming initiative, which is the story above. Most, if not all, the languages where Bible translation work is being done in Nigeria, are spoken by farmers. Yet, there is often a disconnect between the life of a farmer and the life of the church. Rachel helps to bridge this gap with the specific training that she has. More about her and Uche’s ministry can be found at https://www.wycliffe.ca/member/nweke-rachel-and-uche/.

Pray for the projects around the world where Wycliffe Canada is involved in Capacity Building. Visit our website https://www.wycliffe.ca/projects/capacity-building/ to learn more about how Wycliffe Canada works towards this pillar.

Pray for Wycliffe Canada as we interact with partners and recruit the right people to support and meet the needs identified by our partners.

Pray for Wycliffe Canada as we have key spots to fill including our next President.

Reconciliation

 

https://mikeduvall.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/a-beginning-finally/

  

I was recently skimming through various newsfeeds and came across an article preview, from Christianity Today entitled "A Deeper Debate Over Drums in Church" (August 2017). I am able to read the first few paragraphs though and want to share a part of it here:

When white missionaries first spread the gospel to indigenous tribes, they often did so in     ways that undermined tribal language and culture. Almost all Native Christian leaders agree on that...But leaders remain divided over what contextualizing their faith should look like—and what role sacred objects, like drums, have in Christian worship.

The article caught my eye at first because I was surprised to see such a topic still being discussed. Then I read a bit further and realized it was about the place of sacred drums in the context of Indigenous churches. Since I can't read the entire article I don't know what it concludes. However, it reminded me that I've been wanting to write about a related issue. Stick with me and you'll see how this fits with the work of Bible Translation. 

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) began in 2008, with the 94 Calls to Action published in 2015. Residential schools were operated by various Christian denominations in Canada, in conjunction with the Canadian government, with the purpose of assimilating Indigenous people into mainstream society. This was achieved by stripping Indigenous families and communities of their culture and identity. This is not distant history in Canada as residential schools operated for over a century from 1870's to 1996.

Through your support of Wycliffe Bible Translators you are connected to the Bible translation movement, and so I am sure you are aware that we value culture. We recognize that the Bible speaks best to people in their heart language, that lives can be transformed through scripture, that families and communities do measurably better when they can experience translated scripture that is informed by and rooted in their culture, not removed from it. This is the very antithesis of the mandate of residential schools. Wycliffe’s values include the recognition that worship is based in culture. For example, the Psalms were originally written as songs and meant to be sung. Most churches and followers of Jesus do not regularly sing the Psalms in their worship. Nor do we use the same instruments that were used during the times the Psalms were written. Churches may not all have the same worship style, but I've yet to meet one that hasn't changed what worship means now from what it meant in the past. 

There has been a shift over the years in the translation movement, from less focus on the foreign translator being the expert and owning the process and therefore bringing their own cultural bias, to more focus on national colleagues being guided through the process. This shift happened over years and many and hard lessons. Eventually those in the Bible translation movement realized that a Bible translation must be community owned, led, and driven. This allows the translation to be rooted in the culture it is meant for, which leads to greater space for understanding and transformation. 

The shift in best translation practice represents the results we want to see from the TRC and 94 Calls to Action. Acknowledging that what was done in the past, was wrong, and finding a better way forward today. In both translation and the TRC, it means allowing indigenous communities to lead and translators, governments, churches, and organizations to follow alongside. 

Going back to the article at the top of this letter, there was harm done in teaching and forcing Indigenous communities to abandon all elements of their culture for them to be acceptable to Jesus and Canadian society. There continues to be harm done as the past influences the present by causing division in the indigenous Christian community today. We all have been invited by these communities, through the 94 Calls to Action, to follow their lead in addressing what they have decided is important. Bible translation organizations are sometimes fortunate enough to be invited back to these communities to help them translate scripture in a meaningful form. 

I believe the spirit of the text of 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 is applicable here. Pray with me that all who have benefited from the acts of the past (that's most of us) will look for and step into opportunities to address the wrongs of the past. 

Then if my people who are called by my name 

will humble themselves and pray and seek my

face and turn from their wicked ways, I will

hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and 

restore their land. My eyes will be open and my 

ears attentive to every prayer made in this place

Twenty Twenty Two In Review

As a member care advisor for Wycliffe Canada, we spend a lot of time working with members who are taking time to look back, waiting for passports/documents/signatures or other things, or looking ahead and preparing for what is next. As we look towards advent, Christmas, 2023 many are already making preparations for this season. Let's take a moment and look back on 2022 together. There have been some work moments that we celebrated together, and some newsletters that covered interesting and relevant topics. There have also been some challenges. I'll also do a family recap and catch you up on how everyone is doing.

Quick Year in Review

We started the year with you reading about work that goes on behind the scenes in Wycliffe Canada to keep our missionaries on the field. Then we looked at TCKs' and the challenges they face because of the experiences they are raised in. In June, I sent out a letter that very clearly laid out my financial situation for you and the needs I have to meet to stay with Wycliffe. In August, I did a review of how the pandemic has impacted all our members - whether they stayed in Canada or stayed on the field during the previous two years. I actually have a newsletter for October but I haven't been able to send it out yet. That should be coming soon.

Work Joys & Sorrows

January seems long ago at this point. A lot has happened in the 12 months that my team has been able to celebrate. We were able to see a large number of people return to the field who had been unexpectedly stuck here during the pandemic. We were able to send several staff and their families, who had remained on the field during the difficult pandemic years, to week-long debrief programs. The member care team finished creating a large policy and procedure manual on Risk Management for Wycliffe Canada. This was the culmination of more than a year’s work and sets Wycliffe up for successfully handling crisis events.

There were also some difficult situations this past year. One of our teammates was significantly injured early in the year and has not been able to return to work. With the increased number of people coming and going, combined with the backlog that is affecting every country in several ways, some of our staff have seen their travel delayed by four or more months, leaving them in a period of unknown waiting.

Family Update

Eli, the tallest of all of us at about 6 ft. 3, is now in second year university studying at Ontario Tech (formerly UOIT) here in Oshawa. He is studying mechatronics and will be adding co-op in the summer. You can catch him playing the VR game Beat Saber for both the national team and his university. Eli is currently ranked 6th in Canada.

Anastasia, the shortest of us all, is in her last year of high school. She has been in the visual arts program at O'Neill CVI. This program required an audition and an interview, and only a certain number of students were selected. As Ana looks to next year, she is considering studying Social Work, or Policing, or possibly taking a gap year and working with my sisters up in Moosonee. For now, she works at Tim Horton’s and often brings home donuts, much to her siblings’ approval

Cadence (Sophia's middle name), may be the youngest but is taller than I am. Cadence is in grade 10 and so far has played a season of rugby, entered a writing contest, joined in the trivia club, and participated in some leadership activities at the school.

I would also like to share some difficult news: earlier this year Jeff and I separated. We spent a lot of time during the pandemic in conversation about various things in our marriage, and made this decision in June of this year. Fortunately, the Canadian government allows for a couple to be separated but still live in the same house. The result is that we are able to provide a stable situation for the kids in terms of school and life.

As 2022 winds down and you prepare for 2023, I hope that you also take time to look back and consider the events and people in your life to be thankful for. And if there are ways that I can be praying for you, please don't hesitate to write me: brandie.green@wycliffe.ca

Boomerang

If you have or had little kids in your house and watched cartoons, you might recognize these lyrics from the show Toot and Puddle. When I still lived in Asia I would often post this song to my Facebook page as there were times I felt like a boomerang travelling back and forth from Asia to Canada. 

These days, when Facebook shows me some of my old posts, those lyrics occasionally pop up and they remind me of all of our Wycliffe Canada members who serve on the field and travel between two homes. When you live abroad long term you make a home wherever it is you are going. You have a community: friends, people who become like family, favourite restaurants, favourite stores or markets or vendors. And of course there is the home left behind, where again you have friends, family, people who have become like family, favourites of all kinds. Whenever you return to one home, you leave the other behind. 

This summer, Wycliffe Canada has more than a dozen singles and families returned to Canada from various countries around the world. Most of these are people who were able to stay abroad during Covid and have that experience on top of the usual ups and downs that come with living abroad. 

Covid presented unique circumstances for our members who stayed overseas. Some people were able to remotely join in Sunday services from their home church here in Canada as so many moved their services online for the first time. Others enjoyed a slightly slower pace without the usual travel that is inherent in their work. While the limited travel made work difficult for some, it became an opportunity for others. Limited travel, and limited in-person meetings, makes the work of Bible translation a challenge but many of our colleagues were able to find creative solutions to these disruptions. Happily, such solutions not only enabled work to continue during Covid but can be used in the future whenever colleagues cannot all be together in one space. 

Conversely, a feeling of being stuck was a common experience. When there were very few airlines and airports operating, colleagues couldn't return to Canada even if they wanted to. Added to that, because of Covid restrictions they were deprived of the joy of being with their national and expat colleagues, many of whom are a second family. For some, the experience of feeling stuck included elements of isolation and loneliness, especially so for our Wycliffe staff who are single. And while many linguists and translators were able to find ways to work from a distance, for others Covid posed a significant challenge as their village locations don't have access, or only very limited access, to the internet. The sense of purpose and fulfilment that comes with this work seemed diminished.

As these singles and families have returned to Canada this summer, it has required the member care team to step up in a whole new way. The required debrief, a time of looking back to celebrate the positives and consider the difficulties and challenges and the impact of both on our spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, must now consider the impact of the Covid-experience in these areas of life as well. Additionally, they are coming back to a Canada that is uniquely different than when they were last here. There are new divisions that didn't exist before, or at least not to current levels, in several realms: church, politics, society, and even within families. This home may not feel like what was expected.

As our members boomerang between homes, pray for our member care team:

• for wisdom as we serve and care for Wycliffe Canada staff

• for the ability to listen well to the stories told, and to hear what isn't being said

• for the energy needed to serve and care well

• for additional member care advisors to join our team so that we can better serve Wycliffe Canada members

The Time Has Come...

 

Lewis Carrol wrote a poem called The Walrus and The Carpenter. Its quite a long poem and rather funny on the surface until you realize it's telling the story of how the title characters trick some young oysters into coming out of the sea so they can be eaten! :)  The stanza above marks a turning point in the poem. And that is why that quote came to mind for this update. It is a bit of a turning point from previous updates to talk about different things. 

To be honest I would rather talk about cabbages and pigs having wings than this topic. 

FINANCES

Just typing it feels loud and abrupt. I rather prefer the fate of the oysters 😊

Over the years that I have been with Wycliffe Canada my Ministry Budget a.k.a. "salary" has slowly gone upwards. There are a few reasons for this. Our move to Canada saw a large increase in expenses. Wycliffe Canada, in accordance with good practice, federal labour laws, and a clear scriptural foundation, is requiring that all of its staff are being paid at least minimum wage. Which, as it happens, I am not. And of course, everyone is aware of the sad fact that the cost of living has increased significantly.

Wycliffe Canada requires that all members raise their own funds; this is how we have always worked. During these 20 years with Wycliffe Canada some of my financial supporters have chosen to direct their charitable giving elsewhere, some have passed away, and some have had to pull back because of their own financial situation. While my Ministry Budget went up, my support went down.

I am asking for your help. Here are the very plain-spoken details. 

My budget is set at $4460 per month. Each Wycliffe Canada member's budget includes EI, both portions of CPP, and so on. Of this amount my salary is $3700/month. I currently receive support in the amount of $2600/month. Thankfully for the time being Wycliffe Canada is helping me out. However, it does mean I am short almost $2000/month. Unfortunately, as Walrus has said, "The time has come". 

How can you help? A few ideas come to mind: 

• Would you consider increasing the amount of your donation?
• Would you share my need with other's you know who believe everyone should have God's word in their own language?
• Would you think about inviting me to your church, your small group, your prayer group, or just to meet a group of friends to share with them directly?

 And above all, pray with me and for me, that I would trust that the Lord knows all my needs and have faith that He will move people to respond generously.

To give, follow the instructions below:

New Canadian donors: click on my profile on Wycliffe Canada's website. 

To increase a current recurring donation: call 1-800-463-1143 and ask for the Receipts Department (this is in Mountain Time Zone) or email receipts@wycliffe.ca. They will need some information from you such as:

• your name and address
• my name
• and the amount you wish to increase your donation

US donors: please go to the Wycliffe US website. Enter my name and ministry id number, Brandie Green #284271, and an amount. On the following page you will be able to choose recurring a donation if that is your plan.  

Wycliffe Canada's Annual Scripture Celebration

Together, we're celebrating milestones in the global Bible translation movement, and you're invited!

Join us in giving glory to God for the milestones you have helped us achieve, despite a global pandemic.

• Date: Saturday, April 9, 2022
• Time: 10 am MST
• Location: Online or in-person at First Alliance Church
• Register at: wycliffe.ca/celebrate
• Contact: lauren.smith@wycliffe.ca