The Bible Society of Baptist Mid-Missions
The entrance of thy words giveth light (Ps. 119:130)
From Hereby to
Timbuktu
Becky Kerr, Editor/Journalist
I
f you look up “Timbuktu” (or Tombouctou as it is spelled by
the French) in Wikipedia, you will learn many interesting things
about this legendary town in Mali, West Africa. While Timbuktu is
important for trading, for learning, and for promoting the religion
of Islam, it remains a town with street scenes that appear to have
come straight from Old Testament times. The city is located on the
edge of the Sahara Desert, and its name has become synonymous
with “the ends of the earth.” Timbuktu was included when Christ
told His disciples that they would “be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost
part of the earth” (Acts 1:8 – emphasis added). Indeed, missionary
work has been and continues to be strong in Timbuktu and the entire
country of Mali. The Baptist Church of Timbuktu is thriving amid
the predominantly Muslim population.
Much of the fundamental mission work in Mali is done by
Evangelical Baptist Mission. When EBM missionaries and Malian
pastors felt the need for a Songhai Bible translation, they turned to
Bibles International. The work began in 2000 in Diré, a town not
too far from Timbuktu. The translation team, overseen by EBM
missionary Ken Beckley, has been zealously and faithfully working
on the New Testament ever since. They have also completed
Genesis.
It will be several years before the New Testament is completed, but
much has been done with the Scripture portions translated thus far.
For example, the Songhai translation of Luke was used as the text
for the Jesus Video. Songhai speakers sat spellbound in their seats
as they heard about Jesus for the first time in their heart language.
Though many Malians speak French, the Jesus Video in French
had not held their attention. Upon seeing the Songhai version, one
viewer remarked, “We were told that Jesus was Jewish, but He’s
Songhai!”
Additionally, each of the four Gospels has been printed in a small
paperback format for distribution throughout Mali. Missionaries are
preparing Sunday school materials from these Scripture portions,
and future literacy materials will incorporate Songhai Scripture
passages as well.
Continued on page 3
August 2009
IN A
word
P. Hantz Bernard, Director
The Perpiscuity of Scripture as Applied to
Bible Translation – Part 1
T
he essential characteristics of the Scriptures may be
summed up in these tenets: revelation because God has
communicated His mind to men; inspiration because God
has superintended the recording of what He communicated;
canonicity because what is inspired is recognized;
infallibility because what God intended to be written was
recorded without error; authority because what is recorded
is binding upon all men; necessity because man cannot do
without what God says; sufficiency because what God has
communicated needs no supplement; preservation because
God has pledged for His Word to exist to all generations;
and understandability because God communicated in order
to be understood.
While all these characteristics of the Scriptures are
essential and significant, two of them relate directly to
the routine task of the Bible translator: preservation and
understandability. The other characteristics may impress the
translator with the sacredness and value of the biblical texts
and shape his philosophy of Bible translation, but they do
not directly affect the routine, technical work of translating.
They are inherent qualities that are set and permanent but
are not active, so to speak.
By contrast, whenever the Scriptures are translated into a
new language, preservation is newly active. And whenever
the Scriptures are studied, preached, or translated,
understandability is also in operation. Both preservation
and understandability of the Bible are acts of “fairness”
from God. It would not be equitable that God would reveal
His Word, render it binding upon all men, and then not
make it available; or that He would make it available and
not make it understandable.
Throughout the ages, God has providentially preserved the
copies of the Scriptures in the original languages. When
one considers the opposition that has raged against God’s
Word through the centuries, it is amazing that these copies
are available at all.
Even more, God has preserved everything that was
originally written. Today, scholars may argue about a
low percentage of the text of the NT as to which word
or phrase rendering was originally written. That is
primarily a problem of identification, not essentially one
of preservation. Just as a believer’s sin does not affect
the righteousness of God, likewise, possible divergences
among copies of the NT highlight more the limitations of
man rather than any hint of doubt in the faithfulness of
God.
Though preserved, the Scriptures would be irrelevant if
they could not be used in a practical way. God’s purpose in
speaking to men is that men might be fit and complete as
God is complete (2 Timothy 3: 16-17; Matthew 5:48). God
has done everything necessary for man to be transformed to
the image of His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). And He
presented His perfect plan in an understandable manner for
men to comprehend it. That is what is called the doctrine of
perspicuity or clarity of Scripture: God communicated to be
understood!
It can be put this way: All things being accounted for,
the Scriptures are understandable. And as such, they
are translatable. Translating the Scriptures is basically
an act of transferring meaning from the texts of the
Bible into a vernacular. Hence, the translator tries to
comprehend the linguistic and biblical (theological)
components of the Scriptures to transfer them accurately
into another language. In turn, the reader understands
what God intended to communicate. In his article on
page 5, BI Consultant Jonathan Victor explains some of
the complexities encountered in Bible translation when
balancing out the principles of accurate preservation and
those of clear understandability.
Martin Luther, also a Bible translator and one who is
largely responsible for the first, truly cohesive view on the
understandability of the Scriptures, addressed this dilemma
as well. In Bondage of the Will, he declared, “If you speak
of the internal clearness [or spiritual significance], no man
sees one iota in the Scriptures, but he that hath the Spirit
of God... If you speak of the external clearness [or normal
speech], nothing whatever is left obscure or ambiguous;
but all things that are in the Scriptures, are by the Word
brought forth into the clearest light, and proclaimed to the
whole world” (Translated, Baker Book House, 1976, p.
29). Are the Scriptures, then, both clear and unclear? How
does that affect Bible translating? This is a thought to make
understandable in my next column!
2
Honor to Whom Honor is Due
by Elaine Schulte, Projects Researcher
A
t the Baptist Mid-Missions (BMM) annual conference
in Elyria, Ohio, Henry A. Osborn, PhD, was awarded
the William C. Haas Lifetime Service Award on Wednesday
evening, July 8, 2009. The honor was richly deserved, since
Dr. Osborn spent his life serving with BMM.
As a boy Henry was a budding linguist. When missionaries
spoke in his church in the
Atlanta, Georgia, area, Henry
pestered those missionaries to
teach him how to greet people
in the languages of the fields
on which they served. Henry
then wrote those words, using
his own phonetic system. The
Lord was preparing the boy
who would eventually become
Bibles International’s chief
language consultant.
Henry and Anne Osborn were accepted for missionary
service in Venezuela in 1952, arriving there in April 1953.
During the early years of their marriage, the Lord gave
them four children: Stephen, Grace, David, and Elizabeth.
The family served in Venezuela until returning to the US in
1969, when family health issues made relocation necessary.
But Dr. Osborn’s relationship with BMM continued. He
taught and interacted with
college students at Grand
Rapids Baptist College, now
Cornerstone University. His
life and testimony left a lasting
impression on many of his
students.
Each summer except one, from
1969 until he became affiliated
with Bibles International in
1984, Dr. Osborn traveled
overseas to serve as a consultant
for BMM Scripture translation
projects. By the time he retired
in 1998, he had
worked with more
than 50 language
projects in farflung areas of the
world.
At the same time Henry was
being prepared of the Lord
for global ministry, the Lord
was preparing a young lady,
Anne Kemp. They met at
Columbia Bible College when
Anne began her studies there
and met a very mature senior
Above: Dr. Gary Anderson presents
and leader, Henry Osborn.
A DVD
But at the end of Anne’s freshman award to Dr. Osborn as daughter
presentation
Elizabeth Alber and her husband, Rev.
year, Henry moved on to Indiana
honored his life
Kevin Alber, look on. Right: Henry and
University to further his studies in Anne Osborn before Anne’s homegoing.
and ministry at the
linguistics, eventually earning his
BMM meeting.
PhD in that field. He proposed marriage through a letter,
Dr. Gary Anderson, mission president, presented Dr.
using the written word. They married June 4, 1948, on
Osborn with a plaque and an engraved crystal sculpture,
Henry’s 24th birthday and left the next day for Oklahoma,
recognizing his lifetime of service. The award is named in
where Anne began basic studies in linguistics.
honor of Baptist Mid-Missions founder, William C. Haas.
Timbuktu, continued from page 1
One fact you will not find in the Wikipedia entry on
Timbuktu is the Oasis Project developed by EBM
missionaries. In the middle of all the desert sand and
dryness, the missionaries have developed an extensive
August 2009 • Volume 23, Issue 3
BMM President • Dr. Gary Anderson
BI Director/Editor • Dr. P. Hantz Bernard
Associate Editor/Graphic Designer • Mrs. Becky Kerr
Briefings is the triannual newsletter of Bibles International,
the Bible Society of Baptist Mid-Missions.
area of irrigated land that produces green plants,
beautiful flowers, fruits, and vegetables. The project
helps teach the Malians about crop growing and also
provides jobs for some.
The Oasis Project is a picture of the spiritual oasis that
is being cultivated in Timbuktu. In the middle of the
dryness and emptiness of the Muslim religion, God has
planted Christians and is growing His church. The New
Testament in Songhai will make the living water even
more available to thirsty souls. Thank you for your
significant part in this beautiful process.
3
CHAD
P r o j e c t S U p da t e
In June, Bibles International conducted
a literacy training workshop. Dr. Connie
Champeon, Literacy and Linguistics Coordinator,
equipped
nationals with
the ability to
teach their
people how
to read. This
workshop is
a major step
in ensuring
better
acceptance
and usage of
the translated
Scriptures.
The Rito and Dagba New Testament projects are
on track to be completed by the end of 2009.
Consultant Susan Hossack is verifying checklists,
producing final documents, and proofreading
texts with the language committees before
publication in 2010.
PERU
The Quechua New Testament is nearing
completion, though the translators are
struggling with compiling a concordance and
translating book introductions. They continue to
aim for completion in 2010.
MEXICO
The Tenek New Testament project has published
the Gospel of Mark to distribute at a fair. I &
II Timothy and Matthew 1-3 were checked at a
workshop in May. Another workshop is planned
this fall to check Matthew and portions of Luke.
INDIA
While the Chiru New Testament text is in
the Grand Rapids office for formatting, the
translation team in India works to finish the
concordance and verify the cross-references. We
expect it to be sent to the printer soon.
The Simte New Testament with Psalms and
Proverbs is almost finished and will soon arrive
in Grand Rapids for formatting. The team
will finish the concordance and check crossreferences to allow the NT to be ready for
printing by the end of the summer.
The Manipuri Bible is being formatted in India,
as its script makes it difficult for the Grand
Rapids team to format. One of the translators
will travel to Grand Rapids for verification of the
final format. We trust that this entire Bible can
be at the printer by October.
MYANMAR
The Falam Chin New Testament is at the printer
and will be shipped soon. The dedication
ceremony is scheduled for December 2009.
GHANA
The Waalii Bible has gone to the printers! For
a long time we have waited for this news. The
dedication ceremony is scheduled for November
7, 2009.
TOGO
The Kabiye New Testament is moving ahead
with determination. Eight books are ready to be
checked by BI consultants. Good progress was
made in a July workshop with Dr. Troy Manning
and will continue in a September workshop with
Glenn Kerr. The goal for completion is 2011.
VENEZUELA
Portions of the Warao Old Testament are being
prepared for distribution to the Warao Indians.
Proofreading of the formatted text is currently
in progress.
The Pemón New Testament project is scheduled
for a workshop in January 2010. The work has
been slow, but the team is setting goals for its
completion.
Myanmar village
The Tedim Chin, Bualkhaw, and Falam Chin Old
Testament projects are moving ahead quickly.
Language committees for each group have set a
goal of completing the translation in five years.
This magnanimous goal will greatly reduce the
normally projected completion time and will tax
the abilities of our consultants. We are praying
and working towards accomplishing this goal by
God’s grace and for His glory.
4
Cultural Sensitivity in Bible Translation
C
ultures influence the meaning of words
in languages. In the Chiru language in
Manipur, India, bread, as in “bread of life,”
is perceived as a “sticky ball of rice.” Among
the Kullui people of Himachal Pradesh, India
who speak the Inner-Seraji language, fishing
is expressed as “killing fish.” You can imagine
the difficulty in translating “fishers of men.” In
another Indian language, “sweat of thy face”
(Genesis 3:19) would refer, not to hard work,
but to guilt from a serious sin. These are a few
examples of cultural interferences that might
cause potential problems.
To translate the Scriptures accurately, the translator must
understand and respect both the biblical culture and the
receptor culture. He should portray the biblical culture
in its accurate, historical measure while understandably
communicating the intended message to today’s readers.
That is cultural sensitivity in Bible translation. Biblical
revelation is not just a set of abstract theories and ideas;
God revealed Himself through real people who lived in
certain places and times, and who were bound by specific
cultures. The distance in time and space from that culture
to today’s generation requires a meaningful and objective
grasp of the Bible’s historical, geographical, and cultural
contexts.
On the other hand, communicating the written story to a
people group also demands thoughtful consideration of the
receptor culture. While translating scripture into his native
tongue, the translator should be aware of, and examine,
his own cultural realities to transfer God’s inscripturated
thoughts in a way that is understandable and natural to his
people group. Furthermore, to avoid miscommunicating
God’s intended meaning, he should always remain
faithful to the essential elements of the inspired text. If a
consultant is assisting him, the consultant must understand
the translator’s rational for specific renderings, alert him
to areas for discussion, and equip him to ask insightful
questions during the translation checking sessions.
This balance of communicating accurately and intelligibly
without blurring the readers’ cultural background or
confusing the meaning occurs when the translator has
been able to (1) maintain the concepts of reality for
both cultures involved in the translation; (2) identify the
similarities and differences between the biblical culture and
receptor culture; (3) recognize that the issue of meaning
is the summation of all the components in the biblical text
and the translated text; (4) take into account the cultural
implications and connotations; and (5) select words
in the receptor language that are culturally suitable in
understanding the message of the source language.
Some of the numerous topics that a translator should
understand about his culture’s worldview are as follows:
God (generally & specifically); the spirit world; sin; life,
birth, death, and life after death; religious belief in general;
ethical practices – in maintaining law and order; social
customs and practices; moral standards; food habits; and
dress customs.
Let us put that in a practical perspective. The translator
has to carefully choose words from his own language
that match the message expressed in the biblical culture.
For example, the Chiru translator may be tempted to
substitute “sticky ball of rice” for “bread,” since bread is
not the staple of life in his culture. However, this choice
compromises the historical faithfulness to the source text,
since bread clearly had an important function in biblical
times. It is better to maintain accuracy by using the word
“bread” and then adding a footnote to explain the cultural
significance of bread in biblical times.
Since words come with cultural inferences, the translator
needs to ask himself whether there are underlying messages
in the words he has selected for the translation; whether
there are connections to past religions, the dominant
religion in his area, or any past animistic beliefs and
practices. For example, the translator must be very careful
about the words he uses to refer to God. In India where
Hindu is the predominant religion, the words used must not
have any connections with any of the multiple Hindu gods.
Challenging? Yes, Bible translation is! We strive to
communicate God’s written message in a way that the
target group would understand, yet we need to be true
to the biblical culture and sensitive
to the receptor culture to effectively
drive the message home. That is the
goal of effective, conservative Bible
translating.
Rev. Jonathan Victor
India Resident Translation Consultant
Text Production Department
5
In Memory of
Given by
Ethel Adair
Rose Bawgas Lucille Beliveau
Donovan Bensend
Carol Bickle
Wayne B. Burnette, Sr.
Gordon Carlson
Ruth Carlson
Fred Childers
Florence Clark
Mary Sue Collis
Karen Corsivo
Betty Craig
Dianne Joy Diachenko
Al Ealy
Fred DuPaw
Keith W. Few
Dr. Robert Gilbert
William Grant
Mr. Merle Grubbs
Harold Hansen
Jerry Harden
Jay Dean Harper
James Harrison Sr.
Gezina Heyboer
Joseph L. Hopkins
J. Odell Hurt
Alvenia Hutchinson
Marion Smith
Lighthouse Baptist Church
New Castle, VA
Lynn and Alma Sparkman
Mr. & Mrs. Ray Young
Leo & Barbara Smith
Garrett & Donna Hurt
Donald & Peggy Storgaard
Calvary Baptist Church
Meadville, PA
Bethel Baptist Church
Erie, Pa
Evelyne Metzler
Ellen Reed
Berniece Andrews
Brinson & Carol McGowan
Stanley & Rosemary Dalrymple
Donna Andrews
Cowden Lake Bible Church
Coral, MI
Arthur & Edith Meador
Rev. & Mrs. James Sheridan
Mr. & Mrs. Ray Young
Betty Morley
Bob Hixon
Patty Elder
Faye Doucette
Barbara Thomas
Susan A. Holmes
Bill & Nan Mosher
Richard & Sharon Woodworth
Youngs Corners Fellowship
Baptist Church
Wadsworth, OH
Mrs. Marilee Ostrander
First Baptist Church
Weston, MI
Mr. & Mrs. Ray Young
Harold & Donna Lansman
Jacky Manchester
Robert & Carol Rauch
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Thyr
Mary Lou Heyboer
Patricia Neese
David & Lola Clifton
Dennis & Ruby Pagans
Nelson & Helen Pagans
John & Dianne Scruggs
Russell & Ann Pierce
W.G. & Mildred Overstreet
Myron & Jean Pickard
Chamblissburg Baptist Ch.
Moneta, VA
James & Mildred Trent
James & Judith Caudill
Betty Morley
Robert Hixon
Brenda Nichols
Debbie Hunter
In Memory of
Helen J. Jameson
Dorothy Jensen
Leorin Lake
George Lancaster
Margaret Lawhorn
Emma Leppke
James R. MacGeorge Arlene McAdams
Ed McCoy
Floyd McCoy
Ruth McDivitt
Matthew McGee
Rose Marie McGinty
Cora McIver
Avolene May Moran
Calvin Moyer
George Murphy
Charles Nichols
Louis L. Nierste
Dr. Bernard Northrup
Cynthia Nuzum
W.G. Overstreet
Delta N. Perry
Elijah James Plate
William L. Raihala
George Rayburn
Margaret Renner
“Peg” Margaret Ritchie
Dorothy Roduner
Given by
In Memory of
Sheldon & Cora Lee Peck
Errol & Elaine Jameson
David & Sandy Hornbrook
Leo & Luraine Brown
Tom & Barbara Sosebee
Don & Pat Block
Myron & Jean Pickard
Garrett & Donna Hurt
Mildred Overstreet
W.G. & Mildred Overstreet
Fred & Maxine Carlson
First Baptist Church
Weston, MI
Mr. & Mrs. Ray Young
Monongah Baptist Church
Monongah, WV
Keith Beckner
Glen Baptist Church
Watkins Glen, NY
Jacky Manchester
Good News Baptist Church
Grand Rapids, MI
Eric & Shirley Hossack
Monongah Baptist Church
Monongah, VA
Dale & Joycelyn Block
Herman Van Zegeren
James & Brenda Nichols
and Viki
Mr. & Mrs. John Nierste
John & Joyce Bolesky Jr.
Joe & June Bell
David & Lola Clifton
Garrett & Donna Hurt
and family
Montvale High School
Class of 1950
John & Dianne Scruggs
Frank & Mary Lou Harris
Russell & Ann Pierce
Margaret Whitmer
Myron & Jean Pickard
Dennis & Ruby Pagans
Arthur & Edith Meador
Jo Smethie & Kitty Poore
Ruby Kincaid
Nelson & Helen Pagans
Fred & Maxine Carlson
Jacky Manchester
Lakeland Bapitist Church
Gilbert, MN
Don & Pat Block
Jim & Carolyn Renner
Mr. & Mrs. David Graves
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Fieseler
Roger & Marilyn Stauter
Mr. & Mrs. Ray Young
Judith Rhodes
Mr. & Mrs. Kent Albright
Missing Something?
In recent weeks the BI staff has made significant efforts to cut
operation costs, so that we can continue to use funds wisely in this
time of economic recession. One change we have implemented is the
publication schedule for Briefings. Instead of being printed quarterly,
Briefings will now be printed on a triannual basis. It will be mailed in
August, December, and April.
Given by
Mae Schwartz
Beula Seiler
Elijah Shifflett
Virginia Simpson
Colin Smith
Doris Smith
Fred Smith
Sam St. Clair
Ron Stiger
Evelyn Stodola
Clifford Stormes
Jacob & Wilma Stoujesdyk
Ludess Sully
Florence Thomas
Howard Tucker
Betty Van Loh
Elaine Schulte
Jody Hobson & Family
Mrs. Doty Ross
Mr. & Mrs. Dale Van Dyke
Doris Kirkpatrick
Rebecca Swanson
Tom & Barbara Sosebee
Garrett & Donna Hurt
Nelson & Helen Pagans
Mildred Overstreet
Mailbox School of the Bible
Sebring, FL
Mildred Overstreet
L. & G. Knuppenburg
Rebecca Swanson
Lighthouse Baptist Church
Bucyrus, OH
Lighthouse Baptist Church
New Castle, VA
John & Beverly Pike
Mr. & Mrs. Ray Young
William & Sharon Wetzel
Douglases
Tilburts
Howard & Shirley Reed
Fred and Maxine Carlson
Bonnie Crawford
Tom & Jean Dolph
In Honor of
Given by
Fred & Maxine Carlson
First Baptist Church
Weston, MI
Deloris Tucker
Pastor Marvin & Jill Pederson
Iola Waddell
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Lansman
Rev. Charles Wagoner Mr. & Mrs. John Nierste
Mr. Jewell Wagner
Mailbox School of the Bible
Sebring, FL
Everette & Opal Ward Dennis & Ruby Pagans
Opal Ward
Nelson & Helen Pagans
John & Dianne Scruggs
The Gish Family
Jerry & Marie Wagnitz
W.G. & Mildred Overstreet
Dr. James Wheless
David & Lola Clifton
Kenneth Woodthorp Don & Pat Block
Nancy Wright
Nathan & Donna Lobb
Mr. & Mrs. Ronnie DaggLenore Cates
Wedding
Donald Hemingway
Mr. & Mrs. John Nierste
Joe & Ellen Leone
Bill & Linda Smith
33rd anniversary
Suzan Niles
David Niles
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Reeder Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Thyr
Andy Hudson
Paul & Edwina Lobb
Earning Dr. degree
Have you considered Bibles International
in your Estate Plan?
To designate Bibles International as a recipient either of a
specific asset, amount, or percentage in your will or trust, the
following wording is needed: “To: Baptist MidMissions, Cleveland, Ohio, designated for its Bibles
International ministry.”
6
Welcome, Judy
Friend of BI Called Home
by Elaine Schulte, Projects Researcher
by Laura Spitzer, BI Summer Intern
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou
shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” – Psalms 32:8
Emulating one of her favorite scripture passages, Dorothy
Roduner let God guide her along the path He wanted her to
take. While she was born February 4, 1938, at age 7 Dorothy
had her spiritual birthday when she accepted Jesus as her
Savior. From then on she spent her life in His service.
After graduating from high school
in 1956 and from Western Baptist
Bible College (now Corban
College) in 1961, Dorothy
began working with Baptist
Mid-Missions ministering to
churches, missionaries, pastors,
and the constituency of the
mission. For 35 years she also
served as the secretary for the
Council of Baptist Mid-Missions.
Dorothy retired in August 2004, but
did not stop serving God. She not only ministered to senior
citizens, youth, and children through teaching and music, but
she also volunteered at Bibles International. In her final days,
her one regret was being unable to fulfill her commitment to a
project near to her heart that Bibles International had begun.
On Dorothy’s 71st birthday, God called her home to be with
Him. She is survived by two brothers, one sister, 10 nieces and
nephews, and more than 20 great nieces and nephews. When
we reflect on her life, we can remember Psalms 84:10: “For
a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a
doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents
of wickedness.”
Two years ago Judy Brinks would
have told you she had not even
heard of Bibles International.
Today she views our
organization as an answer
to prayer. Judy comes to us
from NTB Incorporated,
a national trucking broker,
where she served in accounts
payable and handled other office
responsibilities.
Judy graduated from Bob Jones University
with a BS in office administration in 2000. While she
was thankful for the work she was doing at NTB, she
began praying about the possibility of being involved in a
Christian ministry. A few months later, the Lord allowed
her to hear about Bibles International through a fellow
church member. Judy joined our staff in October 2008.
She is administrative assistant to the Administration and
Stewardship Departments. Judy’s professional, efficient
ways are an answer to our prayers as well.
By God’s Grace
At the July Baptist Mid-Missions Conference, Jackie
Eaton received a pin commemorating her 45 years of
service with BMM, the last three of which have been with
Bibles International. Dick and Nancy Teachout received
pins for 40 years of service with BMM. They have been
with BI for four years. Both Dick and Jackie serve in the
BI Stewardship Department, and Nancy is a volunteer.
Your God-directed help will be greatly appreciated
I would like to contribute $________ toward the
printing of a Bible or New Testament for:
 any country  the country of _______________
I am contributing $_____ for a translation center:
□ Chad □ India
Please send ___ sets of
(All gifts are tax-deductible)
 Memorial Gift cards  In Honor cards.
Please send the following brochure:
□ Children’s Missionary Materials □ People, Plain & Tall - Chad
______________________________________________________________________________________
Name
Church, Camp, VBS
Phone
Email
______________________________________________________________________________________
Address
City
State
Zip
Please make checks payable to: Bibles International ● 609 36th Street S.E. ● Grand Rapids, MI 49548-2317
Phone (616) 942-7712 ● Fax (616) 956-0958 ● Email: [email protected] ● Website: www.biblesint.org
Canadian Address: 187 McLaughlin Drive ● Moncton, NB ● Canada E1A 4P4
B81
7
That the Old and New Testament book
introductions can be translated smoothly into
French and Quechua. They have already been
translated into Spanish.
That God will continue to provide funds for
the printing of 11 projects and the needs of
the translation centers in India and Chad.
For Anna Beth Wivell, Kim Hibbard, and
Troy Manning to raise full support; and pray
for additional financial support for our current
missionary personnel.
That the literacy workshop in Chad went well
and was a blessing.
That 18 young people and adults from
Robinson Baptist Church in Grand Haven,
Michigan, gave of their time to help at the
Grand Rapids office in June.
That the Waalii Bible is being printed and will
soon be ready for distribution.
For faithful BI volunteers who assist with
bulk mailings on a regular basis.
For the Hedges family as they return from
Chad for medical reasons. Pray that diagnoses
and effective treatment can be determined
soon.
For a congregation that desires to fund
research trips to be made by BI staff in
order to determine the potential for further
translation work in the Philippines.
That God will use the annual Harvest Dinner
to bless and encourage BI’s friends and
faithful supporters.
For the expertise donated by a friend of BI
who spent two days at the BI office assisting
with budgeting and bookeeping.
For continued safety for BI staff in all their
travels.
For the ongoing faithful work of the BI India
Society and the BI Myanmar Society.
You Are Cordially
Invited to the
BI Harvest Dinner
Thursday, October 22
Calvary Baptist Church
1200 28th Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Table sponsors will
be mailing invitations
in September. If you
have not received one
by October 1st and
would like to attend,
please call or e-mail
the office.
e-mail: [email protected]
phone: (616) 942-7712
ext. 28
Address Service Requested
609 36th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548-2317 • Ph (616) 942-7712
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