Saturday, October 20, 2007

Tiny faith, gi-normous grace!

Well, the Lord has been teaching me quite a bit about my weaknesses and some of the many things that I have yet to learn.I have had bronchitis for about a week, so between coughing fits and exhaustion, I have been doing quite a bit of thinking. Many of you know the dream I have of going overseas to meet an exciting group of people, to learn an exciting language, and to tell people about OUR Savior. Well, this excitement is still there, but reality is beginning to kick in as time continues to tick. As I've been meeting pastors and speaking to groups, I am learning more about this call than I had before. I am ashamed to admit that doubt and feelings of fear have crept up over the last couple weeks. I am beginning to embrace this time the Lord has given me for training. The unknown of Nigeria is beginning to challenge my courage with thoughts of..."How long will it take to communicate with people?" "Will the language be difficult?""Will I be lonely?" "Will I make a friend to spill my concerns to?" "Will the Lord supply ALL my needs?" "Will I have the courage to talk about my Lord?""Will people listen?""Will the job seem monotonous?""Will there be fruit?""Will God be glorified?"My faith is tiny, and God's grace is gi-normous!"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for you brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For 'All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." -I Peter 1:22-24

Monday, October 08, 2007

Only 429!!!

First! How can I pray for you? Please update me.Thank you, thank you, thank you! The encouragement I have received is incredible, and I am especially thankful for those who have offered to help me with the family I'm caring for (see past posts). We need it. I am so grateful for all of you who are praying for me, and I am so excited that I have a chance to share my heart with you.Recently as I have be reading the Word and feeling its overwhelming power, I have been thinking about those who don't have it (surprise, surprise). Do you know that there are 6,912 languages in the world, and only 429 languages have complete Bibles? That's about 6%. Does this shock you or what? I've been learning about translation for 3-4 years now and this fact feels like a boulder being thrown on me. What can I do? Pray.Only 429! http://www.wycliffe.org/About/Statistics.aspxA little over 1,000 languages have only the New Testament, and nearly 2,000 translations are in progress. Why is it that only 429 languages have the Bible translated, and we have over 50 complete modern English translations? Huh?!I am praising the Lord for these 429 complete translations (though many are already outdated because of language changes). BUT!!! I am grieved that there are so few in comparison to the thousands left. Whew! I have also been burdened with the need for Old Testament translations. It's the majority of Scripture, its translation need is downplayed, and the need is enormous! Please pray.Please pray for...-The 196 MILLION people who don't have ANY Scripture at all. NONE!-The incredibly overwhelming translation needs.-Continual guidance with what project I am to work with in Nigeria. There are over 500 languages there and 135 million people!-Opportunities for me to speak in churches. Scheduling has been difficult.-The family I'm living with and caring for, my health, and wisdom with care and discipline.-My focus on the Lord. It's hard.****I just sent out my first prayer letter with LBT so if you didn't receive it and would like to please contact me at rlee@lbt.org(If you do not want to receive updates feel free to leave the group.)
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