MozamWeek

Summer is back. Usually by August the weather is hot and dry and we are wishing for air-conditioning. Even mid-July is usually hot. BUT this year, we gave thanks every day the heat stayed below 85F! Now, the weather has officially changed. Summer is here... summer in the "deep South" that is... on this side of the world, it comes in Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan... and lasts! Read Katie Nalls' description of Tete in the heat... She gets it just right: "A hair-dryer blowing dirt on you every so often..." Lovely! Home, Sweet Home! Meanwhile, we are coughing as our bodies adjust to the new thicker air. It hasn't rained for months and the loose dirt is getting deeper. When the heat rises, it builds up into a big blow and warm air sweeps up the Zambezi River, picks up the loose, red sand and whoosh! Now, I shouldn't really keep on about this... I'm expecting a visitor from the USA in a few weeks. She might re-consider if she finds out about the weather! Last time ...

That is the newest, most accurate estimate of when the Nyungwe New Testament will be ready for publication. Based on formulas that seem to be actually realistic about how much translation gets done in a year, drafting 20 verses a day, 150 actual work-days per year, including the other steps in the process, counting off for weekends, workshops, sickness, etc... The translators are determined that they will translate the WHOLE Bible. They aren't satisfied that New Testament, Genesis and Exodus are enough for the Nyungwe people. So, there will most likely be a second phase to the project. Most likely, they will do most of that without a full-time missionary. Bisters? What will they do after 2016? In 2016, Katie will be 16 years old! Jake and John will also be out-growing the Zambezi Jr. School here in Tete. So, we are considering our options in other positions in Wycliffe. Most likely Mikael will work towards getting certified as a translation consultant. In the next ten years, not on...

From our 10 years in Tete, we have come up with the following explanation of what traditional religion involves here. Several local pastors have stated that this is what most people think. So, for what it is worth, here is our summary: Most people follow African Traditional Religion, a system of witchcraft that requires sacrifice to ancestral and natural spirits. There are territorial spirits that control certain areas, but only the elders would know them now. Most of today's traditions are linked to the family. All members of a family have an obligation to participate in ceremonies in times of crisis whether it be sickness and death, economic difficulties or crop failure. There are ceremonies for protection from evil and for retaliation for perceived attack or curse. Magic to ensure luck in business or relationships. Charms or herbs to protect from sickness or heal an illness. Almost any event out of the ordinary is attributed to spirit activity. Their traditions and belie...

The kids were off for a month and we spent the month running, teaching, running and building, and proposing to the funders of Bible translation projects around the world. The teaching went well; the building was a bit stressful, but moving ahead; and the Seed Co. was a highlight! You can click on Seed Co. and check out their stuff. We were pretty impressed with the thoroughness of the application form. We were also delighted with Stuart, the guy they sent out to help us fill in the proposal properly. This isn't an ordinary fill-in-the-blank deal. They want the details like: What is special about this group? How do they make a living? What is their religion and how does it affect their everyday life? How will the Bible make a difference in this people group's future? Who are your partners and what role do they have? Who makes the decisions? Why do they need missionaries? How long will it take to finish the NT? We can now answer all these questions! It took hours of conversation...