Graydens

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Contents 1 L_buagan 2 Letters 2.1 Feb09b 2.2 Jan09 2.3 May08 2.4 Feb08b 2.5 Feb08 2.6 Jan08 2.7 Dec07 2.8 Nov07 2.9 Aug07c 2.10 Aug07b 2.11 Aug07 2.12 Jul07 2.13 May07b 2.14 May07 2.15 Apr07 2.16 Mar07 2.17 Feb07, 20 2.18 Feb07: T-it's thank you letter 2.19 Feb 07 2.20 Jan07 31 2.21 Jan07

• Letters from 2007
• Letters from 2006

L_buagan

• The name L_buagan comes from the word “ L_buangon”, a nook in the present Poblacion where spring water comes out from the land that was a source of drinking water for the early settlers. The excess or overflow of the water formed into pools where wild animals such as carabaos and wild pigs wallowed.

• L_buagan is a 5th class municipality with little source of income. Agriculture is the main source of income where 4,704.94 hectares are devoted for agricultural crops such as rice, vegetable, fruit trees, high value commercial crops and others while there are 550 hectares devoted to rice, only 350 has. are planted due to non functional irrigation system. This is supplemented by other economic activities such as buy and sell, maintenance of small number of livestock, home industries like back strap weaving, broom making, blacksmithing, basketry and beads making.

• The strong cultural heritage link among the people in the area and the unique traditions and customs of the IL_buagan people has given them the resiliency and strength to overcome the various challenges, problems and other man-made disasters that plagued the tribal groups in the locality. The cultural heritage of the “Bodong” is one form of local governance that has maintained a peaceful co-existence among the other K`linga tribal groups. This has spurred the development of their political, educational and economic endeavors, which has resulted to its rise to prominence in the “50s to the late ‘70s wherein the municipality was identified as the educational, political and economic center of the old Mountain Province.

• At present, the unique K`linga culture and traditions are now giving way to the demands of the so-called “modernization” wherein the people or residents are trying to act and think “western”. The strong cultural traditions will help us promote our ways of life as K`linga and help maintain peace and prosperity among our people.

Letters

Feb09b

Sun, 15 Feb 2009

Dear Faithful Partners in our Bible translation task,

As I began to draft this note on to you, the special bushfire telethon appeal was starting, and it was good seeing one of my rellies - Cousin "Angry" (Anderson) - performing. I can't find words to describe the past few week's tragic events, with friends of some friends killed and properties of other friends destroyed.

Steven and Tracey were not in any immediate danger, but just in case they needed to evacuate they gave each of their boys a large dish and told them they could fill them with whatever of their special possessions would fit, and no more. Later, when told the dishes were ready to go, Steven and Tracey found that Tom (7) and Matt (5) only had two items each in theirs - a teddy bear and an alarm clock! "But isn't there anything else you'd you like to take?" "We can get toys again ... and we'll have a better house next time, coz we're here to help you build now!"

The impact of God's Word in the language of the L_buagan people continues, and you'll be thrilled to learn that the church is growing at an average of one new believer every two days or so. More than 250 have come to faith in Christ in just over two years. It's goosebump territory! Please continue to pray for the leaders - Ch'wayan, A_ring, L^laine and others - that God will use them for His glory and protect them from all opposition.

You'll remember me telling you of the murder of Fr Francisk_s, the Indonesian priest in L_buagan shot by N-stor on Palm Sunday 2007. N-stor has been at large since then, with no one willing to turn him in, but last Sunday, when police tried to arrest him, he fired at them and they killed him.

The L_buagan translation team includes Ch'wayan, who pastors the new M^bilong Evangelical Alliance Church; L'to and Vicky, members of Translators Association of the Philippines; and us. Diane, who with her husband Greg served in L_buagan for 12 years before we took their place in 2000, is vitally involved in the First Language program where children are taught in their own language for their first two or three years in school.

We're still having to work from Australia, and for budget reasons I can now make only one trip to the Philippines each year. During my all too brief 3-week stints, it's so encouraging seeing what God is doing there and wonderful catching up with friends there but so hard leaving them again. The Lord is still working in M^llango too, with six young adults recently baptised.

My main work here is checking the translation done in a couple of other related languages, and this can be followed through by email. I can't exactly explain why, except that I guess it's to do with the spiritual battle - but the more that good things happen in L_buagan, the harder things seem for me. To me it's sometimes seemed - to quote a certain regal Elizabeth in 1992 - an annus horribilis, but praise God it's been an annus mirabilis - a year of wonders (or miracles) - for those who have come to the Lord in L_buagan.

Thanks for your care of us through your prayer and financial support. In July I'll be 65. And after 37 years serving fulltime in the Bible translation task, we're thinking that very soon after we become eligible for the pension we might call it a fulltime day and just work part time on translation projects. We'd appreciate you praying with us about the timing and the future. Thanks.

Yours because His, Bruce and for Judith too

Jan09

Subject: Prayer requests - with thanks for your ministry to us

• The church building in Lubuagan is almost complete, but God's church has already outgrown it! But they don't mind! We're praising God with them for His Word and ministry.
• A_ring's son Joshua is in college in Tabuk, the provincial capital. Pray God will protect his life from revenge seekers, and his faith from the temptations there.
• We're thankful for the holiday we're now having. Please pray we'll benefit greatly from this time. Thanks.

May08

Subject: Thanks for praying dear Lygon Streeters Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 14:06:54 +1000

Bruce & Jud'th Gr-yden - Wycliffe Bible Translators Philippines

1. The Gospel of John in Lil_buagen (the L_buagan language) has been approved for publication. Pray that there'll be no hindrances to it being printed soon, so the new believers will have more scripture to read.

2. The church leaders - Ch'wayan, L'to, A_ring and others - appreciate prayer for them, and ask that we continue to pray that they will remain faithful and that many more will trust in the Lord. Ch'wayan is also very grateful for the support he receives from LSCC. We are also grateful for your support of us.

Ewen & Elizabeth Cumm'ngs - SIL Ch`d (Some will remember Ewen when he attended Lygon St years ago)

1. Salam alekum (God be praised) from Ab-che! Thanks for your prayers for perseverence and JOY, with all the uncertainties here. We are so thankful for the Lord's protection in countless ways. Please keep praying for us, especially that we will be able to do the work the Lord has called us here to do. Please pray also for God's protection of the town of Adre and all our friends there.

2. Ewen has been in Hadj-r Had'd for the past week to meet with and encourage the literacy teachers. We have 1,000 new primers ready to use in classes over the next while, and we're encouraged that some teachers have started new classes during the time we have been away. Ewen rode there with the convoy that next day was stopped by bandits and the Director of Save the Children in Chad was murdered. The incident has affected the morale of aid organisations in Chad..

3. The changes of location and the uncertainties due to the February coup attempt meant we are a month behind with the kids' schoolwork. We are working hard to catch up.

4. We are praying for a home and yard of our own in Hadj-r Had'd, as it has been awkward sharing with other folk. Please pray the Lord will provide something for our family. We would like to be living out there again when the rains begin.

Feb08b

Dear Folk-who-care-about-and-pray-for-our-family,

Thanks heaps. Here's a new update from Elizabeth and Ewen, received today. Some of you are also on their email list so you may have received it already, but I don't think you'll mind getting it twice. Yours because His,

Judith & Bruce

-- Friday 15th Feb, 2008

Ab-che, Chad

Dear praying friends, We are so thankful to all of you for your prayers for us during these past two weeks. The Lord has kept us. He has protected us from any harm. He has kept in our hearts an assurance of His call on our lives to live here in Chad and serve the M'ssalit people. He has kept us in His word and in prayer each and every day, looking to Him for guidance and care. He has kept our children's hearts at peace and looking forward to an evacuation (which never happened!). Thank you so much for your faithfulness is lifting us up before the Lord in prayer. We value your heartfelt prayers for us.

The fighting in N'Dj'mena two weeks ago was fierce. We praise and thank the Lord for keeping all our friends in His care. Also our SIL center in N'Dj'mena was not looted, but the guards have kept faithfully guarding the property. Now life is quickly coming back to normal in N'Dj'mena. The markets need to be open and running each day as people here in Chad always live day by day and rely very much on the markets. So we are thankful for that. Here in Ab-che people had some tense days, wondering whether the rebels would also come here to Ab-che, but the town is calm again now. We are thankful that we did not need to evacuate. It has been an encouragement to listen to friends from other missions on the radio in villages around Chad, talking to one another and keeping one another in their prayers, and to be a part of that. We have heard that some mission 4WDs were taken by the rebels and we pray with them for the Lord's provision of their needs. One radio report said that some of these vehicles have been recovered, but it has not been confirmed.

We are awaiting a flight to N'Dj'mena and then we will continue on to Yaounde, Cameroon, where the evacuated SIL people have regrouped. Because there is no longer a crisis, it is difficult to find transport! And yet it doesn't seem to be the right time to travel by road as 4WD vehicles are being taken. Please pray for a way to get to Yaounde soon and be with the team. Please be praying for each member of our team, that the Lord will bless them with faith to trust in Him alone, to remember their call to Chad, to have courage to return to Chad and carry on the work.

Keep praying with us that we will be able to stay in Chad long term and continue the work we believe we are called to do here. 12,000 new refugees that arrived this week in Chad, due to bombings and raids in the Darfur, and our hearts are heavy for these people who need to find hope and trust in a righteous God.

The Lord bless you, as you are a blessing to us,

Elizbeth and Ewen, Jemima, Ruth, Anna, Jed and Keziah Cummings.

PS Ruth Chapman is waiting to find how she can return to Australia. She was to fly out of N'Dj'mena early this morning but the flight was cancelled, and we are a long way from N'Dj'mena anyhow! Please pray with us that Ruth will be able to get home ASAP, as her uni course starts on Monday. I'm so thankful for the way she has taught the girls with flexibility and creativity in the midst of everything! Thank you Ruth!

Feb08

Thu, 7 Feb 2008

Dear folk who are praying for the Cumm;ngs family in Chad,

I have a little news which I hope will help you as you pray. As of 1pm Chad time on Feb 6, they were still in Ab-che and all was calm there. However, I think all the SIL members in the rest of Chad have been evacuated. E&E have been told by the SIL administration to evacuate too, but they have no way to do that unless or until the French military tell them it's time to leave. The French will then fly them out, probably to N'Dj'mena to connect with the regular evacuation flights which are going out from there daily to Gabon, and from there they'll go to Cameroon where they'll meet up with the other SIL 'refugees'. They could then have their annual conference there. The spiritual emphasis speaker is right there in Ab-che with them!

Meanwhile, they're all fine in Ab-che, though the wait-and-see is unsettling. Will they be able to leave? Will it be within days, or hours, or at a moment's notice?

One of the hardest things for them is that if they have to evacuate they don't know how long they'll be gone and the thought that it could be weeks or months makes them ache. They won't be allowed to take much with them, so they ask prayer that what they have to leave behind will still be there when they return. Looting is common at this time.

Ruth Ch'pm'n, visiting for a month, taught the kids all morning, keeping the girls busy. Jed had the day off. Keziah was happy about that! Elizabeth said: 'The kids will be disappointed if we don't evacuate! They are funny, but I'm thankful at least that they are not afraid of evacuating but see it as an adventure and a little holiday from the boring life in Ab-che!'

Our friend Elly, who spent many years in Chad with her family, told me: 'Ruth is supposed to come home next week. She'll be a bit late for classes back at uni but will have lots of stories to tell. 'So what did you do over the summer, Ruth?' 'Well... there were these big tanks and guns going past the place where we were staying...' I don't think anyone will believe her.' We can't wait to hear David and Ruth's stories too.

When Judith and I were in Ab-che in December's failed coup attempt, during a lull in the fighting we headed east, hoping to get to either Adre or Hadjer Hadid. After packing for both places, not knowing which we would reach that day - if any - Elizabeth said: 'When the rebels come and we have to evacuate, it'll be a cinch!' Wrong! Now that it's come down to the real situation, they're not finding it as easy as they'd hoped. But words from the scriptures and from the wonderful book by O Hallesby, 'Prayer,' have been a comfort and inspiration. Hallesby wrote about our helplessness and how we can just come to Jesus, helpless as we are, to pray or even to hope, and just lay it all before Him who is strong and loving and able to care for us all.

The market is open, schools are open, and everyone is going about as usual. Whether they should be or not doesn't seem to matter...everyone in town needed a low stress day. The radio announced that all is calm so everyone believes it! Ewen has been able to ride his motor bike around town to attend to important matters, like sending email updates to the SIL administrators.

The whole family went to the WEC prayer meeting on Monday, and it was encouraging to sing and pray together.

They ask that you pray for their friends in Adre (which may or may not have been taken by the rebels, depending on which side is telling the truth) and Ab-che and especially N'Dj'mena. I won't include their names, but the Lord knows for whom you'll be praying.

They certainly appreciate your prayers. So do we, their extended families!

In His Love, Bruce

Jan08

Dear Folk-who-care-about-us,

Thanks so much for praying for, caring about, and supporting us. We arrived home in Melbourne on Saturday ... but I've been feeling crook since just before the 36-hour trip home started. Besides a migraine and a hacking cough, I also have malaria! Thankfully it's not as severe as my 1976 version, probably because our daily malaria prophylaxis masked some of the symptoms. Since arriving home I've been able to do nothing more energetic than sleep, sweat and shiver. But just 36 hours after starting the treatment, I'm already able to sit and write to you.

Happily, Judith is feeling fine, so is able to wait on me hand and foot as usual (Ouch! Don't hit me when I'm down my darling!)

Judith's mother, Doris, is also doing well. She's now back in her granny flat in our back yard, after mostly enjoying respite care while we were away.

It was a great blessing to us to be able to visit our Chad-based family. Our months of waiting for it to come turned into a 6 week blur as the time went too fast in Chad. Now it's a swag of (mostly) good memories that we have, and we can picture just where Elizabeth, Ewen and their kids are whenever they move and whoever they meet. Ewen's parents are now with them for several weeks, so our grandkids are certainly being well grandparented. Others we met and stayed with on the way home also enriched our lives. Included was a reunion with many former colleagues.

We'll write again as soon as possible. Meanwhile, thanks again for your part in all we're doing.

Love, Bruce (and for Judith)

Dec07

Subject: We're off further east ... as far east as we can go ... maybe ... we hope ... tomorrow!

Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:38:47 +0100

Dear Folk everywhere who care about us, 'Thanks' seems inadequate a word for our appreciation of you for your prayer and care. It's so good being here in Chad with Elizabeth, Ewen and family. It's nearly 2 years since we saw them last and it'll be another 2 years before we see them again.

Most of us have been crook lately, the most recent being Keziah, but we're all doing pretty well today.

There's not a whole lot to do here. There's gravelly sand everywhere, but the ocean is a couple of thousand kms away! Everything's covered in dust, but already we hardly notice it.

I've had two jalabias - the robe the local blokes wear - made, and once I have my turban I'll look like the locals ... well, the few chubby ones there are anyway! I might not wear a local outfit on the trip home to Oz; I might attract too much attention! Officials might ask what I have around my waist; I'll have to tell them it's just my waist! And I tho't I'd lose weight here! Right now, it's 11.30am on December 11 in Abeche (9.30pm in eastern Oz; some other time elsewhere), and we just heard that a Medicins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) vehicle is planning to go to Hadjer Hadid tomorrow morning, leaving about 9.30am Chad time. And we plan to drive in convoy with it and hopefully others too. Their first stop is at Farchana (2-3 hours away) where they'll deliver supplies to the refugee camp there before proceeding to Hadjer Hadid (a further 1-2 hours). We'll be their shadow all the way!

However, if our main dream comes true, at Farchana we'll find a truck or two waiting to go to Adre. If we do, we'll go to Adre (2+ hours further east) instead, tho' it might mean we won't get to HH. Whatever eventuates, we'll be rejoicing - especially our family here who all want us to meet their friends.

The 'road' to Adre is at least as bad as the last 100+ kms coming here to Abeche, and the 'road' to HH is even worse! Ooohh ... my aching back, neck, stomach, chest, head ...

From the little we've heard, any current fighting is well away from the route we'll take, and being in convoy with other vehicles lessens the likelihood of bandits interfering with our travels. We plan to return to Abeche for Christmas ... all being clear for us to do that.

I don't know if this email will be sent today, or when you will read it, but the Lord knows all our plans and will be going ahead of us and with us as we trust Him.

You'll know how to pray.

Thanks and God bless,

Bruce (for Judith and the family)

Nov07

Dear Praying Partners,

Greetings from ... would you believe Ch'd? We wanted to let you know before we left Melbourne last Tuesday, but what with one thing and many others, we're already here before writing to you.

It's wonderful to have this opportunity to visit Elizabeth, Ewen and family for 6 weeks. We've sure missed them, and they us.

Our plan had been to leave the capital, N'Dj'mena, today and travel two days in order to reach 'beche by tomorrow evening, but ... two days ago, fighting between government troops and rebels broke out near 'beche, with each side claiming 100s of casualties on the other.

Needless to say, we were advised not to travel today. However, we're hoping to try in the next day or so. We just need the advice of folk at 'beche, and the wisdom God provides, before setting off.

It was hard to leave our family and dog at home, but it's wonderful that Judith's mother was happy to go into respite care while we're away.

Please be praying for Elizabeth and Ewen's friends in 'dre (where their home still stands but empty), H'djer H'did (the refugee camp where they have started a literacy program) and 'beche (where they live in an orphanage - the one where 103 extra children are currently staying after a bogus aid group recently tried to smuggle them out of Ch'd to France; you'll have seen reports on the news at home), that the Lord will protect them all in these difficult days.

News from L_buagan constantly brings smiles. In less than 12 months since Chiw'yan started a church service in the village where we lived - known as the most notorious part of L_buagan - more than 100 people have come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Every week there are new attenders. At a working bee to lay the foundations for a chapel last month, most of the new believers were there, plus over 100 others! Even unbelievers are excited about what they see happening!

We're so encouraged to hear how God is changing lives, and that many are seeing the Light through the entrance of His Word.

Thanks so much for praying for us and supporting us materially. Your investment is bearing much fruit.

Love from Judith and moi, Bruce

Aug07c

Mon, 20 Aug 2007

Thanx so much for your encouraging email. It is so amazing what God is doing in L_buagan, and I want to sing the doxology all the time!

I'm glad my email was read in yesterday's service with joy felt in the Congregation. Yes, your partnership with us in the LORD's work here, especially supporting Ch-wayan, is priceless in saving lost souls. The land is now dedicated and as soon as possible they will buy materials and begin to build the simple chapel.

I have videod the dedication and also part of the service there. I'll be very happy to show a little to the church there.

Thanks for praying for my return trip.

God bless you and your family, Bruce

Aug07b

Fri, 17 Aug 2007

My dear family,

I want to share the following with you and just a couple of others, to encourage you as I've been encouraged, and to show God's glory:

Since leaving L-buagan last Monday, I've received texts from Ch-wayan and A_ring that have encouraged me immensely. I don't look for such comments, but when they come I realise I need them - that's the way I'm built, I guess. I'll share them with you for what I believe will be encouragement to you too ... in case you need some too. Ch-wayan wrote (here translated): "Your visit to us here is unforgettable; still in the minds of our brethren, for even though it was hard for you (ie, climbing to the church), you made the sacrifice to be there with us. We're thankful to God that he has used you to help us all here. The believers are encouraged and very happy. What has happened here wouldn 't have without your help. Thanks so much."

A_ring, who continues to read scripture each week to illiterate ladies and assists Ch-wayan in the church, prayer meeting, etc wrote: "The believers are very happy regarding the work here of you and Ch-wayan who is using our language to teach and the people understand the scriptures now. Without them the new group of believers would not exist. Thank you."

Last night, there were two more texts. Ch-wayan wrote: "We had our prayer meeting this afternoon. Many who came were encouraged. We praise God for his care of us." And A_ring wrote: "We thank God for choosing you to work here. I'm so happy to hear what the people said about you. They say you brought many blessings to them and without you whom God used there would be no church in our village. Truly God is working among them. Continue praying for them. They are excited to build a church. Thanks for your patience to bring blessing and the Word of God to us. Thanks very much for the translation of God's Word which is your work. We have learned much about the word of our Lord. These messages came from many people here. They are praying for your flight on Tuesday and that you will be strong. They love you very much and thank you for bringing them the Word of God."

Well now ... there ya go! Too exciting and encouraging not to share with you, eh wot? (Rhetorical question!)

Thanx again for praying for moi. Love, Bruce/Dad/Uncle/Whatever xoxoxoxo

Aug07

Tue, 14 Aug 2007

Dear Family & Other Friends,

Greetings from this wanderer! I sure did appreciate your praying for moi. The driving, while not fantastically easy, was the fastest and easiest yet! Several vehicles coming the other way around the zillions of corners were happily missed by "that much"!

I returned to B`gabag yesterday and plan to bus to Manila tomorrow. Please pray I'll catch a bus early in the day. Ta. While in Manila I'll continue checking translation work for two other teams until I leave for Oz on August 21.

My blood pressure found no strong reason to rise this time, tho' it was tested one night when more than the "normal" quota of shots were fired just near to where I was staying. However, I was the only person not shaking with fear! It turned out to be a soldier, drunk while home on weekend leave, and shooting off his M16 instead of his mouth.

The diet was, for want of a better word, interesting this time. On Day 1 for breakfast I had rice and beans; for lunch, beans and rice; and for dinner, a combination of the two. Day 2 saw the same fare, but in reverse order - for variety, I suppose. By Day 3, it was starting to feel like deja vu all over again! By Day 4, I shouldn't have been feeling so tired, coz I was so full of beans! However, I decided to buy some Spam, for further variety. Spam never tasted so good!

Getting to the new church service on Sunday was a challenge for the unfit - me. The first step was just one small step for this man, but the remaining 253 almost jiggered me and spelt the end of this kind man! However, witnessing the enthusiasm of the believers and the groundbreaking for the new chapel were worth the effort. I get goosebumps when I think about the 64 new believers and the 10 who have come back to the Lord through the Word of God in their own language and the faithful ministry of many, especially Ch-wayan who began the Bible study last September with the goal of simply checking the translation. No one knew then what the Lord knew!

Some of you noticed last time I wrote that the believers "are being added to weakly"! And while the leaders feel weak, and meek, the word meant was of course "weekly"! And that's still happening. Pray the Word of God will bear even more fruit.

It was good to meet together with Ch-wayan, Lito and Vicky, and to discuss ways they can help each other more. Lito and Vicky will check over the epistles Ch-wayan has completed after one more read through by him - Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Hebrews, 1&2 Peter, Jude and Revelation - and Ch-wayan will check Lito and Vicky's translation of Matthew and Acts. ` It was beaut seeing A_ring's son, Joshua, come to the service. It's the first time he's been to church for a few years. Pray he'll soon put his faith and trust in Jesus.

I tried to convince Amp`yao to deliver her 7th child while I was there, but she decided she'd wait till the due date, 3-4 weeks hence!

Well, that'll do for this epistle. Thanks again for praying for us and supporting us.

Yours because His, Bruce

Jul07

Dear Family & Other Friends,

Thanx soooooooo much for your prayer and financial support. We appreciate you all immensely.

Would you believe I'm at B`gabag? And I didn't tell you before I left? You would? Yep, and I'm sorry I didn't let you know before this. I left home last Wednesday, bussed to B`gabag on Friday, met all day yesterday with the K`linga teams with whom I work and my bosses, and here it's Sunday already. It's good to catch up with the teams for whom I'm checking translation work and am trying to mentor.

I plan to drive the Hilux to L_buagan on "that road again" on Tuesday. Vicky will be my companion most of the way and L-to will join us for the last 43 kms, which takes 2-3 hours depending on the state of the "road".

Please pray for safety in travelling, a keen eye (make that two) for the new challenges the road will offer, for no landslides or any other kind of holdup (especially human), and for an effective week at L_buagan. I'm not exactly looking forward to the trip, but it will be worth it. I wanted to be fitter this time back, but instead I'm fatter! My blood pressure is in good shape tho'.

I'm looking forward to attending the new church on Sunday next, and listing their names so I can report back to those who've been praying for specific folk. The believers are being added to weakly - which reminds me of the Book of Acts - and they're very excited about their faith and their future.

Friends at home have provided an amount from an inheritance so the believers can buy a lot for a chapel and most of the building materials needed. I'm sure they'll do the work with great joy.

Please continue praying for the work of the gospel in L_buagan; for the impact of the scriptures in the mother tongue; for Ch-wayan as he pastors the growing group of believers; for Ch-wayan, L-to and Vicky as they encourage use of the translated scriptures in the community; and for the Lord to provide all their needs, including safety in this place of conflict, both physical and spiritual.

I'll spend most of my time there with Ch-wayan, L-to and Vicky, working thro' any translation problems they have, and trying to encourage them. I want to spend time with the pastors and priests of the other churches too.

I'm also praying for an opportunity to talk about the Lord with A_ring's son, Joshua, who needs to put his faith and trust in Jesus before going to the provincial capital to tech school. Josh is Auring's only child. She miscarried a daughter when her husband was murdered when Josh was 2 years old. I won't describe the way he was killed. You'd be sick.

Ch-wayan's wife, Amp`yao, is due to deliver their 7th child this month. I'm hoping it's this week, tho' I might be a bit greedy since she's not due till the end of August. That beautiful couple is enriched by their big family, but "unriched" because their only support, mainly for the translation work he does, is only half what a school teacher is paid. I worry about that sometimes, but am not sure what to do about it. It will be great seeing Judith Anne, Grayden Kyle and Jan Grayden again too, as well as T-it, A_ring and other special friends.

I sure do appreciate you praying for Judith while I'm away too. She stayed home again to be with her mother. Thanks also for praying and caring about Emma, Mike and Kai. At 12 weeks already, Kai's doing all the things he should be doing, and he gives us great joy, as do all our kids and grandies.

By the way, I was somewhat surprised at the number of people this time who have said I look like Sean Connery! None! Oh well ...

More in about 10 days. Love from Judith & me

May07b

Dear Prayer Partners, Warm greetings from Judith and me. We've good news, but mixed with tears.

We rejoiced at the birth on May 11 of Mike and Emma's first baby, but uncertainty grabbed us next day (Judith's birthday) when he began having mild seizures and he had to be transferred to the Royal Children's Hospital. Emma's labor actually started 68 hours before the birth and continued on and off until the hardest contractions which lasted 16 hours, and when Baby was born the oxygen and blood supply to his brain were not good.

Thankfully, an ultrasound showed that his brain wasn't damaged, and after an MRI the doctors said he's making a good recovery, but they won't know for certain whether there will be any longterm affects until he's 9 months old. You'd better hang in with us praying for Kai! Thanks. He'll have another MRI in early June.

Also, a lumbur puncture revealed a herpes viral infection in his spinal fluid, but we're relieved it's the type 1 herpes, not the more dangerous type 2. Also thankfully it's "the only virus that is treatable with antibiotics." He was returned to the William Angliss Hospital on Tuesday for another 10 days' receiving the antibiotic. However, today he was transferred yet again, this time to Monash Hospital, as the IV line into his hand wasn't holding correctly and he'll instead have a line inserted into his chest with the antibiotic now to be administered for 3 weeks. It's good Emma will be allowed to stay with Kai overnight there, whereas Angliss couldn't accommodate her, but it's sad that Mike's not allowed to stay too.

You'll no doubt realise it's a difficult experience for this brand new Mum and Dad, and also for the rest of the family. We're all feeling sad, and we cry a lot, but we're also crying out to the Lord and trusting Him to do what He does best in situations like this. In C---, Elizabeth feels much too far away from us all at this time. The Angliss and Children's medical staff have been wonderful.

Now, just who is this cute and precious little fellow? The attached photo will put in a picture the dozens of words I could use to describe him! He's Kai Gr-yden Ian Enticott, and he tipped the scale at 4.8kg (10lb 9oz)!

I'm sorry we've been so silent the past couple of months. I've felt emotionally down since the passing of my parents sank in - it hit me much harder than I anticipated. So did the Palm Sunday murder of the 31 year old Indonesian priest in L_buagan. His killer is still free, as no one is willing to risk turning him in. Francis had confided to a colleague some weeks before his tragic death that he wanted to ask for a transfer of assignment because he was afraid seeing so many guns carried around in L_buagan.

The Bishop said at his funeral: "Even without fully comprehending the reality of Fr. Francis' death, let us continue believing in the God of Life, the Risen Lord in our midst. Surely, he will open our minds and consciences to value and to understand his saving Word written, not only our scriptures, but also in the events in our lives." With the murder of the vice-governor, as he began his campaign for governor of the province on Easter Saturday, Bishop J--- asked: "Why is K-linga (Province) so basked with bloodshed throughout this decade?"

I plan to return to L_buagan for a week or so in July or August - yes, I'll keep my head down - and also to spend time with the other translators with whom I'm working. Meanwhile, I'm continuing to work as well as I can here, mainly checking their translated work. The good news from L_buagan is that more new people are attending services every Sunday. Pray for Ch-wayan, as he pastors the church while continuing with the NT translation, and also for those who help in the ministry.

We sure do appreciate you, your prayers, your care and your support very much. Bless you!

Love from us both, Bruce

May07

1. Philippine national elections are only a week away. So far, 30 have been killed nationwide. A L_buagan man running for governor was assassinated recently. Pray for peace on and after the elections.

2. The Indonesian priest, Fr----, was buried on Easter Monday. His killer, N----, is still at large in L_buagan. The Bishop has asked that we pray for N---- to turn to God.

3. The believers are greatly encouraged at the new growth among them. Many children attended a DVBS last week. Pray they and their parents will understand the gospel and respond. L-to wrote: "Yes, we will continue to use our translated scriptures. It is because of the Lil-buagen scriptures that a new church was formed. It's the main instrument that holds our people's faith."

Apr07

Date: 11 Apr 2007 Prayer requests from Judith & Bruce

1. Mainline churches have been in L_buagan for 80 years, with very little result. Most church members also follow the traditional culture closely and appease the spirits thro' animal sacrifices. Pray that the Word of God will be read by them and that it will penetrate their minds.

2. Praise God for the 38 new believers in L_buagan since Ch-wayan started the Bible study, using the scriptures translated into their own language. There's now a Sunday service, a prayer meeting, and two more Bible studies.

3. On Palm Sunday, one of the two RC priests in L_buagan was murdered. He was just 31, from Indonesia. Pray for justice to prevail. People are afraid to talk to police about it out of fear for their own lives.

Mar07

Date: 1 March 2007

Update for the past month of our work

February 2007

• Bruce spent most of February back in the Philippines. He was in L_buagan for 12 days, mainly to complete the face-to-face consultant check of L-to & Vicky’s work on the Gospel of John. He also visited M`llango, where we completed our first translation project, for 24 hours, and had brief discussions with the translators of D_paninan `gta Genesis 12-36 and the B_tbut K`linga Epistles of John. He also had meetings with the northern Philippines regional SIL director and with the coordinators of his Language Program Manager role with the K`linga language teams.

Encouragements (if any)

• Despite our discouragement thinking that perhaps no one would come to the Lord in L_buagan for a long time yet, at least 36 folk have come to faith in Him in the past 4 months! People began to understand God’s Word, and thus the Good News, when the scriptures in their own language were used instead of in the trade language or another major language. In addition to the service on Sundays, started by Ch-wayan, a Bible study in the centre of the town was started last month by L`laine, the 31-year-old librarian, with the help of her cousin A_ring.

Challenges & discouragements (if any)

• T-it and her desire to walk are constantly on my mind, and I cry often for her. She’s so grateful for Lygon Street’s provision of a concrete ramp for her to be able to leave the house. We’d love to bring her here if we could find a surgeon who might help her.

• Most members of her extended family obey both the spirits and the RC teachings.

Family

• Elizabeth & Ewen (C_mmings) and their kids, in Chad, have still not been able to return to their home at `dre since it’s been attacked three times by rebels. They live 4 hours’ drive away, at `beche, where they would be evacuated by the French army if necessary. They value prayer for the Lord’s protection and leading in their project.

Thanksgiving and prayer items

• Ch-wayan (at left) is so thankful to God for Lygon Street’s support (it helps cover his family’s expenses) and also for the way God is using him, both in translation of His Word and his pastoring of the church. He and Amp`yao are also rejoicing about the growth in their family – they are expecting their 7th child later this year, and their 2 eldest children have all accepted the Lord recently.

• Please continue praying for S`pi. He says he knows the Lord but he is still involved in some of the pagan practices of the culture.

Feb07, 20

Dear All'n'Sundry again...

A very observant special sister here in Manila (Thanks kapatid ko Le-lani!) just reminded me that Bible Week wasn't last November ... it was in January, just 4 weeks ago!

I knew that!

Hmmm ... so why did I say November?

I know that!

I also forgot to mention a couple of other items. One is my itinerary for the next 24 hours, for which I'll appreciate prayer. I leave the guest house at 3pm (6pm Melbourne time) and take off at 7.40pm (10.40pm in Melb), arriving home at Nunawading around 12.30pm.

The other is the naming of yet another "Grayden" in L_buagan! Poor kid! What a start in life! I'll attach a small pic of him too, being held by M`chulay, at whose home I usually stay. His full name is Jan Grayden Mosing. And of course he's a cutie!

I saw a beaut slogan beside the highway last Saturday as I went to see Lol-t, F-de and Hannah Elizabeth for the day. You'll already know this one: "The family that prays together stays together." This one said "A family that prays together stays forever."

Praying for you too...

Bruce

Feb07: T-it's thank you letter

Dear friends at Lygon St Christian Chapel

Thank you very much for the support you've given me that allowed me to have a ramp so i can go outside the house. And also for all your PRAYERS - it is truly what i need.

I feel grateful to have such wonderful sponsors like you.

Again thank you very much.

love, t-it

Feb 07

Dear Prayer'n'Share Partners, Professor Julius Sumner Miller defined "thunk" as "the past pluperfect subjunctive of 'think'!" Well, my hopes for L_buagan were far from any kind of perfect, let alone the "plu" variety...till now. People have suddenly started responding to the Lord!

Since last September, there are 36 new believers. And the number is growing. It's goosebump territory, that's for sure! I still find it interesting that only 8 of the 36 were being prayed for in our L_buagan Prayer Project. In October 2002, we asked 137 individuals/couples/churches to pray for 231 L_buagan people. 90 responded, to pray for 151 people. There were still 9,700 L_buagan people we hadn’t asked anyone to pray for! Obviously God, in His mercy and grace, has been working in the hearts and minds of others too! (I'll write separately to the pray-ers whose pray-ees have trusted Christ.) God is working.

In addition to the church Ch-wayan started with A_ring's help, which has a service on Sundays and a mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study led by them, L`laine has also started a Friday arvo' Bible study, also with A_ring's help. In the few weeks it's been going, four have already accepted the Lord. God is working.

What's making the difference? The Word of God in their own language. At all of these times, the translated scriptures are being used rather than the trade language or English. And the people are understanding it like never before when hearing it in their language.

But wait...there's more! The President declared that the 4th week in November would be recognised throughout the country as "Bible Week." And while the church leaders in L_buagan seemed reluctant to do anything much, the Mayor got the place humming by calling all the church leaders together and telling them they had no choice - they had to do something! (The CMA, Catholic, Pentecostal and United Church leaders came. The two "Baptist" church leaders didn't join them. They use the English King James Bible only, even though no one can really understand it, as it's "the only Bible 'authorised' to be used," and they refuse to recognise others as being Christians. Funnily - or is it tragically - the two Baptist leaders don't even speak to each other!)

The Mayor also involved all the municipal councillors, committed a large amount from their funds for prizes and snacks, and he himself led the Procession of the Bible. Over 2,000 attended, most of them for the whole day. Nothing like this had ever been seen in L_buagan, as far as I know. Since then, many - even unbelievers - have asked for a repeat next year. God is working.

Brandon, from Mitcham, had a great time ministering to other young people, with many sad to see him leave. He made quite an impression on them. He also enjoyed our time at Mallango, which was way too brief - just 24 hours - and he and I were (as per custom when visitors) asked to sing during the service, which Udchus led. It was a very emotional visit for me.

The highlight for me on the first Sunday was attending the new church service, even tho' I was a stretcher case after the first 40 steps of the 133 that somehow got me there. The highlight for everyone else was my fall on the way back down. Being a revenge culture, I thought it appropriate that five of the women who laughed at me then fell themselves, like dominoes.

Oh, by the way, I did some work too, completing the consultant check of the last few chapters of L-to's translation of John's Gospel, and discussing progress and goals with L-to, Vicky and Ch-wayan. It was a very worthwhile time.

Last time, I asked you to pray for little Zekiah, the 15 month old daughter of T-it's aunt Elsie. Doctors suspect she has leukemia but are not fully certain so have referred her to the Kidney Center in Manila for tests. Elsie asked me to pray for Zekiah. Then, following the local custom, on Feb 10 she took Zekiah to the shaman (sometimes called the quack doctor by locals) and made the appropriate blood offering so that the spirits would look favorably on her child.

During the following week, she asked L-to, then Auring, to pray for Zekiah...then she again went to the shaman last Saturday. Malamyaw, the shaman, was busy doing her laundry so told Elsie to come back next day. But before Elsie could see her yesterday, Malamyaw died! (Someone had been praying for her but she had rejected the Lord.) Last night Elsie texted me, saying, "Now that the shaman is dead, it will be our prayers and our trust in Jesus that will lead to Zekiah's healing." Please pray with us that Elsie, her husband Monte, and the whole family will seek and find Jesus.

Thanks again for your partnership with us and the Lord in this work. Your investment is producing dividends of the eternal kind.

Jan07 31

Subject: You look like Sean Connery!

Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2007 22:50:07 +0800

Dear Prayer Partners, Ah yes! I've still got "it" - except I'm not sure I'm always flattered to have it inferred - even by the latest Philippines Immigration official - that I look like a 75 year old ... not that there's anything wrong with being 75!

You may have guessed that I'm back in Manila. I'm sorry you had to guess. I'd intended to write before I left yesterday, but the past few weeks have been very unsettling.

It started with my cousin Debbie. I'd asked you last November, while I was here, to pray she'd live till I arrived home and could see her again and talk with her. I phoned her 5 times from here, and although weaker each time, she "promised" she'd live till I got to her. I saw her the day I arrived home, spent over an hour with her and her family, and she died 15 minutes after I left the hospice. She wanted me to conduct her funeral service, and her family was pleased about that. It was an emotional time, but the Lord gave great strength. It was a privilege to be involved with the family in that special way.

The emotions took another beating on January 4 when Dad died suddenly, just 14 weeks after Mum. He was almost 91. My sisters Margaret and Lorele, and also Judith and I, didn't realise how hard it would be losing elderly parents, even tho' we know they're with the Lord. I was again privileged to give the eulogy for Dad at the funeral service, and then to conduct the graveside service at Phillip Island next day.

Then, two weeks ago, a close friend for the past 45 years, Donald Prout, after whom we named our son (Steven Donald), also went to be with the Lord. Many of you will have known him or heard of him. I was glad to be able to speak briefly at the service regarding his influence on the early Christian life of both Judith and me.

This is getting too long... I'm here in my role of Language Program Manager (LPM) for the K`linga teams, and will meet with and check some translation work for L-to, Vicky and Ch-wayan in L_buagan, and also Alfred and Racqul Mijares in B_tbut. Then back here in Manila (that's "claustrophobia" spelt backwards), I'll meet with the coordinators of LPMs to look further at developing my portfolio. From what I've heard already, their plans are way beyond my abilities.

I'm looking forward to fellowshipping with the new believers. Ten were baptised a month ago, and several others are almost ready for baptism. It's interesting that only two of the first 10 believers were being prayed for in our L_buagan Prayer Project. God has been working anyway!

Brandon Ste wart, son of the pastor at Mitcham Baptist, will join me for the trip, and I reckon he'll have plenty of new expriences to tell his family about! I hope they're all good experiences! We'll stay in six different village houses in the 2 week trip.

Thanx in advance for praying for us, and also for Judith at home. We appreciate your support in your many ways - praying, giving, caring and encouraging.

Would you also pray for Zekiah, 15 month old daughter of T-it's aunt Elsie? She's had to be rushed to the provincial hospital and her family has asked us to pray for her. Thanks.

Yours because His, Bruce

Jan07

Date: 11 January 2007

Update for the past 2 months of our work:

1. Bruce has continued working on his check of D_paninan `gta Genesis 12-36 and has begun checking the B_tbut K`linga Epistles of John. He has also done some work with his Language Program Manager role with the K`linga language teams. His 3 week trip to L_buagan in November was very worthwhile. He has never felt less enthusiastic about going, but it was the most productive short trip so far!

Encouragements (if any):

1. We were discouraged thinking that maybe no one would come to the Lord in L_buagan! But the Bible study begun by Ch-wayan in September with a handful of neighbours, using the translated epistles, has grown into a service on Sundays with more than 50 attending, and a Bible study and prayer meeting on Thursdays. There are more than 20 new believers as a result of this ministry, and last month 10 were baptised! Praise God: Truly His Word is not returning to Him empty. Thanks for praying.
2. The lady whom Judith helped teach to read continued attending the services with Ch-wayan, and she accepted the Lord and was baptised! Wonderful!

Challenges & discouragements (if any):

1. T-it’s desire to walk is constantly on my mind, and I cry often for her. She’s so grateful for Lygon Street’s provision of a concrete ramp for her to be able to leave the house. We’d love to bring her here if we could find a surgeon who might help her.

Family:

1. We’re grateful that our children are all following the Lord closely. David is now a senior lecturer in the Electrical Engineering dept at Melbourne Uni. Steven is a builder, Emma is a midwife, and Elizabeth and family are with Wycliffe in Chad.
2. In November, I asked our prayer partners to pray that my cousin Debbie would live till after I arrived home from the Philippines, and allow me to talk with her about the Lord. God answered our prayers! On the day I arrived home, I went to Frankston to see her. I talked and prayed with her, and 15 minutes later she died. I conducted the funeral service, and it was a witness to our unsaved relatives.
3. On January 4, my (Bruce’s) father died. I gave the eulogy at his thanksgiving service and conducted the service at the graveside. It was a strong witness to relatives and family friends.

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

1. Ch-wayan is praising God for your support (so are we) and for the way God is working. He loves God’s Word in his own language, and he loves sharing it with people. Please continue to pray that he’ll be able to concentrate fully on his work.

---

See also:

• Letters 2007
• Letters 2006