Today we began by visiting a local village church. The pastor didn’t seem to know how to expound upon the text. Therefore, what we heard came close to the gospel at times, but never really communicated boldly and clearly that there was grace available for sinners. Instead, we heard moralistic preaching that was tinged with a bit of false promises. For instance, the people were promised that they would experience more blessing because they had been at the church service that day.

In the words of Richard, “Moments like last Sunday service fuel my passion to help make the gospel accessible and meaningful to everyone in the languages of their heart.” I can’t agree more. When the Miya people have the Word of God in their own language, they will be better prepared to preach the gospel with boldness and clarity. And we hope that they will be better prepared as a people to hold their preachers accountable to proclaim God’s Word rather than merely relating their own ideas to what they think God’s Word might be saying.

As we were getting ready to leave for the airport, it became more and more apparent that Richard and his son Soma were dealing with a bout of malaria. Please be in prayer for them. (In the days since, Richard told me that Anna has malaria as well). Our driver Albert arrived and took Evan and I to the airport to take us on our long journey home.

We traveled through Instanbul again and after a nine hour layover we hopped on a plane that was headed for Chicago. On arriving in Chicago, Rich Hoyt was there to gather us up and drive us home to Peoria, IL. We have had so many experiences. God has been so kind to instruct us and encourage us. We are so thankful for the faithful prayers, gifts, and love that from our brothers and sisters back home that made this trip possible. We believe that God used us to encourage and care well for Rachael. And we are humbled as we consider that we have represented Bethany and Christ to her and to her co-laborers and to the believers of Jos and Kubacha.

-Jimmy