Expect great things from God

On Sunday, I had the privilege of giving a missions update at CrossWay Bible Church in Blue Springs, Missouri, and I wanted to share it with you. To find out the latest with our ministry, including a report on the status of our Bible translation work and a report on our last three trips overseas, watch the 20-minute video (starting at the 8:00 mark).

We praise God for progress being made in translating the Bible in six languages (see chart above).

Yet there are still as many as 5,500 languages that do not yet have a complete Bible! The need for workers is great.

So please pray for us, as we in The Word for the World Bible Translators have set a God-sized goal that God will use us to help produce a translation of the full Bible in 1,000 languages by the year 2050. Only God can do this. But as William Carey, the father of modern missions, said, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.”

Thank you for praying.

Todd & Pamala

Our daily prayer calendar for September 2026

Price prayer letter for 09-2026 page 2Download

September 1 Praise God for providing full financial support for Daniel’s short-term construction trip to Slovenia!

September 2 Today is the first day of Mighty Roots Academy (each Wednesday) for Ariela, in 10th grade

September 3 Praise God for the “all clear” results from Todd’s colonoscopy

September 4 Pray for wisdom for Todd & the team translating 1-2 Kings into the Gurbet language

September 5 Pray that our trip to visit Todd’s mom & aunt (91st birthday) in OKC this weekend will be a blessing to all

September 6 Pray that Bayash Roma will read, listen to and watch the Gospel of Luke in their language, which we distributed

September 7 Pray Todd & Daniel will grow spiritually & be a blessing to others in the men’s Bible study at our new church

September 8 Today is the first American Heritage Girls troop meeting for Ariela for this school year; pray for her to provide good leadership for other girls

September 9 Pray for Daniel & Ariela to make great friends & grow spiritually through their new youth group & college/career group at our new church

September 10 Pray that Ludari Roma will read, listen to and watch the Gospel of Luke in their language that we distributed

September 11 Pray for wisdom for Todd & the Macedonian Arli team translating Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians accurately, clearly & naturally

September 12 Pray for guidance for Jonathan as he seeks to sell his house & decide where to move next

September 13 Pray as we share our missions presentation in Sunday School at South Haven Baptist Church, Belton, MO

September 14 Pray for the salvation of Ludari Roma who live in Capraške Poljane, Croatia, where we visit each year & have distributed Luke & Bible stories

September 15 Pray for the salvation of Bayash Roma who live in Palanjek, Croatia where we visit each summer & have distributed Luke & Bible stories

September 16 Pray for wisdom for Todd checking Mark & Matthew in the Montenegrin language & coaching a local consultant in his checking

September 17 Ask God to plant Gospel-preaching churches among the Roma in the villages of Kutina, Palanjek & Capraške Poljane in Croatia

September 18 Pray for wisdom for Todd studying to prepare to help translate 1-2 Kings in the Gurbet language

September 19 Pray for wisdom for Todd checking 1-2 Samuel & 1-2 Kings in Chergash & coaching a local consultant in his checking

September 20 Praise God that we get to spend time with our one-year old granddaughter weekly (on average)

September 21 Today is Todd’s 60th birthday. Pray for fruitful ministry at home & overseas, & for safety & good health

September 22 Pray for wisdom for Todd studying to prepare to help translate Colossians, 1-2 Peter & Romans in the Macedonian Arli language

September 23 Pray for Ariela for safety & to be a good representative of Christ in her competitive gymnastics classes

September 24 Pray for Ariela’s piano lessons to be helpful in preparing her to play for worship

September 25 Pray for wisdom for Todd checking 1-2 Samuel & 1-2 Kings in Serbian Arli & coaching a local consultant in his checking

September 26 Pray the Bayash team can successfully produce two translations, for use in two related dialects

September 27 Pray for healing for Jonathan’s daily migraines or for effective medication & treatments

September 28 Pray for God’s guidance as we edit verses in Mark & Matthew in Bayash, for a clear, accurate & natural translation

September 29 Pray for Todd & the Gurbet team to accurately, clearly and naturally translate 1-2 Kings in their language

September 30 Pray for Todd to wisely mentor & coach those training to become translation consultants in Europe

Church going-away; visit to Jonathan in California

We’re grateful for CrossWay Bible Church in Blue Springs, Missouri, where we have been members for 36 years. Most of that time we were overseas, but we’ve also had the privilege of serving there in person since we relocated to the States in 2020.

In 2022, we bought a house in Belton, MO, which put us farther from the church (25 miles one way), and we have continued to serve there while living at a distance. But recently we have felt that this would be a good time to begin attending a church closer to home, that is local and will make it doable for us to be more involved and to invite friends and neighbors. So last Sunday was our send-off, where they honored us with a cake, fellowship time, and prayer. Thank you, CrossWay! We’ll continue to visit when we give our mission updates and reports in the future — in fact, we’ll be back in a couple of weeks to give a missions report during the worship service on August 30.

Above and below are pictures from our going away.

Youth girls Sunday school class

Sunday school teachers for youth girls

Daniel running sound

This week we’ve had the privilege of being with Jonathan at his home in Crescent City, California. He moved here a few years ago, but this is our first time visiting him at his home. Jonathan, Daniel, and Pamala replaced his old attic insulation, and Daniel lent his expertise to several other projects. As the full-time cook, Ariela provided him with wonderful home cooking and baking. We also visited the ocean and a redwood national park. See the pictures below.

Lots to be thankful for!

We have a lot to be thankful for. Rejoice with us and thank God for these blessings:

  1. In the Gurbet language, we finished the quality assurance consultant check in 2 Samuel and are now starting 1 Kings.
  2. In the Macedonian Arli language, we finished Revelation and are now starting Galatians.
  3. In the Bayash language, we are making headway in the Gospel of Mark. Please pray for us that our translations into these languages (Gurbet, Macedonian Arli, and Bayash) will be accurate, clear, natural, acceptable, and will match the literary style of the original.
  4. I (Todd) had a colonoscopy, and everything came back clear. (I am high risk since my father died from colon cancer, so I need to be tested regularly.)
  5. Daniel has 54% of the financial support he needs to go to Slovenia in September to help build a building for a church camp there. (If you would like to donate to help send him, you can do so at this link: https://fbctn.gomethod.app/!/58270/slovenia-trip-2026/participants/612827/donate). Much appreciated!
  6. Matthew was able to visit us from Atlanta for a week. While he was here, we enjoyed some fun time together at a local waterpark.
  7. We will be going to California to visit Jonathan for a week. This is our first time seeing his house there!
  8. Ariela got to go to two Bible camps this summer, and a campout with her American Heritage Girls troop, where they also got to tour Watkins Woolen Mill. She turned 15 and enjoyed birthday celebrations, and is looking forward to working on her driver’s permit.
  9. After significant car issues, Kirsten was able to get a new-to-her car in much better shape.
  10. As part of my role in training others in our region to become Bible translation consultants, I will begin supervising quality assurance/consultant checks for a trainee in three more languages: Serbian Arli and Chergash for 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings, and Montenegrin in Mark and Matthew. Please pray for much wisdom from the Lord and for the time, energy, stamina, and concentration needed to take on these tasks, and most of all that I will be a great blessing to the brother I am supervising and help him grow in his role as a Bible translation consultant. He is a delight to work with! Also, please pray for us that our translations into these languages (Arli, Chergash, and Montenegrin) will also be accurate, clear, and natural.

Thanks for praising and praying with us. Enjoy a few family pictures below.

Gratefully,

Todd & Pamala

Our daily prayer calendar for August 2026

Price prayer letter for 08-2026 page 2Download

August 1 Pray for Todd’s visit to his mom, Geri, at her nursing home in OKC this weekend to be a blessing

August 2 Pray for Pam teaching youth girls on 1 Samuel these next 3 Sundays, for effective teaching and learning

August 3 Pray that Bayash Roma will read, listen to, and watch the Gospel of Luke in their language, which we distributed

August 4 Pray for accurate results at Todd’s colonoscopy this morning

August 5 Praise for the great youth group years for Daniel on this final day of his time in high school youth group

August 6 Pray that Ludari Roma will read, listen to, and watch the Gospel of Luke in their language that we distributed

August 7 Pray for Todd & the Macedonian Arli team to translate Revelation & Galatians accurately, clearly & naturally

August 8 Today is Ariela’s 15th birthday! Praise God for her love for Jesus, care for others & courage to tell of Jesus’ love

August 9 Pray for a fun & edifying birthday party for Ariela with her church friends & with our family

August 10 Pray for the salvation of Ludari in Capraške Poljane, Croatia, where we visit each year & have distributed Luke & Bible stories

August 11 Pray for the salvation of the Bayash in Palanjek, Croatia, where we visit each summer & have distributed Luke & Bible stories

August 12 Today is Matthew’s 28th birthday! Pray for a close walk with Jesus & for grace with his daily nerve/phantom pain

August 13 Ask God to plant Gospel-preaching churches among the Roma in Kutina, Palanjek & Capraške Poljane, Croatia

August 14 Pray for wisdom for Todd studying to prepare to help translate 1-2 Kings in the Gurbet language

August 15 Pray for God to be glorified & the Gospel proclaimed at today’s memorial for Dr. Joseph Kappes, which Pam is assisting with

August 16 Pray for us to be effective and efficient and keep all our efforts focused on eternity

August 17 Pray for safe travels for our trip to visit Jonathan & help with renovations on his house in Crescent City, CA, this week

August 18 Pray for wisdom for Todd studying to prepare to help translate Rev., Galatians & Ephesians in the Macedonian Arli language

August 19 Pray for our adult children to have an eternal perspective to see Jesus’ sufficiency, power, and forgiveness

August 20 Ariela begins competitive gymnastics today; pray she’ll be a light for Christ as she shares the Gospel with friends there

August 21 Praise for safety & strength on the job for our son-in-law, Stephen, as we celebrate his birthday today

August 22 Pray that our help with Jonathan on his house will be a blessing to him, & for safety for us flying home today

August 23 Pray for a great transition for Daniel into a new Sunday school and college & career group at church

August 24 Pray for God’s guidance as we edit verses in Mark & Matthew in Bayash, for a clear, accurate & natural translation

August 25 Pray for Todd & the Gurbet team to accurately, clearly, and naturally translate 1-2 Kings in their language

August 26 Pray for Todd to wisely mentor & coach those training to become translation consultants in Europe

August 27 Praise for the huge help Pam’s sister, Kim, is when we are away, watching our house & cat; we’re celebrating her birthday today!

August 28 Pray the Bayash team can successfully produce two translations, for use in two related dialects

August 29 Praise that Pam can watch our granddaughter weekly (on average) & for the opportunity to pour into her life

August 30 Pray for full financial support for Daniel’s short-term construction trip to Slovenia

August 31 Pray for wisdom for Todd checking the Bayash translation of Mark and Matthew

Glimmers of Hope: Quarterly Impact Report

Below are excerpts from the exciting quarterly report on progress in Bible translation with our teams and global partners:

Dear friends, 

This quarter’s update shows encouraging progress and extraordinary opportunity. We have now served in 452 Bible translation projects to date, with 444 presently active and 10 full Bible translations completed. Bibleless places are beginning to shine with the light of God’s Word. 

During this period, 13 New Testaments and 2 full Bibles (including a reprint) entered production. This includes the recently dedicated 3 New Testaments in Romani languages. I encourage you to watch the video and read the story below. Both are powerful testimonies of God’s Word at work among people not forgotten.  We are also seeing strong growth in the people being equipped for the work:

74 new Diploma in Bible Translation students, now totaling 1,196

22 new consultants in training, now totaling 119 

The most significant number before us is community demand. 493 additional language communities have been identified where there is an immediate need for Bible translation and where we have the capacity to begin work, if financial resources were not a limiting factor. Grassroots demand is growing rapidly as communities witness the transformative effects of Scripture—strengthening faith, supporting learning, restoring dignity, and bringing hope into daily life. 

Over the past 45 years, God has grown The Word for the World from a single project beginning to hundreds of Bible translation projects. Before us now stands a significantly larger season of responsibility. The demand is real. The indigenous-led model is effective. People are being equipped. We have the capacity to meet this demand, and funding will determine how fully and how quickly we can respond. Your partnership makes this possible.

Thank you for every prayer, every gift, and every partnership as we press toward the day when Scripture exists and Jesus is known among every language community. 

God bless,
KOBUS VAN ASWEGEN
INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT & CEO
THE WORD FOR THE WORLD BIBLE TRANSLATORS (TWFTW)

[CLICK TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE]

An answer to a years-long prayer…

Last week we saw an answer to a years-long prayer request: I had the joy of leading the first Bible translation consultation meeting with the new team (pictured above) translating the New Testament into the Bayash language! As you might recall, from 2014-2018 we worked on translation into Bayash and completed the Gospel of Luke and 50 chronological Bible stories which we printed, audio recorded and distributed. However, since then we have been unable for many years to go farther in translation due to lack of translators.

But in February of this year God put together a new translation team and they have been receiving training and drafting the translation of the Gospel of Mark. Pamala and I met them in person in Serbia in April, and I met with them online last week to check the first 15 verses of Mark. What a joy to see the language project restarted and to have tangible hope that we can work now to give the Bayash people the rest of the New Testament.

There are differing dialects of Bayash, and the related language, Ludari. As we work with the new translators, it looks like we will probably end up producing two translations for Bayash in order to meet the needs of more readers since there are significant differences in the dialects.

Regarding my Bible translation consultant work in other areas, in the Gurbet language we have almost finished 2 Samuel and I have begun preparing to consult on the next book, 1 Kings. And in the North Macedonian Arli language, we are doing consultant checks in the book of Revelation, after which we will check Galatians.

Pamala and I led the missions segment of our church’s VBS recently. She read a missionary story to the kids (pictured above) and taught them how they can be kid missionaries even now, and prepare to serve the Lord in foreign lands when they are older.

Ariela has enjoyed going to Camp Good News in Arkansas City, KS, and God’s Mountain Bible Camp in Rushville, MO. She also enjoyed baking for our 4th of July celebrations (pictured above).

Thank you for your faithful prayers and financial support!
Todd & Pamala (Daniel, Ariela)

When God’s Answer Became Greater Than the Dream

The Roma people discover their identity in Christ through the living Word of God.

“I understand everything you are saying.”

The man stood up while the passage was being read. For a moment, the room fell silent.

“This is very good,” he continued. “We really need this.”

For Nikola, it was one of those moments that cannot be measured by years, milestones, or completed projects. The words being read were from the Gospel of Luke in Arli Romani, one of the languages spoken in Serbia. What made the moment unforgettable was the response the translated words awakened. People were listening. They understood. And they wanted more.

The reading took place during a community check, one of the most important stages of the Bible translation process. People throughout the community gather to hear God’s Word read aloud in the language they know. They help refine every word and phrase, so that the words feel natural, understandable, and deeply personal.

For many, this was the first time they heard Scripture in the language they spoke at home. Nikola was witnessing a glimpse of the desire God had placed in him long before: to serve his community. Years later, that glimpse would become something far larger, as Roma communities gathered to receive the New Testament in their mother tongue.

Nikola’s story, though, began years earlier, … [READ THE REST OF THE STORY HERE].

Daniel’s upcoming construction work trip to Slovenia in September

We are excited that Daniel will be going on another short-term construction work trip! He will be joining a team from Fellowship Bible Church in Nashville, TN, which is the same group he went to Slavonski Brod, Croatia, with earlier this year. This time, they are going to Maribor, Slovenia. If you would like to get more information, pray for him, or give financially to support his trip, please go here: https://fbctn.gomethod.app/!/58270/slovenia-trip-2026/participants/612827/donate

Please note that this trip is not through Pioneers or associated with them, so donations cannot be made to Pioneers to our missionary account. Donations need to be sent to Fellowship Bible Church, Nashville, TN, using the link above or the QR code below.

Thank you all for being such a great support system for Daniel! We are very proud of him using his gifts in construction to spread the Gospel!

Todd & Pamala

Our daily prayer calendar for July 2026

Price prayer letter for 07-2026 page 2Download

July 1 Pray for the Daveys family traveling to the US to have a baby & pray they will get their Croatia visa on return

July 2 Thank God for recent safe travels for our family to Nairobi, Kenya; Atlanta, Georgia; and Sisak, Zagreb & Fažana, Croatia

July 3 Praise God for providing full financial support needed for us & each summer teamer who came to Croatia with us

July 4 Pray Todd will be a blessing to his mom, Geri, visiting her at the nursing home in Oklahoma City

July 5 Pray for comfort for our dear chiropractor’s new widow & for Pam to be a help to her in organizing the memorial, etc.

July 6 Praise God for safety & good health for all the summer teamers in their travels to/in/from Croatia for our summer outreach

July 7 Pray that Roma in Kutina, Croatia, will read, watch & listen to Luke & the 50 Bible stories in their Bayash language

July 8 Pray for Todd & the Gurbet team to accurately, clearly and naturally translate 2 Samuel & 1 Kings

July 9 Pray for wisdom for translation consultants implementing decisions we made at meetings in Nairobi in June

July 10 Pray for Todd & the Macedonian Arli team to translate John, Galatians & Revelation accurately, clearly & naturally

July 11 Pray for our summer teamers to have a long-term missions vision & know how best they can serve in missions

July 12 Pray for a great week for Ariela at Camp Good News in Arkansas City, KS, this week

July 13 Pray for Roma in Capraške Poljane, Croatia, to understand what we taught them & to come to know Christ

July 14 Pray for Roma in Palanjek, Croatia to remember what we taught them, receive Christ & follow Him as faithful disciples

July 15 Pray God will use us to give a missions vision to kids attending our church’s VBS tonight & tomorrow night

July 16 Ask God to plant Gospel-preaching churches among the Roma in Kutina, Palanjek & Capraške Poljane, Croatia, where we were

July 17 Pray for a joyful graduation for Ariela from Camp Good News & great visit to Todd’s mom, Geri, in Oklahoma City

July 18 Pray that many Ludari & Bayash Roma will read, watch & listen to Luke & the Bible stories we distributed & thru our website

July 19 Pray for Pam teaching youth girls’ Sunday school & for them to be strengthened in their faith

July 20 Pray for a beneficial time for Daniel, camping with friends, & Ariela at God’s Mountain Camp, this week

July 21 Pray for wisdom for Todd studying to prepare to help translate 2 Samuel & 1 Kings in the Gurbet language

July 22 Pray for wisdom for Todd studying to prepare to help translate Rev., Galatians & Ephesians in Macedonian Arli language

July 23 Pray for a great visit with Matthew while he is visiting Kansas City today through the 29th

July 24 Pray for God’s guidance as we edit verses in Mark & Matthew in Bayash, for a clear, accurate & natural translation

July 25 Pray the Bayash team can successfully produce two translations, for use in two related dialects

July 26 Praise God that we were warmly welcomed by the children & youth in the new village of Kutina, Croatia, last month

July 27 Pray for good weather & great interaction for Pam, Ariela and the American Heritage Girls troop on their 3-day camp out this week

July 28 Pray for God to be very real to each of our children so they will have growing faith & pursue Christian fellowship

July 29 Pray for Todd to wisely mentor & coach those training to become translation consultants in Europe

July 30 Praise God for giving our teammate, Lim, strength during our summer outreach; pray for continued improvement & helpful medications

July 31 Praise God for a great time in Croatia with friends at the coast after our summer outreach