Day 6, Croatia trip: VBS lesson–Jesus calms the storm

Thank you for your faithful prayers. We had an excellent VBS session. There were around 60 kids who attended. The lesson was on Jesus calming the storm. The kids listened really well, the team did a fantastic job acting out the story, and the children did a good job making their handcraft of a bracelet.Continue reading “Day 6, Croatia trip: VBS lesson–Jesus calms the storm”

“Up to the elbows…” (Lost [and found] in translation, #12); March birthdays; visits with moms

Thank you all for your faithful prayers for us! March is birthday month for us. Elizabeth turned 28 on the 1st and Pamala’s birthday was on the 2nd (see pictures below). Jonathan turns 31 on the 19th and Daniel turns 15 on the 20th. I guess we should just leave the streamers up all month!Continue reading ““Up to the elbows…” (Lost [and found] in translation, #12); March birthdays; visits with moms”

A prodigal finds his way home

This morning’s Zoom meeting translating Mark 6 and 7 in the Gurbet language. Not long ago, Goran, one of our Roma Bible translators (pictured top left, above) shared this encouraging story: “After distribution of the Gospel of Luke in both Gurbet and Arli dialects, a man who spoke Gurbet said that he was very touchedContinue reading “A prodigal finds his way home”

Pictures of our family Christmas; 2022 Bible translation progress

left to right: Daniel (14), Stephen & Elizabeth Sell (27), Matthew (24), Todd, Ariela (11), Pamala, Jonathan (30), Kirsten (18), Timothy (32) FAMILY CHRISTMAS: It has been wonderful having the whole family together for Christmas. Jonathan flew in from Crescent City, California, and Matthew from Decatur, Georgia. Stephen, Elizabeth and Timothy live locally, and Kirsten,Continue reading “Pictures of our family Christmas; 2022 Bible translation progress”

Our daily prayer calendar for November 2022

To get this prayer list formatted as a calendar you can print out, click “Download” below: November 1 Pray for Ariela to continue to grow through American Heritage Girl clubs, & for Pamala as she helps teach Ariela’s group November 2 Pray for Todd & the Gurbet translators for clarity & accuracy translating Matthew 27-28,Continue reading “Our daily prayer calendar for November 2022”

278 homes visited; encouraging friendships & visits; grateful for family & missions partnerships!

We’ve got lots of pictures for this update! Pictured at top is a copy of the Gospel of Luke and 50 chronological Bible stories in the Ludari language, the Roma language spoken in Slavonski Brod, Croatia, where we used to live. Sergej and Željka (pictured above) and the Pioneers team went to all 198 housesContinue reading “278 homes visited; encouraging friendships & visits; grateful for family & missions partnerships!”

Goosebumps for the Gospel?

Our colleagues in Slavonski Brod, Croatia, continue to hand out copies of the Gospel of Luke and 50 chronological Bible stories in the village near where we used to live. Not long ago they went to 40 different homes and offered a printed copy while also playing the audio through portable speakers. Only one familyContinue reading “Goosebumps for the Gospel?”

“Oh for a 1,000 … languages to tell my great Redeemer’s praise”; Slovakia report part 1

I am on day 9 of my 11-day trip to Slovakia. Thank you for praying for me. The Lord has graciously answered so many prayer requests, including the following: I’ve had safety on all my flights and transport to the two different venues; my luggage made it safely; I have remained healthy; I was exhaustedContinue reading ““Oh for a 1,000 … languages to tell my great Redeemer’s praise”; Slovakia report part 1″

Dates, dances, and printing the Gospel of Luke & 50 Bible stories

Ariela (10) and I enjoyed a wonderful evening together with other daughters and FROGs (Fathers, Relatives or Other Guys) at her American Heritage Girls troop. The theme was dads as superheroes. I am blessed and honored to be her “hero”! We continue painting our house in Belton, MO, in prep for our move in mid-May.Continue reading “Dates, dances, and printing the Gospel of Luke & 50 Bible stories”

The first leg of the marathon: Bible dedications nearing the completion of Phase 1 of the Bible translation project

(Following is the transcript of the above video, which is a report of the recent distribution of the Gospel of Luke and 50 chronological Bible stories in four Roma languages in Croatia and Serbia.) Who are the Roma and why do they need Bible translation? Roma people, often called Gypsies, are scorned throughout Europe, whereContinue reading “The first leg of the marathon: Bible dedications nearing the completion of Phase 1 of the Bible translation project”