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The last few weeks have been somewhat of a whirlwind. That's one of the reasons we haven't posted as many blogs as usual. In mid January, Bob Bascom, a Translation Coordinator with the Bible Societies, came to Chiapas for a week. He and Brian worked together with the Tojolabals for three days and with the Chols for two days. My sister Kim also came for a visit in January which was a very special time for all of us. We were able to visit the ruins in Palenque (see picture) as well as do other sight-seeing in and around San Cristobal.
The end of January we made one final trip to Cheranastico to work with the Purhepecha project. We had spent a week with this team in November, and it was great to be able to see the progress they had made in those three months. They are very close to completing the New Testament, which is scheduled to be printed this year. (The picture shows Brian working with four of the five translators.)
After a couple of long, very intense days of work with the Purhepecha team, we flew back home to Sioux Center, Iowa, on February 2. All of our flights went well, and we were able to be reunited with Jon, Lori, Alec, and Becky that same evening. (We'll make a trip to Ankeny to see David and Amy as soon as possible!) Just a few days after we got back, on February 5, our first grandchild was born! Alec and Becky had a beautiful baby boy, Tekoah Yates, here in Sioux Center. We are so excited and grateful that we could be here for this blessed occasion, and Grandpa couldn't be prouder!
We're planning to be in Iowa for the month of February so that Brian can work on visas for trips he'll be taking to Paraguay and Pakistan. In March Brian will be going first to Guyana and then to Paraguay. Rachel and I will not be accompanying him on either of these trips, nor to the translation workshop in Pakistan in April. This spring and summer the three of us will be traveling together again to projects in Alaska, Mexico, Curacao and Panama.
We ask for your prayers for Brian's visas, and that he will be able to get both of them without any problems or delays. We also appreciate your prayers as we re-acclimate to life in the U.S. Thanks for your support! Donna