Josiah's Flight

Josiah was able to go with Chad on an emergency flight a while back.  It's always fun to see a flight through his eyes with his pictures.  He LOVES to see me post his photos on here with his name as the photographer.  Enjoy!

This is from a different day when we visited a local "zoo".....they are too good not to share them with you!

Chad flew a girl, not too long ago, that had been bitten by one of these!  Those are some serious teeth!

Radio Installation

Chad was recently able to fly Juan, one of our avionics technicians, into the jungle to work on a radio system.  MAF has more than 60 radios in the jungle.  Not every community has a radio, but there are radios nearby most communities.  They just might have to walk a bit.

I'm not sure if he's getting enough to eat!

Solar panel for the radio

Shuar Bible Translation

One of the highlights of our time here in Ecuador has been helping with the logistic side of the Shuar Bible Translation.  This 30 year project is just now coming to an end and we happen to be here to see it's completion.  Since arriving in Ecuador more than eight years ago, I've been privileged to help fly the translation assistants from their respective communities to the translation center in Makuma.   Now we get to be involved in actually delivering those Bibles to the Shuar people.  Two weeks ago I was able to fly the first boxes of the Shuar Bible to the translation center.  None of the boxes had been opened, so that the Shuar people could have the privilege of opening them for the first time.  Then last week I had the honor of flying Eldon and Phyllis Yoder (long time missionaries to the Shuar people)  to several communities to present and dedicate the Bibles.   We spent most of the week in meetings where Eldon shared about the new Bibles.  He explained to the people how to use them and some things they might find different from Spanish Bibles they had used in the past.  For instance, the people in the communities were used to the first book of the Bible being called "Genesis".   So many folks were surprised to find a different name in their Shuar version.  That's because Genesis means beginnings, so the Shuar word  for beginnings was used.   Many other books had "new" titles as well.  Although I didn't understand a lot of what was being said during the meetings (because it was in Shuar) I could feel God's presence in a unique way as I watched those around me open the scriptures in their own language.  It gives me goose bumps even as I write this post.  God's word is powerful.

It was a wonderful and humbling experience to be involved with handing out God's word to a people and something I'll never forget.  Helping to finish a project that has been the life work of many people and one in which hundreds of others have had a part is truly a blessing and we are indeed grateful.  May the Shuar Translation of the Bible shine it's light like a beacon and draw many into the Kingdom. 

Eldon and Phyllis Yoder after a week of Bible deliveries and dedications

When was the last time you were this happy to read your Bible???

Unloading the Shuar Bibles in Warientza

Studying God's word in the Community of Yaapi

Yaapi Church during Bible Dedication

Eldon during one of the many Bible studies.

My plane waiting for the next "delivery".

Rewarding Trips

Chad was able to leave on Tuesday to spend the rest of the week in the jungle.  The Hedlands, who are missionaries with Avant Ministries, have been translating the Bible into the Shuar language.   After many years (you have to wait for Chad to come back to give you more details!) they have completed the translation and the printed copies have arrived.  So, Chad is on a short trip with a former missionary couple (the Yoders) who used to live in the jungle.  They are delivering the Bibles to some of the communities where they served.  What a privilege to hand someone the Word of God in their very own language!  I'm sure he'll have a few hundred pictures to share when he gets back so I'll write more later....