Reaching Out: LBF Global

Update on Missions 

By Carol Hawkins, Missions Coordinator 

Several months ago I wrote about two of our missionary families who are serving in different countries and translating the Scriptures. Scott and Tonia Berthiaume live in San Luis Potosi, which is in southern Mexico. They are translating the scriptures into the Pame language.

Leigh and Barbara Labrecque live in Vanuatu, an island chain in the South Pacific, and they are translating scriptures into two languages, Southeast Ambrym and Paama.

Right now both of these couples are facing difficult trials and are in need of our prayer support.

Scott & Tonia: The area where they live has seen quite a bit of violence. Their home has been robbed and two of their children have been in close proximity to gunfire, including a two hour shoot-out. Please pray for their safety and God’s protection. Also pray about a lawsuit that has been brought against Wycliffe Bible Translators regarding a land dispute over the property that their training center is on in Oaxaca, Mexico. Scott is handling this with legal counsel, but this too is an extremely stressful situation. Pray for the truth to be revealed in this process.

Leigh & Barbara: Barbara was in a traffic accident in July and suffered a broken collar bone. The bones were set incorrectly and as a result, they did not mend properly. In late August, six weeks after the accident, it was determined that she would need surgery, which was not available in Vanuatu. After filling out countless forms, making numerous phone calls, and sending many emails, Barbara was finally granted a medical visa to go to Australia. On September 10 she saw an orthopedic doctor and had surgery the next day. The surgery went well and she is currently resting and recovering in Brisbane. As you can imagine, this has been a stressful time for Barbara in getting the necessary medical care and leaving her family for several weeks. Please pray as she continues her recovery process.

The life of a missionary is stressful. Living in a different culture with language barriers and being a “foreigner” adds a whole new dimension when facing serious trials. These two families are bringing God’s word to these different people groups, and the fact that they are both facing such serious trials reminds me that we’re in a spiritual battle. Let’s partner together with them and lift them up in prayer. And, even in the midst of these trials, both couples have shared about the amazing translation work that is going forward. Within a few years, God’s word will be in the hands of these people for the very first time. That is such exciting news!

Pete & Mary Q: Also remember to pray for Pete, serving in Asia for over 30 years. As you will remember, Pete and Mary were with us this summer, and it was wonderful to connect with them. About four years ago he was diagnosed with lymphoma, and he currently needs to travel to Bangkok from northern Thailand every two months or so to receive treatment. He continues serving even with this illness. Please keep him in prayer.

Your financial support to LBF enables all the work that our missionaries do to progress, and your prayers help to give strength and comfort in the spiritual realm. God bless you as you faithfully encourage these families. You’re impacting lives for eternity!