LBF Global Missions Update

By Carol Hawkins, Missions Coordinator 

Enjoy reading about some exciting things that are happening with missions at LBF.

Scott & Tonia Berthiaume live in San Luis Potosi, in southern Mexico, where they serve the Pame people in scripture translation and linguistics. After four years of work, they recently published “The Pame Diaries.” These include stories, poetry, songs, sermons, and more, written by the Pame people in their own language. This is great news and the people are thrilled. One of the Pame translators working on the project said, “We never imagined that we would write it (the Pame language), but what we did know is that our language represented something very valuable to us – something that we really treasured. In spite of the fact that in the beginning all of us wrote with a lot of difficulty, it was precisely at this moment that we experienced the feeling of being the first authors of literature in our language.” It is difficult for us to comprehend people groups that do not have a written language. We can praise God that with Scott and Tonia’s help, the Pame people now have a written language, and there is a huge sense of pride in this work that has been accomplished by these translators. The Scriptures continue to be in the translation process. Pray for Scott and Tonia and this wonderful ministry to these people.

Mercy Ships was recently featured on the CBS program “60 Minutes.” One of our missionaries, Tom Velnosky, has been with Mercy Ships for almost 20 years. This is such a great ministry, serving the people along the coast of western Africa with medical care and community health training. These are people who don’t have regular access to medical services, so Mercy Ships literally brings it to them. It was very exciting to see the program and learn more about what goes on in caring for these precious lives. You can still view the TV segment on cbsnews.com. It’s worth your time and will bless you.

Jeremy Moore has been serving for almost two years with Africa Children’s Choir. He has been a chaperone to the choir and he also ran the sound for their performances. Over those many months and many miles on the road, traveling throughout the U.S., Jeremy has definitely bonded with those precious kids in the choir, and they have bonded with him too. The choir also spent some months in the U.K. performing in many venues there. The choir tour is now over and Jeremy is headed back home to Upland. He will have many wonderful stories to share with us about God’s blessings and provisions during his time with the choir. I’m sure you’ll be seeing him soon in church. Be sure to welcome him home.

William & Michelle Kiprop and their son, Ryan, were with us during the month of March. It has been fun to get reacquainted with this special couple who are serving in Kenya. Michelle will actually be with us for another week or two, so be sure to make a point to greet her and learn the many things they are doing in Kenya.

LBF is privileged to share in these ministries. Thank you for supporting God’s work around the world and for touching lives for eternity.