Letters from Lisa

s the Mbe translation team...

March 2013

...in Nigeria was translating the Gospel of Luke, they came to the place that describes the first moments of Jesus earthly life: [Mary] gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. The translators took time to ponder how to translate some of the words, but not manger. They immediately used the word okpang. Whats an okpang? asked their consultant, John Watters. One of the translators drew a picture on the whiteboard. It was a cradle hung by ropes so that the newborn could be laid in it and swung. But as John encouraged them to look into the word closer, the Mbe translators saw that manger referred to an animal feeding trough. John pointed out to them that this word tells us something profound about God. When He came to live among us and bring salvation to us, He came in the lowliest way possible. He did not come and sleep in a nice okpang like every Mbe mother wants for her newborn. Instead, He showed us His unbelievable humility, John told them.

Mbe translators discussing a translation point.

Suddenly one of the translators offered, We feed our animals out of an old worn-out basket that is not usable anymore except to feed the animals. We call it edzabri. So the next weekend they read the story of Jesus birth to all kinds of church groups and individuals in Mbe villages, using the new term. As the people listened, they were visibly moved. Picturing the newborn baby lying in the animals feeding basket, they recognized that Jesus was willing to do whatever it took to reach them. His humility started right from birth, when He was born to a young peasant woman and laid in an animal feeding trough. No word in Scripture is too unimportant to translate carefully and accurately. Even the word for a babys bedaccurately translatedcan show people the lengths to which God will go to reach them, to reach us.

Mbe translators going out to test the rough draft

Lisa Besler 719-499-5119

2831 Sunnywood Ave. Woodland Park, CO 80919 lisabesler@gmail.com wishesspent.wordpress.com

Where Im at now:
As you remember from my last newsletter, we changed around some of my plans and my budget to save some money, which brought me much closer to my goal for support. Now, I am very excited to share with you that I'm at 88%!
25% 50% 75%

My Checklist Before I Go: Japanese Encephalitis vaccine Start on Wycliffes health insurance Buy flight ticket Get a backpack? Pack and go!

It was only two months ago that I was telling you I was at 30%, while (secretly) wondering how God was going to provide! Right now as I write this, I currently need about $175 more per month in order to reach my goal, and leave for the mission field. I keep saying this, but I can't stress it enough: thank you so much to everyone who has helped me get this far! Your encouragements, your prayers, and your contributions have all meant so much to me as I prepare to do my part in helping with Bible translation around the world. If you haven't yet joined my team, please consider being one of the last pieces of the puzzle that we need! Like the Mbe tribe, many people around the world are waiting to learn about God in their own languages, and you can be a part of bringing the Word to them!

Once I get there: My plans

are currently for me to fly to Darwin, Australia first, and spend a month there. While there, I will apply for a visa into Indonesia, and then spend the next two months in Indonesia (since that's how long the visa will last). After that, I'll spend another month in Darwin, and then back to Indonesia for another two months, and so forth for a year. Then, Lord willing, I'll be coming back home, and praying about where He will lead me next.

All donations are tax-deductible! For financial partnership send a check to: Wycliffe Bible Translators PO Box 628200 Orlando, FL 32862-8200 Attach a separate note saying, For the ministry of Lisa Besler, #228437 Or, go to this site where you can give online, pledge to give, or sign up for my newsletters.

For those that have pledged to give, and have wanted to wait until I leave before starting to give, please consider beginning your contributions in April or May. It takes a few weeks for gifts to process, and Wycliffe needs to see that I am actually receiving my pledges before I am approved to go in June. Thank you so much.