Australia!

I
I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. John 4:35
ts official
February 2012, Issue 2

Im going to Australia! We finally got things worked out with the office there to make it a sure thing. Ill be starting there pretty much as soon as Im ready!

Where Ill be going:

I will be spending most of my time working in Australia in Wycliffes main office there. The name of that particular branch is the Australian Society for Indigenous Languages, and you can view their website at www.ausil.org.au. Its located in the town of Darwin, on the northern coast of Australia. Teams of missionaries go out from here into Australia to work with the local Aboriginal tribes to learn their languages, and translate the Bible and other practical materials into them. Often, some people groups dont even have a written form of their language. In these cases, the linguists actually create written languages for them, and teach them to read and write it.

Australian nationals celebrating the arrival & dedication of the New Testament in their own language

Some teams from this office also do work with the people on the nearby island of Timor. The western half of this island is part of the country of Indonesia, and the eastern half recently gained independence as their own country. Ill be doing work on both sides of this island as well.

Lisa Besler 280 Rim View Dr. #F Colorado Springs, CO 80919 lisabesler@gmail.com

What Ill be doing:

Missions wouldnt exist today if people back home didnt know anything about it. Ive already been told by a friend that when he heard about what Wycliffe does, the first thing he did was go to youtube to look for a video about it! Videos, pictures, and radio are all the things that get the real stories to everyone around the world, inspiring thousands to get involved. My role will be as a media production specialist, working in all three of these forms of media to do just thatmaking promos and spreading the word about the work Wycliffe does. A great thing about todays technology is that these stories can easily reach people all over the world, inspiring a movement of brand new missionaries and teams of supporters to get involved for the first time. Being a part of my team will help make this happen!
"Aussie" terminology:

Aboriginal youth in Australia watching the New Testament dedication

My Australian friend Alan, whom I met Nappys = diapers at Wycliffe's orientation, is teaching me how to speak Australian. Here's Dunny paper = toilet paper some of my new vocabulary: Grog = beer Cobber = buddy or friend Flannel = a small washcloth Mate (gender neutral) = buddy or Tea Towel = Towel to dry dishes with friend Tucker = food Bloody = a mild curse that I'm not supposed to say. Gas = Propane or natural gas. "Petrol" is what you put in your car. Nursing = Holding a small child on

your knee. "Can I nurse your baby?" means holding the baby for a while.

"What"? when asking someone to repeat themselves is considered rude and abrasive. "Pardon?" or, "Sorry?" or, "Say again?" is more acceptable. (He also referred to a friend as an "old stick," but promised me that wasn't offensive...)

View of a mountain in Indonesia

Partner with Me!

The only way I can be a part of this ministry is by having lots of people behind me back home. The team in Australia would like to have me there by May 29th so that I can be a part of a New Testament dedication (similar to the one pictured), and shoot video of it. What Im especially praying for right now is enough people to commit to giving regularly so I can reach my full support and make this important event!

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