So you’re stuck in your home too? Well, our family is in the same situation.
(NOTE: Picture gallery at bottom of email)
“God seems to have set you up for this.”
These were the words that a pastor said while on a call with him. We were giving an update as to how we’re doing in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. God spoke to us when we arrived in Hawaii the following things:
- He wanted Elias to get his education through homeschooling
- He wanted us to focus on building the digital tools that will facilitate the multiplication ending of Bible poverty around the world
Those two things were very foreign to us at first. We had very little experience in both when God invited us into them. However, as we have done so many times before, we said “Yes” to God and trusted that He would show us what steps to take.
Looking at our current situation in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we see that God has set us up to be fruitful and purposeful in the midst of such shaking in the earth.
“My mom is the best teacher in the whole world!” – Elias
While it was a HUGE transition for us and the learning curve was steep, Cy and Elias have developed a great rhythm of education. God has faithfully provided for a high quality curriculum each year and both Elias and Cy are thriving in it. And while the rest of the world is restructuring the education for the kids, God “set us up” for stability in this time.
“I’m not leaving this meeting until you take all we have!” – Alan (Biblica, Inc.)
Earlier this year a couple of leaders from Biblica, Inc. (you may know them for the most read Bible on YouVersion: The New International Version–NIV) made a trip to Kona to meet with our team. They learned about what our team is doing to spread the word of God through distribution (both in print/audio Bibles as well as in the digital realm with SourceView). During the meeting they shared their heart of how they want to partner with the people that God is using in this season to spread his word to those who need it most. It was instant connection in spirit.
After the process of finalizing the legal agreement, this past week we received (royalty-free) all of Biblica’s Bible translations available to format into the SourceView Bible and publish it in the SourceView Bible Reader that we created.
SourceView Bible 2020 Goal:
100 languages by the end of the year
God was leading us to fight for the multiplication of the SourceView Bible into many more languages. Then Biblica generously hands over all of their versions to us to do it. Other groups are also contacting us about integrating more translations into our format and tools. We’re aiming to do the 60 of the top 100 languages of the world (serving the many) and 40 of the smallest languages of the world (serving the few).
To facilitate this goal I, Rob, have been building an online SourceView Bible editor to facilitate this multiplication. This project has taken over a year, but we’re now just weeks away from launching this tool and incorporating many people (and all of their languages) into this project.
Share Bibles built by…me?
We initiated the Share Bibles App when we started distributing Bibles in Thailand. God miraculously provided professional developers to build that first version for us. They did an amazing job. However, as it was built on volunteer hours and those volunteer hours have come to an end, God has challenged me to use the skills I’ve learned over the past 2 years to build the next updated version of the Share Bibles App. While fear of failure almost overwhelmed me, I decided to trust God and try to do it.
I’m well on my way to building the updated app and the goal is to publish it by June 30th. There will be some great new features and the update will allow easier multiplication across the world. Others have told me that this will be a game-changer for the goal of getting a Bible to every home on earth.
The demand for the new update was getting pretty strong and I felt like I didn’t have enough time to get it done, but thanks to COVID-19 many Bible distribution ministries have had to slow down during this season. I’m taking advantage of this time to get ahead of the demand and release something in time for the next big wave of Bible distribution around the globe. Your prayers are needed!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- God’s purposes to be fulfilled in this unique season in the world:
What’s God saying in your life? Family? - Fruitfulness:
- Fruit of the Spirit
Being “cooped up” together in a small space 24/7 for weeks on end definitely put one’s character to the test. But we want to walk by the Spirit, not in the flesh. - Kingdom advancing fruit
We want to be fruitful in the projects that we’re working on for the sake of making God known through the distribution of his word (in print and digital forms).
- Fruit of the Spirit
- Wisdom in computer programming
I’ve learned a lot these past couple of years, but I’m still constantly challenged to build what God is calling me to build. Please pray that God would supernaturally give me wisdom to do it right and in a God-honoring way. - Continued health and strength
- Blessings upon all those who generously and sacrificially give to missions in this season
While the economy is unstable now more than ever, the people of God really reflect what the psalmist wrote in Psalm 37:21 “The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives.” Let’s pray that God our Father would abundantly bless those who are so generous in this season of worldly hoarding.
Thank you for continuing your journey with us as we continue to walk by faith with God into the unknown.
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