As we get so VERY close to our dream of full-time Bible translation, we often hear the question:
“Are you moving to Africa now?”
The Short Answer
For now, we will continue to live in Northeast Oklahoma (USA).
The Longer Answer (and some updates!)
Why stay here? That’s an excellent question, and I (Amanda) will tell you!
But first…in our last newsletter, we said that in each remaining newsletter this year we’d share a unique way that you can support missionaries (besides prayer and monthly or yearly financial support). The first way was with cars. Don’t remember? You can find out here.
This month, I’m sharing the second way—and also giving you two quick updates on our life and partner-raising journey.
Update #1 – Dave’s Dog Bite
We are very thankful that Dave is recovering quickly and well after a pretty scary dog-bite.
Initially, the Drs. were worried about the severity of the bite, didn’t seem to know what to do, and were saying alarming words like “surgeries”. They ultimately transferred him to a larger hospital in Tulsa.
God knew that’s where he needed to be because the doctors there were not fazed by the injury, knew exactly what to do, and had him headed for home within a few hours.
They did a great job cleaning everything so there was no infection, everything is healing remarkably quickly, and they don’t expect any long-term problems.
As always, in everything, God is good.
Update #2 – 85% Support Raised!
We have officially passed the 85% mark of support raised! God has been so faithful to keep building this team.
We are humbled and inspired by the many faithful friends, old and new, who are linking arms with us to take the Good News of Hope to the Kwakum. It looks like we are on track to be 100% funded this fall and working full-time on the translation by the New Year!
Shared Meals Beat Fast Food
As we mentioned in our June letter, we’ve been traveling a lot this summer to meet with as many of you as possible. In all that traveling we learned something important: fast food gets real old real fast!
There is nothing better than sitting down to a real meal with friends and family. Some of our sweetest memories from this year’s travels are of being invited into your homes—sharing a meal, telling stories of how God is working among the Kwakum, and hearing how He is working in your families and communities.
So “share a meal” is our second recommendation for a unique way to support a missionary. It may not seem like a big deal, but after “travel food,” even the simplest homemade sandwiches were a blessing. If you hear of a missionary coming to town, just know that a pot of soup and some garlic bread may be one of the best ways you can bless their socks off.
Kwakum men working to translate the Gospel of Luke
Where Will We Live Full-Time?
Currently, we live in the Ozark Foothills near the Arkansas border. Our desire is to live and serve among the Kwakum people in Cameroon.
However, the Kwakum villages don’t have reliable internet or electricity, and even in Cameroon’s capital city utilities are “sketchy” at best. We’ve talked with other media teams from Cameroon and many are being brought back to the States because the situation there makes work too difficult.
So, even though our hearts long to be with our team in Cameroon, we will base ourselves in Oklahoma. From here Dave will produce and print artwork and we will travel to Cameroon as needed—likely for a few weeks or months at a time—to work directly with the translation team and the Kwakum people.
While in Cameroon, Our Goals Include:
- transporting needed supplies and printed materials
- collecting cultural and heritage data
- beginning to learn the Kwakum language
- children’s ministry
- sharing the Gospel
- discipling believers
- supporting our teammates and the local church
Our Heart
Our hearts are with the Kwakum people and the Hare family. But while stationed in the USA, we feel called to encourage others here to participate in missions.
We hope to challenge believers to take up the mantle of fulfilling the Great Commission—whether as co-workers, prayer partners, social networkers, or financial partners. We’d also love to inspire folks to add “Missionary” to their “Someday I want to be….” list.
An Invitation
Have you felt God calling you to be a financial partner in the Kwakum translation project?
If you’d like to join us—or learn about other ways to participate in this or other global missions opportunities—please contact us!
Three ways you can pray right now:
- Pray for health and safety as we continue to travel over the next few weeks.
- Pray that God will lead us to the right partners in order to reach 100% funded.
- Pray for the translation team as they work to translate Luke and begin to comprehend the fullness of the Hope of the Gospel.
