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God’s ExpEctEdcall

Rev. 7 Spring 2013 1

“From changing bed linens to developing soft-ware, all kinds of skills, experience, and interests can be used to further Bible translation.”

—Christine Whaley, JAARS Volunteer Coordinator Manager

A young woman’s heart for missions grows at JAARSPage 10

JAARS Days in 2014 will take place at the JAARS Center on March 8, June 14, August 9, and October 11. Plan now to come enjoy f light demonstrations and rides, family-friendly activities and displays, and sessions showing how God’s Word is changing lives or how Internet access helps translation work. Stay for lunch or book on-campus housing for a longer visit. Go to www.jaars.org/jaarsday for details.

The Cessna 182, outfitted, tested, and shipped from JAARS in May, has arrived in Australia. This aircraft will be used in a new flight program that we’re helping our partner AuSIL launch this fall. Thanks to everyone who gave and prayed for this much-needed aircraft! To subscribe to future updates on this project, visit www.jaars.org/S6237.

Passport to Christmas encourages children ages 6 to 12 to celebrate Jesus’ birth by exploring different countries’ traditions. Crafts, games, and snacks give a taste of several cultures. Roleplay sessions show how people with differ-ent skills work together to make Bible translation possible. Join us December 7 at the JAARS Center for a fun morn-ing or afternoon session. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For details see www.jaars.org/passport.

The Combined Federal Campaign, the world’s

largest annual workplace charity campaign, offers government employees a chance to support participating charities through payroll deductions. If you are an active or retired federal, military, or postal employee and want to take part in making Bible translation possible, consider giving to JAARS through cfc number 11739. The campaign runs through December 15. Learn more at www.opm.gov/cfc or by calling JAARS partnership ministries at 888-773-1178.

2 Rev. 7 Fall 2013 Rev. 7 Fall 2013 3

In 2009, without my knowledge or consent, God began preparing my heart to serve in missions.

My wife, Melanie, and I lived in a comfortable home in San Jose, California, and she had just given birth to our first child. I made a very good salary managing a web development team for a large tech-nology company. But the company was going through significant changes, and work was becoming more about politics than productivity. I was so frustrated I wanted to quit.

Yet I heard God tell me very clearly that I was not to look for a new job, to be patient and wait. He told me this through various means: a sermon, a podcast, and a Scripture verse shared by our worship leader at church. After the sixth reminder, I finally accepted that I was at my company for a purpose, which God would reveal in his own time.

When our church put together a team to serve at the JAARS Center in April 2011, I was eager to go. Honestly, my motivation was not to serve the people at JAARS so much as to get away from work and do something (demolition and construction) that sounded like fun to me.

But God had another purpose. At JAARS I learned about the Bible

translation effort, and I was moved by how many people still do not have God’s Word in their own language. I believe that studying the Word is key for becoming a true disciple, yet millions don’t have that opportunity. Furthermore, I was surprised to learn about all the support roles in Bible translation. I always pictured missionaries as preachers in remote jungles, but it makes sense that missionaries need support in areas like transportation, finances, and information technology (it). SIL

International has nearly a hundred it experts on staff—half of whom work at the JAARS Center. I met many of them and learned about the work they do. I began to wonder if this was what God had waiting for me.

Over lunch with an it leader, I dis - covered SIL had been praying God would send someone with my exact skills and experience to lead a new team. I realized this opportunity wasn’t only an answer to my prayers, but to theirs as well.

On my way home I wondered how I would explain to Melanie that I thought God was calling us to sell our home, move across the country, and serve in missions. But God had been working in her heart, and 15 minutes after I arrived home she asked when we were moving to North Carolina.

We are now at the JAARS Center where I serve as the manager of SIL International’s it application develop-ment team. Our team develops and

supports applications ranging from traditional intranet web systems to financial programs, providing critical services for staff members serving overseas and stateside.

Looking back, I am humbled that God was working in my life for some time to prepare me emotionally, spiritu-ally, and even technically to serve him in this role. People ask me if I am crazy for leaving my career in Silicon Valley to go into missions, and I tell them there is a peace in knowing that I am walking with God in this, and that’s all the security I need.

phillip shipleyPhillip and his wife, Melanie, arrived at the JAARS Center in May 2013. Phillip serves with SIL International, providing translators and support staff with vital it services, and Melanie will be serving in the area of counseling.

“That’s All the Security I Need”

People ask me if I’m crazy for leaving my career in Silicon Valley to go into missions.

A Fresh Start: Phillip and Melanie Shipley find satisfaction in serving others at JAARS.

Patience Pays Off: At times frustrated, Phillip Shipley persevered at his job until God led him down an unexpected path.

Rev. 7 Fall 2013 54 Rev. 7 Fall 2013

“What next?”Frank Meyer, 63, was forced to

consider his future when his employer downsized in 2011. Having spent most of his life working as an actuary, analyzing insurance risks and premiums, he wondered if he should search for a similar job or try something totally different. So he joined coworkers in a prayer group, seeking God’s direction.

Then Frank remembered a talk with missionaries headed to work in aviation at JAARS, and his curiosity was aroused. He decided to attend a JAARS Day, wondering if his skills might be applied to support Bible translation. He soon learned that the JAARS business systems team needed people with his expertise. They were planning a major upgrade of Navigator, a software system similar to programs Frank had worked with—a good match for his experience.

Navigator provides vital support for many JAARS operations. By resolving technical issues that arise with the program’s use, Frank would at the same time be providing logistical support for Bible translation projects.

Can I afford an extended volunteer commitment to a kingdom enterprise? he wondered. A Scripture verse reassured him and bolstered his decision: “My son, … you are always with me, and every-thing I have is yours” (Luke 15:31). In faith Frank joined the business services team in October 2011.

Frank says, “I think this is a valuable investment of my time, not only because of the projects I’m working on but because I get to know people who have spent their lives in Bible translation. I’ve developed a deeper understanding of translation work and know this is one of the most secure investments I could make.”

charity armstrongCharity has been editing JAARS publications for over three years, first on campus and now remotely.

Interested in learning more about JAARS Day? See page 18 for details.

an

path

I am 29 years old and have been diagnosed with heart failure, and my husband is in a wheelchair with muscular dystrophy. So when I felt God prompting me to help with Bible translation, it seemed impos-sible. I couldn’t go to another country and serve for long periods of time.

This happened about a year ago when Mel and Nory Grant, members of Wycliffe Bible Translators, spoke at my church. I was so moved by the work of Bible translation that when our church was invited to take part I prayed, “God what can I do?” Panic set in as I felt God leading me to help with Scripture translation itself!

But God’s will is good, pleasing, and perfect (Rom. 12:2). I told Nory what God was telling me. She eagerly directed me to a volunteer website, and among the needs I saw “keyboarding.” I love typing, so I checked it out and was soon accepted as a typist. I started with training and then received my

first keyboarding assignment. I’ve just finished entering the Tongan Bible for the Bible Society of the South Pacific. This is a revised edition eagerly antici-pated by Tongan Christians, and it will soon be in their hands.

Reflecting on my journey, I realize that I am doing exactly what God said I would be doing, helping directly with Bible translation. I feel honored to know God is using me to get his Word in people’s hands. And I praise him for guiding me down what seemed, at first, an impossible path.

elizabeth sammons with nory GrantElizabeth and her husband, Dustin, live in Lonsdale, Minnesota, where she keyboards Scripture for MissionAssist (formerly Wycliffe Associates uk). Nory works with the communications team for the Wycliffe Global Alliance and SIL International.

On the Road: Twice a week Frank Meyer commutes three-plus hours to volunteer at JAARS.

Rev. 7 Fall 2013 76 Rev. 7 Fall 2013

Twenty-eight years ago Caryl Mallory wrote Wycliffe Bible Translators and requested an application, hoping to join the mission. The reply: she lacked the needed skills. Well, she thought, I can still encourage others to get involved!

Forward to 2013: Caryl’s business card reads “Director of it Engagement.” Now a Wycliffe member working for JAARS, Caryl’s efforts since 2005 have resulted in 59 new career missionaries serving in it (information technology) or other areas. Through her influence, over 550 have signed up as volunteers at JAARS or with partner organizations. Part of the year she travels to colleges and other events, encouraging people to use their skills to help translate the Scriptures. Over the last seven years her team has held 21 Check-IT-Out conferences, showing attendees how it supports missions and especially Bible translation.

Evidently, Caryl picked up unique, greatly needed skills along her life’s journey.

Raised in northern California, Caryl’s early years were spent surrounded by woods, logging, and fishing. This gave her a love for the outdoors that led her to pursue a recre-ation administration major.

In college she became a Christian. She was given a Bible and started reading it eagerly and regularly. After graduation, she served in the park service for seven years and later worked at a Christian camp in Alaska.

In 1981 Caryl had the privilege of listening to Bible translator Marilyn Laszlo and was amazed to learn of the great numbers of people around the world who did not have God’s Word in their own language. This led Caryl to start supporting a Wycliffe couple in Ghana and to begin praying for a Bible-less people group.

In Alaska, Montana, and New York, serving as a Girl Scout executive, Caryl developed her management, training, and speaking skills. She gained confidence and enthusiasm. Later during unemployment God provided free computer classes.

Next stop: Christian Herald in New York, where she learned more about nonprofit organizations, donor record management, and direct mailing. She also oversaw a small computer network. Later Caryl created promotional materials, ads, annual reports, and course catalogues while working at a technical school.

In 2000 Caryl attended a Wycliffe Associates conference in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and heard a host of superb speakers. The friends she brought along became involved, and she prayed, “Lord, I’d really like to do this.”

Two years later, when Caryl asked for prayer at her church small group, an amazing thing happened: instead of praying for the requested need, they focused on her future in missions. That gave her the impetus to submit a skills questionnaire to JAARS. I can do this, she thought. She was invited to visit JAARS, discovered a real need for her skills there, and then was accepted by Wycliffe.

Long months of raising financial and prayer support ensued, along with health

challenges. God gave Caryl Habakkuk 2:3 (nasb) and she hung on to it: “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.”

Caryl’s vision of serving God in Bible translation support finally did come—at the right time and with the right skills.

carol BrinnemanCarol is the former editor of Rev. 7. She now assists writers by editing several JAARS publications and teaching a writing course.

“Caryl lights up when she talks with inquirers about getting involved. She has a great understanding

of global staffing needs and helps people discover the next step God is calling them to.”

Laura Bowman, it Engagement Associate

theRight SkillS

Learn more about Check-IT-Out at www.checkitout.org.

8 Rev. 7 Fall 2013 Rev. 7 Fall 2013 9

I never wanted to be a missionary. My wife, Lorene, and I went to church, were involved in youth leadership, and hosted a Bible study in our home in Adelaide, Australia. I had a job I loved: train-ing dogs for deaf and hearing-impaired people. I felt my life was complete.

Then in church one Sunday, someone from Wycliffe Bible Translators promoted an all-day, simulated missions experience. I don’t even remember why I signed up, but in the end I did and found it interesting and even a bit fun.

But I wasn’t sold. At the end of the day the presenter got up and said, “It doesn’t matter what you do; we can use you in missions.” A smile crossed my face, and my hand shot up. “I’m a dog trainer. Can you use me?” He thought, then shook his head, saying, “We can’t use a dog trainer, but we could use you in some other way.” I had my out right there—God had gifted me as a dog trainer, and he couldn’t use dog trainers in missions!

Or could he? A few years later a sermon on the

rich young man who refused Jesus’ call had Lorene and me considering leaving everything to follow Jesus. I inquired of a few mission agencies, and each one told me, “We could use you if you were a teacher, or a nurse, or a pilot—you’ll need to retrain.” In the end we decided

to attend Bible college, and during a mid-semester break I was invited to Papua New Guinea (png) to help a friend with some maintenance work. There I attended a celebration where the Dedua people were receiving portions of God’s Word for the very first time. I’d just left a college with a library full of different versions of Scripture, and it broke my heart to hear that in png alone over 300 language groups are still without the Bible in their own language. I felt God’s call to png, but what could a dog trainer do?

After talking with my friend, I real-ized that I could fill a big need managing one of SIL International’s eight regional centers. Bible translators meet with consultants to check Scripture transla-tion there, receive technology training, and enjoy electricity, Internet access, and some much-needed rest. But a shortage of personnel meant translators were

being called out of their work to fill these management positions. That’s something I could do, freeing translators to get back to their real work!

And that is how a few years later we arrived in png’s second largest city, Lae, where we began managing a regional center.

Part of the job was building good relationships with the local police, whose help with security at the center was vital. One day I saw some new faces in police uniform and stopped to chat with them. I discovered they were a brand new unit—a police dog unit. They lamented that they had received only nine weeks of instruction and didn’t know how to continue training the dogs or how to treat their illnesses. I invited them to my house the following week.

After praying together that day, I began sharing what I had learned years before when I specialized in training

police canines. I had also done veterinary nursing training, so I could teach them how to care for their dogs’ health. A friendship grew, and over time, with the help of those men and their dogs, secu-rity issues at our small center became less of a problem.

Years later, I am still amazed at how God has used even me, a dog trainer, in missions.

Mark Van RossenMark and his wife, Lorene, currently serve with SIL International in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Mark works in public relations—building relationships with government and church leaders. Lorene manages the SIL center.

"Can You use Me?"

I had my out right there—God had gifted me as a dog trainer, and he couldn’t use dog trainers in missions!Or could he?

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10 Rev. 7 Fall 2013 Rev. 7 Fall 2013 11

“Why can’t we go to an amusement park in the summer like normal people? Why do we have to go someplace to work?”

That was Ben Tinsch’s reaction ten years ago at the age of 13 to hearing that his family would be spending some of their summer vacation serving at the JAARS Center. Since then, Don and Wendy Tinsch and their four children, Ben, Kaylee, Kristin, and Holly, have made the 755-mile trek from New York to Waxhaw, North Carolina, each summer. For about two weeks they serve Bible translation in practical ways.

“Don and I have a heart for missions,” Wendy says, “and we want our kids to have that, too.” Don and Wendy grew up attending North Syracuse Baptist Church, a congregation that held weeklong confer-ences featuring missionaries who minister around the world. “I loved hearing the missionaries’ stories,” Wendy says. “They were my heroes.”

The couple’s eventual choice of college courses reflected their interest

in missions. Wendy took linguistics and cultural anthropology, while Don pursued mission aviation. They married in 1985 and although they had a desire to serve as missionaries, their plans did not come to fruition.

Yet in the nearly 30 years since, Don and Wendy’s love and support of missions have never waned. Their chil-dren began learning about missionaries from an early age at the same church where their parents were inspired. Going on a family mission vacation together has been a practical way for Don and Wendy to encourage their children to share God’s love with people and, at the same time, build fun, happy memories.

The children were 13, 9, 6, and 1 ½ years old on that first trip to JAARS in 2003. On their first few trips, Don and Ben worked together in construction and maintenance. Don is the facilities manager for a large medical company, so his maintenance skills were well used. Wendy worked in housekeeping with Kaylee and

Kristin assisting, and Holly spent her days in a JAARS children’s program.

This year Kaylee, 19, worked with her mom in food service, Kristin, 17, helped her dad on maintenance proj-ects, and Holly attended the children’s program. This year’s vacation was the second taken without Ben, 23, who has responsibilities at home where he serves as worship leader at their church.

“Even though I’m working, it’s enjoyable because it’s something I’m choosing to do,” says Kaylee. “I love meeting missionaries and having dinner in their homes.” The Tinsches all agree that workday breaks are a favorite. “During break, we talk, tell stories, and get to know one another better. Mission-aries become real people when you’re sitting around the break room table together,” Don says.

Don and Wendy now see their heart for missions passing to Kaylee: she’s in Costa Rica, having begun a nine-month mission internship there. She is also

praying about serving long-term in Cuba, having gained a love for Cuba’s people while on a mission trip there this summer.

The family smiles as they remember saying goodbye at the end of that first trip in 2003. Driving away from the JAARS Center with the song “Word of God Speak” by MercyMe playing on the radio, sniffles could be heard from the backseat. Ben, who hadn’t wanted to come, now didn’t want to leave.

Mary Beth JohnsonMary Beth has been writing JAARS publications since 2006. She and her husband, Jeff, a helicopter pilot, recently spent a year serving in Cameroon, Africa.

To learn more about taking a family mission vacation at JAARS, see page 12.

Handing down a

Heart for

Missions

“Don and I have a heart for missions—we want our kids to have that, too.”

Hard at Work (far left): During her 2013 summer vacation Kristin Tinsch helps with repairs at JAARS.

Dedication: In 2010 the Tinsch family made their seventh trip (of ten) to JAARS for a family mission vacation.

Rev. 7 Fall 2013 1312 Rev. 7 Fall 2013

From a teen preparing pie crust to a media specialist editing Scripture videos, nearly anyone can impact Bible translation by serving at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina.

Here, you’ll work alongside almost 600 people: trainers, linguists, boat captains, maintenance staff, aviators, administrators, and many more. Together, we represent several organizations—but one heart for Bible translation. And you can join us! Give us a call and we’ll help you find the best fit for your skills and interests.

Come Become

Learn More

Volunteer

A teAm

A CAreer missionAry

To learn how your skills can help, call 800-890-0628 or email

volunteer@jaars.org.

To get started, call 704-843-6506 or email

mission_teams@jaars.org.

“If God calls you to serve at JAARS, you are blessed.” dick Kiehlbauch, 15-year JAARS volunteer

• Long-term volunteers are needed to fill top needs, including technical writer, church relations coordinator, medical doctor, public relations director, and several managerial roles. But many more openings mean almost anyone can make a valuable contribution.

• Short-term workers (individuals, groups, or families) commit at least two weeks helping with housekeeping, food service, or general maintenance projects. Housing and childcare are available at a reasonable cost.

“JAARS is a dangerous place—when people come here, God grabs their hearts. On my family’s first mission trip to

JAARS in 2007, God showed us that we can play a part in the Great Commission.”Matt Rogie, retired Navy pilot now serving in full-time missions

• Set a date Check with us to see which dates are open, choose a week (or more) to serve, and we’ll help you arrange on-campus housing and childcare. Committing to a specific week well in advance assures a spot on our mission teams calendar.

•Gather your team Teams of up to 20 are welcome. See www.jaars.org/missionteam for our volunteer requirements. You may also want to consider raising a support team to help with travel expenses.

•Choose and prepare for a project To make the most impact, each team focuses on completing a specific project and raises funds to cover its expenses. Projects range from landscaping to painting to roofing and larger renovation work.

“I feel privileged to care for fellow Wycliffe missionaries as they journey in their career. Bible translation is a

most rewarding task to give one’s life to.” dorie Mayes, Ministry and Care Resource Coordinator

Career missionaries experience a lifelong adventure of faith. We’ll help you find the right position—whether it’s with us or one of our partners around the world. Then you’ll work with a sending agency, such as Wycliffe USA, to prepare for life as a missionary.

To learn more, go to www.jaars.org/serve/missionary.

Bring

• Tours Spend a couple of hours with us to see Bible translation support in action. Learn more at www.jaars.org/visit.

• JAARS Day Meet missionaries, watch flight demos, and more at our family-friendly open house. For specifics go to www.jaars.org/jaarsday.

• Check-IT-Out Conferences Discover how Bible translation depends on information technology and software. Read about upcoming events at www.checkitout.org.

JaaRs operations If you can’t make it to the JAARS

Center, you can still play a part in the work here—which impacts Bible translation around the world—by contributing to JAARS Operations. To give, go to www.jaars.org/JOP or see the response page in this issue.

At the JAArs Center

14 Rev. 7 Fall 2013 Rev. 7 Fall 2013 15

“Can I interest you in a handmade Christmas ornament from Uganda?”

Dick Kiehlbauch, JAARS gift shop manager, greets customers, suggests a newly stocked item, and sometimes even takes a minute to pray with someone in need. After meeting him it’s surprising to learn that he hasn’t always worked in customer service or even management. He spent most of his working years at a large, family-owned business in Wisconsin—as a research chemist.

He and his wife of 52 years, Pearl, raised four children, and when their last child left for college, their eyes turned toward missions. Pearl studied accounting, knowing that skill was needed by many mission organizations, and Dick prepared to take on several engineering-type proj-ects. Since 1997 they have filled needs in Bible translation support in Texas, Oregon, and here in North Carolina. By stepping

out and serving where most needed, Dick learned skills that prepared him for his current position, which he has held for nine years.

In addition to serving customers, Dick advocates for African pastors and others who send him handcrafted jewelry, whose proceeds support their families and churches. He serves those working at the JAARS Center and in the community by supplying displays, international flags, and ethnic outfits for church and school presentations. And he manages a small staff of volunteers.

When asked about undertaking a task so far removed from his field, Dick says, “God gives us grace in the areas we need. I love being a resource for mission-aries, building relationships with our guests, and working with my clerks. It’s a privilege.”

About the future, he says, “We’ll take those steps when our loving God orders them. I’m 75 now, but I don’t intend to become ‘elderly’ any time soon. I want to keep serving Christ and helping others.”

Virginia Vinton, Rev. 7 Editor

an aMazinG JoURneyWoody McLendon, JAARS President

I guess there’s not a place for me, I thought. Most of the mission organization repre-sentatives at the 1984 Urbana conference didn’t know what to do with an engineer-ing student interested in missions. “Why don’t you go to Bible school or seminary?”

But when I visited Wycliffe Bible Translators’ booth, they encouraged me to consider Bible translation. Curious, I attended the initial training program and was excited to find it was a fit for me. I even met my future wife, Mary, there. But we soon encountered some road-blocks that put our journey on hold.

Some years later, Mary and I sensed God reopening the door to Bible transla-tion. We completed our training, learned French, and began serving in Niger, West Africa. But health crises brought us home twice, and the second time we stayed. Disappointed and confused, we wondered what to do next. Had we misunderstood God’s call?

Settling at JAARS in 2001, I dusted off my engineering skills and for ten years supported Bible translation in the area of information technology. We experienced God’s healing and saw him open a new chapter of ministry: helping French-speaking Africans whom God had called into Bible translation.

This fall I’m beginning my second year as president of JAARS. Looking back, I see how God was preparing Mary and me for this unexpected respon-sibility—including in ways we didn’t understand at the time.

I encourage you to step out in faith and trust Jesus to guide your path. You may not end up where you expected, but I can assure you it will be an amazing journey. And just maybe, that journey will bring you to JAARS, too.

“God gives us grace in the areas we need.”

Scientist at Heart: Dick Kiehlbauch thumbs through a book on Bible science, one of many items in the

gift shop he manages.

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“From changing bed linens to developing soft-ware, all kinds of skills, experience, and interests can be used to further Bible translation.”

—Christine Whaley, JAARS Volunteer Coordinator Manager

A young woman’s heart for missions grows at JAARSPage 10

JAARS Days in 2014 will take place at the JAARS Center on March 8, June 14, August 9, and October 11. Plan now to come enjoy f light demonstrations and rides, family-friendly activities and displays, and sessions showing how God’s Word is changing lives or how Internet access helps translation work. Stay for lunch or book on-campus housing for a longer visit. Go to www.jaars.org/jaarsday for details.

The Cessna 182, outfitted, tested, and shipped from JAARS in May, has arrived in Australia. This aircraft will be used in a new flight program that we’re helping our partner AuSIL launch this fall. Thanks to everyone who gave and prayed for this much-needed aircraft! To subscribe to future updates on this project, visit www.jaars.org/S6237.

Passport to Christmas encourages children ages 6 to 12 to celebrate Jesus’ birth by exploring different countries’ traditions. Crafts, games, and snacks give a taste of several cultures. Roleplay sessions show how people with differ-ent skills work together to make Bible translation possible. Join us December 7 at the JAARS Center for a fun morn-ing or afternoon session. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For details see www.jaars.org/passport.

The Combined Federal Campaign, the world’s

largest annual workplace charity campaign, offers government employees a chance to support participating charities through payroll deductions. If you are an active or retired federal, military, or postal employee and want to take part in making Bible translation possible, consider giving to JAARS through cfc number 11739. The campaign runs through December 15. Learn more at www.opm.gov/cfc or by calling JAARS partnership ministries at 888-773-1178.