Steve & Rosalind's News  65  Mar '09

Easter! It's the most joyful time of year when we  especially celebrate all that Jesus did for us through His life, His death and  His resurrection.  Hallelujah!  May all be able to know of God's  wonderful message of love in their own language!  Pray "that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly.."  2 Thes 3:1

JAARS is a unique place to work!  On average, there  are about 600 people working at the Center.  Just under half of these are members of Wycliffe Bible Translators.  Most of the others are retired,  self-supported volunteers whose time at JAARS varies from a few weeks to several  years.

Highlights from JAARS

Have you seen the new JAARS  website?  Steve was part of the team that tested it and recommended improvements before it went live on 17th February.  It features intuitive  navigation, fresh stories & photos, and personalised user accounts.  To explore the new site, visit www.jaars.org

Another highlight is that JAARS  recently obtained a new plane.  It's only the 8th Kodiak produced - a new type of 10-seater designed with missionaries in mind.  Later this year, it will make the trip to its new home in Papua New Guinea where it will serve Bible translators and language workers for years to come.  There are still 325  languages in PNG that have no Scriptures.

  JAARS' vision is that the worldwide  Bible translation movement will benefit from strategic technical and logistic support that is dependable and accessible.

Ros's work

 Mary Alice, the person dealing with the JAARS' payroll, is going back to the Philippines for several months.  I was  asked to take over the payroll work as well as continuing to do the other tasks of data entry, receipting, and cashier as needed. Some jobs that need  continuity  or are hard to fill are done by paid employees (e.g. finance  office manager, housing co-ordinator. cleaning staff).

 In the Accounting Department, there are 13 people working from 4 to 40 hours a week  (only two people  work full-time) with ages ranging from 31 to 82 years. Our average and median age is 61!  Candace is the latest to  join us.  She & her husband have moved here from Pennsylvania in  order to work as volunteers at JAARS.

 

Wycliffe's Last Languages  Campaign

 In November 2008, Wycliffe USA launched a new 10-year fund-raising campaign.  Its goal is to raise more than $1  billion in gifts and pledges to cover the financial costs of getting Bible  translation going in all the remaining languages of the world.  Amazing!!  You can read more about this campaign at www.wycliffe.org It's already off to a great start thanks to an unprecedented  gift by an anonymous donor: $50 million!

Summer mini furlough

  We are planning to spend some weeks in California this summer in order to re-connect with supporters and churches there.  Because of Laura's missions trip to Honduras (see below) and school  schedule, our time in California will  need to fall somewhere between 9th July and 24th August.  We have yet to book our flights.

Laura's Corner

  In January, Laura had her first ever school closure day because of snow.  That gave her the chance to throw snowballs and do a little sledding with the kids down the street.

  She got great results for her first  semester of high school and received a PACE (Positive Attitude Concerning Education) award.  This semester she has geometry and is having to work  especially hard to keep on top of the subject and all the homework.

  She continues to enjoy the JAARS youth group and has decided to join their summer missions trip to Honduras 18 June - 8 July.  Some of you will be receiving her own prayer letter  with this  one.  For those who aren't, here's an excerpt from it:

  "I believe God wants me to go. I  want to find out if mission work might be what God desires me to do in the  future.  I also love to help those in need & to tell people about God and His love for them.  There are two ways I could use your support: through prayer and sponsorship.  Each team member has to raise $1,600."

Praise

* The positive feedback we have received about our work  contribution at JAARS

* Laura doing well  with school and  friends

* A good start to Wycliffe's Last Languages  Campaign

* The new JAARS website

* The new Kodiak plane for the work in PNG

* For a gentle dentist with missionary rates

Prayer

* For God's provision as we're experiencing a season of  reduced financial support

* That God would continue to bless our part in  Bible  translation

* Plans for our brief  time in California this summer

* Laura's mission trip to Honduras: funding, safety, touching people with God's love, team unity & for God to grow  her

* For Ros's ongoing dental work (extraction  next)

* For good health, physical & spiritual

Steve, Ros & Laura Bagwell

80196 Agape Lane

Waxhaw, NC 28173

USA

Home: 704 243 7249

Mobiles: 980 328 8133 (R); 980 328 9772 (S/L)

Ros_Bagwell@sil.org; Steve_Bagwell@sil.org; crazychadchick@hotmail.co.uk

Send any financial gifts to Wycliffe with the designation  "for Steve & Ros Bagwell."  Cheques/checks should be payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators.

Wycliffe UK: Wycliffe Centre, Horsleys Green, High Wycombe, Bucks. HP14 3XL  (01494-682200)

Wycliffe US: P.O.Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8200   (407 852 3600)