What's Next?

We returned from Chicago today. Following our week of meetings, paperwork, and family time with Lutheran Bible Translators, we have decided to accept the title of missionary candidates from them. What that means is that we will be moving forward with training for missionary service at the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics (GIAL) in Dallas. We have submitted to a significant battery of tests, psychological profiles, interviews, etc etc ad nauseum. The review now following these meetings along with Rich's work toward earning the Certificate of Applied Linguistics from GIAL will result in us being recommended to the LBT board in January 08 for acceptance as missionaries with LBT. At that point, we will be on staff at LBT, drawing a salary, having insurance etc. Rich will then continue advanced training in Bible Translation, graduating with a MS in Applied Linguistics in the summer of 08. Additionally, the family will participate in other training experiences in the next couple of years. Rich will travel around doing partnership development for our project following graduation in 2008. In all likelihood, we would deploy for our first term in the mission field in spring or summer of 2009.

From this far out, it appears we could be serving in either a village situation in Nigeria, West Africa, or a village setting in Botswana, in Southern Africa. The Botswana situation is more developed serving speakers of Kgalahadi near the village of Kang in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana. The Nigeria situation is at an earlier stage, so it is difficult to tell what might be needed there. But we're a ways away from that yet, so we'll keep praying for the Lord's guidance and it will become more clear.

That's all for now, but check in and we'll keep up to date.
Thanks!