July Update

By Jacob -
Exhausted but Encouraged 
So much has happened over the past month. A little over a week ago we landed in Chicago after a two-week visit to Tanzania. Though we found the trip to be incredibly encouraging and productive, we also found ourselves very tired. Out of curiosity, I added up the total hours we spent in transit via aircraft, train, bus, car, taxi, etc. I came up with about 195 hours from this past month alone. Add to that all the meetings, discussions, introductions, moving, culture, language, etc. No wonder we felt so exhausted! Ironically, discovering first hand how exhausting travel can be, showed us how crucial it is for us to be in Tanzania supporting Bible translators through aviation.  

                                                                                    What we found out
Every Bible translator we talked to who had previously used the aircraft spoke very highly about its utilization. For them it often meant turning an exhausting 12-14 hour trek over unimproved roads into a one-hour flight. For others with back problems or other ailments it simply made traveling to remote  translation projects possible. In addition, the constant physical wear and time spent traveling is not conducive to keeping translators focused or even in Tanzania long-term. 

Shortly after arriving back in the States, we drove back to Waxhaw to discuss with JAARS leadership about their vision for the aviation program in Mbeya, Tanzania. We were very encouraged by their commitment to make the aircraft a viable program for the future with Bible translation in Tanzania. We are excited to become a part of making that vision a reality! 

Prayer is so important

We appreciate all your prayers. God has been answering our prayers in amazing ways, such as providing a place for us to stay in Idaho on the day we get back! With all of our planning and brainstorming God continually shows us how amazing He is. There are still a lot of details to figure out, but we are praying and trusting that He will work each one out as they come.

Serving Him with you,

 Jacob, Carmen, Silas & Jason

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