<<First Name>>,
God is at work and 2015 is already off to a great start! Our team has already had 12 people ask for applications this year (our goal for the year is 75). We will have a dedication for New Testaments in 6 languages in May (and I am planning to go to it, more on this in the last paragraph). We also anticipate starting 15-17 new translations this year.
At the end of January, I visited Letourneau University for their “Go week”. This entire week the campus turns its attention to helping students consider using their skills on the mission field. It was a great visit! I sat and talked to about 20 students at a vocational ice cream social. I was talking to groups of students non-stop for over an hour; I didn’t even stop to get ice cream. It was great! Afterwards, I sat with about 35 students from two dorm floors, shared about our ministry, and led a Bible study. I was joined by our IT director who led a seminar one night about how we are using technology in Bible Translation. We also sat up an information table in the student center and shared in a couple classes. Stephanie came by our table after I shared in her class. She and her husband (Jason) feel called to ministry and have been praying for direction. I had a great conversation with this gifted couple over dinner where I was able to encourage them and share various ways they could serve. I am hopeful that they will come to our June Discovery event in Dallas this summer.
Earlier this month I visited three new campuses. I spent two days at Cincinnati Christian University, sharing in classes and meeting with faculty and students. I then traveled up to Muncie, Indiana and spoke at Ball State’s Campus House and had some great conversations with students there about how they might use their gifts. I was very impressed by the maturity of some of these students. One student with a heart for the unreached has been leading others around her to find ways to reach out to international students on campus. I even talked with the campus minister about the idea of him serving in the future as a training coach, helping to train new recruits as they prepare for the mission field; he was very open to the idea! I then traveled down to Lexington, Kentucky and met with several University of Kentucky students who we had connections with recently. I also attended the Christian Student Fellowship meeting with one of our summer interns from last year, and had a productive meeting with one of the campus ministers afterwards.
I am visiting three more new campuses in March; Milligan College, Emmanuel Christian Seminary, and Campus House at East Tennessee State University. Please pray for favor as I contact faculty about sharing in their classes, and begin planning things out. It should not surprise those of you who know me well, but I tend to be less detail orientated and more relationship orientated. The best recruitment trips however are a balance of detailed plans that still leave space for quality conversations. Pray I use the time well and find this balance on my trips.
One thing I have been considering for a couple years now visiting one of our fields. Interacting with some of our field missionaries on their turf, meeting the people they serve, and seeing firsthand the needs they have will serve to help me recruit better. I am excited to announce that I plan to visit the East Africa Branch (EAB) for about two weeks in May. As I mentioned, while I am there I will get to be a part of a huge dedication of 6 New Testaments our team recently completed. I was already excited about visiting the EAB, but I cannot begin to explain how exciting it is to get to see history happen for 6 different language communities! We have been supporting a couple who translates here since before we were even missionaries with Pioneer Bible Translators so this will be special on a number of fronts. I am looking to raise $3000 to cover the cost of travel and travel related expenses, including vaccinations. If you are interested in helping me go on this trip there are details below. If you wish to give, you can do so by check or Credit Card. Please send me a message if the gift you give is for this trip.
Give by Check:
Make checks payable to “Pioneer Bible Translators” (you can make a note that it is for the trip on a separate piece of paper if you wish) and send it to:
Pioneer Bible Translators
Attn: Tye & Amber Parks
PO Box 381715
Duncanville, TX 75138
Please note: Our name should not appear on the check, only the name of Pioneer Bible Translators (IRS regulations).
Give by Credit Card:
Click here to “Give by credit card” on the drop down menu select “Teams” then a sub-menu will appear, scroll down and select “Ministry of Parks, Tye & Amber”.
Praises:
- Amber and I celebrated our 9 year anniversary this month!
- Azariah turns 2 on the 28th! I can’t believe he is 2 already.
- We have reached our first goal, raising $250 in new support and should receive a $250 gift match after the final pledged gift comes in this month!
- Already this year 12 people have asked for internship applications!
- God kept everyone safe while I traveled and gave me some great conversations.
Prayers:
- Pray we reach our goal of recruiting 75 teammates in 2015.
- Pray for success as we seek to start 15-17 new translation projects this year.
- Pray for my March travel preparations; pray especially for favor among faculty as I ask for time to share in their classes.
- Pray for all the financial and logistical details surrounding my trip the East Africa in May.
Thank you so much for your prayers and partnership!
For His Glory!
 
Tye (and Amber) Parks
|
|
|
|
|
|
