Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Landon, Jacob, & Karen Beltz. Kathy, Mike, & Sean Smith. Katie & Jason Beltz

Dearest Friends and Family,

We extend deep thanks for your continued prayers and financial support these many years as we serve Wycliffe Bible Translators at JAARS in Waxhaw, North Carolina.

With the dawn of a new year and a new decade, we look forward to sharing more about the incredible way God's Word is being translated around the world. Though the past year brought many challenges, rest assured our God prevails.

We continue to place our hope and trust in the words of Christ: "These things have I spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." John 16:33

May you experience His peace that passes understanding as you draw near to Him every day.

Speeding Bible translation at JAARS,
Mike & Kathy Smith

"Face to Face with a Kodiak"

I stepped outside and there it was, right outside the auto shop. It loomed behind a fence. But nevertheless, there it was. Huge and very real. And there I was….....face to face with a Kodiak.

If a Kodiak brings to mind a large brown bear of the southern coast of Alaska and adjacent islands, and you are wondering what I was doing face to face with one here in North Carolina, think again. There is another Kodiak on the grounds at JAARS and it is not exactly of the animal species. You could consider it, however, a 'beast' in its own right.

The Kodiak I faced that day is an aircraft designed by one of the industry’s premier aviation engineers, configured expressly for the mission field and the rigors of rough, isolated airstrips. This plane uses jet fuel, which is cheap and readily available. I sure wish I’d had a camera that day to take a picture of the humorous contrast outside, me vs. the ‘bear’. I thought the aviation guys were playing an absurd joke on me, parking it adjacent to the auto shop. During my time here at JAARS it’s not unusual for a pilot or aviation mechanic to park their car on my lot and ask my assistance with their own repairs. Surely, aviation was not expecting advice on this! I know they have high expectations of me, but really….......

Over the years, JAARS has kept a fleet of Helio Courier airplanes as its primary aircraft for missions. The Helio, designed in 1954, has been adapted over the years to serve Bible translators in remote locations. Though well maintained, they are aging and run on a fuel that is getting scarcer and expensive to obtain: aviation fuel or “avgas”. Avgas can cost up to $14 a gallon.

What a contrast the Kodiak offers. I’ll use a Cessna 206 for comparison. For example, when fully loaded with fuel, the newer Cessna 206s can carry only 669 pounds of passengers or cargo. Loaded with full fuel, the Kodiak will carry 2,260 pounds the same distance. The Kodiak’s turbine engine is considered many times more reliable than a piston engine. This plane flies further, higher, faster, and slower (a safety factor for landing) than a 206. It is a dream come true for missionary pilots and a nearly perfect solution to the need for aviation in missions.

As I pondered this aircraft, I wondered what its future held. After doing some ‘tours’ and testing in the U.S. it will be shipped to Papua New Guinea to begin service. JAARS has obtained the eighth one manufactured. As God provides, it hopes to acquire about five more over the next few years. I wondered how many missionaries it will take to remote places to reach hundreds of thousands of people who live in isolation so extreme that they’ve never heard the Gospel, never seen God’s Word in their own heart language.

The Helio Courier’s name means Light (Helio) Messenger (Courier). The Kodiak, manufactured by Quest Aircraft in Idaho, was designed specifically to advance the kingdom of God. May God bless this company for their pursuit of such a goal in a time when aviation costs continue to skyrocket. May this serve as a reminder that God is not limited by anything.

Though I can’t work on the Kodiak, or any aircraft, I am a part of the team that will launch its career in missions, taking God’s Word to those who have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The next day the Kodiak was gone, now parked in the hangar. I can walk over and see it any time…and periodically I do. It’s hard to see the Helio phasing out. It has been a worthy Messenger of Light. Now as we look to the future, may God bless Quest Aircraft and may God bless the Kodiak as it begins service.

“Thank You, Lord, for Your provision of the Kodiak. May it be a blessing in carrying your Word and the truth of the Gospel to many.”

Wycliffe's "Last Languages" Video

Got five minutes? The following link takes you to a short video that beautifully portrays what Wycliffe Bible Translators does.....and why we serve at JAARS to speed Bible translation.

http://snipurl.com/bf70a
(The website is called Tangle, formerly GodTube. There is a 'google ad' below the video that you can close. We found it a bit distracting. This is apparently a new feature of Tangle, known as a 'ministry/family friendly' website.)

This can be a reality. It is within our grasp. Will you join us in bringing the Word of God to the last languages of the world?

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

2008 Year End Celebration

Every year JAARS celebrates the Bibles that have been completed during the year with a “Year End Celebration”. The photos above display some of the Bibles. We thought it would be interesting to publish the list for you to view (below). It is humbling to look at the Word of God in many different heart languages. What an accomplishment on the part of many dedicated to the work of Bible translation. We are honored and humbled to use our skills to support this great task.

We have met several translators and language consultants that have been a part of these translations. We hear the stories of people changed by hearing the Word of God in their heart language for the first time. Then we hear the gradual transformation that takes place in an entire culture as they learn to apply the Scriptures in daily life. These translations could not take place without the JAARS Center and its support work for Wycliffe.

In any given book there is usually a list of people who contributed a great part to its publication. You probably skip this part but if you’re the type who reads ‘cover to cover’ no doubt you’ve read through the list. The author also adds another clause that thanks “many that could not be named”. The author will say, "without all these people the book could not have been written". The same is true for Bible translation. When you read through the list of Bibles below, if the translator could give a list of names to thank, your name would be there.

We can never express enough thanks to all who support us in this work. Your prayers, encouraging words, and financial gifts made this possible. We hope the list serves as a reminder that you made a difference; you made it possible for many people to have the Word of God in their heart language for the first time, for now and generations to come. This is not just about Mike and Kathy Smith. This is about you, partnering with us, to complete the work of Bible translation.

May you be blessed this coming year.
Mike & Kathy Smith

List of New Testaments, Bibles and scripture portions translated during fiscal year 2008

Note: This is just a partial list. These are representative of the 70+ that were published and dedicated this year.

Africa
Mofu-Gudur – Cameroon – New Testament
Farefare – Ghana -- Entire Bible
Moba / Ben – Togo – New Testament

Americas
Kaxinawa – Brazil – NT
Cakchiquel sur Central – Guatemala – NT
Ixil de Nebaj – Guatemala – NT
Mixteco Tezoatlan – Mexico – NT
Zapateco de Rincon – Mexico – NT
Ticunna – Peru – OT Selections
Ma’heonemoxe’estooo – Cheyenne – USA – NT

Asia
Kupang – Indonesia – NT
Isnag – Philippines – NT with Genesis and Exodus
Kagayanen – Philippines – NT and Genesis
Tboli – Philippines – Bible

Pacific
Kriol – Australia – Bible
Auhelewa – Papua New Guinea – NT
Ipili – Papua New Guinea –NT
Kuman – Papua New Guinea – NT
Ramoaaina – Papua New Guinea – NT
Tabo, Fly River – Papua New Guinea – NT
Natqgu – Solomon Islands – NT, Ruth and Psalms
Pijin – Solomon Islands – BibleWala – Solomon Islands – NT
North Tanna – Vanuatu -- NT

WE PRESS ON...............

Greetings everyone,

As we move forward with challenge and blessing at JAARS, many of you prayed for more staff in the auto shop. We have been blessed with some answers. Jim Patterson arrived at JAARS after serving a number of years in the Philippines and Columbia, South America. It was determined that he would fill the role as an office manager. With Jim answering the phones, scheduling, and processing the paperwork, Mike has been able to devote more of his time to training those serving here at JAARS and those headed overseas. Jim occasionally is able to assist Mike in the shop as well.

Jim and Mary Alice Patterson

If ever there was a great partner for Mike it would be Jim. They balance each other in many ways and share the same vision for Bible translators’ land transportation needs. Both are passionate in their work and quality standards. As big as their work load is, they still find time to share a few laughs and have some fun.

Jim and Mike

Another answer to prayer brought us Bryan Frye, a graduate of diesel school. Bryan spent a good deal of this year tutoring under Mike’s supervision. Working side by side with Mike, he completed preparation for his first overseas assignment in Papua New Guinea. He and his wife are now in Papua New Guinea, serving at the SIL Center there.Brian Frey


Brian and Susan Frey. Susan is a translator, serving in Papua New Guinea as a language consultant.

Recently Mike completed a technical evaluation of another person who will be joining Wycliffe. He too will be required to spend a time of training at the auto shop just as Bryan did.

Several years ago another young man worked with Mike at the shop, early in our arrival here. Josh Mills felt the call to serve missions in the role of mechanic. Josh has completed auto mechanic school and is beginning his application with Wycliffe. We will write about him in another update but his journey will result in providing another qualified mechanic to serve in Bible translation.

This training has a dual purpose. It meets the needs of Wycliffe members to have reliable transportation during their assignments here. Second, it allows a graduate mechanic to receive further training in the specific skills needed to function in an overseas environment.


A recent challenge for Mike and the guys. Oil + Antifreeze = This Stuff

With Bryan and Jim both arriving, the JAARS Automotive Department has been extremely busy this entire year. Since Bryan left, things have not slowed down. We are thankful that Jim will be here long term. He and our son, Sean, help Mike keep things going. Sean combines college at a local community college with his work at JAARS. Sean shows great mechanical ability like Mike. He has chosen Computer Science as his major. But who knows? Perhaps he will end up combining both to serve in missions.

As we all know, the global economy is in a muddle right now. But we know God is our ultimate provider and will be faithful to His work. To our financial supporters, we say a big thank you for your faithfulness during this time of economic uncertainty. May the Lord bless you with the peace that comes from knowing that He is your provider as you share your generosity with us.

To our prayer partners, we thank you. As you can see God is answering your prayers. Qualified mechanics are so needed and God has given us the ability to prepare them for overseas service. Pray that God will bring us more. Continue to pray for our physical strength and spiritual strength, to keep our eyes focused on Christ and rest in Him with His peace that passes all understanding.

Serving together,

Mike & Kathy