Dear Friend,

 

            I had just settled into my familiar pew in Dimnent Memorial Chapel and was waiting to hear a short 10-minute message before running off to my next class.  To my surprise, a small bald headed man named Nard Paugyao, walked on to the stage.  Nard belongs to the Isnag people who live in the northern mountains of the Philippines.  Just 45 years ago, the Isnag language, spoken by approximately 35,000 people, was still unwritten.  A missionary organization called Wycliffe Bible Translators sent Dick Roe in 1956, and then Rudy Barlaan in 1972 to learn the Isnag language, create a written language to teach the Isnags, and then translate the Bible into their own language.  During the translation process, Nard became a believer in Christ after reading the translated book of Luke.  The written word had such an impact on his life that he desires that all people could read the word in their own “heart” language.  He ended his testimony with a list of over 3,000 additional people groups that do not have the gospel in their own heart language.  He did not read them, but merely let the pages filled with the names of the different people groups fall to the floor, one by one in connected sheets, as silence filled the chapel.  That list represented at least 250 million people who do not have the Bible translated into their own language.  My heart ached and I found myself speechless.  I have been blessed with so much, that I daily take for granted the opportunity to read the Bible, and yet there are so many people who do not have that privilege.

In the Philippines, there is still much to do and JAARS, a part of Wycliffe Bible Translators’ family of organizations, is offering short-term mission trips to help.  Groups will be building an airstrip to enable supplies to be brought in, and a house for translator Rudy Barlaan so that he will have a place to live and work.  I must be honest; when I heard that Hope was planning to send a group in May to the Philippines, I thought – sure that’s great, but I can’t go.  I need to find a summer job and make money to afford tuition, and I didn’t want to raise the $2000 needed for supplies and travel expenses in just few short months.  I then realized that I was only making excuses, and just as Moses said, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 2:11).  In my hesitation, the amount of money I needed to raise seemed like an unattainable mountain, but then I remembered that with God nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37).  A friend once told me “God doesn’t call the equipped.  He equips the called.”  Through many encouraging people, prayers, and in reading God’s word, I do feel God tugging on my heart and leading me to the Philippines.  My passion is not just this one trip, but in discerning and clarifying God’s will for the rest of my life.  I have never before been in contact with an un-reached people group and through them I may find an open door towards lifetime missions.

Having just returned from Harlan, KY on a spring break missions trip organized through our chaplain’s office, my passion for missions is as strong as ever.  This was my third mission trip though Hope, but my first time as a student leader.  My purpose in writing this letter, is that I really wanted to share with you what God has been doing, and continues to do in my life here at Hope College.  Jesus gave his followers the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations (Mathew 28:18-20).  The Isnag people, along with much of the rest of the world still have yet to read the life transforming words that God has given to us in the Bible, in their own heart language and we can help.  Any financial support and prayers you could offer for the trip would be greatly appreciated.   Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and may “the Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace” (Num 6:24-26).

 

                                                                  Love-in-Christ-always,

                                                                 

 

 

                                                                  Kellie Bleecker

                                                                  [email protected]