Giving Tuesday!

Hello from the Sunshine State

Please lift us up in prayer right now as we move forward with strategy and planning to bring the Bible to those who do not have it.

In the Lord,
Andrew J. Belcher
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Good and Evil.

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As believers, each and everyday we are faced with situations which test our ability to discern right from wrong.  Sometimes, these decisions rock our foundation of faith and seem to be blurry and gray.  They leave us feeling uncertain, disoriented, and hopefully into a relentless search to find the Father's truth regardless of the mystery we immediately see. However, there are other times when right and wrong, good and bad, holy and evil are far more obvious to us.  They are so clearly black and white, we can only see one answer and there can be no question.

In recent days, these are the situations we are facing in Bible translation. On the front lines, there have been events which have launched Bibles around the world at an unprecedented rate, and events which have proved heartrendingly tragic: good and evil.

In the very last days of February this year, five national translators ("MTTs" as we refer to them) were working diligently on several different translations in a very closed country in the Middle East. Our teammates carried in their possession endless talents and skills, as well as POD (print on demand) equipment provided to them. In the midst of their work and faithfulness, the week ended in tragedy. The first two national believers were shot down by militants during a raid on their translation office.  In addition, two more native translators were bludgeoned to death as the fifth man laid buried beneath them in protection.  The fifth man was spared, but four precious lives were lost that day for the sake of the Word.

These deaths are tragic without question.  Their final moments bring no pleasure or lovely feeling to our souls.  With these men, we lost three years worth of translation work, as well as the POD equipment.  As we recount these men who loved and served God with their entire being until the very end, these faithful saints who died for the cost so that others may hear-- perhaps we walk away wondering, "Where is their justice? Did these men die for nothing?" Every believer who dies in the serving of the Lord brings eternal glory to the Most High.

Amidst a time of such tragedy during the later part of February, Wycliffe Associates released their translation application for computers and Android tablets called "Translation Studio."  It is a self contained mobile application which carries the entire text of the Old and New Testament. Along with the scripture, the app also contains our Open Bible Stories to be used as "source text."  The application has hundreds of languages already built into the software (which correspond to another app called "Translation Keyboard") to be used as "target text." Finally, "Translation Studio" bears four different resources to help translators: Commentary notes, Important terms, Comprehension questions, and a paraphrase we (Wycliffe Associates) created.

This is the very first easily accessible resource my team and I have been working on for the last few years. This is the place where these four lost lives in the Middle East and I converge.  "Translation Studio" will accelerate the rate of Bible translation and communication by believers so that persecutions and deaths of national translators will not be in vain.  If we can minimize breaks in communication and almost instantaneously assist those on the front lines, perhaps less lives will be lost and more hearts will be won.

This painful truth update broke my wife and I within this last month, just as I hope your heart breaks for the families recovering and the persecution of the saints continues.  But our team's faithfulness and hope is unending, perhaps even in hotter pursuit of our mission.  As you process the good and bad from these recent events, may I encourage you to keep this hope that pushes me in mind:

The more time we (my team and I at Wycliffe Associates) can spend on this side of the equation providing resources, the more time our brothers and sisters in volatile places do  not have to risk their lives fulfilling "the mundane", but can participate solely in translating and by being of the utmost effect.  

For more information about the souls lost in the Middle East please read this Fox News article.
"Bible Charity vows to continue translation work after murders of four employees"

Thank for you praying and for supporting the ministry and I the way that you do.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.  May we continue deep in our pursuit of the Lord, individually and as one global body of believers.

In the Lord,
Andrew J. Belcher
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Resolutions

It is January of the New Year 2016. Can you believe that it has already been 2016 years since the birth of our Savior? Doesn't that seem a little bit crazy. If "Behold I am coming soon" meant something then it sure should mean that much more today!

The beginning of the new year is a time when the vast majority of people find themselves creating "New Years Resolutions," or as I like to call them "Things I wish I had the discipline to accomplish" lists. I among these individuals oft make Things I wish I had the discipline to accomplish lists and inevitably fail at them. Slowly one by one as January turns to February which turns to March my list gets crossed off as "It's too late to START this NOW..." so it goes to the wayside and is forgotten about.

This however has not stopped me from making brand new resolutions this year. I want to give you a look into my life at the beginning of this year as I have thought hard about my resolutions and why they mean so much to me.

1. Read this set of Books.

      Theodore Roosevelt has been a historical icon for me for a very long time. Not necessarily because of his politics (even though I do very much enjoy a good political discussion). But he has been a figure head in my life due to his undeniable character and vigor. He was known as a moralist, a right and wrong thinker, a seer of black and white. I resonate with this perspective and want to diligently adopt it into my worldview.
     This set of books sitting on my desk was a Christmas gift to me. It is a 20 volume Library of Congress 1926 Federal editions of all 35 books authored by Roosevelt himself. It spans his Harvard life, his strenuous life in the Dakotas and the Amazon, even into his administrations and afterwards.
     The best way to learn about how a person thinks is to sit down and have a long discussion over good coffee with them. Since TR is no longer with us on this earth I will have to suffice for reading his own words over that cup of coffee. (If you ever want to talk TR I will talk your ear off)

2. Become proficient at making turned wooden pens.
     My whole life I have been creative and I believe with all honesty my body is built for physical labor. I have done metal working, framing, roofing, etc. But fine woodworking always seemed to evade the realm of possibilities. Until now!
     I recently joined the Appleton Makerspace, which is a large 60,000 sq. ft. workshop filled with tools, equipment, and crafty individuals. They have a wood lathe. (well, technically two but I need to fix the larger one before I attempt bowls or plates, etc.)
     It is a joy of my life to be able to take a piece of the Lord's creation and transform it through the talents, skill,s and artistic mind He provided to me to bring forth something beautiful which t least in part reflects the beauty of the creator. It is not easy to turn a pen on the lathe, there is much nitpicking and refining, but in the end is a writing instrument worthy of the finest penmanship.
     This particular pen I turned from a solid piece of Cocobolo. An exotic hardwood with wonderful dark grain patterns.

3. Use those pens to attain better handwriting.

     Growing up I had great penmanship, this isn't a brag my mom said it. However, after high school and into college I "let myself go" and became lazy in my handwriting to the point of it being illegible even to myself. This is not a great way to communicate.
     I work in a ministry with the sole purpose to to communicate effectively and efficiently. How can I say I am truly committed 100% to that cause if no one can read my handwriting? So I have resolved to remedy this.
     Copperplate also known as "English Roundhand" is what the Declaration of Independence was penned in. It was the standard of writing in England and America until the turn of the 20th century.  At such time it was replaced by Spencerian script created and taught by Platt Rodgers Spencer which became known as "American penmanship." Being the basis of handwriting for centuries it makes sense to study the theories and the practices of these two scripts in attempts to beautify my own handwriting. (I have done far more research about penmanship than this, if you would like to known more please let me know)

4. Reach full financial support for the mission I am working in. 
     Since October 2014 I have been working with an organization called Wycliffe Associates participating in the translation of the Word of God into every language around the world. I am a support raising missionary currently living domestically in Wisconsin. Raising support is a wonderful way to live as it causes one to rely wholly on the Lord, it is also terrifying as you are not responsible for your income; other people are.
     My wife and I ( and newborn in June) have been living on just over 35% of our monthly support goal for the last year+. No one expects a missionary to become wealthy, if you want to be wealthy in ministry let's talk about your career choices. That being said it can and should be expected to be able to pay your bills, put food on the table, and MAYBE be able to save something for rainy day. That seems fair right?
     The difficulty is that we (I) have no control over this number. It is entirely up to YOU. I would love you to join my monthly partnership team and use your generosity to further the reach of the Word of God!
CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT NOW

Thank you for taking the time to read about my life today, I would love to hear about your resolutions and how we could partner together to reach more people with the Bible!

In the Lord,
Andrew J. Belcher

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Faithfulness

     Faithfulness is a difficult and interesting idea to grasp, and believe; it is especially complex and difficult when it comes to this faithfulness being in relationship to how the Lord interacts with his chosen people. It is so hard for us, being human beings, to have a "practical doctrine" as opposed to simply a "test doctrine." Something that we actually live rather something we say only.
     The book of James tells us to "be doers of the word not hearers only." This is what we need to do when it comes to the faithfulness of God.
     Let me give you a deep look into the soul of a front line missionary: me. Support raising is a weight. It should not be, as the Lord does not bring you somewhere that he is not willing and able to fund. But that being said, it is a weight on the shoulders of the head of a household. As we have a baby on the way and an imminent maternity leave the number coming "in" is never far from my mind. The idea of not having enough to provide for my family is a terrifying thought that is on my shoulders consistently. Why do I put that on myself? Why is it so important for ME to think about this all the time? The answer: my prideful human nature. I think I am the provider for my household. I think I am the one who "brings home the bacon," if you will. How much more wrong could I be!?
     Do I have a responsibility in this, yes, without a shadow of a doubt. I will push for it, campaign, poll, call, meet, etc. I will present and persuade without question. But at the end of the day, all of my pandering for support has nothing to do with whether support happens or not. The one who provides for my family is the Most High Lord. The only thing that can spur individuals to join my partnership team is the Holy Spirit. The end.

Today

     Matthew 6 tells us to not to be anxious about tomorrow because it already has enough to be concerned about. Temper this idea with Proverbs which tells us repeated to plan, and prepare for tomorrow. We are to save, to store up; but we are not to worry. The Jewish mindset of faith is to think and have faith for today. The Lord Almighty will provide what you need for today, and then tomorrow he will provide what you need then. In the western world we want to "know." Knowing has caused us to think about tomorrow more than we think about today. 

     The Lord is faithful, despite how difficult it is to live as though that is true, it is true. I was recently blessed with a gift of financial support which relieved my mind and took the unnecessary weight off my shoulders. This gift has come right on the wire of time to be counted towards this end of year goal. However, despite this blessing gift from the Lord the responsibility remains on God for the remainder of my support. Faith is a powerful attribute given to us by the Lord. It must be used to release worry and anxiety. Take it from experience anxiety is not worth the energy. 

Bless the Lord for His faithfulness! 

Andrew J. Belcher

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Campaign!

We have just less than 40 days left in the year of 2015. It has been a year of surprises, disappointments, pain, joy, and seeing the Lord’s faithfulness more than ever before. Matthew 6 speaks about the out God taking care of us more than anything else in creation and Kayla and I have seen that to be true without exception and without end especially this year. 

Living the life of a support raising missionary is by no means easy. My work week is divided, in part, by the need to work on the assignments and projects I am presently on; along with the reality that we must raise support in order to live in this world. It is a frustrating place to be, but because of it we are able to rely so fully and completely on the sovereign faithfulness of our precious Lord.

We are currently in an end of year period attempting to raise as much monthly support as possible by the end of the calendar year! 40 days is not a whole lot of time, but it is MORE than enough time for our great God to perform the miracle needed in our support.

Due to this end of year push I have decided to run my own “Kickstarter” type campaign! The reason it is here rather than actually on Kickstarter is so that 1) the support goes through Wycliffe Associates for our benefit. And 2) you can get a tax receipt by donating to a fully recognized Non-Profit!

One time, lump sum gifts are wonderful, spectacular, and fantastic. However, recurring, monthly gifts are of most importance and most benefit. I will never snuff my nose at someone desiring to give once to the cause of Bible translation, but I will always encourage them to split that sum up into monthly installments so that their donation has longevity rather than merely altitude.

We are going to shoot to the moon with this “Kickstarter” campaign and go for full support which we have not had for the last 14 months.

CAMPAIGN: $3200.00 per month.

WHAT DO I DO?:

It would take up far too much room on this post to explain the unique and rather complicated position that I hold at Wycliffe Associates, but you can CLICK HERE to read all about what it is that I do. In a nut shell I work with a team of skilled individuals working from original language texts in order to create a resource, a tool, to make Bible translation easier, faster, and more efficient.

WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?:

This is somewhat of a complicated question. Kayla and I  (and our baby due in June) live in Appleton, Wisconsin. We are full-time domestic stateside missionaries. That being said we are held to the same type of taxation and IRS requirements as anyone else is that makes income in the US. The money you donate goes directly into my “Ministry account” which in turn goes to 1) my semi-monthly paychecks because we have to be able to live, 2) promotional materials to assist in more effectively spreading the word about Bible translation because the more people that know the more that can happen, and 3) build up in my “ministry account” so at such time as there is enough I can travel internationally and assist with MAST trips.

SIGN UP NUMBERS:

These figures represent MONTHLY RECURRING donations.

$10-$25

• ·         A hand written thank you card from Kayla and me.
• ·         Automatically added to my mailing list for periodic updates throughout the year.

$25-$50

• ·         A hand written thank you card from Kayla and I.
• ·         Automatically added to my mailing list for periodic updates throughout the year.
• ·         A PDF copy of my first book: Renewal. A month long devotional about spiritual restoration.

$50-$100

• ·         A hand written thank you card from Kayla and I.
• ·         Automatically added to my mailing list for periodic updates throughout the year.
• ·         A PDF copy of my first book: Renewal. A month long devotional about spiritual restoration.
• ·         A paper back copy of my new book (which is currently in the editing stage) called “The Two Roads.” It is a partially straightforward, partially allegorical look at 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

$100-$500

• ·         A hand written thank you card from Kayla and I.
• ·         Automatically added to my mailing list for periodic updates throughout the year.
• ·         A PDF copy of my first book: Renewal. A month long devotional about spiritual restoration.
• ·         A paper back copy of my new book (which is currently in the editing stage) called “The Two Roads.” It is a partially straightforward, partially allegorical look at 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
• ·         Free promotional material to help you church learn and grow in the ministry of Bible translation.

$1000+

• ·         A hand written thank you card from Kayla and I.
• ·         Automatically added to my mailing list for periodic updates throughout the year.
• ·         A PDF copy of my first book: Renewal. A month long devotional about spiritual restoration.
• ·         A paper back copy of my new book (which is currently in the editing stage) called “The Two Roads.” It is a partially straightforward, partially allegorical look at 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
• ·         Free promotional material to help you church learn and grow in the ministry of Bible translation.
• ·         I will personally  visit you and/or your church anywhere in the lower 48 states to discuss, present, encourage about Bible translation and international mission.

It may get super annoying, but until the end of the year I am going to keep this website updated about the progress of this campaign so that you, my partners, can see where we on in this miracle of the Lord’s work! It will be an exciting month ahead!

There are two ways to sign up for monthly donations. 

The easiest is to CLICK HERE and use your credit or debit card. It is fast, easy, and painless!

Or send checks with my ministry account number M10826  ON A SEPARATE PAGE ATTACHED TO THE CHECK payable to: 

Wycliffe Associates 
11450 Translation Way
P.O.Box 620143
Orlando, FL 32862

Let's make this happen church! We are all in this together to place the WORD OF GOD into the hands of EVERY person on the planet in EVERY language! 

In Him,

Andrew J. Belcher

Loss. . .

     Last night I was given a call by my mother. There was a solemn, tear-jerked, quiver in her voice. Her words were short, to the point and determined. "She's gone" my mother stated.

     After a stroke three months ago. After going in and out of rehab and the hospital and the assisted living facility. After improving then declining, then improving then declining again. After three months of fighting and trying and pushing. And after over four scores of years lived to the fullest, loving the Lord, loving her family, and giving deeply from her heart; my grandmother passed from her temporary home into her eternal state.

     When God created Adam and his helpmate Eve in the beautiful Garden of Eden the only thing that we can assume they knew was how to say "hello." Not actually, as i'm sure the words were there, but the concept of hello would have been supreme. As humanity, we are not created to say goodbye at all. We are intended for life, and every type of goodbye is, in some way or another, a form of death. This death is what goes against our created nature.

     She will be missed dearly. This goodbye is a hard one. I've been to funerals in the past. I've performed "last rites" if you wanted to use that language. I've preached burial ceremonies and funerals several times in my ministry positions. But, this one. . .this one is different. This funeral will be hard, just plain hard. . .

     My grandmother's journey home was at least expected to some degree. But the expectancy of goodbye does not make it any more customary to a person.

     Having faith in the Lord is the hope of eternity. I believe, and know that she in a perfect state knowing fully, as she once was fully known. The hope we have is a hope in a resurrection just like the resurrection we witness through the Bible that Jesus experienced. It is beautiful, it is glorious, and it is altogether holy.

     Bless the Lord for a life well lived. A family well loved. and a resurrection well-received! Please be in prayer for my family right now as we figure out logistics, and grieve the loss of a dear heart.

Amen,

Andrew J. Belcher
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