Greetings, friends and family, brothers and sisters in the Lord,
About two months ago, I was visiting some friends at Wycliffe's International Headquarters in Dallas, when I noticed a member of Wycliffe's software development team tending his yard. Ken stopped and crossed the street to talk with me. He encouraged me that his team was praying for me. "In expectation of your arrival, our department recently purchased a couple of new computers," he said, "We have one just waiting for you." My heart became even more excited about getting to my assignment. But then I expressed some doubt about making it there by the end of the summer. Ken reminded me, "God's plans are not always our plans, but they are always better."
Where am I? Several people have been asking me how close I am to beginning my assignment. As you may remember, my hope was to start serving Wycliffe Bible Translators as a Language Software Developer by the end of the summer. By God's good and wise counsel, I'm almost there! In response to your prayers, God has brought my partnership team near completion: In addition to the many people who pray for me regularly, I have over 90% financial commitment! So I am looking to God to provide partners to cover the remaining $135/mo. I am always thankful for more partners in prayer.
I've received a few new commitments from churches and individuals over the summer. The main development since my last update, however, is that my monthly missions quota has been lowered because a friend of mine has graciously offered me a place to stay without rent. To ensure that I will not be a financial burden to him, I have offered to cover half of his monthly utility bills. So, most of my remaining partnership will go towards our utilities each month. Keith is handicapped, so I will also be happy to help him with the upkeep of his house.
Where'd the summer go? Most of my time has been spent working on partnership related activities and serving churches in some fashion. In August, I mailed my summer newsletter out to over 135 contacts along with personal notes to partners and others interested in keeping up with me. My mailing list continues to grow steadily.
In July, I shared about missions and technology at a church in my home town, following my 10-year class reunion for Noble High School. (Has it really been that long?) I also served the youth from several churches as a photographer at a church camp in Amarillo, TX. In September, I distributed CD's with camp photos and video to the youth from that camp.
Also in September, I attended my seminary's opening convocation and a couple of software technology talks at Wycliffe's International Headquarters in Dallas.
What's next? With only $135/mo remaining to complete my partnership team, my hope and prayer is to be at my assignment by the end of the year. I could be there much sooner by God's provision through your prayers. Autumn is an important season for finding new partners because many church leaders are making decisions about their budget for the next year. Please pray the Lord would continue to provide opportunities for me to share with churches about the impact of technology in the work of Wycliffe Bible Translators, and that hearts will be moved to join with me in the mission of bringing God's Word to millions who still need it in their own language. I'm ready to put that lonely computer to work! :)
If you'd like to know how you can join my partnership team, please email me at eric_pyle @ wycliffe.org or reply to this letter.
Your partner in the Kingdom,
Eric D. Pyle
O for a thousand tongues to sing / My gracious Master and my God,
My great Redeemer's praise, / Assist me to proclaim,
The glories of my God and King, / To spread through all the earth abroad,
The triumphs of his grace. / The honors of thy Name.
Webpage: www.opcNorman.org/Wycliffe/EricPyle
Personal Address: 6001 W Cedar Hills Dr, Noble, OK 73068 (469-222-2865)
Wycliffe Bible Translators: P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, Florida 32862-8200