Translators going to America

The two Bible translators pictures, Mussa (Ikoma translator) and Rukia (Ikizu translator) have been selected to go to the States for six weeks to do an intensive English course.  Out of a lot of applicants from around the world, these two were chosen to go to Orlando (along with 12 others from various countries) to improve their English skills, which will greatly help them in their translation work.

They are pictured here holding gifts for the families with which they will be staying in Orlando.  Their six-week course isn't just classroom work - they are going to have to use English at "home" the entire time, too!  I so, so, so wish I could travel with them from Tanzania to Orlando to see their first reactions at being on an airplane, seeing a country outside of East Africa, trying western food, and seeing crazy things like American kitchens and people walking their dogs on sidewalks.  And, for more practical reasons, I also wish I could be there to help them navigate airport security and customs just to make sure they actually end up in the right place.

Please pray for these two translators as they make this big journey on Sunday, Oct. 7.  Pray for them as they are far away from their families for so long and likely experiencing a lot of culture shock.  Both of them are quite near and dear to me and Andrew and we're so excited they have this opportunity, but we're also a little nervous on their behalf.  Making a huge cultural change isn't very easy!