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Last modification: May 7, 2010.
“God has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” (2 Timothy 1:9; NIV)
Greetings!
Welcome to our family website! The main purpose of this website is to inform our parents, friends, and partners about the developments in our African adventure. We hope that you will find something that interests you.
Please, send us your questions and comments.
Modifications made lately on this website:
Computer Problems! (May 7, 2010)
 Africa's heat is getting the best of our computers...
- Simon's motherboard died mid-April. Fortunately, no data was lost because he had done a backup just the day before. However, he will not have access to most of that data until he reinstalls his software on an eventual new computer, next June.
- Brenda's computer is acting weird. It turns on by itself, and we cannot install, modify or disinstall software anymore. Half of the antivirus software does not work, so we watch it closely. Also, the keyboard misses the "B" key (not very practical when your name is Brenda!).
- Jonathan's computer is not "portable" anymore. The screen cannot stand by itself and half of the keyboard does not work. (Jon uses an external keyboard now.) Windows "blue screens" pop out periodically. A floor fan continually blows air on the computer to prevent overheating.
- Joel's computer is slow. Very slow... Vvveerrryy sslllooow... It does not have Internet anymore, but besides that it's hanging in there!
- Finally, Nicolas' computer is hanging in there too... when we put an icepack under it! (And remember that Simon changed the motherboard last year.)
Anyway... We are very grateful for the good services that those machines have given us, but we realize that the best has already been given!
Family Picture (April 1st, 2010)
March Break at RFIS (April 1st, 2010)
 What did the boys do during March Break?...
 Besides sleeping and eating...
 And computer...
We had the pleasure to have Olivia and Claire Harvey visiting for a few days. They are friends from Impfondo, Congo, where their father, Dr. Jos Harvey, manages Pionneer Christian Hospital with Global Outreach Mission.
 Of course, they played hockey!...
Teaching to Translate the Bible (March 29, 2010)
 From March 8 to 19, in Yaoundé (Cameroon), Simon took part in the teaching of a course on Bible translation principles. A team of 8 teachers (American, Canadian, and Cameroonian) worked with a class of more than 30 students from 14 different ethnic groups.
 During those two weeks, Bible study and exegesis principles were taught, as well as Bible translation. The students, grouped according to their mother tongue, practice the new precepts by translating a part of David's story (1 Samuel 17-18).
 On the pictures: Top - Simon teaching some Bible study principles to the class. Middle - Leo Bolioki (a Cameroonian teacher) discuss with some Yambetta students. Bottom - An example of a back-translation exercise, from a vernacular language to French.
Back to Yaoundé (February 25, 2010)
 Simon is back to Yaoundé, with his family. He arrived last Wednesday (February 18). It took him a total of ten days to travel between Yaoundé and Gemena, in order to spend two weeks there (Yaoundé-Douala by bus, Douala-Bangui by plane, Bangui-Zongo by pirogue, Zongo-Gemena by pickup truck, and the same on the way back). All the travelling went without problems (i.e. without unexpected events!).
 In Gemena, during the first week, Simon and a colleague checked the translation of chapters 12 to 18 of the Gospel of Luke with two teams simultaneously: the Pagabetes and the Lobalas. During the second week, the two groups worked separately in order to be able to finish the work within the time allocated. The goal was reached: all the Gospel of Luke has been checked for those two languages.
On the pictures: 1st picture - clockwise, starting with Simon : Elizabeth Marti (consultant in training); Lobala team, Gaston Makpeda (transl.), Judith Bolobo (sec.), Patrice Kasa (transl.), Obed Bolobo (coord.); Pagabete, Rombaut Mbombo (sec.), Roger Nzongo (coord.), Pierre Yongo and Bonaparte Kaya (transls.). 2nd picture: Simon and the Pabagete team.
Luke 19:10 in Lobala:
Luke 19:10 in Pagabete:
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. (Luke 19:10; NIV)
Arrived in Gemena (February 2, 2010)
 Simon has arrived safe and sound in Gemena (DRC), with all the team of translation consultants. They have crossed the Ubangui River at the "beach" of Bangui (CAR) at 8 AM on Saturday (January 30), going to Zongo (DRC). The crossing itself lasted only a few minutes, but they were able to hit the road to Gemena only at 10 AM because of all the "formalities". They took nine hours to travel some 250 km between Zongo and Gemena because of bad roads and bridges. A big rainstorm welcomed them in Gemena at 7 PM, which is a blessing in a way considering the low water reserve of the missionary coumpond welcoming them during their stay in Gemena: it is dry season and it had not rained for quite a few weeks.
 All the team is well and the checking work has begun on Monday. Simon, with a colleague, checks the second half of the Gospel of Luke with the Pagabete and Lobala translation teams.
On the pictures: The pirogue leaving the "beach" in Bangui, and the road going to Gemena.
Dedication of the Nomaande New Testament (January 9, 2010)
 We had the joy to attend the dedication of the New Testament in Nomaande language, in the little village of Tchekos, north of Yaoundé. A great crowd had gathered for the event. We pray that these Scriptures will now be used in churches and homes, to transform lives to the glory of the Lord Jesus-Christ.
(Photo: Procession carrying the NT. Jordan Mary, www.jordanmary.com)
Merry Christmas! (Decembre 21, 2009)
 We wish you all a very blessed Christmas and New Year. May the God of grace keep your hearts and minds filled with his peace and joy not only during the holiday season but throughout Year 2010 as well.
3 countries, 8 languages! (November 26, 2009)
Since the beginning of 2009, Simon has had the opportunity to take a part in the translation of the Bible into eight languages, in three different countries of Central Africa. Sometimes that part is small, sometimes it's bigger. Each time, he helps as a translation consultant, checking translated Bible texts.
 In the Republic of Congo (RC):- The Mboshi team finished the translation of the Gospel of Mark. Lately, they recorded it on cassette and they will soon train leaders of "Listening Clubs", who will lead what we could call "oral Bible studies".
- The Bekwel team finalised the translation of Luke 15 (3 "lost & found" paraboles) so it could be recorded on cassette.
- The Southwest Teke team continue the translation of the Gospel of Luke.
On the picture: The Mboshi team (RC) at work - from l. to r., Simon (transl. cons.), Fabrice Makouwou, Béatrice Okandzé, and Philémon Ayala (speakers), Roch Béapami (reviser) and Andréa W. Ébengué (coordonator).
 In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):- The Ngbandi-Ngiri team finished the translation of the Pastoral Epistles.
- The Pagabete and Lobala teams finished the translation of the Gospel of Mark.
On the picture: The Ngbandi-Ngiri team (DRC) at work - from l. to r., Jean-Pierre Loaya (coordonator & translator), Henri Fonogbia Tondo and Eugène Eyenbiala (translators).
 In Cameroon: The Yambeta and Nugunu teams are working at finishing the first draft of the translation of the Gospel of John, as well as the checking of the Gospel of Matthew. They also finished the Epistle to the Colossians. They will start drafting the Book of Revelation next January.
On the picture: The Nugunu team (Cameroon) - from l. to r., Jean Bosco Onana (secretary), Crépin Sintsimé (coordonator & translator), Bernard Begounié, Laurent Bémouyimé, Jean Daniel Bofia and Théodore Moudio (translators).
"Does Simon need to know all those languages in order to do his work?" Good question! It will soon be answered in "Simon's corner" (on this web site). If you have other questions about the Bible translation process or Simon's work, don't hesitate to ask us! (Click here to send us a note!)
Pray God with us! (May 7, 2010)
“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” (Philippians 4:6; New Living Translation)
Praise items:
- The family has been in good health.
- Preparations for our return to Canada are well on their way.
- We now have an apartment in Shawinigan!
- Our calendar for visiting churches in the Fall is filling up.
- God’s grace is sustaining us, day after day.
Prayer requests:
- Rest and continuing good health for everybody.
- The end of the school year for the boys at Rain Forest International School. (Jonathan is in grade 12, Joel in 10, and Nicolas in 9.)
- Stamina and wisdom for Brenda and Simon, as they try to finish all the pending work before going back to Canada, as well as for all the preparation FOR the going back.
- Bible translation in the Republic of Congo (RC):
- Translation of the Gospel of Luke in Southwest Teke;
- Re-forming Mboshi translation team and resuming the work;
- Coordination of the work in Bekwel;
- New Testament translation in Beembe and Old Testament translation in Laari (Congo Bible Society).
- Bible translation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - ACOTBA-SUBO* programs:
- Final checking of the whole Bible in Mbandja;
- Progress in the New Testament translation in Mono, Pagabete, Lobala, and Ngbandi-Ngiri.
(* Association congolaise pour la traduction de la Bible et l'alphabétisation - Sukisa Boyinga; Congolese Association for Bible Translation and Literacy - Sukisa Boyinga (Lingala for "Overcoming Ignorance").) - Bible translation in Central African Republic (CAR) - ACATBA* programs:
- Literacy in Sango and community development in all the territory;
- Literacy among the Pygmies (Yaka language);
- Progress in the NT translation in Yaka, Gbaya, Gbeya, Kaba, Nzakara, Ngbugu and Mpyemo;
- Beginning of new translation projects in Banda-Linda, Bokoto, Lutos and Mandja.
(* Association centrafricaine pour la traduction de la Bible et l'alphabétisation; Central African Association for Bible Translation and Literacy.)
- Bible translation in Cameroon:
- Progress in the New Testament translation for six languages of the Mbam cluster (Nuasue, Nugunu, Nulibie, Numaala, Tunen, Yambeta);
- Translation of Revelation and the checking of the Gospel of Matthew in Yambeta and in Nugunu (Nugunu checking done by Simon).
- Our activities for the coming months:
- From May 26 to 27: Continuing the checking of the Gospel of Matthew in Nugunu (Simon, as the consultant);
- June 10: Graduation of Jonathan from RFIS;
- June 13: On our way home!
- All of the preparations for our upcoming home assignment, in June:
- Search for medical specialists who will follow up on the boys' health situation (including Simon) about Marfan syndrom;
- Search for a car, by the missionary committee in Shawinigan;
- Set up of our new apartment;
- Determine our roles & functions during our home assignment.
- Arrival in Montreal on June 14, at 3:00 PM!
Financial support (March 29, 2010)
 As for our financial situation, we estimate that we have pledges for 63% of our total monthly support requirement in order to accomplish our ministry in Africa. During the last six months, we have received a monthly average of 80% of that same amount.
A big “Thank you!” to all our partners!
Newsletters in printing format (PDF)
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