9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,[g] serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Romans 12:9-13 ESV
This past month brought its share of challenges. But even in the hard moments, we've been reminded just how good God is. We're learning to lean into a few simple but powerful practices: praising Him in every circumstance, rejoicing in hope, staying patient through the tough seasons, and keeping prayer as our constant. Each one has become a lifeline for us, and we're grateful for a God who meets us right where we are.
Will you continue praying with us? Take a look at our PRAY WITH US section below.
And speaking of prayer, if you missed our new partnership video in the last newsletter, we'd love for you to watch it and prayerfully consider how you might partner with us in the ministry of Bible translation. 🙏🏾🫱🏾🫲🏼 Click the video below:
Share the YouTube version of this video with your family and friends!
Missions’ Yard Sale
As June rolled in, we stayed right in the thick of partnership development, dreaming up unique ways to connect with people who share our passion for seeing God’s Word reach every language. One of those ideas became our Missions’ Yard Sale, a chance to declutter our home ahead of the move to Kenya while selling gently used items to our neighbors and sharing the Gospel along the way. The plot twist? Brothers and sisters in Christ we had never met showed up to support us, and several prayed with us right there in our driveway. By the end of the two-day event, we felt one step closer to following God to Kenya.
Neighbors turned partners, right in our own driveway…praise God! 🙏🏾🙌🏾
Aloha, Couples Conference 🌺
We were also invited to a Hawaiian themed Annual Couples Conference, where we joined a panel for married couples and the two of us got to soak in the festivities together. It was a rich day of ministering to other couples while being ministered to ourselves, soaking up wisdom from those further down the road than us. As an added bonus, it turned into a sweet little date day for us.
Bible Translation Night
Toward the end of June, we hosted our very first Bible Translation Night at our church, inviting friends, family, and fellow congregants to learn more about Bible translation and our ministry. We played games, shared stories, and watched excitement build as people asked how they could get involved. It was a joy to see curiosity turn into action right before our eyes.
Time With Loved Ones
July was full of reconnecting with old friends and soaking in time with the people we won’t see for a while once we move. We’ve felt strongly that transitioning to Kenya isn’t just something we need to do, it’s something we need to do well. That means being intentional with loved ones, making sure they feel supported and prepared for this season, just as much as we’re preparing ourselves.
Dinners and Divine Conversations
We also spent many evenings this month around the table with potential partners, praying together and hearing their hearts for global missions. Listening to their stories and receiving their wisdom was every bit as encouraging as sharing our own. These conversations reminded us we’re not walking this road alone.
Brainstorming With Advocacy Partners
We also sat down with some of our advocacy partners to brainstorm new ways to engage people outside our current network. Their insight was invaluable as we look for creative ways to introduce Bible translation to those who haven’t yet heard our story, and we walked away energized by the possibilities ahead.
Each month brings us one step nearer to Kenya, and we can feel the momentum building. We remain fully in this season of partnership development, giving our time and energy to building the team of partners who will carry this ministry forward alongside us. This isn’t a small assignment. It’s the very thing standing between where we are now and where God is calling us to go.
We continue to pack, to say meaningful goodbyes, and to soak in every bit of time we can with the family and community who have shaped us.
But we can’t step into this next chapter alone. We need partners who will link arms with us, who will pray, give, and advocate for Bible translation across Africa. If you’ve felt a nudge to be part of this, now is the time. Join us here.
Life at home has been full in the best ways. Here's a look at some of our favorite moments from the past couple months. 📸
Eight Verses, One Language Community Transformed
In a small Ugandan village, eight newly translated verses of the Bible began to circulate for the very first time.
It wasn’t a full Bible or even an entire chapter, but those eight verses — communicated in a language and format the people could clearly understand — had the power to change lives.
As the eight Scriptures were read aloud and shared among neighbors, people began to listen intently. The words resonated in a way that no one there had felt before.
For the first time, the community experienced the truth of God’s love and hope in a language that touched their hearts. As the translators shared those verses throughout the village, people came to Christ, and the message of hope took root in their hearts.
Think about that — just eight verses altered the spiritual trajectory of an entire village. That’s the power of Scripture! And that’s why Bible translation is so important: Even the smallest portion of God’s Word can open the door to life-changing faith in a person’s life.
Pray with us that God continues transforming lives through His translated Word as we work toward a day when every man, woman and child has access to Scripture in a language and format they clearly understand.
..our upcoming meetings and conversations with potential partners considering financial partnership, that You would give us clarity as we share our story, and stir hearts toward generosity and obedience to Your leading.
...wisdom, peace, and creativity as we navigate the practical side of this move: renting out our home, selling our car, condensing our lives into 8 suitcases, and settling other US obligations.
...one of our family members who has been struggling with their mental health.
...a successful Missions’ Yard Sale that helped us declutter our home and connect with our neighbors.
...new connections and new partners who felt called to support Bible translation.
...the extra time we’ve had this season to spend with family before our move.
…partners, family, and friends that continue to surround and support us in all our transitions!
Contact us by responding to this email! We’d love to pray with you!
CURRENT PROGRESS
Click Here To Partner With Us!
For monthly financial partnerships by mail:
Wycliffe Bible Translators
P.O. Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862
1-800-WYCLIFFE
To give by check, please include a separate note in the envelope stating:
“Preference for the Wycliffe ministry of Brandon and Cat Samuel.”
Be sure to like and share this newsletter with a friend…
…or Ellis are Charlotte will be forced to slip and slide forever! 🌊🛝 🥴💦
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