Clemen.Timez 19 December 2018

Dear Partners, Family, and Friends,

Merry Christmas! Glory to God, Christ is born!

So simple, yet so profound. The greatest Gift for all of mankind, yet many live unaware that this gift is free to them. We rejoice and give thanks, especially at Christmas, that we are a part of giving this gift to the many who are waiting. Thank you to those who pray and give in order that we can be on the frontlines of Bible translation. What a privilege!

In less than a week we will celebrate Christmas. This also means we are halfway through our year of service here in

Papua New Guinea. As we look back on the last six months, we have been blessed to share in the celebration of completed translations. During 2018, there have been four complete New Testaments, 21 audio recordings, the Jesus Film, and other portions of Scripture. Now, 29 unique groups have God’s Word in their language. Please pray with us that these audio players, books, and videos will be used, and the Lord would transform lives. Thousands of people in PNG can now celebrate the reason for the season.

Praises:

• For an amazing and safe trip to the coast with the senior class. (Some fun pictures of the trip below.)
• For the privilege of teaching at a great school.

Prayer needs:

• For each of us to rest during our semester break.
• For us as we prepare to return to the States at the end of June.
• For extra year-end gifts to purchase plane tickets.

Celebrating the Reason for the season,

Molly

Wycliffe Bible Translators * PO Box 628200 * Orlando, FL  32862

Flying over rugged PNG mountains

Sponsors for senior retreat

Entertained by the wave splash

Spikeball competition

Senior girls

The senior class by the ocean

Playing in the ocean

Emily – big splash soon

Senior boys

We had a wonderful time at Jais

End of a great week

Clemen.Timez 11 November 2018

Dear Partners, Family, and Friends,

Imagine an entire middle and high school student body getting together to put on a day of fun and games. Last weekend our remarkable students at UISSC did just that. The Ukarumpa community and children in the surrounding area were able to enjoy Carnival 2018. This annual event raises money for a particular charity each year.  This year monies raised went to the Family Support Center at the Angau Hospital in Lae.

This year the theme was ‘Grand World Tour’. Food and games represented different countries around the world. Our sweet daughter Emily was a train conductor who guided kids around carnival. And if you are wondering if she hit the target to get her dad in the dunk tank, she sure did! Even our dentist Nelis and his grandkids came to enjoy the festivities. Carnival was a success thanks to our amazing students.

Praises:

• For the daily provision of all our needs. We have an amazing team of prayer and financial partners.
• For an extra gift this past month to help with medical bills
• For the students Robert and I have the privilege of teaching every day.

Prayer needs:

• For each of us as this term is very busy with many extra activities.
• For extra finances to cover the medical bill for Robert’s heart catheterization.
• For Sean and Mikayla as they try to raise funds to come here for Emily’s graduation.

Thank you for your prayers and support,

Molly

Wycliffe Bible Translators * PO Box 628200 * Orlando, FL  32862

Clemen.Timez 18 October 2018

Dear Partners, Family, and Friends,

This time of year moonai beetles come out.  The national children run around at dawn (6 am) to collect them for their breakfast.  As the beetles try to fly away they hit them down and put them in their container. One morning I saw a group of children sitting in a circle. I walked up to see what they were doing. They were having moonai beetle races! Now that puts a new perspective on ‘playing with your food.’

When our children were young we would join the national children. We have great memories of chasing flying beetles, hitting them and bottling them. Of course, we gave ours to the national children to take home for breakfast. We did, on one occasion, go to a friend’s house to try fried beetles; they taste somewhat like greasy popcorn.

This provision of protein is not taken for granted by families here in PNG. I am reminded to be thankful for God’s provision; large or small. He is always taking care of us, regardless the situation. He is good – all the time.

Praises:

• For the daily provision of all our needs. We have an amazing team of prayer and financial partners.
• For a great start of the new term.
• For the students Robert and I have the privilege of teaching every day.

Prayer needs:

• For each of us as this term is very busy with many extra activities.
• For extra finances to cover the medical bill for Robert’s heart catheterization.
• For Sean and Mikayla as they try to raise funds to come here for Emily’s graduation.

Thank you for your prayers and support,

Molly

Wycliffe Bible Translators * PO Box 628200 * Orlando, FL  32862

Clemen.Timez 2 October 2018

Dear Partners, Family, and Friends,

Encounter 2018 Sponsors and Students

Our Encounter speaker – Tony Romito

Group discussions after a message

Playing chicken during a break

 

Wet sheet volleyball

Six boys gaining weight quickly

The pain and joy of losing weight – fast

Sponsors demonstrating the circle sit

Encounter (high school spiritual retreat) was a blessing to all who attended. It was great for Emily and I to be directly involved with this event. The theme of leadership through listening to God, patience, and boldness came to all of us by the messages and activities over the five days. There was lots of fun as well and the persistent rain and mud did not dampen our spirits.

Praises:

• For a successful completion of the first term of school for each of us.
• For a wonderful Encounter.

Prayer needs:

• For each of us as we begin a new school term Wednesday.
• For us and each of the students to embrace what was learned at Encounter and carry it through the school year.
• For monies to cover the medical bill for my heart catheterization back in May.

In His loving hands,

Robert

Wycliffe Bible Translators * PO Box 628200 * Orlando, FL  32862

Clemen.Timez 9 September 2018

Dear Partners, Family, and Friends,

This past Tuesday afternoon the clouds were gathering in the valley and many family, friends, and co-workers of Mandaura Ivina were gathering to celebrate her life. Molly and I had the opportunity to share with these people the beautiful legacy of a life of service and smiles to all who knew her. Testimonies of her work at our local store for the past 18 years and service in our community were recounted. In most every account, her heart-warming smile and kind words were mentioned. She knew the names of everyone who frequented the store and was always truly interested in happenings of our lives. The joy and kindness with which she served was infectious. And now her smile is warming the halls of heaven. Mandauru will be missed by many, but the touch of her smile will not soon be forgotten.

Prayer needs:

• For all of us to finish school well as the first term comes to an end this week.
• For the upcoming high school spiritual retreat (Encounter) – that the students attending will truly have a life-changing encounter with God.

Touched by His loving care,

Robert

Wycliffe Bible Translators * PO Box 628200 * Orlando, FL  32862

Clemen.Timez 27 June 2018

Dear Partners, Family, and Friends,

Hello from the beautiful country of PNG!
We are on school break right now, but there are still plenty of activities for each of us to be involved with. Molly is able to renew friendships with some of our national friends and see the additions to their families. She is also getting curriculum ready for the upcoming semester. I have been directing a group of students in remodeling a school room for the Student Representative Council and the new student store. I also have been getting the wood shop ready for classes. Emily has been playing community sports, helping with various school projects, and is already busy in her role as senior class representative.

It is great to be involved with Ukarumpa International School once again and also seeing the work of Bible translation first hand. Already, since we have returned, there have been two new Bible dedications. Thank you to our partners, friends, and family who have helped make this work possible. Our return and service here in PNG is an encouragement to many, especially as we say goodbye to colleagues who are returning to their home countries. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

In the midst of it all, God is sovereign and faithful!

Prayer needs:

• That the communities receiving their new Bibles will embrace reading and learning about Jesus.
• That we will be messengers of God’s love and faithfulness to all we come in contact with.
• For monies to cover the medical expenses we had just before leaving the States, bills continue to come in.
• For our kids Sean, Mikayla, Zach, and Leanne who are holding down the fort back home.
• Preparations for the new school year to go smoothly as we are starting back on July 18.

Robert and Molly

Wycliffe Bible Translators * PO Box 628200 * Orlando, FL  32862

 

Clemen.Timez 29 May 2018

 

 

God is good – all the time! That is so true in our lives and even more so recently. As Molly drove me home from the hospital just two weeks ago we were both shell shocked and speechless. God took what many viewed as terrible and turned it into something that has solidified our faith in His sovereignty and love for us.  We both feel as though we have a new lease on life. The question we are seeking to answer is, ‘how are we going to live it’?

Many people have been asking about our health. The photos above are during my heart catheterization, the before and after the stent was placed in my left anterior descending artery that feeds the left side of my heart. I am back to running (just a blur as I pass by our house) on the rocky roads of Ukarumpa and feeling good except for the thinner air at 5000 ft!

Molly’s blood pressure has been near normal for the past several weeks and she is doing a lot of walking around our centre.

In His loving hands,

Robert

Wycliffe Bible Translators * PO Box 628200 * Orlando, FL  32862

 

Clemen.Timez 25 May 2018

Dear Partners, Family, and Friends,

After a whirlwind of activity over the past two weeks, we have spent the past week with even less sleep. Between six airports and five airplanes we traveled for 74 hours. The goodbyes to family and friends in America and wonderful greetings from friends in Australia and Papua New Guinea has been emotional.

We are so thankful for the Lord’s provision.

Praising God for a safe trip to Ukarumpa.

 

Please pray for us:

• that we would settled in quickly to life in PNG.
• that we will continue to have peace in the midst of all the change.
• that He would cover the unexpected medical expenses before we left the US. (We are thankful that some has already come in.)

In His loving hands,

Robert and Molly

Wycliffe Bible Translators * PO Box 628200 * Orlando, FL  32862

 

Clemen.Timez 17 March 2018

17 March 2018

Dear Partners, Family, and Friends,

A good friend reminded us a couple days ago – “God is good, all the time!” We have experienced His goodness toward us even when things around us have not felt good. Last week we received an email letting us know that the remainder of our expenses needed to return to Papua New Guinea were covered!  A blessing for sure, but more than that – it was an answer to the very specific prayers of our family. The waiting was hard, but the blessings far outweigh the waiting!  Now we need a bit more monthly support – only $250.

Easter is coming soon and we celebrate the sacrifice that Jesus made for all peoples.  The Bible tells us of His life and love for us, yet almost 115 million people can’t read the Word in their own language. Above are the latest statistics on Bible translation. At this point in history there are about 7,100 living languages in the world, God is moving across the globe in an ever-increasing intensity and speed. Rejoice with us as many organizations and partners are coming together to bring the transforming Word of God to the Bibleless people of the world so they too can read about Jesus and His love.

Read More

Please join us in celebrating with the language communities around the world that now have access to the Living Word of God. A special thank you for your part in helping make our work and greater work of Wycliffe possible. We are grateful for your partnership over the years.

Pressing on expectantly,

Robert for the Clementz family

Wycliffe Bible Translators * PO Box 628200 * Orlando, FL  32862

 

Clemen.Timez 3 February 2018

3 February 2018

Dear Partners, Family, and Friends,

We continue to move forward with plans of returning to Papua New Guinea in May of this year. The picture above represents our projected flight path to PNG. The location of the aircraft indicates our financial status to date. We are just over two-thirds of the way to our goal. As we wait patiently for His provision and direction, we continue to press on with the responsibilities He has given us here in Michigan.

I am working diligently with my team to complete the educational videos for Paratext 8 training. We have 65 videos to this point and may have as many as 10 more in English. Then we will move forward with translating them into several other primary languages. Molly is teaching at NorthPointe Christian School. Her primary work is with students who need academic accommodations. The teachers and parents love having her provide the needed support for these students.

Our children are pressing on with school this semester.  Sean has a full load at Cornerstone with several classes in his major. Mikayla has just started back at Taylor after spending two-weeks with her J-term class in Greece! And Emily seems to always be at school, with classes, basketball, tutoring, National Honors Society and even leading a worship team each Thursday mornings.

God cares about the work of Bible translation around the world and desires excellence in the work that we do. Wycliffe was recently honored with the GuideStar Platinum Seal. GuideStar is one of the largest independent evaluators of nonprofits in the US. This recognition means that Wycliffe has been diligent in measuring progress, has improved their impact, and continues to look for ways to be more effective. You can read the whole story at Excellence in the Great Commission.

Please pray with us as this time of waiting is never easy, but we know God is with us and for us.

Robert for the Clementz family

Wycliffe Bible Translators * PO Box 628200 * Orlando, FL  32862