Dear Friends,
Hi from Durango! The past three weeks since we came back from
Lajas have gone by very quickly and we're looking forward to heading back out tomorrow. We would've headed back out a week ago but had
consultant meetings here in Durango. The topic of discussion was mainly a strategy for reaching the Tepehuan and starting a church in Lajas.
While language study is always difficult in the city, I have been able to get lot of language data organized on the computer. This has included filling out the Tepehuan dictionary, and updating the verb chart. Getting a handle on using Tepehuan verbs and all their affixes and clitics, basically is the major battle in becoming fluent. I have also began a grammar write-up of the Tepehuan language which, not only should it help me, but hopefully the rest of the team as well. Have you ever wondered how one can write up a grammar explanation of a language that thus far has not been written? Not easily, but thankfully work done by Wycliffe missionaries in the neighboring dialect has been very helpful.
We will be staying out in Lajas for two weeks, and head back around
November the 11th or 12th. The last week of our stay out there will entail a week-long dental clinic. This will be ran as per usual, but we are hoping and praying that the airstrip in Lajas will be operational. We are praying earnestly about this and it will take a miracle. If the dentists can fly in, it means they are much more fresher to be able to start working. If the airstrip is not open, we'll be forced to have to drive in to Durango or to another airstrip to get them. Pray all will go well for the clinic, that the Tepehuan will take advantage of the free service, and that all the equipment will run well. Dan Bentley (the dentist) and his wife Susan have graciously donated to our team a portable dental unit and compressor. These are very expensive units and are state-of-the-art, and we are very appreciative. Pray that it will all work well as this is the
first time we will be using it.
Finally, we value your prayers for safety and for our time out in Lajas. Pray it will be valuable for language and culture study. Pray that we will make quick progress in the language. Pray that the Tepehuan will continue to open their hearts to us and accept us living in their village. Pray for our kids that they will enjoy their stay in the village and feel a part of the work there. Pray for the salvation of the Tepehuan.
Some sad news. We heard yesterday that Severo (a Tepehuan friend whom
we treated with antibiotics for an infection 6 weeks ago) has died. The antibiotics helped some, but the infection returned. We tried to persuade him and his family to come into Durango to get medical help, but he was too afraid and wanted to continue to trust his cultural beliefs about sickness. This is a hard time for us as Severo didn't speak Spanish and so had never heard the Gospel. Pray for his wife and daughter and the extended family, that his death won't be in vain, but that it might be the impulse that brings them to trusting in Jesus. Thanks for praying.
For Jesus,
Andrew and Anne Marie
...
October 2006 letter #2
