Jerry & Joyce McDaniels opening God's Word through literacy 
Ah, September! It’s one special month! Fall is in the air (well, here in FL this takes a little imagination). You’ve got to love the colors and scents! And it can’t get much better than pumpkin spice coffee! But it’s also been an awesome month for us of meeting with many, many missionary teams to pray together and set priorities. In the last month, we have had people into our home for meals from all over the world…86 extra plates were set at our table! It was such a joy to connect with these coworkers, especially looking at the literacy programs that are being developed so that tribal people around the world are able to read God’s Word in their own language.
Posts Tagged ‘literacy’
86 plates
Friday, September 11th, 20098 reasons we are crazy about literacy
Friday, September 4th, 2009
When people think of key activities involved in tribal church planting the list often covers things like Bible translation, evangelism, Bible curriculum, discipleship, and leadership development. We would like literacy to be added to the list because…
1. Of all the possible methods to record the most life-changing Message of all time, God chose the written form to preserve His Word. We believe everyone should have access to His Written Word in their language!
2. When people can read God’s Word for themselves, they are not dependant on others to hear it. Just think of how many times God has reached down and encouraged you by the exact verse you needed while reading the Word!
3. The truth of the Word is protected. No matter what teaching comes into the area, people can go back to the Written Word and check it out.
4. Important truths of the Bible are not forgotten or overlooked. People can remember a lot, but it’s unrealistic to expect that everything will be remembered and passed on to others.
5. Personal spiritual growth is accelerated. People can study the Bible all through the week and don’t need to wait for the next scheduled public meeting.
6. Literacy invests in the potential of the Church! Reading and writing skills equip everyone to serve in broader ways. They can work on the Bible translation team, develop Bible studies, share words to songs or prayer requests.
7. In many locations where there has been little or no interest in Bible teaching, literacy teachers found open doors to provide classes. God has used the relationships built during this to open doors to the Gospel!
8. Printed materials can go places and reach people in ways that individuals may never be able to. Books have been called the “tireless teachers” and are an amazing tool God has given for the growth and expansion of His Church!
So why are Joyce & I so excited about literacy? Because we believe in the power of God’s written Word to change lives! We are thrilled to be serving in the area of literacy, that God’s Word might be opened to every tongue, tribe and nation!
Loving God’s Word!
Friday, August 7th, 2009
God’s life-changing Word is impacting lives around the world. But what about those who cannot read It? Literacy ministries equip people to read His Message and then share It with others! (more…)
Thanking God for dear co-workers He is raising up in Mexico
Friday, May 1st, 2009
So often as we travel we have to ask ourselves, “Were we as great a blessing as we were blessed?” This was the case again as we returned from a trip to Mexico! (more…)
Literacy Training in Mexico
Monday, March 9th, 2009
How does one put together a literacy program for a tribal group? What syllables should be taught first? What can be done for groups that are already somewhat literate in Spanish, but not their own language? These are some of the topics covered in an upcoming literacy course in Mexico!
There are technical parts like analyzing the grammar and choosing the best syllables to introduce first in the primers. But we also desire to share with the students our passion for how important literacy is to the spiritual growth of tribal churches! (more…)
Equipping missionary candidates in Bolivia to serve in literacy
Saturday, October 11th, 2008
Joyce & I, along with our friend and co-worker Wendy Rees, are teaching classes on literacy programs to missionary candidates here in Bolivia.
These classes cover ways that literacy is an important part of our goal of seeing strong tribal churches, how missionary teams can be working towards literacy even in those first months of language study, how to motivate people to want to learn to read, how to analyze the language information to decide what order to introduce letters, etc. (more…)
Jumping through windows God opens
Monday, September 22nd, 2008After canceling our trip to Bolivia last week, we have rescheduled once again!
Ongoing peace talks have calmed the situation somewhat and the field believes there is a window of opportunity for us to get down there and give this important training in literacy. So Lord willing we will fly down later this week.
We appreciate your prayers:
1. for peace in Bolivia, not only for our safety, but for those living and serving in the country. The great news is that God’s work has continued to move forward
2. that we would make our flight connections. We are flying a different route with less a chance of flights being canceled, but involves moving our own baggage between different airlines.
3. for God’s wisdom in teaching the literacy course to the missionary candidates, preparing them to work among tribal groups. Our hearts’ desire is not only to cover the technical details of literacy programs, but to leave a passion for the important part literacy plays in strong, mature tribal churches (and of course, it is all in Spanish!)
Thanks for your prayers as we jump through the windows God opens!
God’s Direction
Sunday, September 14th, 2008Because of the deteriorating situation in Bolivia, the airlines called us and have canceled flights into the country.
It was decided to postpone the literacy course and reschedule down the line when things are calmer.
Please continue to pray for the country of Bolivia.
Literacy in tribal ministries
Sunday, September 7th, 2008
Joyce and I are preparing to fly to Bolivia next week. We are so excited for the opportunity to teach a course on literacy to the missionary candidates, preparing them to work among tribal groups.
Our hearts’ desire is not only to cover the technical details of literacy programs, but to leave a passion for the important part literacy plays in strong, mature tribal churches. After the literacy course, we will have several days working with a missionary team in a tribal location on literacy and materials. (more…)
Meetings & Plans
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008Joyce and I appreciate your prayers as we have lots and lots of meetings at our mission office this month. We are seeking the Lord’s wisdom with our other coworkers as we plan and coordinate tribal church planting ministries.
We also are preparing for a trip to Bolivia in September through October where we will be teaching literacy principles to our Bolivian missionary co-workers, preparing them to work among tribal groups.
