John & Sue Iseminger

Picture
Wycliff Bible Translators
Serving in Nampula, Mozambique
Bible translation, Administration
16 January 2018 No. 119
Most Excellent Theophilus,

 I have been anxiously awaiting this day to write.  Many have been asking about my health, our plans.  Some are legitimately concerned to know that we are still in action and haven’t frozen, but I desperately wanted to say more than a simple “I feel great.”  Yesterday I received the official word from the cardiologist at my six month check-up, i.e. six months since mitral valve repair surgery.  He reports that all is well with my heart and that I am fit for travel to the uttermost parts of the earth.  In truth, I feel better now than I have for years and am so thankful to all who have been involved in putting me right, whether through prayer, finance or the many other practical aspects of surgery and recovery.  God is good.
 Our youngest daughter is now married!  Emily married Nathan Floor on December 23rd in Laceyville, PA.   His entire family was able to join us for the wedding and we had a wonderful time together.  Emily was born in South Africa in 1993 and now she and Nathan will make their home in Cape Town where he lives.  They promise they’ll keep an open guest room for me and Susan!
 More and more of our work in Africa is in Old Testament translation and my Hebrew proficiency was weighed in the balance and found wanting.  Since October I have been enjoying an on-line, interactive Hebrew refresher course which will continue on through most of this coming year.

Our travels begin on February 5th, with me going to Mozambique to work with the Koti team, checking several epistles.  In March Susan and I go together to Guinea Bissau to work with the Balanta and Mansoanka translation projects.  At each of these events we will be mentoring new consultants in training.  Then in April we move back to our old residence in Balama, Mozambique where the Meetto program continues to forge ahead, closing in on the completion of the New Testament. 
2017 was quite a year, challenging, yet refreshing with family and loved ones.  Now with renewed strength we look forward to what God has for us in 2018.  There is much work to be done and miles to go before we sleep… miles to go before we sleep.
Thank you for walking this road at our side and with us

Pressing on,

John and Susan