Calvary supports a missionary couple serving in West Asia doing Bible translation work. This couple lives in a country with no churches. Even though they live in an apartment in the capital city, they still only have electricity about 50% of the time and lack some modern amenities.
Spring 2019 Update: They have been doing well and staying pretty healthy this year, for which they're thankful. The spring means removing coal and wood stoves and enjoying the warmer weather. It also means picnics with friends and co-workers. Please pray for fruitful conversations during these times of visiting.
In addition to language and culture learning, which is essential to their witness in their personal relationships as well as their office work, they've been researching a group of language varieties. It can be hard to imagine, but they're actually not sure how many languages are spoken in their country! They've been transcribing data from several villages and towns who claim the same ethnic identity and ancestry. They're trying to evaluate if the people speak dialects of the same language or different languages altogether. This is important because it lets them know who will need a separate Bible translation. It also helps them know where and how to distribute these resources once they're available. Currently, another organization is running primary schools in one of these languages. Their research will also show them in what ways this curriculum will need to be altered for the other regions and how much, if at all, the writing system would need to be adjusted. They're hoping to finish this particular research project by the end of the year.
To join them in bringing God's Word to the people of West Asia, you can give at wycliffe.org/partnerteam. Enter #242586. For security reasons, their names are not published on our website or the Wycliffe website, but money will still get to them.
Rev. Dr. Steven and Cynthia Schumacher serve the Lord as career missionaries in Ghana, West Africa.
Steven teaches courses in Lutheran theology and serves as Dean of Academics and Student Activities at the seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana (ELCG) in Accra, Ghana. He also assists with the ELCG's deaf ministry.
Cynthia assists the ELCG as an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher at their seminary.
You can find detailed information about the Schumacher's ministry at lcms.org/schumacher.
Thank you for your support of the Schumacher family through Calvary's mission budget.
The Missionary's Voice
July/August 2021 Newsletter
Dear Friends in Christ,
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed...." 2 Cor. 4:7-9 (ESV)
Like the apostle Paul, we too feel like fragile clay jars facing hardships in ministry and realizing that our own power is limited. Ultimately, Paul was delivered by God's power through the prayers of others. God's power is the reason that being hard-pressed has not caused them to be crushed. It's also the reason that being perplexed or "despairing" has not resulted in their being "in despair" or "totally despairing."
The people of God in Ghana understand the fragility of life; yet, they also understand the loving mercy of their heavenly Father. Even though our students, deaf members, friends, and pastors live with the daily challenges of life they continue to press on in faith and trust that God is with them and will shower them with His unending mercy.
In this issue you will read about the call that I have received and accepted. You will also read about the new Chancel Wall and a picture of our latest graduating class. Cynthia and I have enjoyed our years of being with the Ghanaians and pray for God's continued blessings upon their efforts to proclaim the Good News of Jesus to their fellow Ghanaians. We have leaned much from them and treasure the time we have had teaching, preaching, praying, caring for, and living with them.
We ask that you too, would continue to pray that God would lead them and guide them in His Word as they continue to reach out with the precious Gospel to the many who still need to hear.
May the Spirit of our God strengthen you in faith that you too may share the Gospel message.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support for the mission and ministry that we shared in with you in Ghana over the past seven years. It has all been greatly appreciated.
Serving Christ together,
Rev. Dr. Steven and Cynthia Schumacher
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Through your prayers and support God's mission continues throughout the world as He uses His missionaries to serve His people. We thank you for your prayers and support.
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