tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12548269101246708662022-07-10T14:21:06.465-07:00The Clover MissionSteve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-34561915848158553182021-12-15T11:29:00.000-08:002021-12-15T11:29:23.786-08:00December 2021 Newsletter<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 18px; padding-right: 18px; padding-top: 0; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: left;" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <div dir="auto"> <div> <div> <a href="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/e47fb879-ce1a-074e-4eef-15e9564a1a2b.jpg" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;"> <img align="left" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="7051753" height="384" src="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/e47fb879-ce1a-074e-4eef-15e9564a1a2b.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: 2px outset rgb(76, 170, 216); height: 384px; margin: 0px 32px 16px 0px; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none; width: 280px;" width="280" /> </a> Translation is not an easy or fast process by any means, especially when translating God's Word. It's challenging to find the right words to translate a concept <a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/2021/02/february-2021-newsletter.html" rel="noreferrer" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">clearly, accurately, and naturally</a> into another language, but some Biblical key words/terms are especially difficult. <div class="gmail-Ar gmail-Au" id="gmail-:wd" style="display: block;"> <div aria-label="Message Body" aria-multiline="true" class="gmail-Am gmail-Al editable gmail-LW-avf gmail-tS-tW gmail-tS-tY" id="gmail-:w9" role="textbox" style="direction: ltr; min-height: 301px;" tabindex="1"> <div dir="auto"> <div dir="ltr"> <div> </div> <div> One type of challenge our team faces often is when a particular word or concept we are trying to translate just doesn't seem to exist in the Titan language. For some important Biblical terms (like faith, holy, grace, kingdom, priest, messiah, and more), our team is still searching for the best way to translate them into Titan. There may be just the right Titan words to use for these key terms, but discovering them is a long process. One powerful example of this word discovery process was shared by a translator in Cameroon when his team was searching for the right way to translate love. You can read that amazing story by <a href="https://clovermission.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-love-story.html#more" rel="noreferrer" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">clicking here</a>. </div> <div> <br /> <b>Translation Work Continues!</b> </div> <div> <div> Despite the many challenges involved with Bible translation, we are thankful that this work to translate the Bible into the Titan language continues, and that our team is able to communicate and continue working together remotely! Steve is busy working on checking the Titan rough draft of the Gospel of Matthew and the Titans are now working on translating John's letters (1 John, 2 John, and 3 John).</div> <div> </div> <div> We are also very thankful for all of you who partner with us in this Wycliffe ministry by faithfully giving and praying for us! May the Lord continue to bless you as you remember Him and the amazing gift of His own Son during this season.</div> <div> </div> <div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <b>Prayer needs:</b> </div> <ul><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Pray that God would help our team discover the perfect ways to translate His Word into Titan, so that the Lord would speak clearly to the Titan people in their own language.</li><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Please ask the Lord to continue to provide for, strengthen, and encourage our team in this work.</li></ul> </div> </div> <p style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"> <b>Not a part of the team yet? Join us!</b> </p> <a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/p/prayer.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a prayer partner.</a><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/CloverMission" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a financial partner.</a> <br /> </div> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> God i blesim yupela (God bless you all),<br /> <span style="font-size: 14px;"> <i>The Clover family</i> </span>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-21741356862384748252021-10-21T10:51:00.009-07:002021-12-15T11:17:52.749-08:00October 2021 Newsletter <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 18px; padding-right: 18px; padding-top: 0; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: left;" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <div dir="auto"> <div> <div> <a href="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/0e84134d-f71a-54cd-2afd-4e5fc0dc4174.jpg" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;"> <img align="right" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="7005985" height="349" src="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/0e84134d-f71a-54cd-2afd-4e5fc0dc4174.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: 2px outset rgb(76, 170, 216); height: 349px; margin: 0px 0px 32px 32px; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none; width: 250px;" width="250" /> </a> Jerry and Sue Pfaff began serving as Wycliffe translators with the Nali people of Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, in 1987. The Pfaffs had already been serving faithfully there on Manus for 29 years before Mindy and I met them in Ukarumpa in 2016. Jerry and Sue extended their friendship and hospitality to us and mentored us as we began working with the Titan people and serving alongside the Pfaffs on Manus Island.<br /> <br /> In March of 2020, the Pfaffs and the Nali people held a dedication celebrating the publishing of half the New Testament, as well as the release of the Luke video and Scripture audio recordings, all in the Nali language.<br /> <br /> Then in September of 2021, Jerry Pfaff graduated into glory. His passing leaves a hole in the lives of all who knew him, but he also leaves a massive godly legacy. Jerry completed everything the Lord had for him to do and he is now with Jesus. God used Jerry and Sue powerfully in our lives and the lives of many in Papua New Guinea, and we are so thankful for them and their tireless, faithful service to the Lord.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/7ad1bbed-dbe0-dc59-e940-b2c599321d85.jpg" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"> <img align="middle" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="7006005" height="387" src="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/7b0186a2-6836-f0ed-50e5-d857dd4475dd.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: 2px outset rgb(76, 170, 216); height: 387px; margin: 8px 0px; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" width="600" /> </a> <br /> <br /> <b>Update on the Titan translation progress</b> <br /> <br /> Praise God with us that the important linguistics paper to describe the sounds in the Titan language, and the typing of Matthew's Gospel are both complete. The Titans are working on translating John's Gospel, and the checking of the Gospel of Matthew is also underway.<br /> <br /> Despite the loss of our dear friend, Jerry, and the financial and other challenges brought about in our lives by Covid-19, including the travel restrictions that make village trips impossible, our team is continuing the translation work remotely. We are deeply grateful for all of you who faithfully give and pray to make it possible for us to continue helping the Titans translate God's Word into the Titan language.<br /> <div> <b>Prayer needs:</b> </div> <ul><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Please join us in praying for Jerry's wife, Sue, and their family, that God's Holy Spirit would comfort them, strengthen them, and give them wisdom for the future.</li><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Jerry always encouraged and helped many who are working in Bible translation on Manus Island. Please pray that the Nali people especially, and the other people groups of Manus (including the Titans), would not lose heart.</li></ul> </div> </div> <p style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"> <b>Not a part of the team yet? Join us!</b> </p> <a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/p/prayer.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a prayer partner.</a><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/CloverMission" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a financial partner.</a> <br /> </div> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> God i blesim yupela (God bless you all),<br /> <span style="font-size: 14px;"> <i>The Clover family</i> </span>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-20721516308777065672021-06-29T13:24:00.001-07:002021-06-30T13:34:33.357-07:00June 2021 Newsletter<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 18px; padding-right: 18px; padding-top: 0; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: left;" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <div dir="auto"> <div> <div> <a href="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/e753051e-11b2-e4ee-19e9-3ad10bb421d6.png" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"> <img align="left" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="6934985" height="549" src="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/e753051e-11b2-e4ee-19e9-3ad10bb421d6.png" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: 2px outset rgb(76, 170, 216); height: 339px; margin: 0px 12px 8px 0px; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none; width: 240px;" width="298" /> </a> You are looking at a picture of the future. A future where Titan men, women, and children can open a Titan language Bible to the beginning and start reading about what God did and how everything began — all in their own language! This doesn't exist yet, but our team is now another step closer.<br /> Praise God with us that Steve finished his first round of checking on the whole book of Genesis and sent his many notes to the Titans in the village via the internet using Paratext (learn more about Paratext by <a href="https://paratext.org/" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">clicking here</a>).<br /> The Titans can now read those notes and make revisions to further improve the translation of Genesis (more details about the checking process were in our <a href="https://clovermission.blogspot.com/2021/02/february-2021-newsletter.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">February newsletter</a>).<br /> Steve has also made good progress on some of the important linguistics papers he is writing about the Titan language (more details were in our <a href="https://clovermission.blogspot.com/2021/04/april-2021-newsletter.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">April newsletter</a>). Titan is a wonderful language! It is a blessing to have the opportunity to help the Titan people translate the Bible, and also help document some of the richness of the Titan language.<br /> <br /> <b>What's next?</b> <br /> The work on those important linguistics papers is ongoing, and the next book of the Bible that will need to be typed and checked is the Gospel of Matthew. There is much to be done.<br /> <br /> We look forward to a day when the Titan people will be able to experience the transforming power of God's Word in their own language. Thank you for partnering with us in this Wycliffe ministry, working together with us toward that future day! <p style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"> <b>Not a part of the team yet? Join us!</b> </p> <a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/p/prayer.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a prayer partner.</a><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/CloverMission" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a financial partner.</a> <br /> <br /> <br /> <b>Please pray that:</b> </div> </div> <ul><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Covid-19, which is on the rise in Papua New Guinea, would not reach Manus Island.</li><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">The Titan translation team would work well together, and be strengthened spiritually, physically, and in their relationships.</li></ul> </div> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> God i blesim yupela (God bless you all),<br /> <span style="font-size: 14px;"> <i>The Clover family</i> </span>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-49831540156518416952021-04-26T10:19:00.001-07:002021-06-22T11:12:12.198-07:00April 2021 Newsletter<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 18px; padding-right: 18px; padding-top: 0; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: left;" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <div dir="auto"> <div> <div> <a href="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/_compresseds/53c3af04-cb15-4d52-bc97-7f4a1fb35c7d.jpg" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: mediumblue; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"> <img align="left" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="6878729" height="168" src="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/_compresseds/53c3af04-cb15-4d52-bc97-7f4a1fb35c7d.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: 2px inset rgb(76, 170, 216); height: 168px; margin: 0px 12px 8px 0px; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none; width: 300px;" width="300" /> </a>In the last month, Covid-19 has really been on the rise in Papua New Guinea, bringing more restrictions. Despite this, the Titan translators are committed to meeting together to continue the work. Steve is busy checking the book of Genesis with them remotely to be sure the translation is <a href="https://clovermission.blogspot.com/2021/02/february-2021-newsletter.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: mediumblue; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">clear, accurate, and natural</a>. We are so thankful for the technology that enables us to continue the work of Bible translation, especially during a pandemic when traveling to the village isn't possible!<br /> <br /> Steve is also working on an important linguistics paper to describe the sounds that are used in the Titan language and what characters can be used to write them. This is needed to have an approved orthography (an alphabet) for writing the Titan language, which is a critical step to being able to print a Titan Bible one day.<br /> <br /> Steve is also working on two more important papers about the Titan language, one about literacy, and the other an in-depth project researching and writing a detailed description of the Titan language. This has already paid dividends in helping Steve to understand Titan more and will improve the translation.<br /> <br /> So, even though he can't travel to the village due to Covid restrictions, Steve will be busier than a one-armed paper hanger this year! Thankfully, Mindy has been helping Steve with some behind-the-scenes work on these projects.<br /> <br /> We are also very thankful that you are a part of this ongoing work to help the Titans translate God's Word into their own language! Without your partnership with us in prayer and financial giving, our Wycliffe ministry would not be possible.<br /> <br /> <b>Prayer needs:</b> </div> </div> <ul><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Pray for the people of Papua New Guinea, as Covid-19 is on the rise there, though thankfully it hasn't reached Manus Island. Please also pray that God would keep it away from the Titans.</li><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Covid has caused a loss of loved ones and jobs here in the States too, creating financial hardship for many of our partners/friends. Please pray for God's comfort and provision.</li><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Pray that God would watch over the Titan translators and translation committee members, keep them healthy, and bless them in their work on the translation and in their relationships with one another.</li></ul><b> </b><p><b>How can you be part of the team?</b> </p><a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/p/prayer.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a prayer partner.</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/CloverMission" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a financial partner.</a> </div><div dir="auto"> </div><div dir="auto">God i blesim yupela (God bless you all),<br /></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Clover family</i> </span>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-90772387851523543202021-02-15T11:10:00.002-08:002021-06-22T11:13:48.878-07:00February 2021 Newsletter<div> Steve has finished the first round of checking on the rough draft of the Gospel of Mark in the Titan language and has sent it via the internet to the Titans to begin the revision process!<br /> <br /> Bible translation is an iterative process involving several steps, such as translation, checking, revision, village testing, and consultant checking to name a few. Throughout the long process, our team works to ensure the translation meets the important goals of being clear, accurate, and natural.<br /> <br /> <b>Clear:</b> The translation must clearly communicate God's word so the Titan people can understand it.<br /> <br /> <b>Accurate:</b> It must accurately communicate God's message, not removing, adding to, or changing the meaning.<br /> <br /> <b>Natural:</b> It must sound natural, the way Titans actually talk, by using the proper word order, vocabulary, phrasing, idioms, etc.<br /> <br /> After the initial translation is done, that rough draft must be checked to ensure the translation is progressing toward achieving those three goals. During this checking process, the translation must be carefully evaluated. In our Paratext software, notes are attached to the text where questions arise or more attention is needed. These notes help the team discuss and revise the translation to improve its clarity, accuracy, and naturalness.<br /> <br /> So, the checking process is one important step of transforming a book of the Bible from an initial rough draft into a final, polished form where it will eventually be ready for printing.<br /> <br /> Another very important part of this whole process is you. Without your partnership with us in prayer and financial giving, our Wycliffe ministry would not be possible. Thank you for being part of this ongoing work to help the Titans translate God's Word into their own language, so they can hear God speak to them clearly, accurately, and naturally!<br /> <br /> <b> "<i>So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.</i>" -Rom. 10:17 </b> <br /> <br /> <br /> <b>Prayer needs:</b> </div> <ul><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Covid and its worldwide ramifications meant that Steve had to cancel plans to travel to the village, and we don't know when it will be possible to return. We need the Lord's wisdom, patience, and peace that He will work things out in His timing.</li><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Covid has also caused loss of loved ones and jobs, creating financial hardship for many of our partners/friends. Please pray for God's comfort and provision.</li><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Pray that God would watch over the Titan translators and translation committee members, keep them healthy, and bless them in their work on the translation and in their relationships with one another.</li></ul><p> </p><p><b>How can you be part of the team?</b> </p><p><a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/p/prayer.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a prayer partner.</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/CloverMission" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a financial partner.</a> <br /></p><p> God i blesim yupela (God bless you all),<br /> <span style="font-size: 14px;"> <i>The Clover family</i> </span></p>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-30335768438682112012020-12-16T10:56:00.002-08:002021-06-22T11:14:52.323-07:00December 2020 Newsletter<div> <div> <a href="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/0437489b-5a40-4683-aa95-b3a9427f0a06.png" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: mediumblue; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"> <img align="left" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="6742713" height="400" src="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/0437489b-5a40-4683-aa95-b3a9427f0a06.png" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; border: 0px none; height: 400px; margin: 0px 12px 4px 0px; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none; width: 280px;" width="280" /> </a>Recently we had a day that was cloudy, rainy, and dark. A day that seemed fitting for a year lacking in light and hope. But the clouds parted, the sun came out, and suddenly there was the brightest rainbow. It brought to mind that no matter how bad things get, God still keeps his promises. The rainbow is a sign that God has extended grace to us and hope.<br /> <br /> Isaiah 9:2 says, "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them." Verse 6 says why, "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." His government will be what we long for: an everlasting one founded on justice, righteousness, truth, love and peace.<br /> <br /> John calls Him the Word, who in the beginning was with God, and was God. That in Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. This Word who was God, was born into this world as a baby. He became one of us, flesh and blood. God living among us. The amazing event celebrated during this season.<br /> <br /> But the story doesn't end there. He grew and shined the light of truth, hope, and love in the darkness that Isaiah talked about. Then, to fulfill His mission, willingly took what separated us from God—our sins—away from us to the cross where they were nailed with Him once for all time. They were paid for through the sacrifice of Himself and washed away by His blood. Reconciled. Clean. Forgiven. Finished!<br /> <br /> The hope of His followers was almost finished because of His death, but God wasn't done! He raised Him from the dead, gave Him new life that lasts forever and He will return to establish His kingdom. And because He has risen those who trust in Him, accepting what He says is true, will also rise again to eternal life with God. The hope of the resurrection.<br /> <br /> The magnificent, gracious, gift of God to all mankind, received from God by faith in the everlasting Word, the Messiah, in whom the gentiles would hope: Jesus of Nazareth. Our hope is in Him!<br /> <br /> <b>THANK YOU!</b> <br /> Thank you for being part of this ongoing ministry to help the Titans translate God's Word to bring the hope of Christ to the Titan people in their own language. Steve is nearly done with the first round of checking in the Gospel of Mark (details on that in the next newsletter).<br /> <br /> We pray that God will fill you with the hope of Christ and pour out His love and blessing upon you as you remember Him this Christmas season and in the coming new year!<br /> <br /> <br /> <b>Please continue to pray that</b> </div> </div> <ul><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Team members would be granted wisdom to resolve their disagreements with respect, forgiveness, and love.</li><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">The Titan translators with many responsibilities in the village would have more time and energy to work on the translation.</li><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">The team would be able to focus on translation, despite various distractions. <br /></li></ul><p><b> </b></p><p><b>How can you be part of the team?</b> </p><p><a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/p/prayer.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a prayer partner.</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/CloverMission" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a financial partner.</a> <br /></p><p> God i blesim yupela (God bless you all),<br /> <span style="font-size: 14px;"> <i>The Clover family</i> </span></p>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-64009507981147050352020-09-17T11:48:00.002-07:002021-06-22T11:16:04.637-07:00September 2020 Newsletter<div><div><a href="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/6cd6b041-57f6-4177-945d-6fe737b4e7f0.jpg" style="color: mediumblue; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank"><img align="left" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="6641926" height="164" src="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/6cd6b041-57f6-4177-945d-6fe737b4e7f0.jpg" style="border: 2px outset rgb(76, 170, 216); height: 164px; margin: 0px 12px 8px 0px; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration-line: none; width: 170px;" width="170" /></a>In our last newsletter, we asked again for prayer that the broken cell tower for Pere village would be fixed. Praise God, He's answered your many prayers and there is now a working cell tower for Pere village! This has greatly improved our communication with the Titans, and is a real blessing. Thank you for tirelessly praying about this issue for so long, and rejoice with us that these prayers have been answered.<br /><br />Also rejoice for the good progress made on translation. Not only have the Titans completed the first rough draft of Genesis, but there's now a rough draft of the Gospel of Mark too! Steve has begun checking on Mark and making notes for the translators as part of the revision process that the book must go through for it to one day be ready for publishing.<br /><br />Your prayers are still greatly needed and appreciated! The enemy doesn't want the Titan people to have the Bible in their language and he continually tries to stop this work. Some of the translators recently got new responsibilities in the village that left them little time to work on translation. When other Titans in the community stepped up to help with translation, disagreements and strained relationships developed among the Titans. Please pray that God would grant the team wisdom in dealing with these issues, and that He would enable the team to work together in love and unity so that the Titan people can one day have God's Word in their own language.<br /><br /><br /><b>Please pray that</b></div></div> <ul> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Team members would be granted wisdom to deal with recent disagreements with respect, forgiveness, and love.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">The translators with many responsibilities in the village would be given time and energy to work on the translation.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">The team would be able to focus on translation, despite various distractions.</li></ul>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-47974131919632461832020-07-22T13:41:00.001-07:002020-09-16T13:50:52.866-07:00July 2020 Newsletter<a href="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/48558c0d-3af4-40b4-8c92-9cffd2a46c7c.jpg" style="color: mediumblue; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank"><img align="left" alt="Enable images to see this picture." data-file-id="6579130" height="136" src="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/48558c0d-3af4-40b4-8c92-9cffd2a46c7c.jpg" style="border: 2px inset rgb(76, 170, 216); height: 136px; margin: 0px 12px 2px 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; width: 250px;" width="250" /></a>The first rough draft of Genesis in the Titan language is done! We have now switched to checking and revising this initial rough draft. There will be several stages to this process before the book of Genesis will be truly finished and ready for printing, but this is a huge milestone and we praise God for helping our team get to this point. Steve is currently going through each chapter, making notes, and sending them via the internet for the Titans in the village. The Titans then read those notes and are able to make revisions to improve the translation. Praise God that Steve is able to work remotely with the Titans and that progress continues on the translation!<br /><br />We also praise God that our family is healthy, and pray you are doing well despite the many challenges the world is facing. Thank you again for your partnership with us and the Titan people in this historic work.<br /><br /><strong>Please pray that</strong> <ul> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Despite many demands on their time, God would enable the Titans to continue working on translation.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">The broken cell tower that serves Pere village would be repaired (yes, it's still broken).</li></ul>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-53725786731336527182020-05-22T10:08:00.010-07:002020-07-03T10:32:45.528-07:00May 2020 Newsletter<div><div>We hope you are well during these challenging days. Our family is healthy, and we praise God for that. We are also thankful that, because of Steve's trip to Manus Island in March, he is able to continue working with the Titans on remote assignment helping them translate the Bible into the Titan language.<br /><br /><a href="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/ea14aef5-ed83-4744-9b34-9684c20fe4ed.jpg" style="color: mediumblue; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img align="left" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="6518382" src="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/ea14aef5-ed83-4744-9b34-9684c20fe4ed.jpg" style="border: 2px outset rgb(76, 170, 216); margin: 0px 16px 8px 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" width="45%" /></a>This picture is the first page of the translation of the Gospel of Matthew in the Titan language, and shows the beginning of the genealogy of Jesus. There are well over two hundred handwritten pages like this that make up the first rough draft of all 28 chapters of Matthew. Steve was able to take pictures of each page during his March trip to Manus Island in Papua New Guinea, and thankfully, every picture turned out crystal clear! He's now using those pictures to type it all into Paratext, the software used by the translation team. It's challenging work, but we praise God for it!<br /><br />Thank you again for your partnership with us and the Titan people in this historic work.<br /><br /><strong>Please pray that</strong></div></div> <ul> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">The Titans will keep working on the translation and sending it to Steve via the internet.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">The Titans would be able to speak with the governor of Manus about fixing the broken cell tower, which would improve communication for the translation team.</li></ul>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-73361037996411919712020-04-20T10:01:00.001-07:002020-07-03T10:07:45.889-07:00April 2020 Newsletter<div><div>On March 6th, I left the USA for Manus Island. Covid-19 wasn't a pandemic yet, but some wondered, "Why risk travelling?" But I travelled in faith, and God was faithful.<br /><br /><a href="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/_compresseds/41a0368d-6b54-4212-80be-d9d2be0a1a59.jpg" style="color: mediumblue; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img align="left" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="6476181" height="176" src="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/_compresseds/41a0368d-6b54-4212-80be-d9d2be0a1a59.jpg" style="border: 2px outset rgb(76, 170, 216); height: 176px; margin: 0px 16px 8px 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; width: 300px;" width="300" /></a>The much needed reunion with the Titans was wonderful, and encouraged all of us to continue this work of translation. I was greatly encouraged to learn the Titans purchased two new laptops for the translation team. I got them set up and we were off and running with three laptops dedicated to translation! I trained the Titans to use them and they "practiced" by translating more verses in Genesis. I also taught them how to back up their translation and send it to the internet, which is crucial to work remotely.<br /><br />Two weeks into my stay on Manus Island, Covid-19 was a global pandemic, flights were being cancelled at alarming rates, and countries were shutting their borders. If I was going to make it home, I had to cut my visit short and leave immediately.<br /><br /><a href="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/_compresseds/f8e7e838-93e2-4f10-8de0-d1fe5c833179.jpg" style="color: mediumblue; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img align="right" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="6476185" height="180" src="https://mcusercontent.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/_compresseds/f8e7e838-93e2-4f10-8de0-d1fe5c833179.jpg" style="height: 180px; margin: 0px 0px 8px 16px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; width: 300px;" width="300" /></a>During my whole return trip, I felt like the last Israelite in the Exodus crossing through the Red Sea with it closing just behind me. And, thanks to your faithful prayers, God showed His faithfulness repeatedly and got me safely home.<br /><br />While I missed the Nali partial New Testament dedication, praise God with me for the hard work, sacrifice, and dedication the Titans are putting into their translation work. A few days ago, they sent their translation to the internet, which included more chapters in Genesis that the Titans translated after I left! <strong>It worked!</strong> <strong>I can work with them remotely!</strong> The work to translate the Bible into the Titan language is going strong and it wouldn't be possible without your faithful prayer and financial partnership. Thank you for partnering with us in this ministry!<br /><br /><strong>Please pray that</strong></div></div> <ul> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">The Titans will continue working on the translation and use everything they've learned.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">The Lord would bring the Titans, our family, and all of you through this pandemic healthy.</li></ul>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-76740391514577060762020-01-29T16:56:00.001-08:002020-01-29T16:56:08.935-08:00January 2020 Newsletter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0mUJD_07w8/XjInVksTegI/AAAAAAAAIts/7FhnczuEKJ0Y4uoRI59inJM15CAG2598wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/100-percent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="338" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0mUJD_07w8/XjInVksTegI/AAAAAAAAIts/7FhnczuEKJ0Y4uoRI59inJM15CAG2598wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/100-percent.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Praise God with us, we're at 100% of the monthly budget Wycliffe has approved for our ministry and the process has begun to release us to start our remote assignment!<br /><br /> We can't thank you enough for being part of this ministry with us through your words of encouragement, generosity, and faithful prayer on our behalf!<br /><br /><b>What's Next?</b><br /> Lots of planning and preparations are now underway for Steve to travel to Manus Island. Lord willing, he hopes to be there in March to work with the Titan people and attend the dedication of a partial New Testament for the Nali language. The Nali people are another language group on Manus Island that live near some of the Titan villages.<br /><br /> Jerry and Sue Pfaff, also with Wycliffe, have been working on Bible translation with the Nali people since the 1980s, so this dedication is a major milestone for them and the Nali people!<br /><br /> Steve plans to attend the dedication with the Titan translators. Seeing the Nali people receiving Scripture will be exciting and a great encouragement to the Titans to keep working on their own translation.<br /><br /><b>Please pray that</b><br /><ul><li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">God would give us wisdom in planning Steve's upcoming trip to Manus Island.</li><li style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">The Lord would give our kids clear direction for their future.</li></ul><br />Thank you for making this ministry possible! <br /><br />God i blesim yupela (God bless you all),<br /><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>Steve, Mindy, Karah, David, & Jonathan Clover</i></span>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-12886785048255454562019-12-11T13:37:00.001-08:002019-12-11T13:37:37.747-08:00December 2019 Newsletter<div style="text-align: justify;"><div dir="auto"><div><div><div><a href="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/53884ccd-d8a6-402b-bd91-d3b8b94a3efd.jpg" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"><img align="middle" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="6102733" height="273" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/53884ccd-d8a6-402b-bd91-d3b8b94a3efd.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: 0px initial; margin: 0px 0px 16px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" width="100%" /></a><br /> This is a picture of hope. A picture of love. It's the first draft of Luke 2:1-20 in the Titan language, which tells of God giving His own Son to save humanity—the greatest gift ever given! These are the only verses in Luke's Gospel that have been drafted in Titan, so the rest of Luke still needs to be translated. After that, it will go through many rounds of checking and revision, followed by testing with the people in the villages, then more revisions, consultant checking, and further revisions based on the consultant's input before it's ready to impact the Titan people with God's message of hope and love to them in a language that speaks to their heart.<br /><br /> Extensive work goes into translating God's Word into a language that doesn't yet have it. So, as you read or hear about the birth of the Son of God, and the true meaning of Christmas, rejoice and give thanks that God's Word is already available in your language!<br /><br /> After our recent visit to California, we are now $554 per month away from reaching the full monthly budget that Wycliffe has approved for our ministry. Once we reach our full monthly budget, we can be released to begin a remote assignment helping the Titan people translate God's Word into their language.<br /><br /> The work of Bible translation is a team effort, and we cannot do this without you. We are very thankful for all of you who make this ministry possible. We wish you a very merry Christmas, and may the power of God's Word in your heart language impact you this Christmas season!<br /><br /><b>Please pray that</b></div></div><ul><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">God would give us wisdom and discernment as we move into the new year.</li><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">We and the Titan translators would not be discouraged.</li><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">The Lord would raise up the partners He wants to join our team.</li></ul><br />We'd like to pray for you too! Please <a href="mailto:clovermission@gmail.com?subject=Prayer%20request" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">send us your prayer requests.</a></div></div><div><div><br /><b>How can you be part of the team?</b></div></div><a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/p/prayer.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a prayer partner.</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/CloverMission" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a financial partner.</a> <br /><div><br />Thank you for making this ministry possible!</div></div>God i blesim yupela (God bless you all),<br /><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>Steve, Mindy, Karah, David, & Jonathan Clover</i></span>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-46248395362281280062019-10-21T10:24:00.001-07:002020-07-03T10:27:10.845-07:00October 2019 Newsletter<div>Thank you for praying for us! We're excited that a church in San Diego has invited us to come down and share about our ministry to help the Titan people translate the Bible into their own language. Please pray that God would provide many opportunities to get to know one another and that He would give us His words as we share with them. We will be <strong>arriving</strong> <strong>in San Diego this weekend (October 26th)</strong> and are planning on staying for at least a week, or longer if needed. <div><br />If you're in Southern California and would like us to speak at your church or small group, or would just like to get together with us, please let us know so we can arrange a time. We'd love to see you! We'd also welcome the opportunity to share with you if you're not in Southern California!</div> <div> </div> <div>After recent changes in partnerships, we need an additional $754 per month to reach 100% of the monthly budget Wycliffe has approved for our ministry. Please let us know if you have any questions or need additional information about our ministry.<br /></div></div> <div><strong>Please pray that</strong></div> <ul> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">God would help us with preparations for the trip and provide traveling mercies.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">God would provide us more opportunities to share what He has been doing.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">The Lord would raise up the partners He wants to join our team.</li></ul>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-68654125655605780252019-09-20T10:17:00.001-07:002020-07-03T10:23:39.113-07:00September 2019 Newsletter<div> <a href="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/aef5923a-62c6-421e-a6e1-705feacf8311.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="6006305" height="168" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/aef5923a-62c6-421e-a6e1-705feacf8311.jpg" style="border: 2px inset; height: 168px; margin: 8px 16px 0px 0px; width: 300px;" width="300" /></a>The second Translators Training Course on Manus Island is complete. Papua New Guinean translators from four languages (Leipon, Nali, Nyindrou, and Titan) attended the course. They learned more about Bible background, translation principles, Biblical key terms, and they applied what they learned by translating more chapters in Genesis and a portion of Exodus.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/6068a368-66b3-41e2-abac-04124fc3d401.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="6006329" height="168" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/6068a368-66b3-41e2-abac-04124fc3d401.jpg" style="border: 2px outset; height: 168px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 16px; width: 300px;" width="300" /></a>Steve loves working with the Titans as they strive to find the best way to translate God's precious Word into the Titan language. It's an immense privilege to work on something that will bear eternal fruit in the lives of thousands of Titan people. So, of course, he wants to get back to work with the translators as soon as possible. Due to changes with some of our partnerships, we are <strong>$490</strong> per month away from him being able to do that. To close this gap, we need your help.<br /> <br /> Many of you already partner with our Wycliffe ministry in prayer and finances, and several of you have increased your giving. We thank you sincerely for your faithfulness and encouragement!<br /> <br /> We don't want to keep the Titans or our partners waiting, so we've set a faith goal of <strong>October 31st</strong> to reach our full monthly budget. Would you please pray fervently for God to lead several people to join our partnership team?<br /> </div> <div> <strong>If you're not on our partnership team, would you prayerfully consider joining us?</strong> </div> <a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/p/prayer.html" style="color: mediumblue; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: 100%;">Click here to be a prayer partner.</a> <br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/CloverMission" style="color: mediumblue; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: 100%;">Click here to be a financial partner.</a> <br /> <br /> <div> <strong>Prayer needs</strong> </div> <ul> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">God would raise up the partners he wants to join our team.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">The Titans would use what they learned in their ongoing translation work.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">The Lord would give us clear direction for the days ahead.</li></ul>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-38944941213201367442019-08-30T11:17:00.001-07:002019-08-30T11:18:12.115-07:00August 2019 Newsletter <br /><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; width: 100%px;"> <tbody><tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 18px; padding-right: 18px; padding-top: 0; text-align: left;" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <div dir="auto"> <div> <div> <a href="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/3d83fdaf-eb2f-448e-8dbe-795299824b4a.jpg" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;"> <img align="left" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="5969993" height="213" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/3d83fdaf-eb2f-448e-8dbe-795299824b4a.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: 2px inset #4caad8; height: 213px; margin: 8px 16px 0px 0px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; width: 300px;" width="300" /> </a>The Titan translators are attending the second Translators Training Course on Manus Island! They are now starting their third week of training where they are learning additional translation principles and are also translating part of Exodus. We've included a few pictures of the Titan translators hard at work at this important course.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/efd4276c-76f2-475b-8264-12e722bb6a57.jpg" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;"> <img align="right" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="5969997" height="168" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/efd4276c-76f2-475b-8264-12e722bb6a57.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: 2px #4caad8; height: 168px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 16px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; width: 300px;" width="300" /> </a>As we're not yet at 100% of the monthly budget Wycliffe has approved for our ministry with the Titan language community, Steve was not able to go. Rejoice with us that the Titans are there!<br /> <br /> <br />We are also rejoicing that we are closer than ever to being released to our remote assignment to continue helping the Titans translate the Bible into their language. We now lack only <strong>$414</strong> per month! Praise God!<br /> <br />Would you pray with us as we trust God to complete our ministry team? Also, please let us know if you have any questions regarding our Wycliffe ministry.<br /> </div><div> <strong>Prayer needs</strong> </div><ul><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Continue praying for the unity of the Titan translation team</li><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Ask God to protect and strengthen everyone involved with the translation course on Manus Island</li><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Pray the teachers would teach clearly and the students would absorb everything and put it immediately into practice in their translation work</li></ul><br />We'd like to pray for you too! Please <a href="mailto:clovermission@gmail.com?subject=Prayer%20request" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">send us your prayer requests.</a> </div></div><div> <div> <br /> <strong>How can you be part of the team?</strong> </div></div><a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/p/prayer.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a prayer partner.</a><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/CloverMission" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a financial partner.</a> <div> <br />Thank you for making this ministry possible!</div><br /></div></td> </tr></tbody> </table>God i blesim yupela (God bless you all),<br /> <span style="font-size: 14px;"> <em>Steve, Mindy, Karah, David, & Jonathan Clover</em> </span>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-18077904129620207792019-07-16T11:29:00.001-07:002019-07-16T11:34:48.404-07:00July 2019 Newsletter <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; width: 100%px;"> <tbody><tr> <td class="mcnTextContent" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 18px; padding-right: 18px; padding-top: 0; text-align: left;" valign="top"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <div dir="auto"> <div> <div> <a href="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/40b918a6-eb52-45d1-8ca1-b16276e303d3.jpg" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"> <img align="left" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="4732361" height="184" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/40b918a6-eb52-45d1-8ca1-b16276e303d3.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: 2px outset #4caad8; height: 184px; margin: 8px 16px 0px 0px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; width: 260px;" width="260" /> </a>One day, after Steve finished teaching a course to help Papua New Guinean translators learn the Paratext translation software, he was reading student feedback. One translator wrote about his challenges being one of few believers in his village. This man had no one to encourage or pray with him, translation was difficult, and arriving at the course, he'd all but given up.</div><div> </div><div>During the course, there were daily devotions and Steve prayed for the translators before beginning and ending each class session. He lifted up these Papua New Guinean men and women translating the Bible into their language for the eternal benefit of their people. But he didn't know the impact these prayers had until reading their feedback.</div><div> </div><div>The translator who had been at the end of his rope said the devotions and prayer strengthened and encouraged him daily. By the end, he knew God called him into translation work and he recommitted himself! Steve was stunned.</div><div> </div><div>We often don't know the impact our prayers have, and they can seem insignificant, but they're powerful because God is powerful! Never stop praying.</div><div> </div><div> <strong>Prayer needed</strong> </div><div>Would you please pray for the Titan translators? Recent developments have caused a division among them and they need your prayers for unity.</div></div><div> <br />For Steve to be released to begin a remote assignment serving the Titan language community, and be able to help them and other language groups at the upcoming <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://clovermission.blogspot.com/2019/02/february-2019-newsletter.html&source=gmail&ust=1562993679498000&usg=AFQjCNF8_EBbLCKUd6Sa9p9ccSLDPQSOYg" href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/2019/02/february-2019-newsletter.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Translators' Training Course</a> on <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://clovermission.blogspot.com/2019/06/manus-island.html&source=gmail&ust=1562993679498000&usg=AFQjCNGMbJxa96kGQWIm7M3GmnAWOtj3jg" href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/2019/06/manus-island.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Manus Island</a>, we must be receiving 100% of the monthly budget Wycliffe has approved for our ministry. We currently lack just under $900 per month.</div><br /> <br />We'd like to pray for you too! Please <a href="mailto:clovermission@gmail.com?subject=Prayer%20request" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">send us your prayer requests.</a> </div><div> <div> <br /> <strong>How can you be part of the team?</strong> </div></div><a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/p/prayer.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a prayer partner.</a><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/CloverMission" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a financial partner.</a> <div> <br />Thank you for making this ministry possible!</div></div></td> </tr></tbody> </table>God i blesim yupela (God bless you all),<br /> <span style="font-size: 14px;"> <em>Steve, Mindy, Karah, David, & Jonathan Clover</em> </span>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-32036615006770282632019-06-05T19:15:00.000-07:002019-06-10T15:17:32.277-07:00Manus Island<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLSefHCPUeE/XPhfhvDTJcI/AAAAAAAAH1k/Q3fFuoFu3hUgtlzEOMy8QXdA0SuWPeWCgCLcBGAs/s1600/PNG%2Bwith%2BManus%2BCircled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLSefHCPUeE/XPhfhvDTJcI/AAAAAAAAH1k/Q3fFuoFu3hUgtlzEOMy8QXdA0SuWPeWCgCLcBGAs/s320/PNG%2Bwith%2BManus%2BCircled.jpg" width="270" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Manus Island is in the northernmost province of Papua New Guinea.</div><br />Approx. size: 100km (62mi) x 30km (19mi).<br />Highest point: Mt. Dremsel 718 metres (2,356 ft)<br />Population: 50,321 (2011 census)<br /><br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;">The languages of Manus Province</h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xp0VGcGas4k/XPhfiiRQMtI/AAAAAAAAH1o/0SE0qiCWTMYkwAuRzSCkGHxVIgbxw0HZACLcBGAs/s1600/Manus%2BLanguage%2BMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xp0VGcGas4k/XPhfiiRQMtI/AAAAAAAAH1o/0SE0qiCWTMYkwAuRzSCkGHxVIgbxw0HZACLcBGAs/s640/Manus%2BLanguage%2BMap.jpg" width="100%" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manus language map (Manus Island is the largest island in this picture)</td></tr></tbody></table>There are <b>30</b> languages in Manus Province, which includes Manus Island and the smaller islands that surround it. Here is what Scripture has been published in these languages (as of this writing):<br /><div><br /></div><div>Nyindrou: New Testament and portions of the Old Testament</div><div>Wuvulu: New Testament</div><div>Seimat: New Testament</div><div>Nali: Scripture portions</div><div>Kurti: Scripture portions</div><div>Lele: Scripture portions</div><div><b>Titan: No published Scripture</b></div><div>The rest: No published Scripture<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-83461451497839912262019-05-25T14:59:00.002-07:002019-05-25T15:06:21.931-07:00May 2019 Newsletter<b>True Commitment</b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The Titan people committed themselves before we arrived to translating God's Word into their language. They knew they needed it, and appointed Titan men and women from their villages as translators. They also committed to the work by paying for new NIV study Bibles for each translator, translation course fees, travel, food, and more! This level of community support is almost unheard of in a country where people have so little. That's exciting! They're committed, and we're committed to helping them. Not only so they can have the Bible in their language, but for their communities to be transformed by the Word speaking to them personally in a language that speaks to their heart!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><b>More Exciting News! </b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">We're excited to report that since we last wrote, we've jumped significantly closer to our goal of reaching 100% of our Wycliffe approved monthly budget! Praise God!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We look forward to Steve being able to begin a remote assignment and travel to Papua New Guinea in late July. But before this can happen, we need <b>$1297</b> more in <b>monthly</b> partnership to reach our full budget.</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Those not able to give monthly can call Wycliffe at 1-800-992-5433 and ask them to spread a single donation over 12 months or more, in preference for our Wycliffe ministry. This can be counted towards our monthly budget. If God has been moving in your heart to join us in financial partnership, please don't wait.</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In 10 weeks, <a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/2019/02/february-2019-newsletter.html" target="_blank">the translators' training course on Manus Island</a> will begin. Steve would love to be able to be there with the Titan translators. Could you please lift us up to God and ask that His will would be done and that He would be moving in these circumstances? </div><br /><b>How can you be part of the team?</b><br /><a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/p/prayer.html">Click here to be a prayer partner.</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/CloverMission">Click here to be a financial partner.</a><br /><br />Thank you for your part in making this ministry possible! <br /><br />God i blesim yupela (God bless you all), <br /><i>Steve, Mindy, Karah, David, & Jonathan Clover</i>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-91682513405954455102019-04-03T13:30:00.000-07:002019-05-25T15:05:09.263-07:00April 3, 2019 Newsletter<div style="text-align: justify;"><div dir="auto"><span style="text-align: justify;">Thank you to our partners, those who have stood with us for a long time, and those who have recently joined the team. We are now receiving 75% of the monthly budget that Wycliffe has approved for our ministry, and we praise God for this continued progress.<br /> <br /> <b>Translation Work Started on New Testament!</b> <br /> <br /> One of the Titan translators said that he started translating the Gospel of Matthew and has reached chapter 13. Other than the first twenty verses of Luke chapter 2, which were translated to share the story of Christ's birth, this work on Matthew represents the first portion of the New Testament to be translated into the Titan language. Praise God!<br /> <br /> There are many stages to translation, with this work on Matthew being a first draft, but several other stages of checking and refining must follow before this can be published. I would love to be able to go out to Manus Island this July to help the Titan translators continue the work, and to help with the training course mentioned in our last newsletter (which you can read by <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://clovermission.blogspot.com/2019/02/february-2019-newsletter.html&source=gmail&ust=1554398686303000&usg=AFQjCNHHMhVFwVwkBr4Q3on1HyApcVTIjQ" href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/2019/02/february-2019-newsletter.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">clicking here</a>).<br /> <br />Please continue to lift us up in prayer that this would be possible, and please lift up the Titan translators that they would continue translating the Bible into the Titan language.</span> </div> <br /><div><div>Would you like to join the team?</div></div><br /><a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/p/prayer.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a prayer partner.</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/CloverMission" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a financial partner.</a><br /> <br /><div>Thank you for your part in making this ministry possible.</div>Have questions about all of this budget stuff? <a href="https://clovermission.blogspot.com/2015/10/what-does-all-this-partnership-and.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read more. </div><br />God i blesim yupela (God bless you all),<br /><i>Steve, Mindy, Karah, David, & Jonathan Clover</i>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-35710184737960336042019-03-28T19:31:00.001-07:002019-03-28T20:11:34.301-07:00Your language matters!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/lp-1ruEJnyg/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/lp-1ruEJnyg/0.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Everyone's language matters. The language you were raised with, the one you think in, which we refer to as a <a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/2015/09/what-is-heart-language-anyway.html">heart language or mother tongue</a>, is the one that touches your heart. Other languages you might know just don't have the same impact. This is one reason why it is so important for everyone to have God's Word available to them in their own language, so they can hear God speak to them in a personal way, and not as a foreigner.</div><br /><div class="container"><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lp-1ruEJnyg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen class="video"></iframe></div><br />Nice work on the video, Micah Trostle! Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-53422835918094128492019-03-16T13:30:00.001-07:002019-03-16T13:38:38.341-07:00Happy Birthday EverQuest!<b><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Birthday, EverQuest!</span></b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A5X0ZgLC5kY/XI1RiZ0hVWI/AAAAAAAAH0A/wb9a60deFYclOMZUtmICaelmnkTLXiJWgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Everquest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1494" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A5X0ZgLC5kY/XI1RiZ0hVWI/AAAAAAAAH0A/wb9a60deFYclOMZUtmICaelmnkTLXiJWgCEwYBhgL/s320/Everquest.jpg" width="100%" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">On March 16th, twenty years ago, I was part of a team of passionate and dedicated people that released a game called EverQuest. It broke a lot of new ground and went on to be a great success. I am humbled that so many people have enjoyed it over the years and that it still continues to this day. If you'd like to read more about it, PC Gamer wrote up a <a href="https://www.pcgamer.com/breaking-the-internet-the-story-of-everquest-the-mmo-that-changed-everything/" target="_blank">nice article on EverQuest</a> for the anniversary.</div><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">What project are you working on these days?</span></b><br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C3bLsHKZAi8/XI1U98TLGeI/AAAAAAAAH0I/VHZSgf8XOqIasw_Xs9jbuV9zoL_-tAcCACLcBGAs/s1600/TitanTranslationTeam%2B%2528smaller%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C3bLsHKZAi8/XI1U98TLGeI/AAAAAAAAH0I/VHZSgf8XOqIasw_Xs9jbuV9zoL_-tAcCACLcBGAs/s320/TitanTranslationTeam%2B%2528smaller%2529.jpg" width="100%" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, twenty years later, I am part of a team of passionate and dedicated people that are working to translate the Bible into the Titan language for the very first time. So, we are breaking new ground as well, and I pray that this project will have an everlasting impact for the Titan people of Manus Island, Papua New Guinea.</div><br />Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-7111657840690144772019-02-27T12:05:00.000-08:002019-07-16T17:42:22.027-07:00February 2019 Newsletter<div style="text-align: justify;">We want to thank our partners for faithfully praying and giving each month as you stand with us in our Wycliffe ministry. You give us hope to continue to help the Titan people, and we greatly appreciate your sacrifice and commitment to this work.<br /><br /><a href="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/44f8994a-1634-4f28-90c8-791dc5376b1e.jpg" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: mediumblue; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"> <img align="left" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="5459369" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/44f8994a-1634-4f28-90c8-791dc5376b1e.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: 3px outset; margin: 8px 16px 0px 0px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; width: 50%;" width="40%" /> </a>On July 29, the second Translators' Training Course (TTC2) will begin on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea. And when this course is over, there may not be another for years, so this is an important event. This isn't training for me (Steve), it's for the people of Manus Island, including the Titan people, who are working on translating the Bible into their own languages. I need to be there to help train them, talk with them, encourage, pray, learn more of the Titan language, and more.<br /><br /><strong> <a href="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/d320d224-cebd-4007-88b8-a399a9751742.jpg" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: mediumblue; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"> <img align="right" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="5459353" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/d320d224-cebd-4007-88b8-a399a9751742.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: 3px outset; margin: 8px 0px 0px 16px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; width: 50%;" width="40%" /> </a>What are these courses? </strong> <br />The Translators' Training Courses are a rare opportunity for Papua New Guinean translators to gather together to receive training in things like translation principles, study skills, and Bible background. A major part of the course is students translating the Bible while being given feedback and help. And after class time is over for the day, the students keep translating well into the night. These courses are also a time of discipleship where each day begins with prayer and a devotion. Students have been greatly impacted by this and encourage one another to recommit themselves to the long and difficult task of Bible translation.<br /><br /><strong>What does all of this mean?</strong> <br />For me (Steve) to go to this important event in July, we need to be receiving 100% of our monthly budget for Wycliffe to approve us to begin our remote assignment. This would need to happen before I could buy plane tickets to Manus Island, Papua New Guinea.<br /><br /><strong>When do you need to reach 100%?</strong> <br />Much preparation needs to happen to attend this course in July. We need to be receiving 100% of our monthly budget ASAP. However, if we're not at 100% by May, it's likely I won't be able to attend the course, and the Titans might not either.<br /><br /><strong>So where do things stand now?</strong> <br />We thank the Lord that a few more people have committed to pray for us and give financially each month in preference for our Wycliffe ministry. So, we're now receiving 73% of what we need each month.<br /><br /><strong>We need prayer!</strong> <br />We can't do any of this in our human effort. Man makes his plans, but God directs his steps. We need to know God's will, and if it's His will for these things to happen, then He will need to draw more people to join us in this Bible translation ministry. <br /><div><br /><a href="https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/CloverMission" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: mediumblue; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"> <img align="middle" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="5737041" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/676725d3-8f64-4148-bbba-7634fb606875.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" /> </a> </div> <br /><div><div>Would you like to join the team?</div></div><br /><a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/p/prayer.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: mediumblue; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a prayer partner.</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/CloverMission" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: mediumblue; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a financial partner.</a><br /> <br /><div>Thank you for your part in making this ministry possible.<br /></div>Have questions about all of this budget stuff? <a href="https://clovermission.blogspot.com/2015/10/what-does-all-this-partnership-and.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: mediumblue; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read more. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>God i blesim yupela (God bless you all),<br /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> <em>Steve, Mindy, Karah, David, & Jonathan Clover</em> </span>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-17880638985792904942019-02-02T12:06:00.000-08:002019-02-02T12:19:05.099-08:00They hadn't spoken to each other in months! (Jan. 2019 Newsletter)<a href="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/fcccdf97-f7a1-4a5b-8ed9-1833acf297e3.jpg" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: mediumblue; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"> <img align="left" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="5193349" height="150" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/fcccdf97-f7a1-4a5b-8ed9-1833acf297e3.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: 3px inset; height: 150px; margin: 8px 8px 0px 0px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; width: 200px;" width="200" /> </a>In our <a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/2018/11/november-2018-newsletter.html" target="_blank">previous newsletter</a>, we talked about being in a church in Pere sharing a portion of Genesis 15 in the Titan language for the first time. People were deeply impacted by it, but Steve had no idea just how much until the next day. <br /><br /><div dir="auto">Sitting with the translators on that Monday, one told Steve that the church leaders had had an argument months before that caused a rift between them. So they hadn't spoken to each other, even about church business, for months. For the Titans, maintaining good relationships is everything, so this rift was devastating!</div><br /><div dir="auto">But God had a plan! When the Scripture portion was read in Titan, God spoke powerfully to the hearts of these leaders in their own language. Immediately after that service, they mended their broken relationships and began meeting again! Praise God! </div><br /><div dir="auto">We know that "<i>All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.</i>" And it did exactly that in the lives of the church leaders and others that Sunday.</div><br /><div>This is just the beginning of what God will do among the Titans once His Word is available in the Titan language!</div><div><br /><a href="https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/CloverMission" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: mediumblue; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"> <img align="middle" alt="Display images to see this picture." data-file-id="5737041" height="337" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/45c511c743cbbd727aa05b7f3/images/676725d3-8f64-4148-bbba-7634fb606875.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" /> </a> </div><br /><b>Budget News</b> <br /><div>We are now at 72% of the monthly budget established by Wycliffe for our ministry. Once we are receiving 100% of our budget, Wycliffe can release us to begin a remote assignment to continue helping the Titans to translate the Bible into their language.</div><div></div><br /><div><div>We are blessed to have a team of partners who believe as we do that the Titans need at least one translation! Our Wycliffe ministry to the Titans is possible because people like you lift us up to the Lord in prayer, give generously each month, and advocate for us. Thank you!<br /><br />Want to join the team?</div></div><br /><a href="http://clovermission.blogspot.com/p/prayer.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: mediumblue; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a prayer partner.</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/CloverMission" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: mediumblue; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">Click here to be a financial partner.</a><br /> <br /><div>Thank you for your part in making this ministry possible.</div><br />Have questions about all of this budget stuff? <a href="https://clovermission.blogspot.com/2015/10/what-does-all-this-partnership-and.html" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: mediumblue; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read more.<br /><br /><b>Please pray for...</b> <br /><ul><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-align: left;">Endurance and unity for the Titan translation team.</li><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-align: left;">The damaged cell tower that services Pere village to be repaired (it's still down), which will help us stay in contact with the Titans.</li><li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-align: left;">A full team of prayer and financial partners so we can begin our remote assignment.</li></ul><br />God i blesim yupela (God bless you all),<br /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> <i>Steve, Mindy, Karah, David, & Jonathan Clover</i> </span>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-27593344246143174342019-01-18T15:27:00.001-08:002019-01-18T15:27:53.343-08:00If English speakers don't read their Bible, why bother translating the Bible into Titan?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq8pHZxqFuk/XEDQU56ot5I/AAAAAAAAHyc/YhMpF4ZkMgox8jc62Y0vtrr5ZvtJq5VTACLcBGAs/s1600/GotQuestions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq8pHZxqFuk/XEDQU56ot5I/AAAAAAAAHyc/YhMpF4ZkMgox8jc62Y0vtrr5ZvtJq5VTACLcBGAs/s1600/GotQuestions.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Great question! Here's the answer:<br /><br />As English speakers, we have been blessed with the opportunity to read God's own words to us in the language we use every day and know best. What we sometimes call our <a href="https://clovermission.blogspot.com/2015/09/what-is-heart-language-anyway.html" target="_blank">heart language</a>.<br /><br />We can get to know God through His words to us and have a relationship with Him. We can know God, and Jesus, the Messiah that He has sent, and have eternal life.<br /><br />That's because the Word of God exists in our language.<br /><br />Yes, there are lots of people, including many Christians, who don't read the Bible. <b>But they can!</b> The opportunity exists for them if they choose to take advantage of it. We are swimming in a sea of English translations, Bible helps, apps, audio and video recordings, etc. We have been truly blessed to the point of overflowing and praise God for that!<br /><br />The Titan people of Manus Island have<i><b> </b></i><b>NONE</b> of that in their language!<br /><br />Yes, there will be those among the Titan people that won't read or listen to it once it exists. But there are those that will, and don't they deserve the chance to read and hear God's words in Titan so they can understand it? To know the truth and be set free by it? Doesn't everyone?<br /><br /><b>Yes!</b><br /><br />We believe that the Titans deserve a chance to read God's Word in their own language. Do you?<br /><br />If so, we need your help. <a href="https://clovermission.blogspot.com/2019/01/how-can-i-help.html" target="_blank">Please click here to see how you can help</a>.<br /><br /><br /><i>This post is part of our <a href="https://clovermission.blogspot.com/search/label/Questions" target="_blank">Questions series</a>. <b>Have a question?</b> Post a comment and we'll try to clear things up for you either personally or in a later blog post!</i><br /><i><br /></i>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254826910124670866.post-47630191138459547722019-01-17T11:14:00.005-08:002019-01-17T11:14:58.772-08:00What do you mean when you say you'll be doing a remote assignment?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq8pHZxqFuk/XEDQU56ot5I/AAAAAAAAHyc/YhMpF4ZkMgox8jc62Y0vtrr5ZvtJq5VTACLcBGAs/s1600/GotQuestions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq8pHZxqFuk/XEDQU56ot5I/AAAAAAAAHyc/YhMpF4ZkMgox8jc62Y0vtrr5ZvtJq5VTACLcBGAs/s1600/GotQuestions.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When we say that we will have a remote assignment helping the Titan people to translate the Bible into their own language, here are the basics of what we mean:<br /><br />We use a program called Paratext to work on the Titan Bible translation. The Titan translators in Papua New Guinea type what they are translating into Paratext. Then, one of the Titans is able to connect the translation laptop to the internet (thanks to a smart phone being used as a Wi-Fi hotspot) and have Paratext send the translation up to the internet.<br /><br />Steve is also using Paratext and is able to connect to the internet and see all of the changes that were made by the Titans on the translation. He can then make changes and comments for the Titans and send that back up to the internet. Then they can see what he did and continue working on the translation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A remote assignment also means that Steve will be flying back to Papua New Guinea a few times a year to stay in Pere village and work with the Titans in person for multiple weeks.<br /><br />But, we can't start our remote assignment without your help!<br /><br />Why? <a href="https://clovermission.blogspot.com/2019/01/how-can-i-help.html" target="_blank">Click here to find out.</a> <br /><br /><br /><i>This post is part of our <a href="https://clovermission.blogspot.com/search/label/Questions" target="_blank">Questions series</a>. <b>Have a question?</b> Post a comment and we'll try to clear things up for you either personally or in a later blog post!</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="K3JSBVB-dc-f"><br /></div></div>Steve and Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229215463022086223noreply@blogger.com0