"So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire, and achieve the purpose for which I sent it" (Is.55.11 NIV).

Dear Friends,

During my visit to Gambela in October, I was approached by one of the young volunteer evangelists who lives in the town of Abobo, about 25 miles south of Gambela. He told me that he had been having Bible studies with a group of young people there, and they had started with the book of Genesis, finished it, and started Exodus. "We are nearly through Exodus now, and I came to see about getting copies of Leviticus, but when I looked in the book room, I couldn’t find Leviticus. So could you get some copies for us?" I replied that Leviticus has not yet been printed (though it was translated about four years ago) and suggested they go on to Numbers, since the narrative continues in Numbers and that book is available. Well, he looked very incensed (!) at the thought that they should skip a book, since their idea was to go straight through the books from beginning to end! Needless to say, I was impressed, and amazed at their enthusiasm and dedication to studying the Old Testament. (I wonder how many of us have read either Genesis or Exodus lately?)

I share this little story with you so that you can be encouraged that the Bible translation effort in which we are engaged is bearing fruit and being appreciated. And also I want to express my appreciation to all of you, our faithful partners in prayer, and to those of you who support the translation project financially as well. We continue to count on that support as the Lord leads you.

This past month or so has been an exciting time for me, and I hope for our translation team members too, as we are finishing up the translation of the book of Isaiah. What a wonderful book! And especially as we have reached the second half of the book, with all the prophecies of the Messiah, the Suffering Servant, and the promises of restoration and blessing for God’s people, it has been for me a thrilling experience to see the passages come alive in the Anuak language. Of course, there is still a lot of tedious work to be done, proofreading the computer printout of these last 31 chapters, and then correcting that and printing it out for the reviewers to go over it. So I ask you to please continue to pray for us to persevere to the end!

The other day I saw one of our translators, Omot, with a little piece of paper on which he had listed the books that still remain to be translated, calculating how many chapters were in each book, and how long he thought it would take us to finish. I think the team is feeling encouraged now at the prospect of a tiny "light at the end of the tunnel," the hope that the end is really in sight. During this last month they have drafted the books of Hosea, Obadiah, and Zephaniah, and after that there are only six more books to go, among them Ezekiel and Job, two more big ones.

I continue to be thankful for the team the Lord has given us. They work together well, and it is a joy to work with them. Omot is going through the process of having to find a new house, as the one he was renting was sold and he has to vacate. As usual, each of us has situations come up that take up time and take time away from the work, and we need your prayers that these will be kept to a minimum.

I am expecting to leave for the U.S. on December 19 for about four months of interpretation assignment, and will be available for speaking in churches towards the end of January. I look forward to seeing you again.

May our Lord’s special joy and peace be yours as we approach the Christmas season.

Sincerely in Christ’s service,

Marie Lusted

The 2001 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 34