Instead of giving a month-by-month account, I will summarize the progress in the translation work.

As you can see, we made substantial gains in each of these four steps. We want to thank Mary Quigley for helping us with the second step, and who often helps us with other things in Cunen. Also, we want to thank Marha King again for being our translation consultant. However, please remember that these are only the first four steps in the translation process. There are others that still await our involvement.

As we look back, we can certainly thank God for blessings in enabling us to make such good progress.

Other Events – Early in the Year
When I was in Guatemala in January and early February, it became obvious to me that we needed to give up the small house that we had been renting not far from Guatemala City. Though the cost of it was very reasonable, we just weren't using it enough to jusitfy the expense, especially in light of the poor economy here and in Guatemala. It is somewhat inconvenient to say in modest hotels, but much more economical, and we are getting used to that change.

So, in early March, Chris, my oldest son, and I went to Guatemala for about a week to vacate that house and to dispose of some of our things and move the rest to Cunén. This was definitely a case where two people working together can get a lot more done than working separately. We owe a big "thank you" to Chris for his time and hard work.

Amazingly, during my last trip in November, two Guatemala families offered to let us stay in their homes when we are in that part of the country. We greatly thank God for this provision.

Other Events – Mid-Year
During our trip to Guatemala in July and early August, we discovered a better way of dealing with the widows and others who come to ask for help. Previously, I have often found this to be a time-consuming interruption to our translation work, even though it is very important. The new provess involves an interview with Sonya first. Then, if she deems the situation urgent enough, Santiago, Sonya, and I will make an on-site investigation. In the meantime, since we such limited funds now to help the widows, we simply tell the widows to come back next summer when Sonya will be there. Furthermore, we willl probably not build whole houses anymore, unless it is absolutely essential. Most widows have families who can build the foundations and walls of a one-room house, and then we will provide the rafters, corrugated metal roofing, a door, and window. This will enable our limited funds to go further.

Before we left Cunen in early August, Sonya wanted to throw a little party for all of the workers in this translation project and their families to show our appreciation of them. They really enjoyed the get together, and were especially fascinated by the photos that we took with our digital camera, which we were able to show them right after the pictures were taken.

Other Events – Later
We do have some sad news to report. In September, we lost one of our biggest supporters, Sonya's mother, Ruth Eidsvoog. God was very gracious to her and the family in the way in which she became ill and died 2 1/2 weeks later. Ruth didn't apear to have suffered much pain, and the family didn't have to make any life-and-death decisions. She was 83 years old, and had been in pretty good health previously, though she was slowing down some. Sonya was very thankful that she was able to be with her mother for the last few days of her life.

Ruth wasn't our biggest financial supporter by any means, as she had very limited resources. But she always expressed interest in our work, and always assured us of her prayers. Thankfully, and it seemd like a sign from heaven, we had beautiful autumn weather for her funeral and on the subsequent trip to Minneapolis in October to be begin dealing with her house and things. Your prayers for Sonya and her brother David will be very much appreciated.

In Conclusion
As we look back on 2003, God has been very good to us, and we have much for which to be thankful, not the least of which is you. Your partenership with us is helping us to make steady profress in the translation work. The end of this mighty work is still not in sight, but we hope that ir can be completed within the next five years.

Have a blessed and merry Christmas, and a happy New Year.