One of the best parts of growing older (and unlike what many young people may believe, there are good parts to it 😀) is being able to see things completed. Besides our normal activities of teaching at Jake Memorial Baptist College, church meetings, seminars, etc., in the last months God has allowed us to see three major completions. The first happened on March 2nd when Nancy, Jonah and I joined a few others on an MAF flight to Voinjama (NW Liberia) for a program to dedicate the Manya-Ka New Testament, which John-Mark and his team had recently completed. We felt waves of gratitude that God had chosen us to be John-Mark’s parents, and that we had lived to see this beautiful day.
 
After arriving we drove to a village located about twenty minutes from John-Mark and Sara's home in Voinjama. John-Mark began ministry in this area right after the war ended. He was working for Samaritan’s Purse, and God gave him the opportunity to get funds to help them build a school. The villagers were very touched by his concern for their children. They consider him to be a man to be trusted and a real friend. As a result of the relationships forged during that time (and since then), the town elders helped John-Mark better learn Manya-Ka (a dialect of Mandingo). They also have helped him translate several small books of stories he wrote to be used as readers in the literacy program, as well as the latest project, the New Testament.
When we arrived in the village, Sara and the kids were waiting. Huge pots of rice were boiling, and they added the frozen mixed vegetables we had brought up in the plane to complete what is called jollof rice, a Liberian favorite. After a time near the cooking area, two boys beat on a drum and we all walked in a group to the town hall.
 
The program was wonderful. The completed New Testament was presented to the town chief. In his remarks he said something to the effect of, “You have brought us the gift of light. Our children will walk in that light.” It seems apparent that many of those who have helped John-Mark with the translation actually do believe it is true, but they are unwilling to admit it out loud since they would be socially rejected as Christians living in a Mus lim village.
 
After the program was over we rode back to the airfield and boarded the plane. Our thoughts were spinning as we flew away from Voinjama. When John-Mark was born in 1982, the person in charge of birth certificates at the hospital came into the room to get the pertinent information. Nancy and I figured out she was a believer so we told her we were naming our baby John-Mark. We said he was going to be our missionary companion, like John-Mark in the New Testament was a missionary companion to the Apostle Paul. She said that was a wonderful choice.
Of course, we had no idea that what we were saying would actually happen in such a glorious fashion! We could not have imagined a day when that baby would be 39 years old, or a day when we would be participating in the dedication of a competed New Testament in a dialect of which we had never even heard. How could we ever imagine our son would one day know that language so well that he would be speaking it to the crowd of people—with a Liberian translating it into English for those of us who didn’t understand? God is so good!
The second completion was my mother’s very well-lived life. My mother, who dearly loved her Lord, went home to Heaven on the morning of March 15. I thank God for His providential timing where I could teach my last Christian Worldview class for the first module at the Jake Memorial Baptist College and then fly back to Minneapolis in time for the funeral on March 26. After the funeral I was able to have some great times with family members as well as pull together some things to bring back with me for further ministry in Liberia.
The third completion is the online edition of the King of Glory “English 70-Story Reading Comprehension and Grammar Course.” It is done, but not yet posted. Hang on! We will be giving out the link soon!
Please pray for the following requests:
God’s blessing on the Manya-Ka New Testament.
God’s work in the life of Jonah. He is now 14 and growing up fast!
The completion of the paper edition of the King of Glory English class.
Continued wisdom as we work with the Jake Memorial Baptist College—revising the curriculum, creating classes and teaching.
Thank you for loving and investing in us and our family. We are very thankful. In our Savior's service,
Mark, Nancy and Jonah Sheppard Serving with:
Baptist Mid-Missions
Box 308011
Cleveland, OH 44130-8011
http://www.bmm.org To give online, click here and type “Sheppard” in the search box. Click on “Sheppard, Mark and Nancy.” Enter the amount you wish to give. Push “Give Online” and then “Update & Check Out.” Fill in your contact info and choose whether you want to use your Credit or Debit Card or eCheck and then enter the appropriate information. After entering your payment information, push “Give Now." You may also mail gifts to the above address. Mark the gift “for the ministry of Mark Sheppard.” (For more information on monthly giving, etc., go to https://www.bmm.org/give and click on “Giving Methods.") | 
