Christmas because.....?

Celebrating Christmas has NOT always been an American tradition. In fact in the early days of America the leaders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony so disdained Christmas that in 1659 they passed a law prohibiting the public celebration of the holiday, punishing "anybody who is found observing [it], by abstinence from labor, feasting, or any other way." The law was repealed 25 years later, but the prejudice against Christmas remained strong. Judge Samuel Sewall was delighted to be able to report in his diary in 1685 that he did not see a single person celebrating the holiday.

Following the American Civil War retailers began to see in Christmas the opportunity to market their merchandise. Until the retailers got involved the holiday attracted little of the attention it does now. It was retailers who made Christmas exciting. It was they who turned Santa Claus into a national icon. Montgomery Ward gave us Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer. Coca-Cola helped popularize the smiling Santa. Retailers discovered the commercial possibilities of Christmas after the Civil War. Only then did newspapers regularly begin to feature advertising sales associated with the holiday. (George Mason University's History News Network - http://hnn.us/articles/479.html)

Thus I process slowly my feelings against the ACLU and others for “trying to take Christ out of Christmas...!” After all, CHRISTIANITY grew, and still SEEMS TO GROW BEST,  when UNDER PERSECUTION. Witness the growth in New Testament times. Perhaps these much publicized “remove the Ten Commandments” and “no crèche scenes in our public square,” are actually beneficial for Christianity.

Alas, for me I still get upset... after all “Christ is the reason for the season.”

Blessings and Merry Christmas from Bill and Charliece

We have moved to Dallas, TX

Please come to visit. If we are "in country" we will keep a spare bed for visitors. Phone or email if you are flying through Dallas-Fort Worth airport and have a lay-over. Love you all. B and C

President Lincoln's Proclamation of our national Thanksgiving Holiday

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

Phyllis Rine - Missionary martyr 45 years ago

“Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
(Words hanging on living room wall in Rine home in Ohio-----She actually lived those words!!!

On November 24, 1964 Phyllis Rine made the ultimate sacrifice! She was martyred for her beliefs in the Congo Massacre in Africa. Dr. Jerry Mattingly, Johnson Bible College's “Indiana Jones” urged me to do an article about Phyllis for The Eubanks Institute of Missions and her story has impacted my life in so many ways! You may read my article which was also printed in the Christian Standard on Nov. 23, 2008 Christian Standard - Only One Life. Her dear friend from her days at Cincinnati Bible College, Zola Brown, wrote her story much more poignantly than I in Only One Life (available on Amazon). They were fellow missionaries together in Africa.
Today, nearly forty-five years later, whenever I mention Phyllis' name I hear “I remember her.....I went to school with her......I remember where I was when that happened... She was so quiet and shy yet went to Africa ALONE....” To all of her friends and family I say “Thank you, Phyllis, for doing what we too often are not willing to do—give our life in service to the ONE who gave His all for us”!!

Please stop today and pray for missionaries all over the world and say “THANK YOU” while they can still hear you!!

We are chosen family

  Ten years ago our grandson Charlie came into our lives. Thank God for grace.

( better hair than grand dad and the apple of grandma's eye )

"...that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the LORD..."
 (Exodus 10.2  NIV)

On the way to PBT

Thank you Central Church of Christ

We spent last night with long time friends Tim and Linda S. in Loudonville, OH. Going to miss them. This morning we presented Pioneer Bible Translators to Central in Mt Vernon, OH. Thank you  folks for the send off. Tonight we are in a motel in KY. We are driving two vehicles and pulling two trailers.... soooo it may take us another day or two.

We have religious freedom because they died......

In a long ago "yesterday" Christ died for us......

Men have been dying that we may worship Christ.... My uncle Vic M. was one of only three in his outfit who came home from The Battle of the Bulge. That too was another "yesterday." But, in a more recent "yesterday," young Damon W. was carried home from Afghanistan. For all....  I offer prayers of thanks....!

Snowing on moving work

The snow started flying today in Ohio. Naturally... we feel even more needed in Dallas! Moving will soon be completed! AND, it has been a real learning experience.  When we went to Johnson four years ago,  I could not think of getting rid of any of my possessions--uh..precious treasures to me; junk to all others.  As Bill unlocked the back door on our first return trip to our old farm house,  I knew I could do it.  At least I could part with some things and put the rest in storage for four years, confident it would all go to a new home.  Over those four years God dealt with me and my possessions have become a little less important; not totally—just “a little.”  And, now the time has come to complete that project and when it becomes difficult to part with a past part of my life, the One who has provided all those possessions has graciously found ways to allow me to part with my treasures.  Some things quickly went to Good-Will or were sold.  My family graciously consented to take the things I thought I could not part with—my mother's collection of salt and peppers and my mother-in-law's china my daughter-in-law graciously accepted, furniture to a niece and two nephews who were thrilled to receive a part of their mothers' heritage. I have even been able to gift to my only great-niece some of the books her grandmother, whom Anna knows only through us,  loved to read.  I pray  Anna gets as much pleasure from her reading !   Our children graciously(?) accepted their inheritances of "treasures" early and Lee's house bears the brunt.  Thanks, daughter!!  A loving husband agreed to make sure I didn't have to leave any “treasure” behind as long as I share my jeep occasionally. 
      I have learned so much from this experience.  The joy and delight in giving and receiving the “Thanks” now gives me immeasurable pleasure.  I hope (but not real sure!) that I've learned that possessions are just that--important but not at the top of the list! (God is still working on me)   
      As I have struggled and yet enjoyed reliving the youth of my children in their take home papers, drawings, etc. I have been deeply humbled when I think of our missionaries who go overseas and have no options but to leave it all behind or those who flee their home lands as refugees with nothing but their clothes.  Jesus spoke to all of them but especially  me when He said in Matthew 6: 19-21 “Wherever your treasure is,  there your heart and thoughts will also be.” NLT 
   
My treasure  really is in books—not the Little Golden Books I have held on to- but the 66 books that complete the BIBLE.  We all share that treasure through Pioneer Bible Translators and the work done so that   “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.      Matthew 24:13-15
      When you partner with us,  whether through prayers and/or support,  you know where your treasure is! - Charliece
PBT is working in 43 different places around the world. Many balls to balance from the International Service Center in Dallas, TX. If you can make it to Dallas, TX please come and spend a night as our guest in our home. We will show you the inner workings of keeping our Pioneer bible Translators safe around the world. - Bill
Love and prayers,
Charliece and Bill Fierbaugh

-- 

Religious Freedom

Please stop and take the time on Tuesday to exercise your freedom by voting for the future of America.  Whether or not we agree with the voting results, we will at least have had the opportunity to express our beliefs. Pray for our leaders. Pray for our country. Please vote. Please pray.

The British Library's Digital Gutenberg Bible

   

On this site you will find the British Library’s two copies of Johann Gutenberg’s Bible, the first real book to be printed using the technique of printing which Gutenberg invented in the 1450s.

Click to visit the British Library's Gutenberg Bible

Geneva Bible at University of Tennessee

The Geneva Bible

Dr. Naseeb Shaheen died Sept. 26 from complications of heart surgery. The 78-year-old English professor had taught for 40 years. His collection includes 115 pre-King James Bibles that are worth $2,000 to $15,000 each.

Shouky Shaheen of Atlanta expects UT will get about 75 of the Bibles. The rest will go to the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington. Two of the Bibles will stay at the University of Memphis.
Shaheen said his brother outlined his intentions in his will and knew that the University of Memphis didn't have the funds to buy the collection. "It was probably more suited for the University of Tennessee," he said.
UT Libraries' development director Amy Yancey said it was the professor's goal to make sure the books were available to the public.
Shaheen "expressed the hope the collection would not fall into private hands and out of the reach of scholars. He also hoped the collection could remain at home in Tennessee, where he conducted his life's work," she said.
His colleagues in Memphis remembered his commitment to his study of Shakespeare. He became an internationally known authority on the subject and documented more than 1,200 biblical references in his writings.

Book took 23 years

At the age of 68, Shaheen finished an 880-page reference book called Biblical References in Shakespeare's Plays, which took 23 years to compile.
His interest in Shakespeare drove him to collect Geneva Bibles, which were named after the Swiss city where Protestant scholars fled under the reign of Queen Mary I of England. They collaborated to create a more user-friendly study Bible than many households bought. The King James Version wouldn't be published until 1611, when Shakespeare's career was almost over.
Former student Nell Blair recalled that Shaheen would bring his Geneva Bibles to class to share with his students.
"How many people get to be in class with a piece of history without plexiglass, humidity controlled surroundings and security?" she asked. "He really shared his love of Shakespeare and the Bible with his students." ASSOCIATED PRESS • October 17, 2009

Translate From What......

It has surprised me of late... many people say something like, "... now you are using the King James to translate aren't you...?"

Well.... no.... we use the greek and the hebrew. After all that is where the King James translators also started...!!

We translate into the "heart language" of a people. For example my language which I grew up with is "english." Yours might be "spanish" or "a tribal tongue."  This is why our translaters live, eat, and sleep with their language group.

NEW subject: We have some openings. Charliece and I are booked every Sunday in October and November except the last Sunday of November 2009.  We also have some Wednesdays open. 

We are available for retreats and workshops next year but we need to get you on our schedule ASAP.  


IF you would like us to speak/preach/teach/power point, etc. please drop us an email.

West Africa Turmoil

  Please please continue prayer....!!!!

Missionaries walk in faith...!

Romans 4:13
"It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith." NIV

Travel Ban

When you have already purchased your ticket and they put on a "travel ban..."

Some of our friends are having a tough time. Please continue to pray for PBT missionaries.... in Africa and of course world wide.

Eph 3:12

 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

NIV

Manila Underwater

When Charliece and I were last in Manila, Philippines ( in 2003 ) we taught on adjunct faculty at ICCM. Now the International Christian College of Manila Campus is underwater. I ponder what it must be like out in the villages. One Typhoon (Hurricane) has struck the Philippines and three more are lining up out in the Pacific. Please pray for the students and our missionaries at The International Christian College of Manila.

BBC reports dozens killed in Guinea

Please pray for the people and the missionaries in Guinea. All we can say. Just pray.

New Life Christian Church, Linden, TN

We so much enjoy visiting churches who have been the building stones for Pioneer Bible Translators over the years.

Thank you Linden, TN.

May God bless you all....!!

Matthew 13:16
"But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear." NIV

How Beautiful The Feet

Missionaries feet..??? Well.. sure, but,...

 
It came to me that those partners back home who donate time, energy, money, and prayers to missionaries...

may have the most beautiful feet.... because they hang in there day after day ... paying bills, raising children, working at church, they make it happen... the senders back home keep the missionary on the field.
 

NIV Romans 10:15

And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Airport Run

Just returned from DFW. Picked up our oldest son Stephen. He was returning from Africa. The capital city of the country he was in only has 4 or 5 flights in and out each week. When I ask him what was the single thing that stood out in his mind from his several weeks there.. he answered, "... you just can not really get a grasp in your mind on the depth of the poverty...." Thank you Lord for allowing Pioneer Bible Translators to bring light.....!

Paint Party at our new Dallas, TX home

Missionaries are a close community. No one has much money. Everyone just automatically jumps in an lends a hand. Our thanks to everyone (who came out of no where...very unexpected) to unload, clean, paint, eat, laugh... and yes --to pray and praise God.

PBT's current home

The International Service Center in Dallas, TX is three mobile units slid together. You are looking at the ends. Our new building is underway on 22 acres across the road. And... of course we are growing so fast the new building will be too small the day it opens. PRAISE THE LORD...!!

Back To The Bible

Sooner or later most adult Americans turn to the Bible. Why is that..? I think it is because deep down inside us we all accept there is something greater than us. Todays media shout, "me me me.." Purchase this and be in control seems to be the message. But it wears off when tough times appear. Is this country sliding off the cliff...? I think not. Praise God we have the Bible to turn to.

Chronological Study Bibles

Sometimes we think of time as flowing from our Bible in a neat and orderly fashion. I bought myself a new study Bible. The text is arranged so that you read it as things happened chronologically. Transition comments relate sacred and secular history as it happens and the influence they each have on the other. It's amazing when you read passages and fit them together. Sometimes, I stop and think, “I don't remember reading that before...” Hmmm, where was my mind when I read that section or do I just see things differently as an adult? Or just finally grasp the meaning as it related to a culture so different from mine yet so relevant, today, thousands of years later?? Words translate more easily than concepts---that's where a Translator really focuses!!!! Thank God for translators who have given me Bibles in my own heart language!! - Charliece

1,000 years ago...!

From within dark caves in 1947 Biblical Scholars were taken back back back a thousand years.

The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls near Qumran (NW coast of the Dead Sea) gave scholars scrolls written a thousand years earlier. The biblical manuscripts from Qumran, include at least fragments from every book of the Hebrew Bible (our Old Testament) with the exception- of the Book of Ester- these provide a far older cross section of scriptural tradition than ever before. Therefore I like Bibles translated after about 1950.

Lamps and Candles

Bible Translation is fun but .... complex..!
The Menorah LAMPSTAND is often referred to as the Menorah Candleabrum. The Egyptians are credited with inventing the "candle" but it was crude and smelly. Lamps burning Olive Oil were preferred. (think of a small clay Aladdin's Lamp) Finally in the Middle Ages candles really came into their own when bees wax and a good wick were added...

...and that friends is why the KJV uses "candle" and the NIV "lamp" in Luke 11:33. (FYI consider: KJV Candle, NLT Lamp, MSG Lamp, ESV Lamp, NRSV Lamp, WYC Lantern, on Candlestick and DARBY Lamp Lamp Stand 1890)

Thank you Hopwood

Bordering Milligan College is a beautiful church built of stone

Stone... stone.... many churches are stones to Pioneer Bible Translators. Thank you Hopwood for supporting PBT for all these years.

Cane Ridge Meeting House

Once upwards of 20000 people gathered for a revival here.

No "fairy tale..." The revival went on for almost a week. Basically they ran out of food. Preaching as we all know... never runs out...!!

Yellow Trillium

Many beautiful and delicate things of life are found when you least expect them.

Bless This Garden

Charliece's friend Linda has the most beautiful garden. Linda is about to have knee replacement surgery this week. We pray it does not slow her down in her garden.

Garden's are like children... they take lots of work.. and lots of love...!!

The old days

When Charliece and I first began as Forwarding Agents years ago... The Pony Express was used. Then Western Union. Then United States Mail. Then UPS. Seriously... communication with our missionaries on the field has ...become quicker...unfortunately we must remember it is still not SAFE... email is like a post card. Web Pages are read every where... please PLEASE... careful with your communications.

Looking W from Beauty Spot, TN on the AT

Looking west from AT up on Unaka Mtn, called Beauty Spot.

Deer and bear. Saw deer but no bear this hike.

The Original Pal's SWEET TEA

Visited our daughter who took us to the home of the Original Pal's Sweet Tea.

Missionaries get to visit the most wonderful places......!!

WZLP Lower Watts HIGHER POWER

They must have thought we have special connections.....
We were interviewed for the better part of an hour telling the Pioneer Bible Translator's story. What a wonderful group of people. Broadcast 24/7 for the Lord in a high weekend tourist area... Mohican State Park, Ohio.

Tonight's Sky

Bill gets out the computer to access internet to see what wonders God has prepared for the sky walk tonight. Actually we have seen the ISS (the International Space Station) pass over the last five nights in a row.

But... the Space Station is nothing compared to God's handiwork..!!

"He is the Maker of the Bear, Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south ." Job 9:9 NIV

Home Made Ice Cream at Wilderness Camp

Jeff and Martha make the best home made ice cream...

Serendipity

Yesterday we watched a wondrous rainbow for about ten minutes.

Genesis 9:13
I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. (NIV)

PBT goes to Church Camp

The Dean, Dan Hamilton, of 4th grade Wilderness Week at Round Lake Ohio Church Camp, tries to read a Bible Translation in an African language which was just handed to him by missionary Charliece Fierbaugh. Dan wore the traditional dress well but he could not read one word. How many can not read "one word" because they simply do not have even one word in their heart language??

Hay Field

There is something especially serene about a hand stacked hay field.

Our Summer Home

Here is home sweet home... for us this summer.

Two Frogs..??

Yea..
I know...

But missionaries need support lots of support.... from all... types.....

I am a blessed husband...

My spouse, my love, my friend...!!

Beautiful Sanctuary

It was a pleasure to share the PBT story in this older sanctuary.

Felt like the Holy Spirit was on my shoulder guiding me....

Blessings to you all at Perrysville, Ohio

Perrysville, Ohio Baptist Church

It certainly was "a good time had by all...!"
Thank you so much for hosting Charliece and me today.

God is surely working in your midst.

Foot prints

The Bible in "my own" language transforms.....

"And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore." Hebrews 11:12 NIV

Preparing to go

We are awed by the quality of the young families coming on board PBT to go to far-away-places and serve the Lord doing Bible Translation. No names for security reasons.

Our Prayer Card

Please pray for us.

Surprised me

We were teaching High Ropes Course today and I handed the camera to a student and requested her to take pictures as they went along. Isn't it like God to surprise me with this wonderful photo.

⁵Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Mat 5:5 NIV

Clean Water

Momma Smurf at Calico Springs in Ohio. Unbelievable flow 24/7/365.

Much of the 2/3rds world does not have water... especially not "clean spring water.

1. "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." NIV
   

We pray to be "living water."

Now that is a Computer Virus

In January 2009 Missionary Martha Wade was stateside teaching a training session we attended.

This is the lap top Martha brought with her which she had been using back in Papua New Guinea.

Do you think we might have teased her about -- maybe her laptop having caught a new type of computer virus...!!