Weeks #5 and #6 - Quieter Times

Stocked shelves.

Since the fair, things have been much more low-key at the office. We’ve worked on cleaning up from the fair week, recording what was sold, and restocking the CBTC’s shelves.

Praying before the meeting.

We also got to attend the CBTC’s quarterly board meeting. They discussed the fair, reviewed the translation progress, talked through some decisions, and made plans for the upcoming months.  It has been very interesting to see the behind-the-scenes aspects of an ongoing translation project.

   

L to R: Millie, Laura Christel, Leonard, Dalton, De

L to R: Pam, Roseanna, Priska (in the back), Elijah

Priska recording
as De told a story.

After the main portion of the meeting was complete, several of the board and staff members practiced telling Bible stories in Choctaw. Priska and I recorded the narratives, though we’ll need to re-record final versions of the stories in a quieter setting in order to create a CD. Nevertheless, it was an encouraging and beneficial time for all, I think.

  

Lake Pushmataha

On Saturday of last week, Priska and I made time to visit Lake Pushmataha on the reservation again. Taking a walk after our picnic dinner, we commented that at one point during the sunset, the rosy sky matched the red soil. It was an absolutely beautiful evening!

Tracks in the sand.

The Moon and Venus.

Pine Bluff Church

At the hymnsing during the fair weekend, we had met a pastor named Emerson Isaac, and he had invited us to visit his church, Pine Bluff Baptist. Realizing that this church was not yet a formal supporter of the CBTC, Laura Christel encouraged us to go and make connections. We wanted to let them know that they were welcome to send representatives to the CBTC if they would like to offer input regarding the CBTC’s activities. So Priska and I attended their Sunday morning service and Sunday school. As usual, the sermon and Sunday school discussions were largely in Choctaw, although they sang mainly out of English hymnbooks. It was good to visit another Choctaw congregation.

This week has again been full of work at the CBTC office. Millie was feeling unwell and she was later admitted to the hospital with possible heart-related symptoms, so she has not been around to help keep us busy. We’ve missed her and are praying that she makes a quick recovery!

Pam hard at work.

On a more positive note, Pam has been at the office most days, so it has been fun getting to work with her. :) She took us out to lunch on Tuesday, and she also showed us around the hospital that was built on the reservation within the past year. We enjoyed exploring the beautiful new facility and got to see where several of the board members work, since they’re employed by the hospital. Because we went around lunchtime, most of them were out on break, but we did get to stop in and visit Becky in the health information department. It was fun to see her in a non-CBTC context. :)

This weekend we have some time off, so we are driving to New Orleans to visit one of Priska’s friends and explore the city. Should be a fun adventure!