Ten Wonderful Years Together
Sept 22, 2001
Gertrude and I (Kevin) had both been member of Wycliffe Bible Translators for a number of years. Gertrude was serving in Papua New Guinea and I was in the Philippines. We both started our furlough in the Fall of 2000. We met on February 19, 2001 for the first time. Within seven days we sensed that the Lord had brought us together. Seven weeks after we first met we were engaged. Seven months from the time we met we were married. We were so amazed the way the Lord had worked everything out so well for us. I would like to share some of highlights of these ten years that we have been together.
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2001
For our honeymoon the Lord provided for us to go to St. Thomas. Gertrude was not to crazy about some of the roads we were driving on, but the Lord kept us safe. It was a great time for Gertrude to meet some of my family there and to visit Calvary Baptist Church were I came to know the Lord. The church has been supporting me for over 20 years now.
During our first year of marriage Gertrude was busy with African American Mobilization for Wycliffe U.S.A. I started working in the Information Technology Department for Wycliffe at the help desk. It was pretty much the work that I was doing in the Philippines just on a much bigger scale. I so enjoyed working with everyone there.
One of the exciting partnerships that Gertrude was able to develop was with Urban Ministries Inc. They are the largest African American publisher of Sunday School materials. We are pictured here with Jeff Wright the president of Urban Ministries (UMI). It was exciting working with him, a man of vision.
2002
Before we got married, I had spent 10 years in the Philippines. The first six years I was a missionary with Calvary Chapel teaching at Calvary Chapel Bible School. Gertrude, a member of Wycliffe, had been serving in Papua New Guinea doing literacy work at national and local levels; she worked with the government as well as the church since 1986. As we got married we thought it would be good for us to visit both the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. We took an extended trip with a number of stops along the way. It included three weeks in the Philippines and three weeks in Papua New Guinea. Pictured here on the right is the Pastor Lito De Gusman from Calvary Chapel Manila. They shared a house with me while I was in Manila. While we were in the Philippines we were able to attend the S.I.L. Branch Conference while they were celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
We then continued our journey on to Papua New Guinea. We arrived in Port Moresby and caught a flight up to Ukarumpa where the mission headquarters is located. As we had many invitations for meals I was surprised how many people I knew there that I had met years before and I was going through training to become a part of Wycliffe. To most people though I was known as Gertrude's husband. While we were there we met up with a video crew who began to shoot footage for the Time is Now video.
From Ukarumpa we flew to Simberi to shoot some more footage describing the work Gertrude had done developing Sunday School materials in vernacular languages. In Simberi we were pleased to learn how after Gertrude left the Madara continued to develop more materials. Pictured on the left is Steven and Holly Hong with their son, Timothy. They are the translators for this project. Just last year they dedicated the Madara New Testament.
2003
About a year after we were married I moved over to the Mobilization Department working more closely with Gertrude as the Coordinator of Ethnic Mobilization. I was overseeing Chinese, Korean, Hispanic and African American Mobilization. This was a wonderful opportunity for us to continue to travel together across the country to speak at conferences and churches to promote African American involvement in missions. At one conference we had opportunity to meet Ron Kenoly.
As Gertrude was heading up African American Mobilization she saw the need for a Wycliffe video that was targeted to an African American audience. During our first trip to Papua New Guinea video footage was shot for this purpose. It was the Spring of 2003 when the video The Time is Now was released. Through a partnership with Urban Ministries (UMI) it was distributed to some 5,000 churches across the country. It was exciting to fill a vacuum in missions communication specifically for the African American audience.
August 2003, we made our second trip to Papua New Guinea. This time we spent about 8 weeks in Kavieng continuing some unfinished work that Gertrude had left in 2001 when she left for furlough. When she was leaving she mentioned to her supervisor that she planned to return but was open to other options. Little did she realize that it would be getting married and continuing work at Wycliffe.
During this trip we spent our time in Kavieng producing Sunday School materials Tigak and Kara dialects as people submitted translated Bible stories they had finished. I kept busy typing texts for languages I did not know at all and doing the book layouts. Gertrude worked with the translators to make sure the work was accurate and clear. One weekend we drove down the road (an 8-hour trip) to visit with Gertrude's Sursurunga family. When she first came to work in New Ireland Province she spent 2 years learning their language and developing a literacy program. It was a long bumpy, dusty road, but we were glad we made the trip. The Bible translators and her Sursurunga family were so excited to see her after so many years. The Sursurunga N. T. was dedicated August 15, 2010.
2004
2004 was a year with some exciting surprises. We started the year with a trip to West Africa which was lead by Brian Johnson, head of COMINAD. The plan was for us to connect with a number of pastors on this trip and to see the work that was being accomplished by COMINAD. It was a three week trip including travel to Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Mali. It was the first time for both Gertrude and me to visit this part of the world. Pictured here is the Gate of Return in Benin. There were 12 of us who went. During the three weeks we covered a lot of ground. It would have been great if we could have spent more time in some places, but time did not allow for it. As we went from place to place we found the need for Scriptures in the vernacular language. One of the ladies, Sherry Thomas, with whom we related on the trip is now a Wycliffe member serving in Mali. Follow links on the left for more stories.
The next surprise was the result of the partnership with Urban Ministries (UMI). It was decided that another video would be produced targeted for a younger audience. Six teenagers from the Chicago area went on a two week mission trip to Burkina Faso. Gertrude went with them as a an advisor to the team and to connect them with the work of Bible translation. The video, Go Global with Jesus, that was produced on this trip was like a reality program showing the experiences of the youth before, during and after the trip. UMI distributed this video the following year with their VBS package. It has also been shown on TV a number of times across the U. S. This was one of the first times that Gertrude and I have been apart for any length of time.
While Gertrude was still on her Burkina Faso trip, I received a call from Bishop Reddick of the Fifth District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church. He invited us to share at their regional meetings for the district. Because of another commitment we were not able to attend the conference in Orlando which was held at the church we usually attended, but we did go to the meetings in Birmingham, Montgomery, and Huntsville, AL. The Bishop just loved to hear Gertrude's stories about Papua New Guinea and especially the way the Lord brought us together as we were serving Him in missions. It was such a blessing to share the vision of Bible translation with the CME congregations in Alabama. Read more about this here.
2005
During the summer of 2005 we saw many events take place both happy and sad with our families. Both Gertrude's family and my planned family reunions. Thankfully they were scheduled such that we were able to attend both. It was a wonderful time for everyone to be together. For the Garrett Family reunion it was the first time in a long time for Flora, Gertrude's sister to come home, because of health. This would be the last time for everyone to be together because a few weeks later, Gertrude's father went home to be with the Lord (Here is a picture of the nephews and nieces).
It was the beginning of August that we were moving to Dallas, TX for me to attend Dallas Theological Seminary. As we were getting ready to leave Florida, Gertrude sister Flora (pictured here with her husband George) we next in line for a liver transplant. She had been waiting for over three years and her health was deteriorating. We were ready to move so I went on ahead to Dallas and Gertrude stayed behind to be with Flora. About a week later Flora had her liver transplant. While she was still in recovery from the surgery they got the news that their father had passed away. Gertrude was sorry that she could not be home with her father before he passed away, but he was happy that she could be with Flora as she was going through surgery.
We lived on campus at Dallas Seminary in the Swiss Tower in married student apartments. We had an open invitation to other African American students to join us of dinner any Monday evening. It was a good time for us to relate to the other African Americans to encourage and of course to promote Wycliffe.
2006
Life was very different for us as we were at Dallas Seminary (DTS). My studies kept me very busy. This was the first I had been back to school in over 25 years I was not sure how I would be able to handle the course work. I received good grades and enjoyed the challenge the that classes provided. I'm grateful for the many things that I learned. Something that help to break the study routine and provide a nice evening out with Gertrude was being able to get tickets for the Dallas Symphony. A number of tickets were provided to the seminary for us students and I took advantage of it as often I was able to. With the many concerts that we attended Gertrude decided that she enjoys Tschaikovsky the most.
During the Spring of 2006, I was able to get a part time job on campus working in the computer department on the help desk do much the same work that I have been doing with Wycliffe. I enjoyed the work and my coworkers. I especially thank the Lord because I was able to finish 3 years of seminary debt free because of what I earned.
August Gertrude had a meeting scheduled in Portland, OR. We went a week earlier to visit friends and supporters in Washington and Oregon. It was wonderful driving through the mountains of Washington and later following the Columbia River back to the coast. We would love to do something like this again.
As a result of Gertrude's trip to Burkina Faso in 2004 now a group from Wycliffe Burkina Faso was coming to minister in music in the U.S. Gertrude helped to arrange their schedule as they went to Philadelphia, PA, Charlotte, NC, and Orlando, FL. Everyone was so blessed by their singing. Gertrude traveled to Philadelphia and Orlando to spend some time with them. I so wanted to meet them but I could not get away from my studies.
2007
With my busy schedule of classes and work I did find time to sing in the DTS Choir. We would sing a few times during the year for chapel and finish the year singing at Graduation. I am standing here with a good friend who is now serving in Asia.
As I started out at DTS I was majoring in Cross Cultural Ministries. The requirements for completing this degree did not leave much space for electives. I decided that I would go for a second degree in Biblical Studies. This would allow me to take both Greek and Hebrews as electives. I thought this would benefit me I considered a Bible translation role in Papua New Guinea.
As I now had a double major I attended classes during the Summer months. This limited what travel we were be able to do. It was such a blessing when my parents came by for a brief visit. They had just driven cross-country and was on their way back to Virginia. It just so happened that when they came the Texas State Fair was opened. We were able to spend a day there together. The faces sticking out of the following are my mother, Helena and Gertrude.
During my second year at DTS Gertrude and I lead a Spiritual Formation group. It amounted to a small group Bible study with following an outline that was prepared for us. It was a joy to get to know some other couples from DTS and Gertrude had opportunity to minister to the ladies in the group. She also lead a Bible study for a group of ladies whose husbands were studying at the seminary.
2008
For a long while we were looking forward to be able to attend the Kagayanen New Testament dedication. After a number of delays it was going to happen. As much as I wanted to go to the Philippines for the dedication I did not see how it would happen as I was in my last semester of seminary. Wycliffe was even going to pay my way to go. Everyone wanted me to go, especially Gertrude. I spoke with my professors getting their permission to miss two weeks of classes. April 11, 2008 we were on our way to the Philippines with a group of about 30 people from all over the U.S. During the trip I had plenty of reading to do as well as 4 papers to finish. At times when I could not sleep because of jet-lag I would be up studying. View more pictures here.
There were a few people from Oak Cliff Bible Church that came including Pastor Tony Evans with his wife Lois (pictured here with Jacqueline Huggins between them). What made this translation special was the Jacqueline was the first African American to participate in the completion of translated a New Testament. There was even a write up about her in Ebony magazine. I was so grateful that Gertrude and I was able to be a part of this event.
When we returned from the Philippines I had just a few days left to turn in all my work and still be able to graduate. I worked as hard as I could to complete everything and it was only by the grace of God that I was able to get everything turned in 'just under the wire'.
I had never dreamed of going to seminary or doing any kind of graduate level studies. Now after three years of study I earned two masters, one M.A. in Cross Cultural Ministries and another M.A. in Biblical Studies. I so enjoyed my classes there--many being taught by experts in their field of study. How their lectures would challenge and inspire me. The times that Chuck Swindoll spoke in chapel I wanted to make sure I got there early or else I might not get a seat. He would tell the most memorable, down-to-earth stories to illustrate a point. I am so grateful for the time that I spent at Dallas Theological Seminary.
2009
In January 2009 we were on our way to Papua New Guinea. We expected to spend a few days in Los Angeles, CA, then fly on to Papua New Guinea (PNG). The day came for our departure to Los Angeles and still we hadn't received our visas. Since we had everything packed and were ready to go. We left for Los Angeles to wait for our visas there. It took days before leaving while waiting for our visas to come through. We stayed with one of our supporters and she was happy to have us stay longer. That week Washington, D.C. was shut down for two days because of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the inauguration of President Obama. After a delay of a week we were able to our visas, change our airline tickets and be were on our way to PNG.
Our first three months were spent at the Pacific Orientation Course (POC). It was time for me to learn about PNG culture and as well as learn Tok Pisin (the national trade language). Gertrude had done this years ago, but now she was going through it a second time for my benefit. Most of the participants were from the U.S. with a few from Canada, Australia, England and Korea. There were a total of 28 adults with 16 children.
One part of the course we spent six weeks in a village away from POC where Gertrude had to cook over an open fire. We lived in a little hut. It was just another way for me to learn more about the PNG culture and Tok Pisin. See some pictures of our village experience here.
It was not long after POC that we found our way to New Ireland Province. We were able to visit the New Ireland Translation Institute (NITI) just before the one-month session ended. It was a time for Gertrude and me to be introduced to to the NITI participants and staff and to meet the translation team for the Notsi.
On our 8th Anniversary we were began celebrating in Goroka during an education conference. We left Goroka and expected to change planes in Port Moresby but our connecting flight back to New Ireland was over booked. So the airline put us in in the Crowne Plaza Hotel. It made for a wonderful way for us to celebrate our anniversary. We could not had afforded something so nice if we had planned it.
2010
Back in 2002 when I made my first visit to PNG we spent some time at Simberi. Now we were able to return to Simberi for the Mandara New Testament Dedication. What a colorful event with the dancing and singing. Here is part of the procession with the Bibles being carried in behind these dancers.
Steven and Holly Hong had spent over 20 years among the Mandara people translating the New Testament and developing a literacy program. Their four children grew up there as well. Everyone was so pleased that the Hong childdren were able to return for the big celebration.
The first language group that Gertrude worked with back in 1987-1990 was the Sursurunga in the southern part of New Ireland. She went there to work with Don and Sharon Hutchisson, but not long after she got there they left because of medical reasons. Gertrude spent much of two years with the Sursurunga on her own. She has many fond memories of the place and be people.
It was such a blessing for us that date of the dedication for the Sursurunga New Testament was when we would be at a NITI course. This meant that we did not have far to travel to attend the dedication. There were many choirs that sang at this event. It was so wonderful to hear them singing many of the hymns that were translated into Sursurunga which we helped to edit and typeset for the Sursurunga hymnbook.
In September 2010 Gertrude and I helped organize and coordinate the Scripture Use Conference for New Ireland Province. Many church leaders from different denominations attended. It was an opportunity to relate to the higher level church leadership and to encourage the use of the vernacular Scriptures that have been translated. Also it was a great time to encourage the churches' involvement in current ongoing translation projects.
2011
March of this year we returned to Ukarumpa headquarters for meetings and biennial conference. Ukarumpa is in the highlands at 5,000 feet which makes for nice cool weather. It was a pleasant break from the tropical heat we have in New Ireland. For one set of meetings I ran the technology for the PowerPoint presentations. It was fun to use my talents in this way.
In April, Gertrude received an invitation to do a teachers training on Kung Island for the teachers of New Hanover. She had worked with them many years ago as she helped to develop vernacular education. There were over 100 teachers that were present for this week long course. She found that some of the teachers that she trained many years ago were still using the same materials and were in need of new materials. Gertrude worked with some eight different dialects for this language group. She is looking forward to completing the desktop publishing to produce the books that they were working on.
These last few months before furlough, it seems that most of the time that I have spent in Lossu has been focused on house renovations. In the process though it has helped me get to know some of the men in the village and helped with my language learning. After many delays getting the lumber cut at long last it was happening. We started at last on working many of the planned repairs on the village house. One day I hiked into the bush to see the process they used for cutting the wood. It was amazing to see all they could do with a just a chain saw.
More to come...
Created on Sept. 13, 2011
Updated on Sept. 15, 2011
