On Friday, June 5, we completed the proofreading of The Climax of God’s Mission, volume two. We have asked that five proofs be prepared so that a final check can be made before any copies are sold. Normally, proof copies are ready quickly, but there can be delays for various reasons. Lord willing, the book should be ready for sale by the end of the month.
Next projects
Even while awaiting the proofs, we are already gearing up for other projects. We will be, at least for some months, shifting gears a bit. Longterm, Thayer’s focus will continue to be the textbook work; but sometimes the mind needs a change of pace, and there are numerous other things that are needed. For the next few months we will work on some of the following.
Evangelistic literature
We have received permission from World Bible School to have their lessons translated into SiSwati. Unfortunately, we do not have a copy of the most basic introductory WBS course. All the WBS material we have found in Eswatini is too advanced for people who do not yet know the Lord. Brother Maseko is ready to do the translating, but we need to begin at the beginning. We started him out translating “How the World Went Wrong” a very basic overview of the Bible we have used since our time in Nigeria (1993-1997). But we will need more than that four-page tract. So, Thayer will spend a little time writing a few basic lessons that Brother Maseko can translate.
Psalms
The Book of Psalms is one of the longest book in our Bibles. It served as the first hymnbook of the early church. But it is often neglected. Writing a textbook on the Psalms would be beyond our expertise. And that may not be what African students would want or need. Thayer has taught the Psalms several times and is currently writing a series of brief articles for the Gospel Herald on the Psalms. The series has reached Psalm 102. He hopes to complete that series of articles by early next year and to collect them into book form so that they can be used in churches, in schools, and by individuals (even those who have never heard of the Gospel Herald). This book will not have all the narratives and other helps we include in the textbook series. But it should be of considerable value to the many brothers and sisters who know that the Psalms are in the Bible, but who have little understanding of how the Psalms might be useful in our lives.
Zambia
We are still considering the possibility of spending several weeks in Zambia (September-October). They want our help at Namwianga (George Benson Christian University), but there are some details that are currently unclear. Hopefully clarity concerning that trip will come by July.
Children’s lessons
Chery is still working on children’s lessons and making good progress. That will be a very long-term project.
Health report
We both feel blessed to enjoy better health than others our age. When compared to others, even in our own families, we are greatly blessed. But Thayer has not had much energy for several months. A recent blood test revealed below normal levels of one hormone, of vitamin D, and low iron saturation in his blood. Treatment has begun, but prayer would be appreciated.
African Textbook Ministry, Church of Christ, 5130 Flanders Road, Toledo, OH 43623
thayer@africantextbook.com, africantextbook.com