modMissions | December 2024
One Year Anniversary: Issue No. 20
Psalm 133:1-3
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.”
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY.🙌🎉🥳
December 4, 2023—one year ago, Catherine and I officially stepped into our roles at Wycliffe after 18 months of partnership development. Wow, what a ride! This year has been a whirlwind of travels, miracles, hard lessons, and deep spiritual growth. We haven’t “arrived,” but we’re so thankful for God’s unfailing love and patience as we follow the path He’s laid before us.
To our incredible partners and newsletter readers—thank you for walking this journey with us. Your prayers and support mean the world. There’s so much more ahead, and we’re excited to see where God leads us in the coming year.
Here’s to the next chapter!
MISSIONARY UPDATES.
October Adventures
The first half of October took us to the northern Midwest, starting with Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL, where we met with staff and colleagues to prepare for next year’s mission conferences. From there, we traveled to Michigan (Catherine’s home state), visiting multiple churches and speaking at two about the vital work of Bible translation. Later in the month, we returned to North Carolina to participate in two Fall Christian music festivals. At each event, we set up a booth to share the Gospel and the mission of Bible translation, forming many meaningful connections that we pray will continue to grow.
November Highlights
In November, Brandon visited South Carolina for CIU’s Career Fair, inspiring students about missions and their future goals. We also connected with a local church plant, sharing our story and the importance of Bible translation, and wrapped up by spending time with Wycliffe colleagues.
December Impact
Brandon wrapped up the year with an 11-day trip to Cuetzalan, Mexico, alongside our church (more pictures in the Family Update). The experience was nothing short of miraculous: the sick were healed, church leaders reconciled, the community celebrated its first weddings, and over 50 people gave their lives to Christ. We served the local church through house visits, discipleship classes, preaching at rehabs, and connecting with house churches, men’s and women’s groups. God was powerfully at work, and it was an incredible blessing to witness and be part of it all!
This first year in our roles has been a roller coaster—in the best way! We’re so grateful for the amazing ways God is working through us. None of it would be possible without your love, prayers, and generous support. You are an essential part of our lives and the ministry God has entrusted to us! Thank you!
FAMILY UPDATES.
As always, here’s our totally rad 1980s-style Family Updates video montage! 😎🎥
Let me be vulnerable for a second. All the traveling this year has been extremely exhausting, and at times frustrating. 😓
However, the thing that kept us going the most was finding time to incorporate family time as much as possible. It is a blessing to be able to serve as a couple and with our kids! 🙏
WYCLIFFE UPDATES.
God is Bringing His Word to a Remote Area of Africa
In a difficult-to-reach region of Africa, at least 27 partners are working together to bring God’s Word to the area. These partners include eight churches representing multiple denominations. Click here or the picture above to read more!
Language Highlight/Prayer Focus 🙏
Sissala 2 Project in Burkina Faso
Sissala is a language spoken in Francophone Africa by approximately 13,000 people in Burkina Faso. The Sissala New Testament, available since 1999, is widely used in both print and audio format by pastors for preaching and individuals in the community for personal study.
Now the Sissala 2 project aims to complete the Sissala Old Testament with consultant checking and community proofreading. The project objectives also include audio recordings, literacy classes, Bible reading groups and training workshops.
Please pray for the project team’s efforts and impact in the Sissala community, and let’s join them in thanking God for:
Success of the testing and checking activities to ensure accuracy and clarity of the translation of the Book of Ezekiel.
Health of the translators, proofreaders and their families.
Good rainfall in the community.
PRAY WITH US.
🙌 God, we are praying for…
One of our family members in the hospital who has been diagnosed with COPD.
Another family member’s premature newborn, who has an underdeveloped lung and is struggling to breathe.
Your provision as we prepare for a potential vision trip to Nigeria to confirm if this is where You are leading our family.
Your strength as we prepare for 2025 and another year of service to You and the ministry of Bible translation.
🙌 God, we give You thanks for…
Your wisdom in providing a plan to stabilize Catherine’s health.
2024 being a fruitful year of service to You and Your Kingdom.
Brandon being just three classes away from graduating in Spring 2025.
Our incredible partners who pray, advocate, and support us financially, encouraging us to stay the course You’ve set before us!
Need Prayer?
Contact us by responding to this email, or click the button below to set up a time to speak with us directly:
PARTNER WITH US.
If you are not partnering with us monthly but would like to, you can respond to this newsletter or set up a meeting with us here:
Or you can skip all the formalities and start monthly partnership with us today:
For monthly financial partnerships by mail:
Wycliffe Bible Translators
P.O. Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862
1-800-WYCLIFFE
To give by check, please include a separate note in the envelope stating: “Preference for the Wycliffe ministry of Brandon and Cat Samuel”
That’s all for now!
Thanks for taking the time to catch up with us! Leave a comment below for any feedback on how we can improve this newsletter…
…and make sure to share this newsletter, so Charlotte doesn’t decide to turn into the cutest super villain of all time! 🥺😂🤣
Clarity and easily understood and relatable. My prayers for your family in all that you do. Stay strong and continue to be in discernment.
That ModMissions shirt is fire! Grateful for you all.