International

Gerson and Katie serve in Guatemala with their four young children. Gerson worked for the Guatemalan translation organization as a translator in his mother tongue, Poqomchi, from 2012-2017. In 2018, he joined Wycliffe and currently serves as a Language Technology and Publication Specialist, helping with IT and typesetting in the Americas. Gerson is currently working with 6 Mayan languages in Guatemala (including Poqomchi). Katie serves as a Translation Consultant in Guatemala and keeps everything at home running smoothly. Gerson and Katie met in Guatemala when Katie arrived in 2012 for her first assignment, beginning a friendship that changed both their lives. They were married in 2017, welcomed their son Lucas in 2018, their twin daughters Emilia and Olivia in 2019, and their son Nathan in 2021. They have been in Guatemala serving together as a family since early 2022. We invite you to prayerfully consider being a part of Bible Translation in Guatemala by partnering with Gerson and Katie’s Wycliffe ministry.

HISTORY OF WCCLIFFE

“When 20-year-old William Cameron (“Cam”) Townsend went to Guatemala to give out Spanish Bibles, he was surprised when he met a man who didn’t understand the language. This man didn’t want a Spanish Bible or a God who didn’t speak his language. That moment inspired Cam to take action. And his story sparked a movement and vision that are rapidly changing the world!

In 1934 Cam started Camp Wycliffe, a linguistics training program named after John Wycliffe, the first translator of the entire Bible into English. Less than 10 years later, it grew into what would later be known as the Summer Institute of Linguistics (now SIL Global) and Wycliffe Bible Translators. What started as a summer camp and became two global organizations has since spread to hundreds of partner organizations around the world who are working together to see the gospel go out among the nations.”

First Baptist Church of Hilton Head Island is the island’s official drop-off location for Operation Christmas Child. OCC is a ministry of the Samaritan’s Purse Foundation. “Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Because many people around the world do not have the means to celebrate Christmas, OCC provides a way for these children to receive gifts on Christmas as well as the gospel message!

If you would like to share in the joy of packing boxes for children around the world to enjoy on Christmas, do not forget to grab a box. Every Christmas we make boxes available to fill and pick up late October/early November. You do not want to miss out on this amazing opportunity to share Jesus with other children around the world!