A. DRUMBEATNews of Jim and Cindy Davis withPioneer Bible Translators.

S.I.L. Box 255

7500 W. Camp Wisdom Rd.Dallas, TX 75236

Volume 11 Number II May 1998Bringing the Word to Life

Home Address:

6633 Nyman Dr. E-mail: j.davis2@Juno.comDallas, TX 75236

Clarifying Our Visionn our last newsletter, Cindy and I spoke of oneof the benefits of being here was clarifying

and defining our vision. We would like to share a little ofour vision, and goals as we pursue God's challenge to usto "...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing themin the name of the Father and of the Son and of the HolySpirit, and teaching them to obey everything I havecommanded you." (Matthew 28:19,20b)

So, then, what is our vision? What are our goals?Ultimately our desire is to see Matthew 24:14 become areality. "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preachedin die whole world as a testimony to all nations, and thenthe end will come." This should be the desire of everychurch, of every minister, of every Christian - to see thegospel preached to every nation!

Our role in this with PBT will be varied. Cindy andI are mainly going to Tanzania as support staff. Bysupport we mean that we give any kind of aid andassistance to the survey and translation teams, the literacyspecialists, and the teachers that are with our branch. Thiskind of support would involve logistics, hospitality,government relations, making sure the teams have thesupplies they need; the list can go on and on. We areexcited about how we can help in this way.

However, this will not be our only fimction inTanzania. For the first time PBT is actually sending to thefield personnel who's main function is church plantingand leadership training. The Jeff Reed family, as well asour family have a deep desire to see more and more Bible

I

In this issue...

Muslim Evangelism IAn UnreachedPeople 2Tanzania; Land of Opportunity 2Financial Ne\v$ 3Tidbits of Interest 3

Pravcrs and Praises 4

believing, self propagating mission minded churchesamong the unreached peoples of Tanzania. This willinvolve many things, such as Muslim evangelism,finding and defining unreached peoples, working withexisting churches where we are needed to assist. In thisissue of Drumbeat, I will concentrate on just what all ofthis means. As you read, I hope and pray that you willcapture the vision and make it your desire to reach theunreached peoples of the world with the gospel!

Muslim Evangelism

when most people hear of Muslims, andIslam, they think mainly of the Middle

5 Pjjlors of Islam

1. Mcfond eonfHtion. There rs only om God. iffKl Mohommod.ls IBS prophet:- ;-

% pmyers. Proyersore recited S times o doy to ;j^toh. They0^ done facInQ and cho[precededrttual-washing.

FdsfhiQ.;The bolymonth of Ramadqn iswhenII Musfffhs lasfdunng;the daylight hoijfs.: this tost.

Ihctyde:^ cfestal#yng^orn any dsw^I'ds• flocd- inordertobrtng spWtuat.nogrisfirTienb'qbd

In© one^heorer-teGod.. ••I Almsgfvfng. Charity, voluntary or as a tithe,

ipifftfles mart's roiYialntri© wecdll^!&:Wiptm«ge, Ail-should mQkeon hog :l^igrimoge) toMecca. This unites Muslirns •.jp^f^otes.fciotherhood, an^ the exchange of,:

|k^K3S.

East - Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq. However, Islamhas made great inroads to the continent of Afnca.

continued on page 4

2 DRUMBEAT

An Unreached People

You might be wondering what Imean whenI use the term "unreached people group."

Most of the time we think of it as a people group totallyuninfonned of who Jesus is and what He is all about.

And believe it or not, there are still thousands of peoplegroups all over the world who have never even heard ofJesus Christ. However, there is an even broader range ofpeople groups who would fit into the accepted definitionof an "unreached people group." The missiologicaldefinition of an unreached people group came about froma meeting in Chicago in 1982, attended by missionaries,mission agencies and their delegates. An unreachedpeople group is "a people group within which there isno indigenous community of believing Christians (l.ea church) able to evangelize this people group." Thisdefinitionhas since been expanded to include all of thosegroups who "do not have a translation of theScriptures in their own mother tongue."

According to the U.S. Center for World Missionin Pasadena, CA there were approximately 24,000 peoplegroups throughout the world. As of 1994, 11,000 ofthose have be classified as unreached. The task that

remains is a daunting one, but one that is doable. Withthe resources we have in the U.S. and the people whohave committed to win the world for Christ, we can seethis cometo pass! Wouldyou please make it a priority topray for these unreached peoples of the world, and dowhat you can do with what God has given you toaccomplish the task of winning the world for JesusChrist?

i<ik

Some womenfrom a Tanzanian village

Tanzania: Land of Opportunity

Until you can associate names and places,phrases such as unreached people groups

may not have much meaning. But when you realizethat these groups have names, families, homes,dreams, problems, etc. then you might begin to realizethe enormity of the task that confronts us. Below arelisted some of the groups who have yet to be reachedwith the gospel, especially noting that these peoplegroups have no scripture translations of their own.

♦ The Rufigi - A predominately Muslimgroup, numbering about 200,000. They arelocated on the coast stretching inland, SEofDodoma, They have no churches, or thescripture in their own language,

♦ The Matengo - This peoplegroup is locatedin the extreme SW corner of Tanzania.They number about 150,000. One of theimportant things to note here is that thisgroup has little comprehension of otherlanguages.

♦ The Kwere - Numbering about 98,000,this group is comprised of animistic andMuslim adherents, with some recognitionof Christianity, probably due to a Catholicinfluence. They are located east of Dodoma.

♦ The Matumbi - This group also has littlecomprehension of other languages, and as ofyet have no Scripture in their own mothertongue. They number about 72,000 and arealso located SEof Dodoma, along the coast.

These are just a few of the many groupswithin Tanzania that have no Scripture in theirown language, nor an indigenous church that canreach their own people. They are not as of yettargeted by any translation agency or mission groupthat we know of. Through your prayers andconcern, maybe we can make a difference in thelives of these people. (Data taken from the 1996Ethnologue and the Bible Translation Needs:Bulletin 3)

3 DRUMBEAT

Financiol New$

e just want to take this opportunity tothank all our supporting churches and

individuals who believe in and in our ministry withPioneer Bible Translators in Tanzania. As many ofyouknow, raising support can be a daimting, and at times,frustrating task. However, this is more than just "raisingsupport." We are conunitted to developing partners inour ministry rather than simply solicit financialcommitments.

Below is a Ust of those churches and individuals

who have conunitted to partnering together with us inour ministry with PBT.

Capella Church ofChrist —King, NCCommunity ChristianChinch —New Braunfels, TXCooperstown Christian Church —Mt. Sterling, ILCrab Orchard Christian Church —Crab Orchard, KYFirst Christian Church —Kingsport, TNLamar Christian Church — Bddwin, GAMill Springs Christian Chinch —Nk)nticello, KYPoplar Springs Church of Christ —King, NCOak Grove Christian Church —Beckley, WVThomgrove Christian Church —Straw. Plains, TNTranters Creek Church of Christ —Washington, NCWildie Christian Church — Wildie, KYWoodlawn Christian Church — Knoxville, TNDean and Judy Davis —Knoxville, TNJim and Dena DeWeese —Indianapolis, INJon and Sherri Eikel —New Braunfels, TXBert and Joy Wade —New Braunfels, TX

W

Please note: Tax deductible donations need to be

made out to "Pioneer Bible Translators." Include

a separate note saying "For Jim and CindyDavis" with your check. Please do not put ournames on the check. Checks made out to Jim or

Cindy Davis cannot be receipted and are nottax-deductible.

Many thanks to all who all who have contributedtoour one time costs. We will still need plane tickets,more shots, visas and passports, supplies, containershipment. Already we have been promisedagenerator, new luggage, and 2 new file cabinets.Thankyou all so much!! We couldnot do this withoutyou.

May 1998

Tidbits of interestJim finally completed all of his work for

his M.A. from Johnson. Due to the timeconstraints and travel and moving overseas,Jim was only going to have one shot at passinghis final comprehensive exam. His professorstook pity and decided they needed to get himout of the country, so they unanimously passedhim. He graduates May 5'" at JBC

The kids are doing fine, although now they areready to be done with school. We are proud oftheir efforts this past year, and we thank all ofyou for praying for them. All 3 made all A'sand B's. Thanks for your prayers.

We Just returned from the pleasure of gettingyet more Immunizations for our entry intoTanzania. So far the shots have cost $1041.75.We aren't done yet.

Yes, they do have a golf course or two inTanzania. Unfortunately (or fortunately,depending on how you look at it) they don'thave one in Dodoma, where we will be living. ®

Michael turned 12 on April 24^*^. It is hard tobelieve it has been 12 years since he was bornat Luampa Mission Hospital in Zambia.

David Just asked me if he could have amotorcycle when we get to Tanzania. He is only10 and already asking for his own wheels.

Keren is 6 and thinks she is 16. And youthought we were moving to Tanzania to be reallive missionaries.

We love all of you dearly. Pray for us.

Our summer is filling up fast. We hope to addto the list of partner ohurches so that we mayget to the field and into the work as soon aspossible!! If you would like for us to speak toyou or your missions committee, please let usknow as soon as you can.

4 DRUMBEAT

Prayers and Praises

Prayers of Praise:

We rejoice at the increased interest in ourministry with PBT.

• We are thankful for the opportunities wehave had to share our work recently.

That our training in Dallas is almost over,and our journey to Tanzania is withinsight.

>- That Jim was able to complete hisrequirements for his M.A.

• David, Michael, and Keren are very gladthat the school year is almost over. (Soare we)

• That God continues to reveal Himself to

us more and more as each day passes.

Prayers of Petition:

• For us as we travel this summer. We are

looking forward to this, but know it will betiring.

• We are still in need of monthly financialpartners.

»• For continued good health of our family.

• For our co-workers in Tanzania:

The Jim and Susan Farmer FamilyThe Brad and Tammie Harvey FamilyThe Jeff and Lori Hobble FamilyNaomi Dobbins

Linda Loughren

• For continued good health of our fellowM.i.T.'s, Jeff and Paula Reed. Pray thatthey will raise the support they need.Congratulations on the birth of NoahChristian! Paula and Noah are doing fine.

IJAliC

. L4k^

iC '̂V ALLEY

iAvfi-A-

' V*l l£ Y Tuigji

MRISAUM

Continued from page 1Tanzania is considered to be 33% Muslim, and many ofthese Muslim people groups in Tanzania have yet to bereached with the gospel. Unlike the Middle East,however, the government does not restrict access to thesetribes and yet they remain largely unimpacted by thegospel due to cultural and linguistic barriers.

There are other differences between Islam in

Africa, and Islam in the Middle East. The African tribesare still affected by their animistic background, and thiscreeps into their "classical Islam" creating a folk Islam.There is still a deep abiding belief in the spirit world, andthe impact of deceased ancestors within the community.So on the surface, you see devout Muslims diligentlyabiding by the 5 pillars (listed on the front), butunderneath there is the recognition that there is somethingmore to their spiritual life. This in fact makes for apotentially very receptive field for the gospel.

This is where PBT has a great and uniqueopportunity. While reading the Koran is very importantto them, many cannot read the Arabic that the Koran mustbe read in. And those who do can usually only read thecharacters, and cannot understand a word of what they arereading! What kind of impact will it have when we canoffer them the Word of truth in their own language, andteach them to read for themselves?

The bottom line is this: the people entrapped andenslaved by Islam are lost! One of the prayers they mustrecite is for the people not to go to hell. Presumably thisincludes Mohammed as well. If it is uncertain that

Mohammed will be saved, what hope do the rest of themhave?! If they can perform more good works than evildeeds, they might attain paradise, but it is never certain.In fact, Islam teaches that all will go to hell, and therighteous, those who were good enough, will be purgedout and brought to heaven. We seek to bring the messageof truth, and bring it to them in such a way that they canunderstand in their own language. Won't you make thisa part of your vision and begin to pray for the unreachedMuslims of Tanzania?

Mission Services AssociationPersonal File Form

Date I

Full NameDate of Birth

Complete Field Address •!> .9 Box , ' I £a-^T/Ifck^Phone Number on Field 5^/

E-mail and/or Web Address Tam"? AN'A O

Complete Stateside Address "p, n. ?3 cT?/A - ^5"3.Phone Number In U.S.A. (4z^)

Name and address of sponsoring church(es) or organization recommending you.

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Marital Status <cO Spouse's full name

Children's name and date of birthWedding Date //- 2-5 ^

7)w„^ //-/2-y/

Brief Career Summary (attach additional sheet if necessary)Place Position Service

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Hjuju o^tfU'rv-T^is ^ 'T'XEducation (High School and later)Location Years; SchooL . . i.v./^«uv>M V ~^ ^

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Father's Name

FnnA/3rdlnn Agent J^'7^

Address and Phone Mnmhrr 7^7 S?fz^Full Name of Mission ^ ^

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Brief Description of Duties on Mission Field /'4

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/^d-x 2) V̂/ C TyJ Mother's full maiden name Ju^/z -A ^kf7^<LS77-39^^

Please Return to : PO Box 13111, Knoxville, TN 37920-0111

Mission Services AssociationPersonal File Form

Full Name J^ Dateof Birth r-ZO^S-JComplete Field Address ^>4.Phone Number on Field ^ ^ ^ ^ 3

E-mail and/or Web Address T P>T - A/ A.' />» r2

Complete Stateside

Rhone Number in U.S.A. S7'^"' ^ —-

Name and address of sponsoring church(es) or organization recommending you.

Marital Status,

Wedding Date

Place

Spouse's full name

Ctiildren's name and date of birtfi

2^ZO-Sg /^^aJ //-/d~r/Brief Career Summary (attach additional sheet if necessary)

Position Service Dates

Education (High School and later)^ School ./ ^ Locatim Years ^ Degree/DateX, ^ r/A3-<^ , 5

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/ Brief Description of [^ties on Missi^ Field

Father's Name f Mother's full mai^ifnameForwarding .n.n,

Address and Phone Number S'!'P^ efe- C///^./XL/ '̂ '̂̂ 20Full Name of Mission

Please Return to : PO Box 13111, Knoxvilie, TN 37920-0111

UGANDA

ZAIRE \\\^

ZAMBIA

TANZANIA

Dochma

KENYA

DaresSalaam

MALAWI

{ )\\ MOZAMBIQUE

We will be stationed in Dodoma, Tanzania |and will be involved mainly in support work,administration, Muslim evangelism, churchplanting and leadership training. Our co-workers in Tanzania will be:

Naomi Dobbins

Jim and Susan Farmer

Ethan, Abram, and Caleb

Brad and Tammie HarveyBradley

Jeff and Lori HobbieIsak, Zachary, and Chloe

Linda Loughren

Jeff and Paula Reed

Nicholas, Stephen, Scott, Andy and ????

Opportunities for service in Tanzania |^ Bible Translation and Survey Work ,

Survey work involves identifying and |assessing those groups who have no |Scripture in theirownlanguage. Once this 'is done, translation may begin to take ;place. '

• SupportWork iSupport work involves assisting is any way jpossible what the surveyors and translators iare doing. This can include logistics,computer help, government relations, Isupplies, and many other areas. j

^ Urban and Rural church planting andleadership training. |It is vital that we plant Bible believingchurches where there are none, and traincapable leaders for the ones that need anddesire it. We have a unique opportunityhere in that PBT is a non-denominational

group in that we can help any indigenouschurch group which may be excluded bydenominational groups.

^ Muslim EvangelismTanzania has a large Muslim population,and we feel it vital to share the love of Jesus

with these people.

^ Animism

Tanzania's population is 1/3 animistic.They also need to know of the saving graceof Jesus Christ. Please pray for us as we tryto reach them for Christ.

Introducingthe

DavisFamily

with

Pioneer

BIBLE

TRANSLATORS

Bringing the Word to Life

X

INTKOVUCING..,

We would like to introduce ourselves

and give you a little background informationon our family. My wife, Cindy, and 1bothgrew up on the mission field in Africa;Cindy's family lived in Tanzania and myfamily in Zambia. Many of you probablyknow my parents, Dean and Judy Davis.Cindy and I also served in Zambia withZambia Christian Mission where our first

son, Michael was born. Michael is nowalmost 12 and we have two other children:

David {10) and Keren (6).At present we live in Dallas, Texas

while we complete our training with PioneerBible Translators at the Summer Institute of

Linguistics. Our training, so far, hasconsisted of linguistic courses as well as amanagement training program. This semesterwe are pursuing courses in missions andevangelism. Meanwhile, 1am finishing up theremaining requirements for my mastersdegree at Johnson Bible College. Lordwilling, 1will graduate in May and all of ourstateside training and educationalrequirements will be fulfilled. Our plan is toreturn to Knoxville, Tennessee for theremaining months prior to our departure toTanzania, East Africa. It is our hope andprayer that everything will be in order for usto leave in August of this year. We areanxious to get on to the field and start ourlanguage training so that we can begin ourwork there.

Cindw Jim. Keren. David. & Michael

PRAYER CONCERNS

Strength and patience as we completeour preparation and training.

God's grace for our children as they facemuch transition and uncertainty.

Temporary housing in Knoxville fromJune till we leave for Tanzania.

Additional monthly support (approx.$1000.00/mo.) needs to be raised byApril 1 in order for us to leave by ourAugust target date.

One time funds are needed for the

following: plane tickets, languageschool, vehicle, container, supplies,appliances. (Estimate $20,000)

Ye^. I do want to be more involved in

Jim and Cindy Davis' ministry withPioneer Bible Translators. Please add

my name to their mailing list to receivetheir newsletter, The/'Dyvtvyiheat^

Name

Address

Please send this request to:Pioneer Bible Translators

S.i.L. Box 255

7500 W. Camp Wisdom Rd.Dallas, TX 75236

• 1will also commit to pray daily for Jimand Cindy in their ministry with PBT.

1also want to help financially with theirstart up costs. Enclosed is:

•$10.00 •$25.00 •$50.00 ^$75.00

•$100.00 ^$200.00 •to help with their start up costs.

1 would also like more information about:

• Summer Internship opportunities• Membership with PBT• Training requirements and programs• PBT's doctrinal statement