The Rev. Dirk and Sarah Stadtlander are ELCA missionaries in Linguere, Senegal, serving in parish ministry. To support the Stadtlanders, or another of the ELCA’s 230 missionaries, go to www.elca.org/missionarysponsorship.

Malick Sy

Samba Coulibaly

We took these photos of Samba Coulibaly and Malick Sy to help them get visas for Israel. Samba and Malick are Bible translators, currently working on translating the Old Testament, or Hebrew Bible, into Pulaar.

The opportunity arose for them to enter the Study Program for Translators of the Hebrew Bible at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Though it came down to the wire in getting visas approved by Israel, everything came together just in time for them to leave Senegal at the end of January. At the end of their six months (January — June), they will return with a Certificate in the Translation of the Hebrew Bible.

Though the parish (and especially Dirk as pastor) misses having these gifted translators around, we are excited that they have this opportunity for travel and study. We pray that their studies will be fruitful and allow for a wonderful, authentic and “dancing” Pulaar translation. We also pray for their families during this long absence as well as all who are surrounding their family with care and support during these months of geographical separation.

Most of the funding for these scholarships is from you through ELCA — Global Mission. Thank you!