DECEMBER 2024 TOTONAC BIBLE CENTER NEWSLETTER

 

Dear Friends of the Totonacs,

Felipe Ramos carries the torch forward in 2024 by overseeing the training and discipling of 46 students through the Herman Aschmann Training Center. 36 are in their first of two years of Bible school education. The other 10 are our teachers and advanced students who are studying printed materials from SETECA (Central American Theological Seminary). Like his mentors before him, Felipe sends his students back to their villages and churches to become leaders and pastors. He also acknowledges, the training and ministry is most effective when done in the Highland Totonac language that his people understand best.

Our teachers go out each Saturday to provide classes in 4 or 5 training locations. In two other large congregations local  pastors who share our vision teach the  Aschmann curriculum to students from their home churches and from nearby villages. All classes and study materials are provided free of charge, and we believe, in accordance with the school’s founding principal found in Paul’s instruction to Timothy.

   That which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses             entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

                                                                                                     II Timothy 2:2

Clearly, Felipe, along with his team of trained workers, is accomplishing the task of taking God’s light to the Totonac people through training and discipling leaders among his people, just as Manuel Arenas and Herman Aschmann did to the last generation.


However, our vision is expanding beyond the Bible school to include translation of the Old Testament into the Highland Totonac language and possibly other projects.

 


In January, and again in July, 2024 UNTI (Unidos Nacionales Traductores Indigenous) of Mexico came to Nanacatlan to conduct a Taste of Translation Workshop. The result was 30 of our best and brightest learned much about how to translate scripture from Spanish to Totonac. They successfully translated the 23rd Psalm into 4 variant Totonac dialects.  Each dialect group stood up and read their translation to the others. Then they  recorded their work to an audio file. Recently, in September, Felipe transmitted the translations in his weekly radio program that reaches the entire Totonac speaking area. The feedback from his listeners was very positive. Their understanding of the recordings was clear, and they were happy to learn the Lord is their Shepherd, they shall not want. As it stands, UNTI has offered to come and oversee translation of other sections of the Old Testament if the church in Nanacatlan desires to put the work in. So far we have no plans to translate more of the Bible but are pleased with the people’s heightened interest in the Word realized in sales of New Testament copies we have at the Center.

 


In other translation news, a week later, Wycliffe Associates project managers came to the Center to discuss training their staff and translators at our place. We met and spoke with some local translators and set up a date in November to begin training in a stalled project involving the Papantla Totonac Old Testament. Unfortunately, the project fell through due to lack of coordination among translators. I trust, Lord willing, the future will see a Wycliffe and UNTI presence of training and translating in the Herman Aschmann Memorial Training Center.

 This is a very exciting time for the Totonac Bible Center and the ministry of Felipe Ramos. We delight in seeing the vision of Manuel Arenas, Herman Aschmann and Dale Kietzman continue through training and equipping Totonac pastors and leaders at the Aschmann Training Center.

 

 

To read information about this ministry and Dr. Dale Kietzman’s Aschmann Center Concept go to www.totonacbible.org. You can also find  Felipe’s annual ministry report and other good information by Googling TOTONAC BIBLE CENTER.



Felipe writes: As friends and supporters Lola and I thank you in advance for your ongoing prayers and generous giving that helps us transform lives and communities in Mexico. We remain dedicated to the vision of Manuel Arenas to bring the message of Christ to his Totonac people in their own heart language. If you would like to support us in this important work please do so through the donate button on www.totonacbible.org website or send a check to the P.O. Box in the enclosed envelope.  Please visit the website and blog for up to date information on the ministry.

 

We pray that you and your families are safe and healthy in these stressful times and your days are full of His peace and joy throughout the year. Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

 

The Totonac Bible Center, Inc.

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5103, Katy, TX 77491

Email: peter@totonacbible.org

 

 

Until He returns,

 

Peter J. Petry    

Peter J. Petry

President and Co-Founder of The Totonac Bible Center, Inc.

 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

TASTE OF TRANSLATION JANUARY 2024

Image
Thirty men and women from 3 different Totonac regions gather in Nanacatlan in January, 2024 for a “Taste of Translation” workshop. UNTI (Wycliffe Bible Translators affiliate organization) sponsored the 2 day training. The purpose of the meetings was to study the likelihood of success of translating the Old Testament into Totonac and to teach translation skills to those assembled. 2 members of team Nanacatlan display their village map that identifies where Totonac or the Spanish language is spoken. This exercise helps the Christian workers visualize how best to spread the Gospel in their village. Brothers from Nanacatlan learning new skills by translating Psalm 23 into their Highland Totonac language in a 2 day “Taste of Translation” seminar.   Josefa, wife of Pastor Jose Gorgonio Cabrera of Las Lomas, Veracruz stands to read Psalms 23 translated into her Coyutla Totonac dialect. The challenge is to combine all 3 dialects into a single completed copy that is understood b...
Read more

DECEMBER 17, 2022 STUDENT GRADUATION

Image
The Hermann Aschmann Bible Training Center officially opened its doors on July 16, 2022, but the training began 10 years prior when the vision for the Center was conceived. Dr. Dale Kietzman's training center concept is published on the Totonac Bible Center website. I am sure Dr. Dale is looking down from heaven and smiling at this vision for a Totonac Bible training center being realized. 10 of our 20 graduates trained at the Center located in Nanacatlan, Puebla, MX. The others studied in Calalco, Veracruz, MX under Pastor Miguel Garcia. Maestros Sadrac Luna (left) and Jaime Leal with their first graduates of the Herman Aschmann BIble Training Center in Nanacatlan.. Maestra Maria Del Rocio Petry with graduating students. Maestro Miguel Garcia of Calalco, Veracruz, MX presents a certificate to bible student.  Jaime Leal presents a certificate to a bible student from Nanacatlan. Felipe Ramos and bible student from Calalco, Veracruz And we are just getting started!
Read more