February 14, 2020
The Next Language 15 — Getting Lighter
A verse that has been going on in my personal life for several months now is Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (ESV)
This verse has been playing out in a more corporate way since our Board President, Bill Cornthwaite, announced in December that our corporate headquarters in Temecula had been sold. We are now well into escrow and busy sorting and packing for a major move.
When I came to direct the GRN USA work there was a for sale sign out front, so it was not a total surprise, but it did require some mental adjustments. It opens the door for us to move into a footprint more appropriately sized. We are occupying less than half of the headquarters building. I really believe that as we move toward the focus on finishing recording the world’s remaining unrecorded languages, we are going to put a lot less resources into brick and mortar.
Almost simultaneous to the sale of the building was an invitation to join The Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) base in Catalina, Arizona. Partnership seems to be a pattern that is going to be a major part of the ongoing strategy to record every language. The prospects of the proximity of over 6,000 languages on 5fish near the resources of Scripture Earth, is exciting to contemplate.
We have before us the opportunity to come alongside a sister mission in a totally flexible manner that allows for both missions to adjust to future needs with a fraction of the operating cost and no debt. California is an expensive place to do business, even as a Christian non-profit. Few know that we have to pay 7% tax on our own materials that we donate to other ministries within the state. Even mission property is taxed. Most of the mission compatriots we fellow-shipped with fifty years ago have long since left California.
Pray for all of us. This new beginning is a fresh time to reassess, regroup, and move forward.
God Bless,
Larry DeVilbiss | Executive Director
Global Recordings Network USA
P. S. As a “thank you” for your continued support of the ministry of Global Recordings Network USA, and in celebration of over 80 years of God’s faithfulness, we have compiled a collection of 80 daily devotions written by GRN founder, Joy Ridderhof. You may read or download your copy of Rejoice Always – 80 Devotions with Joy Ridderhof here.