SUMMER INSTITUTE OF LINGUISTICS, INC.

James K. Watters Ronald L. Newberg Samuel L. Bryant

Director Associate Director Associate Director MEXICO PROGRAM

16131 N. Vernon Drive, Tucson, Arizona 85739 • (520) 825-6000
Fax (520) 825-6116

September 22, 2005

Dear friends of Don and Bev Roth,

As Don and Bev’s field supervisor I’d like to thank you for your involvement in the ministry of Don and Bev and to give you an update on their Bible translation work among the Cora people of Mexico.

In 1992 the Roths moved to Tepic, a city close to the mountainous region where the Cora Indians live. Don and Bev immediately began learning the Cora language as it is spoken in the village of Santa Teresa which was and still is extremely closed to outsiders. The Roths have gradually won the confidence of the people and established key relationships with the village authorities and elders. As these relationships have grown they were able to acquire a house on a ranch just outside Santa Teresa, and have recruited and trained native speakers to serve as translation workers.

The project has moved along well. At this point all of the New Testament has been drafted and 32% has been checked by a translation consultant.

Don and Bev also have key roles in the network of missionaries who are planting indigenous churches among the Santa Teresa Cora and three other Cora dialects. In particular, the Roths have supported fellow translators Gene and Betty Casad by hosting them and the Casads’ language helpers in their home in Tepic. As a result of this cooperative effort, the El Nayar Cora New Testament was published in 2000. Don and Bev have also hosted and helped the Casads with their work on the Presidio de Los Reyes New Testament, which is now almost ready for publication. Nearly all of the working sessions for this translation project were held in the Roths’ home in Tepic.

Here is what Don and Bev plan to do in the next 3 years:

• Finish checking the New Testament draft with a translation consultant, test the revised draft with Cora speakers, and prepare it for publication.
• Hold a workshop in the village to train key believers to read and write their language using the Cora Scriptures as the basis of instruction.
• Complete a transition primer in Cora for those who already read and write Spanish in order to help them learn to read and write their native language, Cora.
• Facilitate and encourage the local church in Tepic to minister among the Coras with evangelistic, dental, and medical outreach teams.

The Roths have moved to Manzanillo in the state of Colima which seems like the best place for their family to be. Their language helpers are planning to spend time there regularly in order to continue working with the Roths on Bible translation.

In order to do these things, Don and Bev will need to significantly increase their overall monthly support level to enable them to continue hosting and paying their current language help as well as hire more help for the upcoming village testing phase. Will you please pray with them that God will supply what is needed?

Over the years the Roths have persevered in this difficult and isolated language, and you have been a faithful partner with them through your prayers and financial gifts. May the Lord reward you richly for your encouragement to Don and Bev and for your part in bringing the Cora people of Mexico God’s Word!

Sincerely in Christ,

Larry Hagberg