JAARS Progress Report

Transcription

1 JAARS 2012 Progress Report

2 New Flight Program in Australia Dear Friend, This past year marked a number of significant transitions for JAARS and our partners worldwide, as we support Bible translation. YAJASI, our mission aviation partner in Indonesia, reached a milestone in their multi-year transition from piston to turbine-powered aircraft. In September, they received their fourth Pilatus PC-6, made possible by generous JAARS donors like you. Just days earlier, they retired their last piston aircraft and now fly an all-turbine fleet. Other projects in fiscal year 2012 included two new flight programs, motorbikes and training, digital publishing, IT training, and more, some of which are detailed in this report. These accomplishments would not have been possible without faithful friends like you who prayed, served, and donated generously. Thank you. Closer to home, JAARS underwent a major transition in Eldon Butch Barkman completed his service as president of JAARS, and I assumed the role on September 1. Butch led JAARS through all but one month of the fiscal year. His Christlike example and excellent mentoring also prepared me for my new position. We learned a challenging lesson last year, too. We thought we had found the right boat for serving among the Torres Strait islands, north of Australia, and put a deposit on it. Unfortunately we were not able to raise enough funds to complete the purchase and couldn t move Sandi and Butch Barkman forward. The same boat is still for sale, and we are asking God to show us this year whether this or another boat is the right solution. Now into 2013 we ve already made a number of significant changes to improve how we research project needs and share ways that you can be involved to make Bible translation possible. We will be reporting on those changes in our 2013 Progress Report early next year. Transitions can be hard we can either draw nearer to the Lord Jesus or give in to discouragement. Our heart s desire is for courage to be used by God in the days ahead. I pray the same for you. Your brother in Christ, Woody McLendon In September 2011 an anonymous donor gave his Cessna 182 to JAARS, a plane he d flown for over 30 years. It was in great condition and the timing couldn t have been better: it was the exact type of plane being sought for use in a new flight program located in Australia. Our partner, the Australian Society for Indigenous Languages, will use the aircraft to visit Aboriginal Australian communities and encourage the people to use God s Word in their own languages. During 2012 JAARS focused on equipping the plane, getting it ready for shipment to Australia, and pilot training. In 2013 plans are to ship the plane and for the pilot and his family to relocate to Australia. Torres Strait Boat in the Pacific Great strides were made in early 2012 as JAARS responded to an opportunity to provide a vessel for the Torres Strait for delivery of the Yumplatok Scriptures to 17 islands inhabited by nearly 30,000 people. An ocean-going vessel has been affirmed as the best solution to take God s Word to these isolated communities. The project is more than half funded. The Yumplatok New Testament dedication has been delayed until summer 2014, giving more time to respond to the needs of our Australian Society for Indigenous Languages partners as they work to serve the needs of these islanders. Pray with us as we strive to fund the rest of this evangelistic tool for ministry!

3 Motorbikes and Safety Training in Africa The terrain and frequent rains in rural areas of Africa create barriers to road construction and lasting repairs, making transportation difficult. Motorbikes provide an effective and efficient option for pastors and language and literacy workers who need to travel to isolated communities. In June 2012 staff from JAARS Land Transportation traveled to South Sudan to train 26 pastors in motorbike safety and maintenance in partnership with another nonprofit organization. Teaching motorbike maintenance basics keeps the equipment in good working condition longer, and safety training and protective gear improve the riders driving skills and minimizes risk of injury. IT Connect in Africa As the number of Bible translation projects increases in Africa, computer support is critical. IT Connect is a training and mentoring program for staff providing information technology (IT) support to translators and other language workers throughout Central and Western Africa. Twenty-one participants from 11 French-speaking African countries attended the 2012 program held in Burkina Faso. Attendees honed their skills and collaborated with each other for help, ideas, and encouragement. Having the right help available makes all the difference. Better IT support means faster work, more reliable systems, and less stress all around. Ultimately, IT workers in Africa attending IT Connect are equipped to serve Bible translation better than ever. YAJASI Retires Last Helio in Papua JAARS and YAJASI have been working for several years to transition the YAJASI fleet from piston-powered Helio Couriers to turbine-driven Pilatus PC-6 aircraft. One by one, the Helios have been retired. In September 2012 the final Helio, PK-UCA, finished its service just days before the fourth PC-6 aircraft arrived. PK-UCA, YAJASI s first aircraft, flew over 1.7 million nautical miles during its 36 years of service, carrying a total of 37,246 passengers and 4,540,212 kilograms. UCA was the last of the Helios at YAJASI, but the impact of the Helio Courier on Bible translation in Papua will be felt for decades to come.

4 Digital Scriptures in Sensitive Areas Dramatic growth in Internet access and mobile phone use by people living in countries where politics and culture suppress the sale and distribution of Scriptures is making a difference. In spite of social and religious restrictions, digital publishing is making God s Word accessible by computers, mobile phones, and other devices to people living in areas of the world who otherwise may never hear God s Word in their own language. Delivering God s Word to the Web and mobile phones is the goal of an independent media company working in sensitive countries with local mother-tongue translation teams. The company s service model is to not charge for website building and other services that make Scriptures easily accessible. In 2012 JAARS donors partnered with the company by providing funds for equipment, software development, and communications needed to create websites uniquely tailored to each community s language and culture. Financial Information for Fiscal Year % Program Activity Revenue.7% Investment Income 2.1% Other Income Income 71.2% Contributions 10.4% Management & General 5.5% Fund-raising Income Contributions Cash Contributions 2,589 Noncash from Public 914 Noncash from Affiliates 5,938 Total Contributions 9,441 Program Activity Revenue 3,452 Investment Income 96 Other Income 281 Total Income 13,270 Expenses (In thousands of dollars) Program Services Provided Language Development 996 Transportation 4,725 Technology 376 Ministry Operations 5,971 Total Program Services 12,068 New Flight Program in Tanzania Expenses 84.1% Program Services Supporting Activities Management and General 1,489 Fund-raising 790 Total Supporting Activities 2,279 Total Expenses 14,347 Gain/(Loss) from Operations -1,077 Gain/(Loss) on Disposal of Assets 12 Change in Net Assets -1,065 JAARS is partnering with SIL International and Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) in southwest Tanzania to provide reliable air transportation. Land transport in this rugged country can be unreliable, time-consuming, and dangerous often impossible for months during the rainy season. Pilot Steve Ottaviano and his wife, Debbie, arrived in Tanzania in April After MAF training in South Africa, three written tests, and two flight exams, Steve earned his Tanzanian pilot s license in September. The SIL-owned Cessna 206, formerly based in Kenya, arrived in Tanzania in December 2012 to be inspected and outfitted for its new role: serving translators, trainers, leaders, and other staff working in remote parts of southwest Tanzania. In the meantime, Steve has been helping MAF fly their two Cessna Caravans. JAARS raises funds for some large projects over several years. When the funds are released, the full expense is recorded in the current fiscal year expenses though the income came in several earlier fiscal years. Thus expenses can be larger than income in a given fiscal year. Notes All career members are supported by the contributions of friends and churches through Wycliffe Bible Translators. $5,938,372 is included in noncash contributions from affiliates and in various categories for labor expense. Donated labor from volunteers amounted to $2,174,508 of which $732,743 qualified under SFAS 116 and is recognized and reported as income and expense. Depreciation of $565,925 is included in expenses. Total Net Assets on September 30 were $13,305,737 of which $5,827,580 were temporarily restricted. Amounts in this report represent the financial activity of JAARS, Inc., for the fiscal year ended September 30, Complete financial statements, audited by Capin Crouse LLP, are available on request.

5 JAARS Board of Directors and Officers for 2012 Board of Directors Duane G. Johnson, Chair Hendersonville, NC Steve Lynip, Vice Chair Philippines Raymond R. Berry Charlotte, NC David Bosma Australia Lee Bramlett, Midlothian, TX Marita Eden Lancaster, SC Andy Hood Manchester, CT Ed Lauber Grants Pass, OR Thomas G. Matlock Chino, CA Jim Schaffer Charlotte, NC JAARS Officers Eldon Barkman (through Aug. 31) Woody McLendon (beginning Sept.1) Phil McBride Vice Administration Jerry Jones (through Aug. 31) Vice Operations Keith Betsch Vice International Services Dave Witmer (through Aug. 27) Vice Marketing and Communications Tim Staples Vice Finance John Hutchinson Corporation Secretary Barbara Steba Assistant Corporation Secretary