BBTI

Baptist Bible Translators Institute

Bowie, Texas

If there was any doubt that I had reached Texas last night at 2:30 am after driving for twenty hours, all doubt was removed this morning when I stepped out the front door of my house. The front yard merged out into a flat, brown expanse, dotted with scraggy shrubs fighting for their survival in a barren land. At the edge of the expanse, small trees met the horizon, in an attempt at simulating the effect of a forest. In the front yard itself, a herd of horses grazed calmly, like they owned the place. My car was where I had parked it hours before, but right next to it were piles of evidence that cattle had paid me a visit, and had checked out my car, probably suspicious of my Ohio plates.

I’m in Texas all right.

Bowie is a small town in the northeast corner of Texas, ninety miles northwest of Dallas, and one hundred fifty miles south of Oklahoma City. Why is it significant? Because I have just moved here, and yes, I have a good reason. Bowie is home to BBTI (Baptist Bible Translators Institute), which is where I will spend the next nine months learning the dynamics of linguistics, along with anthropology and church planting. BBTI is a stepping stone, moving me one step closer to where I have sensed God calling me to in missions.

The house on the right has become my new home. More accurately, the left half of the house is mine, which I share with John Carlo, a single young man three years my senior. John is a bible college graduate, and he likes spinach. 

The other half of the house is occupied by Doug and Lisa Nispel, and their two young daughters, Abigail and Elizabeth. 

Other members of this year's class include a single girl named Ruth Mickle, who is a Pensacola graduate, and hails from Loudonville, Ohio. At least she got the part right on where to be born. John and Sarah Sinskie are a young couple with a three week old son, who are preparing to serve in China. 

Last but not least, I am Emanuel Schrock, a young man from Ohio who is not sure yet where he is called to serve. Some places I have been interested in are Burma, Indonesia, and China. Pray that God would show me very specific signs and doors to make his will clear to me. 

If you would like to write, or send cookies to me, you can reach me at the addresses listed below:

For letters:

Emanuel Schrock 

c/o Baptist Bible Translators

P.O. Box 1450

Bowie, Texas 76230

For cookies, and other large packages not sent via postal service:

Emanuel Schrock

c/o Baptist Bible Translators

1664 John Roth Road

Bowie, Texas 76230

USA

Thank you for praying for me in the months ahead as I continue to discover God's will for my life. Letters would be appreciated. I will try to keep updates coming as I progress through school.

For Christ, and those who have yet to meet him,

Emanuel.