2012 Annual Report

JAARS
2012
Progress
Report
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 2012. 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.
Sandi and Butch Barkman
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
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
President
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!
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.
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 2012
.7% Investment Income
2.1% Other Income
26%
Program
Activity
Revenue
Income
Income (In thousands of dollars)
Contributions
Cash Contributions
Noncash from Public
Noncash from Affiliates
Total Contributions
Program Activity Revenue
Investment Income
Other Income
Total Income
13,270
71.2% Contributions
Expenses
10.4% Management & General
5.5% Fund-raising
New Flight Program in Tanzania
Expenses
84.1% Program Services
Program Services Provided
Language Development 996
Transportation4,725
Technology
376
Ministry Operations
5,971
Total Program Services
12,068
Supporting Activities
Management and General
Fund-raising
Total Supporting Activities
Total Expenses
Gain/(Loss) from Operations
Gain/(Loss) on Disposal of Assets
Change in Net Assets
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
2012. 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.
2,589
914
5,938
9,441
3,452
96
281
1,489
790
2,279
14,347
-1,077
12
-1,065
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.
Total Net Assets on September 30 were $13,305,737
of which $5,827,580 were temporarily restricted.
$5,938,372 is included in noncash contributions from
Amounts in this report represent the financial activity
affiliates and in various categories for labor expense.of JAARS, Inc., for the fiscal year ended September
Donated labor from volunteers amounted to $2,174,508
30, 2012.
of which $732,743 qualified under SFAS 116 and is
Complete financial statements, audited by Capin
recognized and reported as income and expense.
Crouse LLP, are available on request.
Depreciation of $565,925 is included in expenses.
JAARS Board of Directors and Officers for 2012
Board of Directors
JAARS Officers
Duane G. Johnson, Chair
Hendersonville, NC
Eldon Barkman (through Aug. 31)
President
Steve Lynip, Vice Chair
Philippines
Woody McLendon (beginning Sept.1)
President
Raymond R. Berry
Charlotte, NC
Phil McBride
Vice President Administration
David Bosma
Australia
Jerry Jones (through Aug. 31)
Vice President Operations
Lee Bramlett,
Midlothian, TX
Keith Betsch
Vice President International Services
Marita Eden
Lancaster, SC
Dave Witmer (through Aug. 27)
Vice President Marketing
and Communications
Andy Hood
Manchester, CT
Ed Lauber
Grants Pass, OR
Thomas G. Matlock
Chino, CA
Jim Schaffer
Charlotte, NC
Tim Staples
Vice President Finance
John Hutchinson
Corporation Secretary
Barbara Steba
Assistant Corporation Secretary
www.jaars.org