For all of us who have listened to the narrations of the LOTW American lessons and marveled at the amazing voices, we are shining a spotlight on volunteers Larry and Rachael. They are father and daughter, who hail from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Larry graduated from Princeton with a degree in Russian literature, and studied multiple languages, including Mandarin.
For much of his career, Larry worked in computer programming. When became a missionary with Literacy International in 2013, he started training teachers and tutoring students. Then in 2016 he became the IT Director. When asked which Bible verses guide him as to his formidable work ethic, he chuckled and responded “Many.” But he notes that Proverbs 3:5-6 stands out. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
After learning about the LOTW curriculum project, Larry delved in, narrating the A1 series solo and then persuading his daughter to provide the female narration beginning with the A2 series.
Rachael obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology then went on to obtain a degree in Accounting. In addition to being a busy Certified Public Accountant, Rachael is raising four children (including triplet eight-year-olds, and in 2023 adding a 5th child through marriage). Finding an opening in Rachael’s hectic schedule for recording is challenging. She gets up at 4 AM every morning (7 days a week) and is busy until 10 PM every evening.
Rachael’s inspirational Bible verse is Matthew 19:26: “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” The other verse she leans on when she frets over choosing what to not do in order to fit in a narration session is Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God….”
Larry feels honored to do this rewarding work as it helps spread the Word of God around the world. He takes special heed of Luke 12:48-49, which states: “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”
We are blessed to receive the considerable talents of this dynamic duo in Christ’s great commission to spread the Word of God to all nations.