Mission work takes multiple forms, often carried out in third-world countries through demonstrating Christian deeds.

But one county couple is working from the theory that words can speak louder than actions.

Barry and Suzzanne Nichol, who make their stateside home in Butler, are part of Wycliffe Bible Translators, a group devoted to distributing the Bible in previously unpublished languages.

Currently on furlough between multi-year terms in Naibobi, Africa, the couple is making permanent roots in Butler while raising awareness for their cause.

Barry said although the New Testament currently is available in about 1,100 languages, those translations represent a fraction of languages around the globe.

"The total languages in the world (number) somewhere around 7,000," Barry said, explaining Wycliffe is currently involved in translating more than 1,900 of those. According to the Wycliffe Web site, the organization has identified another 2,286 languages as candidates for translation.

The translations are done from the original Hebrew and Greek texts, taking into account the cultural components that require slight modifications to the text. Suzzanne noted an example in the book of Isaiah where sins like crimson are predicted to turn as white as snow.

"There are cultures that have never seen snow," she said, citing white flowers as potential substitutions.

The Nichols, both 44, have been married for nearly 24 years, 17 of which have been spent with Wycliffe.

After earning a business degree fromButler County Community College, Barry attended The Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Suzzanne worked to support the cause.

"We believed God was calling us," said Barry, who wasn't seeking the more traditional minister's role. He was introduced to Wycliffe through an interest in missionary aviation.

The interdenominational group, which employs about 20,000 people worldwide, seeks a variety of skills outside of translation.

While serving in Nairobi, Barry has functioned in administrative roles, with Suzzanne doing various other jobs since the early 1990s, when the couple began their mission.

Suzzanne most recently ran a preschool for Wycliffe and local families. Before that, she worked for eight years in personnel, helping to coordinate housing, travel and services in Nairobi, a hub for those serving in rural parts of Kenya.

As regional services managing director, Barry directs support services — mostly for those in East Africa.

Successive terms of service have meant living for two to four years in Africa, alternating with shorter furloughs at home.

Until recently, "home" meant staying with family and friends in the region. But the couple's current furlough consists of remodeling a newly purchased duplex.

Since Wycliffe participants rely on support from churches and other sponsors at home, much of the furloughs is spent updating mission partners and establishing new relationships — especially since Wycliffe workers secure their own funds for living expenses.

The Nichols' sponsors in Western Pennsylvania include Clinton United Presbyterian Church in Clinton Township, Portersville Presbyterian Church, East Main Presbyterian Church in Grove City, Cornerstone Baptist Church in Center Township, SonRise Community Church in Butler and the First Presbyterian Church of East Brady.

"Not everybody can go and do what we do,' Barry said. "We're going on behalf of many different people, so to speak."

Spending years away from their native culture, the Nichols also cite fellowship as an important aspect of patterning at home.

"They're behind you, but more than just financially," Barry said, listing prayers and friendship among the gifts of their church communities.

With Barry originally from Worthington and Suzanne from south of Pittsburgh, the couple says buying the duplex in Butler has cemented that feeling of roots. "It's lovely to come back to a known area," Suzzanne said.

<B>WHAT: </B>A presentation on the Wycliffe Bible Translators by Barry and Suzzanne Nichol of Butler<B>WHEN: </B>7 p.m. June 20<B>WHERE: </B>Faith United Presbyterian Church, corner of Orchard Drive and North Main Street Extension, Center Township<B>INFO: </B>Call 724-287-4326