This past summer a hero of mine passed away at the age of 97. Neil Nellis spent his lifetime translating the Bible into an unwritten language in in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. There were no highways leading to Oaxaca when he and his wife Jane moved to Oaxaca in 1942. Neil had to first learn the language through deciphering it. Later he created an alphabet and started translating the entire Bible. (Absolutely amazing.) Neil continued working with the people of this village and on updating the translation during his entire life Three years ago Neil mailed me a copy of the the latest translation updates and printed scriptures he had completed. Amazing. Years ago during my first visit to Oaxaca Neil and Jane sought me out and got involved in the ministry I was starting to reach college students. When I moved to Oaxaca I was invited to their home countless times with the promise of Janes apple pie. To this day Janes apple pie has no equal. Jane passed away 9 years ago. Neil moved in with Dan and (daughter) Dorothy in the city of Oaxaca. Over the years each time I would visit we had the greatest times. Dan and Dorothy and everyone present would sing hymns as Neil played the piano. At some point Neil would always stop and play the History of Jazz for the new comers who had not heard it before. We loved it! I will never forget Neils example of service, of faith, of never giving up, always serving, always loving and caring, of always living out Gods call to the last day of his life. Below is Neils biographical sketch. -Craig Neil Bergman Nellis passed away peacefully at the age of 97 into the presence of his Lord and Savior at 11:17pm in his home on July 29th, 2014 in Oaxaca, Mexico, where he is buried. Neil is preceded by his wife, Jane Nellis (2005), and is survived by his 4 children Don, Mary Jane, Dorothy Nellis Case & David and their spouses, along with 12 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren and his youngest sister, Norma Baughn. Neil Nellis was born January 14, 1917 in Seattle, WA. He grew up as the oldest of two sisters,Trudy and Norma and his parents, Neil and Agnes. He began learning how to play the piano when he was four years old. He finished high school and graduated from the University of Washington majoring in Ichthyology. Though agnostic in his background, there were several significant events with significant people who God used to influence Neil to receive Jesus Christ as Savior. His life direction and purpose completely changed after he believed in the Truth of the Gospel of Christs life, death,and resurrection. Instead of traveling to Hawaii to use the given scholarship for a Masters degree, he changed course and arrived at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles to learn more about his new faith relationship with Christ and the Bible. During his studies at BIOLA, he met his sweetheart Jane Goodner who became his wife on June 6,1942. Together they heard of the people groups in the world who had never had the Bible in their language. As a result, they both felt a leading from God to further prepare to serve Him in Mexico. Neils desire was to translate the Gospel of Gods saving grace for a people group in Oaxaca with an unwritten language. He was convinced that the greatest task he could do with his life was to put in their hands the Word of God in their mother tongue. His life verse became II Corinthians 5:15 And He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. They started this job in September of 1942. With Gods help and faithful national co-laborers, Neil and Jane translated the New Testament into the Sierra Juarez Zapotec language after creating a phonetic alphabet. They developed literacy materials, a grammatical analysis, a Zapotec-Spanish bi-lingual dictionary, the Jesus film dubbed into Zapotec, a resume of the Old Testament, and a hymn book in the Zapotec language. In the midst of his many talents, he ministered effectively with his musical talent playing the piano and pump organ. He accompanied and encouraged others with praises, sang duets with Jane, arranged songs, taught piano, and wrote original music. He gave joy to many and served faithfully for the cause of Christ expecting nothing in return . He ministered to the sick and encouraged many to prepare to serve God. His witty humor, generosity and kindness to all will be always remembered. He truly loved his family. We will miss him a lot.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 20:22:26 +0000
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