Phil and Marilyn are both long time members of Wycliffe.

Phil was born and raised in Mexico by his parents who were Wycliffe pioneer missionaries. He lived in the village with his parents until high school. He learned the local language and developed life-long friends among the people.

After Phil served as a radio technician and in leadership roles for Wycliffe, in Cameroon with his wife Sarah, they, with their two children moved to JAARS to serve in the computer and the vernacular media departments.

When Phil's father passed away, Phil, now a member of the Mexico branch of SIL, began making yearly trips to the village where he grew up, because the people needed Scripture engagement.

Marilyn served as a linguist and school teacher in Suriname with her husband John Nickel. for 21 years. On September 22, 2003, while the Nickels were on home assignment at JAARS, with their two grown adopted children, John lost his battle with cancer. The Lord gave Marilyn another companion in veteran Wycliffe missionary, Gene Ahrens, for 15 years. Together they served in the museums at JAARS.

Cancer took both Sarah and Gene within 5 months of each other, leaving grieving, yet resolute, mission-focused Phil and Marilyn to find each other and continue the race set before them. They were married July 2, 2022.

Marilyn continues to volunteer in the JAARS museums, engaging with many visitors who hear about the work of JAARS and Bible translation. She was also able to accompany Phil on his most recent trip to Mexico.
Pray that the way will continue to be made clear for distributing audio players and electronic tablets that contain Scripture in the local language.