A Heart and Burden to See More African-Americans in Wycliffe
Estella was born and raised on a farm in Mississippi. She is one of 11 children. Estella was saved at the age of 21. One of her favorite Bible verses describes what God has done in her life, "...if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV).
Estella was challenged by her pastor during those early years to learn what her spiritual gifts were and to use them in serving God and building His kingdom. Reading and studying the Bible became Estella's favorite pastime. 
On October 29, 1987, Estella was miraculously led to a Bible translation banquet in Jackson, Mississippi and heard for the first time about Bibleless peoples. While hearing about this work, Estella was sure she didn't have any skills for this work, when at that moment, the speaker mentioned the urgent need for secretaries. Estella had been working nine years in state government as a secretary, and a verse in Esther came to mind. She knew God was answering her prayer of many years and that He had led her to that banquet to hear about Bible translation "for such a time as this." Estella quit her job and joined Wycliffe Bible Translators, eager to use her skills as a secretary for the Kingdom. Estella is passionate about mobilizing young people and churches, particularly African Americans, to be involved in the ministry of Bible translation.
Estella and her husband Mark met in 1991 at Wycliffe's orientation course. They now serve in Discovery, Wycliffe's short-term mission program helping young people discover how their gifts and abilities can be used in missions, at home and overseas. During the summer they lead a team to Papua New Guinea. They've been to Papua New Guinea eight times. She is thankful to God for the spiritual gifts He's given her of "encouragement and faith," and for the opportunity to use them in helping build His Kingdom.
God has blessed them with two precious sons, Timothy, age seven, and Micah, age five.
-Estella (Ward) Trostle