1000th Bible Translation
December 5, 2018 3:38 pm 1 Comment
Do you like celebrations as much as I do? Don’t worry, it’s not my birthday…yet. No, this time it’s excitement for Wycliffe Bible Translators’ 1,000th Bible translation. As I know from personal experience, a Bible translation isn’t accomplished without difficulty. This one, the Keliko, was not easy. It came through 20 years of civil war and unrest. Ouch!
A translation for his people was born from a vision of Bishop Seme’s grandfather in 1983. The grandson and others, along with Wycliffe Bible translators 
carried that vision to completion. August 11, 2018 was a red-letter day for the Keliko people group in South Sudan as they dedicated the translation of the New Testament into their Keliko language.
Clap here in praise to the God of all wonders.
Church leaders, local government dignitaries and international visitors had a common thread running through their speeches: PEACE. Just the week before the dedication, the warring parties in South Sudan had signed a peace agreement. Now the Keliko, who have lived in conflict zones for so many decades, are trusting that the peace of God and the God of peace will go before them and open the way for them to return to their homeland. Just imagine what a joy that will be for these many community members who have lived as refugees in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to return home. I’m sure their Bibles will be a great source of comfort and peace.
Since we’re talking about Bible translation (a favorite topic of mine) I will tell you that earlier this month I taught three different groups on the topic of the Expansion of the World Christian Movement (Perspectives on the World Christian Movement-lesson 6). I talked about events that occurred right after the book of Acts and until the Reformation. In my study I uncovered this nugget from history.
North Africa before the time of Muhammad was one of the strongholds of the Gospel. Augustine and others of the Church Fathers were a part of the church of North Africa. With the advance of Islam these churches have all but completely disappeared. All that remains in existence to this day are the Coptic and Ethiopic churches. Of all the churches of North Africa these were the only two that had received the Scriptures in their nati
ve tongue.
Read that last sentence again. Without the strength that can be found in God’s Word, it is indeed difficult to withstand in time of severe testing.
So three cheers for those who persevered to see the New Testament for the Keliko completed. Pray that they will have a time of peace and be able to do the Old Testament as well. I hope you continue to pray for the Nabak people of Papua New Guinea. And don’t forget the Huixteco people of Mexico, my first assignment with Wycliffe Bible Translators. If you look at a Voice of the Martyrs map of the world you will see that Chiapas, Mexico is bright red indicating severe persecution. I know the Huixteco Christians will stand strong as they are guided by the Scriptures that Marion Cowan and I left for them.
I had a wonderful day at a ladies retreat in Wells Bridge, NY talking on another favorite theme, God’s grace. Eighty ladies attended and we wept and laughed together. We even went on a treasure hunt through Romans 5. I gave each lady a mutilated penny to take home to remind her that however bent and tarnished and scuffed up we may be, we are of infinite value to our Creator.
When I received the first proof copy of the Nabak New Testament I turned the pages and heard God saying to me:
“I didn’t fail you.
Your tragedy was a platform to show off my kindhearted compassion.
I WILL build my church; the gates of hell will not prevail.
Death and sorrow do not have the last word.
My power is most beautifully displayed when my people are weak.
There may be bad chapters in your life but I’m writing a very good book.
You may run out of strength but I never do.
You didn’t get a free detour around problems; I gave you a guided tour.”
May His constant love, grace and peace, described in His Word, be a reality in your life as well. I thank you for your prayers, partnership and encouragement. You matter BIG in my life.
1 Comment
Thank you Grace, for keeping Gary and I on your email list.
My question is: Do you have any scheduled trips to the west coast?
Actually, we live in Vancouver Island now, a 90 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, NW of Vancouver.
It is amazing what God is doing among so many in the world today – both through written word, and radio in native languages! We praise God for his continuing love to ALL peoples. And yes, we continue to remember the Nabok people. Look forward to meeting many of our brothers and sisters from PNG when we get to heaven (which comes closer every day – Gary is 80 and I am nearing 77…still fairly active in church and neighborhood.)
Love to you – Marilyn Anderson