Friday, July 15, 2016

The next three weeks

Mulindi, a speaker of the Lubwisi language in Uganda, attended church for 50 years before he heard a Bible verse read in his own language. “People used to say that no one would manage to write the Bible in Lubwisi because it is an unwritable language,” he said.

But then someone did write the language. Most importantly, they translated the Bible. At the end of July 2016, the Lubwisi people will celebrate the arrival of the New Testament in their language.

Mulindi says, “I am like the old man Simeon in the Bible whom the Holy Spirit promised would not die without seeing the Messiah. God has given me a time of grace in this world so that I can hear the Word of God in my own language, the language which I understand.”


​Story & Photo source: https://bobcreson.com/2016/07/14/unwriteable-no-more/

Thank you for your prayers for GECO. Things went smoothly. Then this has been a planning and recovery week, getting ready for the next stretch.

The next three weeks, we will celebrate three groups of colleagues who have been serving overseas or stateside - more than 70 of them total, plus a host of MKs. Please pray for stamina and for us to serve them well, so they are encouraged to continue serving well. All of this is so that more like the Lubwisi may soon have access to the translated Scriptures. Thank you!

Friday, July 1, 2016

The Takwane New Testament!

July 1, 2016 is a monumental day for the Takwane-speaking people of Mozambique (tak-WAH-nee). By the time you read this, they will be well into their celebration for the dedication of the Takwane New Testament!

Wycliffe missionaries who have been primary workers on the Takwane Bible are Jeff & Peg Shrum. The Shrums were instrumental in development of the alphabet and written form of the language.

Some of my first awareness of Wycliffe Bible Translators came years ago as I got to know Jeff & Peg while they “furloughed” in Indianapolis. I had opportunity to partner with them by “snail” mailing newsletters on their behalf when they were overseas. I even got to dabble in a little Takwane by helping produce pocket calendars they distributed as gifts… some of the first items ever printed in that language.
 
 
I want to celebrate July 1 with great joy! Those Takwane who are believers now have a clear way to more understanding of who God is and how much He loves us; those who do not yet know Jesus have opportunity to hear the truth clearly in their mother tongue.

However, I also cannot imagine what it would be like to have lived my entire life without access to the Scriptures in the language spoken in my home as I grew up. I invite you to join me in asking God to meet the need of millions around the world… to speed Bible translation, so that no one will be without opportunity to fully comprehend God’s message of grace to them.