The Beautiful Language

“Lord, we ask you now for wisdom to render your Word clearly into the beautiful language of Kinga.”

Bible Translation Consultant Samuel Mubbala opened the day’s work with that prayer in his soft, mellow voice. At the table also were Kinga pastors and translators from Tanzania, Saul Lwilla and Zakayo Swallo. A draft of Hebrews 10 in Kinga shone brightly, projected on the wall. Their laptop computers were open, ready to edit the text.

Today’s work began by simply reading. Samuel read aloud slowly, in English. Saul followed him, reading the Kinga draft. Both spoke with feeling, clearly savoring the great truths of covenant and sacrifice. After each section was read, they discussed notes from Samuel’s study of the draft. Should the Kinga word for oxen be used for bull? Should we say the first covenant or the old covenant? In some African languages, God’s glory can be confused with shining. Does Kinga have this problem?

But the problems and notes were few. Yes, the work was very good. Good enough to impact these three men, even in the midst of their checking. While reviewing covenant theology, Samuel's comments suddenly became very personal.

“When we come to Christ, something is…” Samuel hesitated, obviously searching his own heart. “Something is ‘installed’ in us,” he continued. “We receive a new person and a new life. That is why [God] said, ‘I’ll make a new covenant. I’ll write the laws in your heart.’ And we call that Born Again.”

It will soon be planting season here on the Kinga mountainsides. Good seed will receive summer rain and grow. The same will soon be true of God’s seed, his Word “in the beautiful language of Kinga.”

Story Source: Steve Pence - https://www.wycliffe.net/articles?id=8109&continent=AFR&country=TZ&code=zga

Thank you for your faithful prayers and generous gifts toward my Wycliffe ministry. God is providing through you. You also have a part in meeting the needs of those who are waiting, just like the Kinga.

Equip #33 Update

Just a quick update from Equip here. We are all doing well, but some are a little weary. Pray for a restful weekend for participants and crew and for good strength to finish well next week. This is an amazing group of new colleagues and they have been working hard and learning much. As they move forward, developing their teams of prayer and financial partners, pray that God will speed their way, so that they may take their places around the world... as teachers, translators, animators, helicopter pilots, medical doctors, land transportation specialists... and in many other roles. Your partnership with my Wycliffe ministry now extends to all those who will be impacted by the Scriptures produced as a result of their service. Thank you!

"This is where my life is."

Anna is a single mother from northern Botswana. She sat quietly, eagerly listening to the conversation and pouring over the words of her Setswana translated Bible.

Never before had Anna received the opportunity to learn the Scriptures for herself instead of having someone tell her. The churches she used to attend taught false doctrines, she says, and convinced members that the only way to know God was directly through the pastors in charge, rather than through the Bible. Anna was never satisfied with only hearing what these people of power claimed as truth.

When Anna began attending Sunday morning Bible study, she was suddenly handed the power and confidence to listen, ask questions and learn more and more about God’s Word for herself.

“I used to only know God by mouth, but now, by learning the Bible, I know this is where my life is. If I hold onto the Bible, I will have a good life."

​Read more of Anna's story here.

Thank you for your prayers for a good visit to Indiana. I was very encouraged by my time to connect with family and friends and to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Looking ahead, please pray for the 23 new missionaries and their 8 MKs (missionary kids) who will be coming to Orlando, January 14-27, for Equip orientation. It is a privilege to train these new colleagues on your behalf as they begin their Wycliffe journey. They will soon serve around the world, working to accelerate Bible translation so that many more like Anna may have access to the Scriptures.

Understanding

Sometimes I forget that this is how the New Testament was written:

John Wycliffe thought that everyone should have access to God's Word, not just those who understood Hebrew or Greek, so he began to translate into English...

"For God louede so the world, that he yaf his `oon bigetun sone, that ech man that bileueth in him perische not, but haue euerlastynge lijf." John 3:16, Wycliffe Translation of 1384

Because of Wycliffe and the work of many others in the last 500 years, I have "always" had a Bible from which I could understand the Christmas story. Your partnership in prayer and with your gifts helps accelerate Bible translation for those millions do not yet have the Scriptures in a language and form they best understand. Thank you!

May you rest deeply in His Word, especially in this busy time of year. If you are looking for a through-the-Bible reading plan for the New Year, here's one you might not have seen yet: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/8-blended. I have learned much from it this past year and am likely to use it again in 2017.

I am thankful to be in Indiana to share this season with many of you. Calendar changes from my last update: I anticipate being at Village Life Church this Sunday evening and will be with family on Christmas Eve.

The Manger

As the Mbe team in Nigeria was translating, they came to Luke 2:7: “She [Mary] gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.”

The translators took time to ponder how to translate some of the words, but not “manger.” They immediately used the word “ókpáng.”

“What’s an ókpáng?” asked their consultant, John Watters. “Tell me what it looks like.” It was essentially a cradle hung by ropes so that the newborn could be laid in it and swung.

At John’s prompting, the Mbe translators consulted the Translator’s Notes (non-technical commentaries) again. They saw that “manger” referred to an animal feeding trough! John encouraged them to consider the implications of the manger. “When Jesus came to live among us and bring salvation to us, he came in the lowliest way possible. He did not come and sleep in a nice ókpáng like every Mbe mother wants for her newborn. Instead, he showed us his unbelievable humility,” John told them. “So we need to find your best word for an animal feeding trough.”

One of the men replied, “We feed our animals out of an old worn-out basket that is not usable anymore except to feed the animals.”

“Then try that term,” said John. “Put it in your rough draft and test it with Mbe speakers.”

Later, during the testing, as the Mbe people listened, they were visibly moved. Picturing the newborn baby lying in the animals’ feeding basket, they recognized in a new way that Jesus was willing to do whatever it took to reach them.

This is the power of Bible translation — revealing the heart of God so that men might fully understand and come to know life through Jesus Christ.

Story Source: https://www.wycliffe.org/blog/posts/does-it-matter-which-word-we-use

What’s up in my world?
Our department’s long-range planning time went well in November. I am also thankful to report good progress toward the financial goals through new partnerships and increased giving from some who have been long-term partners. Thank you for your faithful prayers and gifts toward my Wycliffe ministry!

Visit my Google group for information about my Indianapolis schedule this December. See many of you soon!