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God speaks Bamunka!

Tuesday, May 8th, 2012

On Sunday 4th March, the Bamunka people celebrated the first Scripture in their language: Luke’s Gospel had been translated, checked and printed, and was ready to go out into the hands and hearts of the Bamunka.

Jon Blackwell, who has been working with the team as the literacy coordinator, was anxious about what kind of celebration they could expect. He anticipated just a handful of people showing up. But he recently sent this very positive celebration account to John Hamilton:

“We thank God for  a wonderful dedication day for Luke’s Gospel in Bamunka. Thank you for your prayer! The day was well organised by the inter-church Committee and went smoothly, without any hitches; there was great rejoicing at the arrival of the word. Some five hundred people gathered in a local school field and heard choirs from Baptist, Presbyterian, Apostolic and Catholic churches as well as speeches from the translation team, SIL, local clergy and a representative of the Bamunka Fon [traditional leader of the people group].

Children recite the Lord's Prayer in the Bamunka language

“There was some drama and memory recitations from the Gospel in the Bamunka language. At the end came the entry and presentation of the Gospel to the Fon in a traditional Bamunka way. His representative received the gift and spoke warmly of the work and the challenges ahead. This was followed by feasting.

“The day was notable not only for the arrival of the word but also for the fact that the event was genuinely inter-denominational – ranging right across the church spectrum – in a context where the translation effort has been primarily from one denomination. We pray that many churches will now take firmer ownership of the project, even though in most cases the clergy and the majority of their congregations are not Bamunka.”

People queue to buy a copy of Luke's Gospel

The Bamunka have seen and tasted what it’s like to have God speak their language. Many millions more don’t have the chance, as translation work is yet to begin in their languages. You can help.

John Hamilton is the coordinator of Wycliffe Bible Translators in Northern Ireland. Read more about the Bamunka celebrations on his blog.

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Make a will week

Friday, May 4th, 2012

Making a will — it comes in the category of things that, often, we don’t want to think about it. While we may reason that it is wise to be prepared, we make excuses to exempt ourselves.

This week is Make a Will Week, organised by Premier Christian Radio. On Premier’s website, you can find videos from experts addressing some of the questions that often crop up about wills and what happens to what we leave behind.

There are many good reasons for making a will, even if it is an uncomfortable subject. By making a will, we can show good, God-honouring stewardship and thankfulness for what he has given to us, by providing for those who we leave behind. It can protect our families and loved ones from unnecessary distress at a time when they may already feel overwhelmed. And we have an opportunity to continue to provide for causes and charities which have had a hold on our hearts throughout our lives.

If the process seems daunting, why not take a look at the Legacy pages on our website, which goes through the five basic steps of sorting out a will? You’ll also find stories there about how leaving a gift to Wycliffe in your will can help generations to come  access the Bible in a language that speaks to their hearts.

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Look2012 – a global get-together

Monday, April 30th, 2012

Today is the first day of the Look2012 international conference of Wycliffe Global Alliance and SIL International, with their key partners in the work of Bible translation. The massive gathering happens only once every four years. Just under 200 people will be participating, representing 65 countries.

We’d love it if you would take time to consider prayerfully those at the conference. These suggested prayer items come from Wycliffe USA:

  • Pray for a spirit of unity to cover this event.
  • Pray for safe travel for the conference attendees, and that everyone will enjoy good health during the meetings.
  • Ask God to grant unity and patience to all who are overseeing the event’s logistical details.
  • Pray for those who will minister as special guests – Bible study leader Lindsay Olesberg and speaker Dr. Christopher Wright.
  • Pray for open communication, understanding, and the covering of the Holy Spirit to surround the work. As a part of the conference, Wycliffe Global Alliance and SIL International will elect new board members; pray that God will raise up those of his choice who will govern well for the next four years.

This year marks the halfway point to Vision 2025, a vision to see the Bible translated into every language where it’s needed by 2025, a statement that was affirmed by the Wycliffe organisations in 1999. Find out more about Wycliffe’s vision for global Bible translation.

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Gathering in the Scottish Highlands – 16 June 2012

Sunday, April 29th, 2012

If you’re up in the Highlands of Scotland, there’s an event coming up that’s well worth knowing about. Come and find us at the Equip Conference on 16 June in Smithton!

The day conference features worship, seminars and a marketplace, with David Bilborough and other well known names. It is part of an inspiring week of events across the Highlands called the aLive Festival – you can see the full programme on the website here: www.alivefestival.co.uk.

For more forthcoming events, see wycliffe.org.uk/events.

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What a way to celebrate!

Friday, April 27th, 2012

The Queen was given a commemorative version of the Bible herself on her Coronation Day with the words that it was the best gift she was ever going to receive. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if the Church in this land gave back to the nation, in marking her Diamond Jubilee, the best gift they will ever receive – the free gift of the New Testament?

– Dr Rachel Jordan, National Mission and Evangelism Advisor

The Church of England, together with HOPE and Biblica, have launched a special edition New Testament for the celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

But this is not just another collectable tea-towel equivalent; they’re are not intended to gather dust in someone’s display cabinet. They are intended for giving away, whether through schools, churches or Jubilee celebration events.

These New Testaments were launched in time for Easter, and over Easter alone they sold more than 44,000 copies. At just 50p each, they are an easy way to give God’s Story to someone else. (And don’t worry – although they are NIVs, it’s the anglicised version!) Maybe it’s a way that your church can use the Jubilee to reach out to the community. Find out more information and about sales.

We know of one church, though, who are using the Jubilee not just to share God’s Story with those nearby, but also with those who are far off. They’ve decided to use their church and community street party to let people know that 350 million people don’t have God’s word in their language.

While many English-speakers have never read the Bible, though it’s easily available, millions of others are longing to be able to access a Bible they can understand. As you prepare for celebrations this summer, why not think about how you can give others ‘the best gift they’ll ever receive’. Find out more about giving with Wycliffe.

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Coming soon: Christian Resources Exhibition

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

Between the 8th and 11th May this year, Wycliffe Bible Translators (along with 100s of other Christian organisations and missions) will be at the International Christian Resources Exhibition, at Sandown Park, Esher.

CRE is widely acknowledged as the biggest and best Christian resources show in the country. As well as featuring exhibitors of everything from furniture to books, from mission to clothing, they also run a series of seminars and conferences.

Wycliffe will be there showing some of our resources, designed to get churches excited about God’s mission of Bible translation. This includes our mobile Discovery Exhibition, packed with funky video and surprising facts. Come along to discover which language had 26 ways to say ‘carry’, what impact the year 1408 had on Bible translation, and what a shiny spoon has to do with the UK church’s involvement in mission.

If you book your ticket in advance for CRE, not only will you get a discounted price and fast track entry, you’ll also receive a free thank you gift. And your ticket is valid for the whole week, so you can spend as much time finding out about Wycliffe as you like! Register here: creonline.co.uk/tickets.

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Celebrating 50 years

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

It’s a year of celebrations and jubilees, not just in the UK but all around the world. Earlier in the year we wrote about the work of CABTAL, a Cameroonian Wycliffe organisation, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. Now, GILLBT, Ghana’s leading language development organisation, are celebrating their Golden Jubilee – 50 years of language work in Ghana.

GILLBT (the Ghana Institute for Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation) was established by John Bendor-Samuel (the founder of Wycliffe’s work in the UK) in 1962. Since then, GILLBT’s work has had a significant impact across the country. With partners, they have:

  • produced dictionaries and writing systems in over 30 languages
  • helped more than 500,000 people learn to read and write
  • produced over 1,000 booklets in local languages on subjects including agriculture and health information
  • translated Ghana’s abridged constitution into 30 languages
  • been awarded the UNESCO Nassim Habif award for their work developing literacy work
  • translated the complete Bible into five languages and the New Testament into 23 (read more at gillbt.org/translation).

In 2006, a Wycliffe UK and GILLBT member Mary Steele was awarded an MBE by the Queen for her work in Ghana.

A traditional Ghanaian dance at the Jubilee Celebrations

This year, their 50th anniversary, will see launches of two more complete Bibles. GILLBT are also hosting a series of celebratory events including conferences on literacy and Bible translation across Africa. Right now they are starting a new conference on Language, Culture and Development.

GILLBT are one of 100 organisations that make up the Wycliffe Global Alliance, organisations that work in different places around the world to help people hear God’s word in their own languages. You can be involved.

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‘Eating joy’

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

Last week a few of my colleagues returned from a trip to the Kouya language community in the Ivory Coast.  The occasion?  The dedication of the Kouya New Testament, almost 10 years after its completion.  What were we celebrating?  Not the achievements of western missionaries, nor even primarily the efforts of the national translators who had worked on the New Testament.  The Kouya community were gathering to celebrate that ‘God speaks Kouya’.  God is the one who has done marvellous things amongst them.

Sue Arthur, who lived and worked among this community with her husband Eddie almost 25 years ago, writes on their blog:

Bai Emile making his speechEmile was overcome with emotion during his speech as he expressed his gratitude to God that he had lived to see this day! It was lovely the way Jacques and Kalou came alongside to support him, each with an arm around his shoulders, as he choked with emotion and the tears flowed, (reminding me of Aaron and Hur supporting Moses’ arms in Exodus 17:12). We were moved as Didier recounted how he had come to trust God during the time he and I were working on translating John’s gospel. There was sadness, too, as we remembered those translators who were no longer with us, but the overwhelming emotion of the day was one of rejoicing – we were ‘eating joy’ as they say in Kouya, celebrating the way God’s word had come to the Kouya people! (full post here, and some video vignettes)

John Hamilton was also at the event, and has some great photos to share on his blog.  Whilst the official dedication had been delayed due to civil unrest in the country during the last decade, it was evident at these celebrations that God’s word was already taking root and transforming the community.

Find out more about how God is transforming lives and communities with His word in their language.

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Translation checking on a grand scale

Monday, April 2nd, 2012

Last week the World Evangelical Alliance announced that they would be forming an independent panel to review Wycliffe and SIL International’s translation of “God the Father” and the “Son of God”.

In a statement released on Tuesday 27th March, the WEA said,

Wycliffe Global Alliance and SIL International as organizations dedicated to the accurate translation of God’s Word are committed to applying this review’s recommendations. The panel’s mandate includes reviewing SIL’s translation practices; setting boundaries for theologically acceptable translation methodology particularly in Muslim contexts; and suggesting how to practically implement these recommendations.

Facilitated by the WEA, this transparent and independent review will be conducted by a global panel of respected Evangelical theologians, biblical scholars, translators, linguists and missiologists, and will include representation of national believers from countries with majority Muslim populations and mature followers of Christ from Muslim backgrounds.

Read the full statement on the WEA website.

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400 years of Bible translation in Malaysia*

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

Last year, Britain spent a lot of time (for Britain) talking about the Bible. Many people, though, will be surprised to learn that 2012 marks the 400th anniversary of the translation of the Gospel of Mark into the Malay language, reportedly the earliest translation of the Bible into a non-European language. But by contrast to the KJV, celebrations of this have been fairly low key.

The KJV wasn’t actually the first Bible in English but it did get a royal stamp of approval. The Malay Bibles get a very different stamp: in recent years Malay Bibles have twice been impounded in large numbers and, more recently, they were required to be stamped ‘for Christians only‘.

Many traditionally Christian communities, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, use the Malay Bible, even if it is in their second language. Of the 100+ languages that originate in Malaysia, only six have the complete Bible.

In Britain, Christians often feel persecuted. I’m currently reading that Christians in the UK don’t have a right to wear a cross. But in many states in Malaysia you can get into serious trouble if your Christian music is played too loud (if authorities think you’re playing music as an attempt to proselytize, you could even face imprisonment).

In Britain, you need to be sensitive about how you tell people about Jesus. In Malaysia all Christian public events are advertised as ‘for non-Muslims only’.

During 2012, let’s continue to celebrate having the Bible in English (and so many versions of it!). Let’s also celebrate that the complete Bible is available in 470 other languages and pray that all people who speak those languages may be free to access the Scriptures. And let’s keep praying and working towards the day when Scripture is read, heard and celebrated in every language!

*The  country itself has existed in its current form for 50 years, but the languages and the people have been around for a lot longer!

For some further information about praying for Malaysia visit worlddayofprayer.my. Article by Peter Brassington.

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