A time of education...

“Translation teams handle God’s Word like a precious metal, carefully recasting it from one language to another.” As a science teacher, Kathy loves this image of God’s Word as a precious metal, like pure gold, being poured or hammered into a new form, different looking and yet intrinsically the same, so that it will have the correct meaning in the particular culture and language that is receiving it. How do you describe the love of God in a way that will resonate correctly in a different culture and language? In Liberia, you could translate “Jesus loves me” as “Jesus loves me” and be understood. But in the Tboli language in the Philippines, “Jesus loves me” would be translated as “Jesus has a big breath for me”. And in the Awa language of Papua New Guinea, “Jesus loves me” would be best translated as “Jesus wants me in His liver”. Of the almost 7,000 known languages in the world, there are still 1800 that have no Scripture. Pray that the love of Jesus would be made known to each of them in a way they can understand!

 

A time of encouragement...

We just completed a training course called “Equip”, which was held at the Wycliffe USA Headquarters in Orlando, FL. Normally, people attend this course prior to serving overseas, but since we transitioned to Wycliffe USA while serving in Papua New Guinea, we had the opportunity to attend during our home assignment. Our fellow students included recent college graduates, retirees and former missionary kids now going to the field themselves. As we worked and worshipped together, we were reminded that we are all part of one body seeking to bring God’s Word to those who do not yet have the Bible in their own language. How encouraging to see God calling people from all walks and stages of life to fulfill His great commission!