Facing the Odds
“We have an urgency to do translation in our language,” says one Asian pastor. Three other pastor-translators nod in agreement. There have been churches in this area for more than 50 years, but still no mother-tongue Scripture exists. The people are accustomed to doing without, but as one of the pastors says, “They will listen when the Word is in their language.”
These four pastors are part of a rapidly spreading global movement of nationals who have caught the vision for Bible translation. Their hunger for God’s Word and passion for sharing it with their brothers and sisters has led them to take ownership of the translation task for themselves.
It is not an easy task. Because of the time invested in translation, the four Asian men are unable to work full time as pastors. They do not get salaries from their churches for their translation work. Their congregations just don’t have enough resources to help.
Personal challenges plague them as well. Each of the pastor’s families has had to uproot and move to the city so they could work on translation together. Here they’re faced with unfamiliar culture, food and schools. They are far from their extended families. Even the language is different.
One pastor talks about his family’s struggle with illness and the difficulty of having to find help for his adopted child with special needs. Another shares about the difficulty he and his wife face searching for educational resources for their children.
But perhaps the most difficult struggle for each of them is the lack of emotional support. Because of safety concerns, the pastors and their families are unable to share openly with their churches about their translation work and the difficulties they face. The congregations have little idea how urgently their prayers and support are needed. Yet it is the faithful prayers of fellow believers around the world that these pastors and their families cherish more than anything else. They know that it is only through God’s strength that they can continue in this challenging task.
One of their greatest prayer requests is that God would send more local Christians to join them in the work. “We need credible people to help in translation, people who are respected but can also do a good job,” explains one pastor. As is often the case, that combination is hard to find. Most people aren’t ready or able to help. Others may have a good reputation in the community but lack the skills to do the work. And still others may have the skills but not the right motivation.
While the pastors may feel short-handed, they are not alone in the task. Two Wycliffe translation consultants—one European, the other African—are working side by side with the pastors, providing advice. The pastors find great encouragement in this partnership. Yet perhaps it is the Wycliffe consultants who are receiving the greatest encouragement.The four pastors have sacrificed much to tackle this important task, though no one asked them to do it. They have shown great faith in spite of discouraging circumstances. Their dedication is an inspiration. Commitment like this pushes Bible translation forward in the face of great odds. And it is just this sort of dedication that is making Vision 2025* possible.
(Story by Matt Petersen)
*Wycliffe’s mission is to see a Bible translation program in progress in every language still needing one by 2025.
Some names and places may have been changed to safeguard work in sensitive locations.