Persevering describes Bible translators, Eugene and Marie Scott, whose translation project took forty years. From the start in 1958, the Scotts knew the task would not be easy. The Sharanahuas live on two rivers in a very remote area of Peru. They would need to commute to the village two plus hours by small aircraft from the SIL center, usually staying for several months each time.
Their working conditions were unusually tough, even for the Amazon—biting gnats by day, mosquitoes by night, and stifling heat and humidity. Their house among the Sharanahuas was a simple grass-roof structure built on stilts. Critters lived in the roof and sometimes dogs or pigs slept below the house. Privacy was not the best as curious children could peer through the open-slat walls of their home. But the Scotts loved village living and the Sharanahua people. Their four children did too, especially since three of them were born in Peru.
Over the years, Eugene suffered malaria, hepatitis, ruptured disks, chronic fatigue syndrome and heart issues—anyone’s nightmare. Once, their village house burned down with all their translation work. Another time a flood nearly washed it away.
Eugene admits he is not a linguistic scholar, which might have shortened the project. But Bible translation progress was steady. Unfortunately, after 25 years of hard work the Scotts saw little interest in Scripture. They returned home to the States one time feeling they had nothing to share with their supporting churches and friends. Though horribly discouraged, they had presented some of the translated scripture to the Sharanahuas before going Stateside.
Soon after their arrival in the U.S., a pastor friend invited them to a conference and challenged them with Ephesians 3:20, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (NLT).
The Scott’s support team of churches and friends encouraged them not to give up and promised to be more diligent in prayer. They returned to Peru with renewed vision and hope. Soon, while translating Matthew and John, Gustavo, the chief, yielded his life to Christ. Almost immediately nearly everyone in the village committed themselves to the Lord! God’s mightiest missionary—His Word—was doing its work.
People asked to be baptized. The Sharanahua church emerged. Leaders came forward. Finally, in 1997, they joyously dedicated the New Testament and some of the Old Testament.
The Scotts finished their work among the people in 2003 and retuned to the U.S. to live, but not to retire. No way.
Eugene, now 78, says with a big smile, “I haven’t found any Scripture that tells me I’m ever supposed to retire. Besides I love what I do.” He and Marie now guide groups of people to Peru to share the excitement of Bible translation. After more than 50 years with Wycliffe, the Scotts say they would do it again.
Marie says, “For me, seeing God working in people’s lives is so special. It was certainly worth it.”
Eugene recently returned to the Sharanahuas for a short visit after being away for three years. Although there is no longer any missionary presence, to his delight, he found the people gathering together every night to read God’s Word! Young people sat on the first rows of the meeting place. The Church is alive and well among the Sharanahuas.