We are celebrating God’s Word in OUR language!
Trumpets and trombones suddenly erupt in music! People raise banners. A joyous celebration begins in a plaza—not in Rio de Janeiro or New Orleans for Mardi Gras—no, high in the Andes Mountains of Peru at 11,000 feet of elevation! In the ancient city of Huancayo, hundreds of colorfully dressed Wanca Quechua speakers begin the dedication of the New Testament with a parade.
Celebrating at 11,000 feet
At 11,000 feet, the Andean air is brisk and thin—still, heads turn from small shops and street corners in the Peruvian city of Huancayo as the parade begins. Wanca Quechuas (descendants of the ancient Inca) shout, “Come join us! We’re celebrating God’s Word in our language!”
Trumpets and trombones blare out. Wanca Quechua pastors, men, women and children in colorful clothes march down the street. About 200 international guests follow (friends, family and supporters of SIL translators Dr. Rick and Melanie Floyd and literacy specialists, Jamie and Maria Ayala). Horns honk and busloads of people stop to watch the group march some four miles to a large tent at a hacienda south of the city, where the dedication of the Wanca Quechua New Testament takes place.
40th Peruvian Project Completed
At the dedication site, this, the 40th Scripture in a Peruvian language to be translated by Wycliffe workers, causes shouts and 
clapping as Quechua pastors raise the New Testament in the air. Wanca Quechua then read the Word in their language and musicians play, offering praises to God. Wycliffe member Nory Grant, who attended, said, referencing Revelation 7:9-10, “I felt like God gave us a glimpse of what it will be like when every tongue, tribe and language stands before His throne.”
Almost 2,000 Quechuas were fed that day—reminiscent of Jesus feeding the 5,000. They move from long lines to receive their food and then spread out across the grass. They don’t eat fish and bread. No, this time it’s potatoes, beans, lamb and even llama (a camel-like animal common in the Andes) using a traditional Quechua cooking technique called a pachamanca—where food is slowly cooked in a hole in the ground, covered with hot stones.
The celebration of the New Testament for some 250,000 Wancas is the culmination of hard but joyous work. The Floyds began translation among the Wanca Quechua in 1982. They were joined by literacy specialists Jaime and Maria Ayala in 1996. About a year ago the Floyds wrote to friends, “When the final New Testament proofing read-through was finished and the ‘amen’ of Revelation was read, one of the review committee said, ‘God, your Word has brought us together in ways we never dreamt possible. Our differences have been overcome by the unity in Christ as we’ve worked together to bring your Word to our people.’”
Dr. Rick Floyd added, “There are thousands of believers, with many churches all over the Wanca Quechua area. The Scriptures are making an impact…. One thing is certain; the Scriptures are more deeply understood than they were before they were available in Wanca.” The Floyds and the Ayalas take satisfaction that the Wanca team, both Peruvian and expatriate, have left something that will count for eternity. Rick’s wife, Melanie, said, “It gives me deep satisfaction to know that many Wanca speakers will now really be able to understand God’s words to them in ways they never have before.”
Work Continues
The work is not done yet. While the Floyd’s will become consultants for other Bible translation teams, the Ayalas will continue with literacy among the Wanca. The Wancas want the Old Testament as well. Dr. Floyd will help train a Wanca translation committee and consult with them from time to time.
The visitors leave. The crowds go home. What do you feel as a Bible translator after all these years of hard work? Melanie says it best. “Being part of the translation team carries with it a certain aura of glory, especially at this point, for having worked on this project over the last 25 years. But I think for me it is very important to express that I don’t believe God is impressed with our staying power, our brains, our abilities or whatever is being attributed to us. I think it is so much more important to God how we do whatever it is He gives us to do, for however long He asks us to do it. The hidden, unglamorous jobs done unto God’s glory are equally as important as the ‘spotlight’ jobs done for God’s glory. I really think it’s not what we do, but how we do it that matters to God. I say that as a challenge and reminder to myself as much as anything.”
And now let’s celebrate—the Wancas have God’s Word!
(Story by David Ramsdale)