Many Bible translation projects focus on the needs of very small people groups. Some of these minority languages have only a few thousand speakers. Is it right to invest so much in a major project like Bible translation for so few people?
Earlier this week my family and the Sowers Harvest Cafe team had a bunch of our student friends here for a backyard dinner party around the campfire.
Why Translate the Bible?
Over 1,600 people groups sit in darkness with no Scripture in their heart language. All-Nations Bible Translation (ABT) is an organization that is passionate about putting God’s written word into the hands of every nation on earth.
The official number of languages needing Bible translation just went up—not down! The new statistics were released just over two months ago. I noticed because I was watching, and because it was so opposite of what we had seen in the past.
The church’s place in going is to send. When someone has a vision to go, it is the church’s privilege to confirm the vision, bless them in it, send them, and support them as they go.
I am working my way through the book of Luke and the parable of the Good Samaritan really impacted me. I have been reflecting on it everyday since then. Why? I have read it many, many times in my life. I have heard it told many, many times.
Six years ago, God laid a vision for Bible translation on my husband's heart. I clearly remember how, on the way home after an ABT presentation at our church, he turned to me, and said, “This is what I want to do!”
Recently I heard a message by Paris Reidhead entitled, “Ten Shekels and a Shirt.” In this message, Reidhead tells the story of two Moravian missionaries who left their communities to sell themselves into slavery in order to reach African slaves with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!” Amen.
Will there be any regrets in heaven?
It has been said that one of the greatest disappointments we’ll have once we get to heaven is how little we used the power of prayer!
