v 105 “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
Have you tried to learn another language? I have, but never managed more than simple conversation. The experience, though, made me realise how much I valued my own language, the ability to communicate, to read and understand poetry and literature, to learn and above all have access to the Word of God that is meaningful and life changing.
This drew me to the work of Wycliffe Bible Translators, because of their desire to provide the Scriptures in the language that spoke to a person’s heart – their own language. Throughout the world 1 in 5 people are still waiting for the Bible in the language they understand best. Some of these languages are without a written form, so linguistic skills are needed to study the sound systems and grammar and provide an alphabet before translation can begin. Literacy is an essential tool helping people to read their language and opening doors to education, skills training and many other benefits. Translation and literacy are vital to the well-being of young churches and sharing the Good News.
Wycliffe is an international mission working in collaboration with national churches and Christians. “Currently, Wycliffe has 360 people from the UK and Ireland serving 530 million people … in 71 countries.” (www.wycliffe.org.uk)
“This is a day of happiness for Samburus – we now know that Jesus understands Samburu language too,” said by a lady when the NT was launched in Kenya earlier this year.
We have a few books about Wycliffe’s work which we would be happy to lend.
Shirley Stanford
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