Chibok. Why does that town’s name seem familiar? And that photo of the Nigerian father? Do I recognize him? I wonder how close I was when I was in Nigeria with the Kibaku language team?

“Kibaku (Chibok) is a local language spoken in Askira/Uba, Chibok, and Damboa local government areas in northeastern Borno State of Nigeria.” –Wikipedia

My. Heart. Seemed. To. Stop.

Today is one month since Boko Haram terrorists kidnapped hundreds of girls from a school in northeastern Nigeria. When I first heard the news my heart sank. Again. And we now have a confirmed report that three of the abducted girls are close relatives of one of our translation partners in the region.

Nigeria is too often in the news for violence against Christians.

It hits closer to home for me these days, because Wycliffe Associates is working closely with the Nigeria Bible Translation Trust (NBTT) to advance Bible translation there. NBTT is currently working in more than 100 languages throughout the country, with nearly 300 more languages identified as still without one verse of Scripture.

Because of this, Nigeria is our highest priority for Bible translation in Africa.

Three years ago, I landed in Nigeria for the third time.

My prior two trips had been to explore the best ways for Wycliffe Associates to support NBTT’s work. On this trip, I traveled with a team of 10 staff and volunteers with Bible Translation Acceleration Kits for 25 NBTT language teams.

Our driver said the trip would take “around four hours.” Despite traveling at high speed, eight hours later we stopped for the night, still far short of our destination. After four more hours driving the next day we met with the Kibaku translation team.

The welcome was warm. It was 115 degrees Fahrenheit that day.

As we were introduced to the translators, I was surprised but encouraged to learn that many of them have names from the Bible. This is because of their Christian heritage.

The Kibaku team was eager and apt learners. We worked through the heat of the afternoon and parted with prayer for one another.

In the three years since this day, I have often heard news of church bombings and other terrorist activities but wasn’t able to connect any specific news—until today.

Today, military special forces from several countries are working closely with Nigerian authorities to locate and rescue the girls. Social media is atwitter with #bringbackourgirls.

But what can Christians do that will matter?

First, we can stand with these Nigerian families in prayer.

Second, we can stand with the Nigeria Bible Translation Trust as they speed God’s Word to their nation. 100% of the proceeds of all donations to Wycliffe Associates’ Emergency Fund designated for Nigeria will be used in partnership with the NBTT first to assist the Kibaku language community and then to continue supporting Bible translation in Nigeria. You can donate online by clicking here.

Thank you for praying and caring for these girls and their families.

Subscribe to Our Blog