Bible translation can be dangerous and deadly in many parts of our world. But that doesn’t stop believers from doing everything they can to have God’s Word in their own language.
In fact, for some Christians, the dangers are part of their motivation because they know when their family, friends and countrymen can finally read God’s Word in their own language, transformation in their country can begin.
In a country I cannot name, which has been long renowned for stopping at nothing to discourage the advance of the Gospel within their borders, many people are risking all to translate the Bible into a language where it has never existed before.
HOSTILE AUTHORITIES DISCOVER TRANSLATION TEAM
When a Bible translation team was discovered by authorities, believers in the region knew they would face intense scrutiny.
A woman I’ll call Hope, who worked with an underground church, chose to turn herself over to the authorities to protect her younger sister (we call her Joy)—who is one of our Bible translation partners.
Interrogated and threatened, Hope took the blame for the translation activity. Then, at the first opportunity, she fled to protect her family—and the Bible translation projects they hold so dear. Her sacrifice ensured her little sister and the translation team could keep doing the vitally important work of translating the Scriptures for their people.
Imagine their shock when they suddenly received Hope’s terse message: “I’ve been compromised. I’m going off-radar. I won’t be in touch. I’ll let you know when it’s safe to contact me again. Please don’t write.”
A SISTER ON THE RUN TO SAVE HER FAMILY
Hope’s family was devastated, knowing they might never see her again and that she might end up in prison—or worse. And they were also afraid because they know exactly what happens when authorities decide to make an example of Christians. It had happened to them before…
Suspecting Christian activity, the police came to their home and destroyed their personal belongings, a scare tactic intended to intimidate victims into compliance.
They had survived that ordeal… and braced themselves for what might come next. But they never considered stopping their Bible translation projects.
THE OTHER SISTER COMMITS TO DO EVEN MORE
Hope’s younger sister, Joy, continued her work as a translator, working secretly with a team of believers inside the country to bring God’s Word to life in the heart language of their people.
But in their nation, the harshly anti-Christian authorities completely control the internet. Informants are always watching and listening for suspicious activity. So engaging in Bible translation training in Joy’s neighborhood, even online, would be extremely dangerous.
IN SPITE OF THE RISK, BELIEVERS ARE ASKING FOR TOOLS TO LAUNCH MORE TRANSLATION PROJECTS
These committed, passionate Bible translators have completed the New Testament in eight languages of the region—and they are nearly finished with New Testament translations in two more languages!
Now, they are asking for the tools to share God’s Word with other language groups in their region!
For them, it’s not the risk of life, limb, or livelihood—for them, it’s the tragedy of people not knowing God’s love. That’s why they are willing to give their all for the sake of knowing and sharing God’s Word with their people.
Please pray and give as you can to launch more Bible translation projects for people who do not have one single word of Scripture in their own heart language!
Joy and the other team members know the risks they’re incurring. But they are trusting God for protection and they are utterly committed to sharing His Word with their people.
God’s Word can transform lives when people read the Scriptures in the language of their hearts. Please help bring Scripture to life in lands where Bible translation projects are needed now. Thank you!
