The Word For The World

Tesfaye Bekema on training for Bible translation consultants

2012-05-02T14:56:50-05:00

Tesfaye Bekema commenting on the introductory training for Bible translation consultants presented by TWFTW in Ethiopia in February 2012.

Tesfaye was one of the Bible translation students in the first intake of TWFTW’s decentralized training of nationals in 1998. He went on to translate the Bible for his own people, and served as National Director of Translations. He is currently on study leave, working on his Master’s degree.

Consultant training in Ethiopia

2012-03-19T08:40:50-05:00

The Word for the World Bible translators first consultant training in Africa took place in Ethiopia in Feb 2012. 17 students attended the training, manily from Ethiopia. Barry Funnell interviewed Reuben Kabwe on his passion to become a consultant.

HER UTMOST FOR THE HIGHEST

2012-02-15T10:21:18-05:00

This Friday, February 17th, is the memorial service for Dalene Breytenbach. She was the liaison officer of The Word for the World.

We mourn her passing, but rejoice in the fact that we know she is with the Lord. At the same time, we celebrate her life, which was a demonstration of the grace and power of God. If we could speak to her now, we would love to say, “Rest well, comrade in the service of the Word!”

Dalene requested the following poem to be read at her funeral.

And when I stamped my feet on the grave
the thumping soon became a dance
and I felt the sadness and the joy
well up in my heart
that life and death
are so close
and in that space
sacredness arises
and the tears that ran down my face
released me to the great mystery of it all.

Please click here to read a special remembrance of Dalene by Véroni and Martie Krüger.

CONCLUDING REMARKS on the President?s Report

2012-02-14T08:30:58-05:00

As always, we thank God for his indescribable grace to allow us, including you, the recipients of this report, to play an important role in the ministry of Bible translation, particularly for the sake of those who do not yet have God’s Word in their heart language.

Soli Deo Gloria!
Click here to download the full report.

Véroni Krüger
veroni.kruger@twftw.za.org

Ethiopia

2012-02-08T10:41:40-05:00

Please pray for the Gamo, Gofa, and Dawro New Testaments now being printed in Korea to be distributed early next year. Also please pray for the Gofa New Testament currently being recorded by Faith Comes by Hearing, and for the Gamo New Testament’s recording.

Let us pray together that it will be true for these dear nations:

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
On those living in the land of the shadow of death
A light has dawned” (Isaiah 9.2)

Eastern Slovak Romani

2012-02-08T10:36:03-05:00

GOSPEL OF MARK IN ROMANI CD’s DISTRIBUTED IN VILLAGES

Pierre van Vuuren writes:

"Distribution of the The Gospel of Mark in the Eastern Slovak Romani dialect continued over the holidays. Pierre and the Hlinné Roma youth distributed CD’s wrapped in Christmas paper during evangelistic outings to four area villages (those represented by circles on the above map). In addition, copies are being made and distributed by other missionaries and church leaders.

As the translation team continues to meet weekly, please pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. We are thankful for the volunteer consulting help of a Greek language instructor from the theological seminary in Banská Bystrica.

Please pray for the consultation process."

Are you in London?

2012-01-11T08:47:27-05:00

OPEN DAY
SATURDAY, 28TH JANUARY, 2012
1:00 TO 4:30 PM

West Hendon Baptist Church
Wilberforce Rd, London, NW9 6AX

A light lunch, Tea, and coffee will be served.

Pastor Ian Christensen will speak on Bible translation and the ministry of prayer (30 min).
Dr Barry Funnell will give a presentation on the work of Bible Translation and feedback of his 1,000 mile hand cycle trip. The book “Operation Jonah” written on the kidnapping of their son while they were working in Malawi, will be on sale.
Dr Regine Koroma and Dr. Melanie Underwood will give an insight into the training of Bible Translators.
There will be a time for prayer and also seeing video clips on the translation ministry.

For further details please contact:
Dr Barry Funnell
Tel 07508920602
email: bfun@twftw.org

or

Winston Bygrave
Tel: 02084211652
email: wbygrave@yahoo.co.uk

Please note: It is best if you come by train or bus as parking is limited.

Dawro, Gamo and Gofa New Testaments!

2012-01-06T08:27:29-05:00

Jud Jusell and Teri Sheffield of TWFTW USA holding copies of the newly-published New Testaments in Dawro, Gamo and Gofa.

“Happy are those who… find joy in obeying the Word of the Lord, and they study it day and night” (Psalms 1.2)

November 2011 was a joyous month for three nations in Ethiopia. The New Testament was published in the languages of the Dawro, Gamo and Gofa people!

This was a joint project between The Word for the World and The Seed Company. The translators were all members of the Dawro, Gamo and Gofa nations, who were translating into their own language. They were trained in The Word for the World’s training program, and were assisted by consultants from both organizations.

Every person deserves Bibles in their own language

2011-09-16T08:35:40-05:00

Ruth Naude teaches at a private school (Penryn) in White River, South Africa. She asked the school Chaplain to explain the importance of Bibles in evangelizing to the children. They were all fired up with the adventure and were right behind Barry. They made banners which read: Every person deserves Bibles in their own language. Please see the photos which were taken during their "Civvies Day" last week. They got together R2 500 for Bible Translation.

Click here to read more on Barry's cycling event.

President's Report

2011-08-10T08:31:41-05:00

"All glory belongs to God for what has been achieved through The Word for the World (TWFTW). Many thanks also to our partners, including other organizations, donors, prayer partners, volunteers and churches. It is a great privilege to be part of the work of the Lord, and to work alongside of a large group of people and organizations, each bringing their own unique contribution to the work.

A special word of appreciation to those who are at the core of what TWFTW does, the Bible translators who toil unabated to bring God’s Word to everyone in his or her own language. Seeing their commitment and perseverance are an inspiration to all of us. An interesting fact worth mentioning is that all of our translators are nationals working in their own languages. We praise God for raising up people who have this vision for their own languages, and for the privilege we have to train and assist them."...

Click here to download the full report.

Wheels for the Word: UPDATE

2011-07-26T08:20:33-05:00

Barry will be setting off on his hand cycle on 8 Aug and hopes to finish the 1000 mile hand cycle ride on 30 Aug. Julia and Timothy will be riding with him, as well as a supporter and a friend from London. He has raised £10,000 pounds so far, but has a goal to raise £100,000 to start 5 new Bible translation and literacy projects.

For daily updates on his ride please visit: http://wheelsfortheword.posterous.com/.

Wheels for the Word

2011-03-31T11:30:04-05:00

I am a paraplegic, 48 years old, and from 8 to 30 August 2011, I will be handcycling from Lands End to John O'Groats (1000 miles!!) through the entire length of UK to raise funds for Bible Translation and Literacy projects in Africa, India and Eastern Europe. I also am raising funds for printing of the Sena Bible in Malawi.

Cycling 1000 miles by hand is pretty tough, but so is not being able to read...! By sponsoring me 1 pence per mile, you can sponsor two literacy teachers for 1 month; or purchase 20 literacy primers!

By sponsoring me 1.5 pence per mile (i.e. £15) you could pay for one verse of the Bible to be translated in an unreached language.

Click here to learn more about this fundraising effort and how you can help!

This video is a product of TWFTW UK.

Friends and Partners in the UK

2011-01-24T09:49:00-05:00

Open Day on 15 Jan 2011 in Clapham Parish Church Hall with about 40 people attending: We started with a celebration for the 30th anniversary of The Word for the World, which came into existence on 9 January 1981. An inspiring PowerPoint presentation was done on the transformation of the UK due to The Word of God being translated into English 400 years ago. Barry and Julia spoke about the explosive growth of TWFTW's work - from 33 projects last year to 46 now, and 3 literacy programs.

Barry had his hand-cycle on display for his 1000-mile fund raising cycle in August this year.

For more info on this fund raising event, please click here.

Regine and Mel shared about the training of Bible translators - a staggering 178 students from 66 languages were trained in 2010 and we now have 114 students who graduated with TWFTW Diploma in Bible Translation. The highlight of the day was the presentation of Pierre and Marek, straight from the field! Marek shared his powerful testimony of how the Word of God transformed him and is now transforming his Roma (Gypsy) community in Eastern Slovak! We spent time in small groups praying for various aspects of the work.

Thank you for your partnership with TWFTW in prayer and finance to bring God's Word to all people in their heart language. We are trusting God for an abundant harvest of souls this year through the power of His Word!

Thirty Years of Serving the Word

2011-01-11T09:08:24-05:00

Dr Veroni Kruger and P J Vivier. On January 9, 1981, they sat around a dining room table and signed a dream into existence.

January 9, 2011 marked the 30th anniversary of the day The Word for the World came into existence. On that day two people signed the organization into being in Pretoria, South Africa, with nothing but a dream they believed God had given in their hearts.

“The Word” has become somewhat of a catchword in sermons and talks and books on how to live as a Christian. “Read the Word”, “Listen to the Word”, Pray the Word”, “Believe the Word”, “Live the Word”, and many other expressions are used with great creativity when referring to the Bible.

Justifiably so, because the Bible contains everything God knows we need to live in this world, and to prepare for the new heaven and earth that He is preparing for us.

The Bible is central to everything the church ever does. Yet, with approximately 340 million people who speak the more than 2,100 languages that do not yet have a translation of the Bible, there remains a crying need for Bible translation worldwide.

The Word for the World is overjoyed at the privilege of being a part of the work of ensuring that every person hears the Word of God in his or her heart language. TWFTW provides an avenue through which many people can make a contribution to fulfill this greatest need of all time – the Word of God.

It is against this background that we celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Word for the World.

Our celebration of thirty years of fruitful ministry is in humble recognition of the fact that all good things come from God, and so He is the one to be honored above all. TWFTW also recognizes all who worked together to achieve what God enabled us to achieve. We salute all who are involved in the work of Bible translation, distribution and Scripture engagement.

Of course we cannot report at once on thirty years’ blessings. We will continue to do so throughout this year. However, looking back over the past year is a good beginning, and we invite you to read the full report. Click here to download.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Véroni Krüger
veroni.kruger@twftw.za.org

We celebrate Thirty Years with this song that was written and performed by the Chikundas in Kanyamba, Zimbabwe.

The gift we have been waiting for has come to us this day.
Our God is great. Young and old, let’s thank Him.
The gift of your Word is great. It helps us to understand and follow God’s ways .
The gift we have been waiting for Has come to us this day.
Although we may have many things Your Word is more precious than all.
We thank you Lord! Help us to live by your Word .

Composed by Chapoto Blessing

UK: OPEN DAY - Saturday, 15TH January 2011 - 10:00-2:00 PM

2010-12-20T11:43:00-05:00

Clapham Parish Church
Green Lane
Clapham, Bedfordshire
MK41 6ER

-Tea, coffee and a light lunch will be served

-Dr Barry & Julia Funnell will give a presentation on the work of Bible Translation.

-Dr Regine Koroma will give an insight into the training of Bible Translators.

-Pierre van Vuuren, who is working in Slovakia, will introduce, Marek Olah, a Romani Bible Translator, who will tell us about their work. Pierre and Marek will be visiting the UK in January.

Please come and discover what The Word for the World does by hearing from those who are involved, seeing videos from the field and a demonstration of how the Bible is translated. There will be open discussions, and to a time to partner with us in prayer.

For further details please contact:

Dr Barry Funnell
Tel: 07508920602.
email: bfun@twftw.org

or

Dr Regine Koroma
Tel: 020 8428 5061
email: rkoroma@twftw.org