Do something immortal before you die.
An Awi (Ethiopia) saying
Consultation in Ethiopia: Antoinette van der Meulen (a TWFTW consultant) recently checked newly translated Scripture.
The book of Psalms was checked with the translators in the Guji, Gedeo, Dawro, Gamo & Gofa languages (the G-Team, as they call themselves), as well as in the Maale language. It was the first time in the history of Bible translation in Ethiopia that six teams were consulted at the same time.
Antoinette also checked the following books in the Awi language: The second half of Mark; I & II John and most of Corinthians.
Romani language: Gospels of John were distributed at conference for Roma leaders
The Alliance for Saturation Church Planting invited Rom leaders from the broader evangelical denominations to a conference. The conference included training by Pastors Stefan Pap and Peter Pristiak. It was an opportunity to distribute the Romani translations of the Gospel of John. The projected publication of the Eastern Slovak Romani New Testament next year, coincides with the unprecedented growth of Roma churches taking place in Slovakia.
Lesicek Church Leader Laci introduces himself
Lesicek is the youngest of the Roma church plants that are part of the Hermanovce Cirkev Bratska. The leader of the fellowship, Laci, shares his testimony of God’s grace: “I was a very bad person—I drank a lot, I gambled, I was a thief and got into a lot of fights. I had a terrible home life. My wife and children suffered a lot. My life was running away like water, but—praise God—the brothers from Rokycany and Pierre came to Lesicek. When they preached God’s Word, I was deeply touched by what they said. I thank God that Jesus then came into our lives—mine and my wife’s—and changed us. I am so glad that God found us here in Lesicek, for now we live only for Him. I serve Him, because I came to know that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
"As we look back over the first six months of 2012, we are once again overwhelmed with gratitude at what God has achieved. It has only been possible because of the hard work of all involved, and because of all our partners...
...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."
Click here to download the report.
Over the past 10 months Manie v.d.Heever has checked the outstanding books of the New Testament, viz. Hebrews, Revelation, James, 1 and 2 Peter, Jude, and 1, 2 and 3 John, with six translation teams (Zigua, Kwere, Ndamba, Pogoro, Nguu, and Lughuru). It is wonderful to know that these six language groups will soon be able to read the New Testament in their heart language!
In addition, he checked the Gospel of Luke with another five teams (Yao, Mwera, Zaramo, Ma- konde, and Nguu) and conducted four workshops for exegetes and translators. He will also be teaching at the annual training event for Bible translators in September.
Tonight, I smell Ethiopia.
She finds me as I wash my face,
she drifts through the open window
in the cool summer African night.
I stop and look up;
I turn my face to Ethiopia.
Her scent floats around me,
the smell of her water,
of the rain pipes and mud.
The smell of earth-scented metal,
or metal-scented earth;
and moss, and moist rock, and berbere.
Tonight, I was visited by Ethiopia.
Sound follows scent,
and sight follows sound.
Wet green like a rain forest -
rain slapping leaves, then hyenas singing;
ragged expanses with tough, tangled shrubs.
How I love Ethiopia,
her broken, bared soul -
her quiet, sound-filled nights
and aching, thirsty days.
Tonight, I smell Ethiopia.
People, worn and care-worn,
lined faces, shining, sun-loved skin.
Holy, sacred, caressed by God -
their Father, who adores them.
Silver flash and ebony flame -
His wooden Cross made intricate,
a reflection of His name.
Tonight, I have seen Ethiopia.
May she find rest in Peace,
a home in Him,
a place to rest her aching feet.
Salvation is hers - she claims it.
A desert your soul will be no more;
and death shall hold you no longer.
Tamene Lale from TWFTW Bible Translators. Tamene was one of a team of three translators who completed the New Testament for the Maale people of South Omo, Ethiopia. He has been accepted for a Master's degree in Bible Translation. The team is almost done with the Old Testament.
The dedication of a first time translation of Scripture is a joyous occasion. It is a climactic step in a long and arduous process. And it is that wonderful moment when a nation receives the Word of God in their own language for the first time.
We celebrated the dedication of first time translations of the New Testament with the Gamo, Gofa and Dawro people in Ethiopia in June. We shared their joy as they praised God for the gift of his Word in their own language. Some were moved to tears, overcome by the magnitude of the moment.
We also wept – tears of gratitude and joy for the great privilege of being involved in this wonderful work; tears of gratitude for everyone who works together in some way to complete the work. And we rejoiced, because we believe in the power of the Word of God to transform the lives of people and nations for the glory of God.
Now we all pray that the people will truly engage with the Word of God and that translation of the Old Testament will follow speedily.
Barry writes: "Please join me in the celebration of the greatest sporting event on the planet – and praise God with me for the opportunity to be involved in this. My prayer is that through the many evangelistic events taking place in the UK alongside the Olympics, many people will come to know Jesus, the greatest light of the world, and get involved i the greatest relay event ever – passing the Good news on to every person in their heart language. I thank God for the faithful runners of the past, like the apostle Paul, William Tyndale, John Bunyan, William Carey and others. They passed the Good news on to people of their generation! Isn’t it marvellous that I will be handing the torch over at almost the exact spot where John Bunyan spent 12 years in the Bedford Jail for preaching the Gospel? This is where he wrote Pilgrims Progress, the most translated book in the world second to the Bible. Let us all shine the light of Christ until all know him. (Eph 5.16 says, “Make good use of every opportunity you have.” TEV)
I would be honoured to see you there to cheer me on if you are able to, otherwise you can click here and follow the event live. We are planning to attend a joint churches Torch celebration meeting at 11am in St Mary’s Gardens, at the back of Bedford College. This is just over the bridge where I finish my leg."
May he use this to open many doors for promoting the work of The Word for the World Bible Translators!
Let us bring God's Word to all people in their heart language
