MENA (MNN) — Bible translation is essential for reaching the unreached. It is also extremely dangerous work in some parts of the world, at times requiring a team to go into hiding or on the run.
“[Bible translation] moves forward with the faithful Christians who commit to it, whether that’s in hiding, or whether that’s [when] they leave their country,” says Tabitha Price with Wycliffe Associates.
Wycliffe Associates’ MAST program (Mobilized Assistance Supporting Translation) allows faster translation through accelerated and effective training (Photo courtesy of Wycliffe Associates)
But there’s more to the story. Bible translators in the Middle East and North Africa put their lives on the line even after the work is done.
“God’s Word changes lives, and it transforms communities,” Price says. “So getting it translated in a safe place is wonderful — and still requires the risk of getting it back into those places that are not so safe. Our translators take that risk.”
But they never take it lightly. These brothers and sisters have created ways to carry electronic copies loaded onto microchips back to their homeland. Print copies are often just too dangerous.
“We simply partner with them and pray for them as they take the extreme risk in places all over the world, but particularly in the 10/40 window,” Price says.
(Photo courtesy Wycliffe Associates)
In that 10/40 window, Price says spiritual warfare is deep. “These areas of the world have been dominated by Satan’s kingdom. When God’s people get a foothold and begin to proclaim the name of Christ and share the Word of God, the gates of hell will not prevail, but they can certainly try. And they do.”
Right now, Wycliffe is working on printed Bibles for 13 language groups in the Middle East/North Africa (click here to learn more). Pray for their protection and joy in these battles, and learn more so that you can pray with deeper compassion.
“I highly recommend that you research these stories when Wycliffe Associates puts out press releases or newsletters,” Price says, pointing also to resources from Voice of the Martyrs.
(Read about two sisters serving as Bible translators or many other stories of joyful faith in the midst of opposition.)
“Take [it] seriously. Read and enter into the pain of [their stories], because then when you pray, you will be thinking about their children who might be fatherless and of those mothers who are begging God to bring their husband back from that risky trip,” Price says.
“You will be thinking of the reality that they face instead of just some ethereal idea that ‘Someone’s out there risking their life for the gospel.’”
Header photo courtesy of Wycliffe Associates.
