In the Russian tundra (MNN photo)
Russia (MNN) — How many languages are spoken in Russia and Central Asia? Can you believe there are about 100? For more than 50 million people, in about half of these language groups a clear Bible translation has been identified and a project has already been started. Political changes may have an impact on that.
According to Wycliffe Bible Translators, since the early 1990s there has been considerable freedom allowing these projects to make great progress. But the political winds are changing once again. What does that mean for Bible translation?
Wycliffe reports there are more restrictions on translation team members. That means it’s increasingly important that nationals are equipped to assume leadership roles in Bible translation work.
Wycliffe’s Bolshoi project is designed to do just that. Bolshoi means “big” in Russian. Under the project, the ministry is committed to facilitate, train, and work alongside local translators in 51 languages in Central Asia and the Russian Federation. The ministry is asking you to pray that generous donations will be received quickly to help support the Bolshoi campaign.
The funding will be used to print Scripture portion, provide translation resources for language teams, and initiate technology training to help foster translation efforts.
Pray that God will use the Bolshoi project not only to develop key national leaders, but to provide confidence for those in training before the doors close completely on expatriate workers.
To donate to the Bolshoi project, or to learn more about it, go to http://www.wycliffe.org/hopeforrussia.
