June 2, 2022 “I cried for the first time in my life” By Wycliffe Canada Back to all stories Imagine a region torn by war. The militia controls public life. People live in fear. How can the translated Word of God make a difference? How can it even get to people? In that troubled region in West Asia, four friends had remained in spite of the danger. They were determined to offer living hope to the people around them. Their most important tools were simple cassette tapes with stories about biblical characters. One that was particularly popular featured ten Old Testament Psalms, set to music composed by renowned local artists. Then, one day, a group of 22 heavily armed men from a radical militia group drove up to the house of the four friends. The militia took them all away, along with their two vehicles and some of their possessions. They were held captive for two days, and they had no idea what their captors were planning to do with them. One of the militia leaders was driving one of the confiscated vehicles when he noticed a cassette tape. It was the Psalms tape that the four friends had been using to share the word of God with others. The militia leader decided to insert it into the vehicle’s cassette player. He listened to the Psalms as he drove along. The next day that same leader arrived back at the house where the four friends were held. He had the Psalms tape in his hand. “I listened to this tape yesterday while I was driving in your vehicle,” he said. “And while I was listening to it, I cried for the first time in my life.” “Neither myself nor my men could ever harm people who would own such an amazing, God-honouring tape,” the militia leader continued. “You can’t be bad people – only good people would listen to such music.” Shortly after this incident, the four friends were released. Their vehicles and their belongings were given back to them – everything except that Psalms tape! As told by Butros (pseudonym) Posted in Impact Previous Next

August 19, 2021 Called to peace By Wycliffe Canada Back to all stories In the Eastern Highlands region of Papua New Guinea (PNG), Wycliffe Australia’s Matt Torrens organized a trauma healing workshop in 2020. The course, which helps traumatized people apply God’s Word to their pain and brokenness, brought together people from two warring villages in PNG. A ceasefire had been in place, but it had been broken. Many lives had been lost on both sides. The future for the region looked grim. Yet, when the village leaders heard what God’s Word says about His mercy and forgiveness, their hearts were transformed. Two verses in Romans brought revelation to both sides, instructing them to “never pay back evil with more evil” but to “do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone” (Romans 12:17-18, NLT). “As they were taking their burdens to the cross,” says Matt, “leaders from both sides stood up and said, ‘Now we know that retribution is in God’s hands.'” Leaders from a local church involved in new ceasefire agreements have been trained in using the Healing the Wounds of Trauma material, should any tensions arise in the future. The community also recognized that the healing between the tribes took place during the time that PNG’s new prime minister, James Marape, called for three weeks of prayer and fasting for the nation. “We all agreed that it was God’s timing that they were completing the workshop,” says Matt, “and were now able to reconcile as a community.” Matt says that after reconciliation had taken place, a brilliant rainbow appeared and stretched out across the two villages. “It was like God was smiling on us, reminding us all of his mercy and faithfulness.” Matt and his wife Andrea say they are thankful for everyone who prays and supports the work of Bible translation and enable them to serve in PNG. “We are privileged to see firsthand how much God’s Word impacts people’s lives,” he says. “So many people here have suffered incredible hardships and yet, because of our amazing God, we can bring them a message of hope, love and forgiveness.” Source: Adapted from an article at wycliffe.org.au Learn more: Trauma healing Posted in Impact Previous Next

Posts By Doug Lockhart Opening wide the gates of life May 20, 2025 | By Doug Lockhart As a youngster, Marcelina was convinced she had little worth. But years later, a Bible translation initiative in her Eastern Apurìmac Quechua language began to open up her world. Read More Counted among the people May 13, 2025 | By Doug Lockhart Having their own New Testament translation gave the Kera something long denied them by neighbouring language groups in Chad: an identity. Read More A new creation April 22, 2025 | By Doug Lockhart In Thailand, the troubled son of Eastern Lawa translators finally discovers his purpose for living. Read More Sign language translation aids Deaf communities to access God’s Word July 26, 2022 | By Doug Lockhart Although some of the world’s Deaf are able to read, it’s estimated that about 80 per cent of the Deaf throughout the world may never gain literacy skills because they have no access to formal education. Read More Back in the Picture August 1, 2019 | By Doug Lockhart Sidelined for two decades by illness and a family tragedy, a Wycliffe linguist returns to a Bible translation project in the Solomon Islands. Read More Latin Americans embrace missions call to Southeast Asia November 19, 2018 | By Doug Lockhart “We believe God is raising up a new wave of missionaries from Latin America for the Bible translation task in Southeast Asia. Read More Search Search Recent Posts Why God Sent His Son Document Not Alone Document A Grandmother's Legacy of Faith Document A Dream Come True Document Faith: More Than Just Believing Document PREV 1 1 ... 1 ... 1 NEXT

October 7, 2020 A changed perspective By Wycliffe Canada Back to all stories Jamal didn’t always see eye to eye with his Christian friends. But despite their different beliefs about God, they shared a common bond — they all were deaf. Like most deaf children, Jamal faced communication barriers, both in his community and in his family. So when he started attending Tanzania’s Buguruni School for the Deaf, friendships developed naturally, regardless of religious backgrounds. However, by the time Jamal reached adulthood, his zeal for his own belief system had deepened. “I was very proud of my identity,” he signed, “to the point of despising everyone [whose beliefs differed from mine].” Even so, his interactions with Deaf Christians continued. One reason was Jamal’s involvement in Deaf advocacy efforts. This led him to begin participating in community testing organized by the Tanzanian Sign Language Bible translation team. At those sessions, Jamal and others would watch sign language Scripture translations on video, then comment on the clarity and naturalness of the translations. Although Jamal was moved by the videos, they mainly stirred up questions — especially when it came to the divinity of Jesus. Enlightened by the Word Eventually Jamal decided to take his questions to members of the translation team. “I told them that I couldn’t find any place in the Bible where it says that Jesus was God,” he signs. The team was happy to help Jamal. They sat down with him and immediately started sharing different Scripture videos in Tanzanian Sign Language. As Jamal encountered Scripture verses that point to Jesus’ divinity, something incredible happened. “At first it seemed like I was blind or covered by a spiritual dark veil — but then I began to see,” he signed. “The words of the Bible had come to life.” After that experience, Jamal became even more involved in the Tanzanian Sign Language project. Now he volunteers his time to advance the Bible translation effort, promoting it in the community and at various events. But more importantly, Jamal has been baptized as a believer in Christ. He has even changed his name to Joel, which in Hebrew means “the Lord is God.” The Cost of Believing The decision to follow Jesus, however, has come with a cost. After people learned Joel had abandoned his former religion, he lost his job. Many of his relatives were displeased as well. Still, Joel has hope for the future and prays that one day everyone in his family will be accepting of his new faith. “I thank God for revealing the truth to me,” he signed. “And I thank the Tanzanian Sign Language team for their support, care and love.” Adapted from a story at wycliffe.org Posted in Impact Previous Next

March 16, 2018 “One Crazy Gringo” By Guest Contributor Back to all stories Wycliffe founder William Cameron Townsend faced the future with openness, spontaneity and creativity. He was an explorer who chose not to follow existing models, but forthrightly forged ahead, believing God was guiding his dreams. At a 25-year celebration of work done in Peru by Wycliffe’s key partner organization, SIL, Mr. José Jiménez Borja, an assistant to the Peruvian Minister of Education years before, told the following story. “I remember the day Mr. Townsend came into my office in 1945. He presented the most ridiculous plan I had ever heard. He wanted to go into the jungle with a group of linguists. They were going to learn the languages of the people, form alphabets, teach the people how to read and translate the Bible into those languages. He wanted my blessing on this impossible project. Our conversation went like this: Mr. Townsend, who is going to do all this work?’ It will be done by trained linguists-young men and women with college degrees who are willing to spend their lives among the indigenous peoples. This is a difficult task. How many are willing to go? None, yet. But when I go back to the U.S. and challenge them, many will volunteer. The jungle is impossible. How will you get those people out to the villages? I plan to use airplanes to land on the rivers and airstrips that can be cleared in the jungle. How many planes do you have? None. But when I share the need, God will give us enough planes. Who will fly these planes? Hundreds of young people, seasoned pilots and mechanics will volunteer. How many pilots and mechanics do you now have? None, but God will send them along. There is much disease in the jungle. How will you stay healthy? We’ll have clinics staffed by doctors and nurses. | How many doctors and nurses do you have? None, but God will supply them. Who will finance all this? The U.S. government? A wealthy foundation? No. I’ll go home and tell the people of the United States about this plan. God will supply. All the workers will raise their own support. At this, I stared at the strange man and told him, “When all that comes to pass, come back to me and I will bless you.” He got up, gave me a big hug, and said, ‘I’ll be back soon.’ “When Mr. Townsend walked out of the door, I turned to my secretary and said, ‘Alla va el gringo mas loco que jamas he visto.’ (There goes the craziest gringo I’ve ever seen in my life.) “A few months later, Mr. Townsend was back and ready to start! Now, 25 years later, all he dreamed has happened, plus much more. Only God could do such a mighty thing.” —Adapted from an article by Bernie May, in the former JAARS publication, Beyond , Vol. 30, No. 1 Posted in People Previous Next

November 2, 2022 Translating Scripture for Spain’s Deaf presents unique challenges By Wycliffe Canada Back to all stories Spain is a country of 47 million people at the southern tip of Europe. A little over half of the population in Spain identify as Catholic, while the majority of others consider themselves to be atheist, agnostic or hold no religious views. Evangelicals make up less than one per cent of the population. The Deaf community is among the most unreached. Spanish Sign Language and Catalan Sign Language are the two primary languages used by the Deaf in Spain and make up the Spain Sign Language Cluster project. While most Deaf aren’t antagonistic toward Christianity, many feel it’s not relevant to their daily lives. “It is only when one learns their language and begins to see the world through their eyes,” notes the project adviser, “that a real relationship can be built. Largely for this reason, the Deaf community is among the most unreached.” But producing sign language Scripture in Spain has unique challenges: the team is working with two related signed languages, and in co-operation with both Protestants and Catholics. Working with people from two religious backgrounds requires flexibility. Spain Sign Language Cluster team members recently finished drafting the entire New Testament. The team’s focus has now shifted to working with consultants to finalize the checking. Approximately 50 per cent of the New Testament has been published, and the other half will be published as the consultant-checking is completed in both Spanish and Catalan sign languages. When the team brought drafted Scripture to the Deaf community for feedback, people expressed how important it is for them to have God’s Word to guide them. “We need to stand firm holding on to Jesus, holding on to Scripture,” a Deaf Christian signed. The translation team members themselves are also being changed by Scripture in their language. Sign language translation involves facial expressions, body positions and movements; Pastor David, an on-screen signer for the project’s motion capture Scripture videos, has to express emotion while recording God’s Word. One day the team was filming the story of Lazarus’ death and resurrection from John 11. In the passage, Jesus weeps and is also deeply troubled. As David signed, he imagined the emotions Jesus must have experienced. “Being forced to feel the text is far more impacting on my life than just reading the words,” he expressed. Adapted from a story at wycliffe.org Posted in Bible translation Previous Next

May 12, 2025 Prayer point: Bali & Mba By Wycliffe Canada Back to all stories The Bali-Mba project covers two language groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Participants in an Mba literacy class study together. Photo: Wycliffe Canada The DRC Bible translation project recently underwent a review. What an encouraging time of connection it was for everyone! There are many positive aspects to highlight from the Bali project review, including an increase in the spiritual maturity of individuals, especially those who read the Scripture portions. A local evangelist said, “Since I read the Word of God in the Bali language, I easily understand what I am reading.” Engaging with faith People are engaging with their faith and incorporating healthy changes into their lives. A workshop was held a few months ago that focused on revising translated Scripture. During a training session, a new editor named Lambert said, “I thank God that I was selected for this work, because I have just learned things I didn’t know and it opens up a new horizon for me in my Christian life.” There is evidence of growing passion among evangelists, deacons, and choir leaders who now use Bali Scriptures to share the gospel. Local church leaders find it easier to explain Jesus and His salvation to those who do not yet know Him. Church attendance has also grown significantly in some congregations, with one church doubling in size. Knowing who we are in Christ One of the most encouraging highlights from the review is the observation that young Christians are showing increased vision and purpose. The Word of God helps us to know who we are in Christ. Without access to the Bible in the language that speaks to our hearts, something of our identity in Christ can become lost and confused. Praise God that the Bali and Mba communities in DRC are growing more in their faith and knowing more of their true identity in Christ—through the translated Word of God! Pray with us: Update: Thank you for praying for “the hearts of the Mba people to turn to Jesus, as they recognize His love for them and their language.” ( February 2024 ) Praise God for the Mba translation and literacy activities that happened this year, and for moving in the hearts of people to advance God’s work. Thank God for the recent project reviews with both Bali and Mba. Pray that both teams will reflect well on the review, and will start the draft of their new three year proposals. Pray for reliable means of transport and communications for both the Bali and Mba translation teams. Bali Translation Example Hɨ̌nzɨ apɔ́ bhɔ̂, kága átʉkʉ́ ká apɨ́ nziko mombi motí ubhuu ekítí-pɔ́ kísikó nokúnzi, no kukwó kɛ́-gʉlʉ́ yó ubhuu, hɨkágǎ-nzɨ kukwó otókóní-pɔ́ bhombi bhobhomu, képosa bhombi bhobhomu bhozǐ ubhuu Therefore it is that even as by means of one person sin entered into the world, and death because of sin, it is also that death found men all, because men all did sin. Romans 5:12 Would you like to receive regular prayer updates and requests from our field partners? Sign up for prayer emails at wycliffe.ca/pray/ Posted in Engaging with Scripture Previous Next

October 5, 2018 A Win-win Situation By Samuel Ko Back to all stories Learning to read better herself, a Quechua teacher instructs others too. After attending literacy training workshops run by AIDIA, Wycliffe Canada’s partner in Peru, 22-year-old Luz Marina is now serving as a voluntary literacy teacher in her community. Now that she is teaching in her Eastern Apurímac Quechua mother tongue, Luz is much more motivated to read so she won’t look bad in front of her class. “So every day I read the Bible in Quechua and sing songs to improve my reading and writing skills. Now I not only read better, but also I understand the Word of God better,” she explains. “I am very happy to teach my people how to read and write.” Luz’s class includes children, adolescents, youth and adults. Spurred on by reading contests, they are all learning together how to read much better in their heart language. “This is a win-win situation,” Luz says. “I like that.” Learn more about the ministries of AIDIA , which Wycliffe Canada sponsors. Posted in Impact Previous Next

May 8, 2024 The name of the true God By Wycliffe Canada Back to all stories The Yewase* people of Burkina Faso discover the God who makes himself knowable “Now, how are we going to translate the name of God?” asked Pastor Seko.* When the Yewase New Testament was published in 2016, the word used for God was Yékírí , which referred to God as the author of everything that happens to us. But on this day, the translation of the Old Testament was about to begin. On this day, the translators had to decide on how to translate the Hebrew name of God: Yahweh . The Yewase celebrate the launch of their New Testament When each team member was settled around the big desk, laptops ready, Pastor Seko began with this weighty question. Most Yewase people followed an African traditional religion. They believed in one God, but that He was far away, unreachable, with layers of spiritual and human hierarchy between Him and them. Each person’s responsibility was to pray to their ancestors and perform the correct burial rites. How could they even dream of knowing the true God for themselves? Pastor Seko knew that the word they chose to translate Yahweh would be important. It could influence whether his people saw God as distant or close; knowable or unreachable; for them or only for other people groups. The right word at the right time Rosemary Pritchard, from the UK, was the newest member of the team. A former Methodist minister, she loved languages and was well versed in Greek and Hebrew. She had even spent a year researching West African translations of the name of God. Pastor Seko’s first question to Rosemary, on her very first day working with the team, was about the very subject on which she had written her dissertation – an incredible confirmation that she was where God wanted her. So how would they translate Yahweh ? The answer actually came quite quickly. Rosemary is still amazed when she remembers. “They [already] had a name,” she says, “an obscure name for God in their language: Yáawérí .” This name was strikingly similar to the original Hebrew—but did it have the right meaning? It wasn’t used very much in everyday conversation. Would Yewase speakers who followed the traditional religion understand it? Early on, the team translated the story of Joseph. When they had finished, it was time to find out by testing it with members of their community. Testing the translation Since the villagers were only free after they had finished their work in the fields, everyone gathered at night. Everyone was attentive as the chapters of Genesis were read. The younger community members were fascinated—but deferred to their elders as one team member began asking questions. Finally, he turned to one of the men and asked, “Who is Yáawérí ?” The man hesitated, thinking back to when he had heard the name before. “That’s the name of the true God . . . isn’t it?” Pastor Seko, never a demonstrative man, was quietly satisfied. This was exactly what they had hoped for. What might these stories from the Old Testament mean to this man, and to all of the Yewase people, now? How would it transform their understanding of the gospel – the story not of a God who is far away, but of the true God with us ? The Yewase word had been there all along, but it took this team of translators to release its potential—to show that we can know God by name, and have a relationship with Him. *names changed for security reasons Adapted from an article at wycliffe.org.uk Posted in Bible translation Previous Next

August 9, 2023 When words change their meaning By Wycliffe Canada Back to all stories What do you think of when you hear the word mob ? An unruly group, angry and clamouring for justice? Does the word cheeky make you think of a child trying their luck and giving you a charming grin? Have you always seen the word promise as an agreement that can never be broken? And does the word payback lead you to think of revenge? Normally you’d be correct, but in the Plain English Version (PEV) Mini-Bible these words mean something very different. This is an English translation of the Bible designed specifically for Aboriginal Australians who speak English as a second language. It’s an important strategic project for Indigenous language communities, as it not only provides them with an immediate resource to use in their churches, but will also form the basis of projects to translate God’s Word into their own languages in the future. Here are two verses from John’s Gospel to give you an example: “This is the story about somebody called the Word. Before God made anything, the Word was with God, and he was just the same as God. You see, the Word was God. Yes, the Word was with God before anything happened” (John 1:1–2). So how does this relate to those words you read earlier? Well, although the PEV Mini-Bible should be understandable to anyone who uses English as their main language, there are still some terms that are more specific to Indigenous Australian people. Cheeky snakes Mob is a common term for any loosely related group of people (or animals). They don’t have to be furious and demanding justice. Cheeky can also mean dangerous – quite a few “ cheeky snakes” appear in the PEV. Here’s an excellent example where both of those words are used: “Some men came to that place to watch John baptize people. Some of them were from the Pharisee mob , that were strong for the Jewish law, and some of them were from the mob called Sadducees. John saw them and said, ‘You mob are bad, and you are tricky. You are just like a mob of cheeky snakes'” (Matthew 3:7). The definition of payback is like a word turned on its head. In the PEV, payback refers to the system of justice and recompense built into Aboriginal law. The greatest impact So can you imagine the impact when Indigenous Australian people read in the PEV Mini-Bible how Jesus ‘took the payback for the bad things we did’! (1 Peter 3:18) Today is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People. There are an estimated 476 million indigenous people in the world, speaking about 4,000 languages and living in 90 countries. And every single one of those people matters to God. Many of their languages have little or no Scripture translated into them. While indigenous people make up less than six per cent of the world’s population, they account for 19 per cent of the poorest. It’s often in communities like theirs that the ripple effects of Bible translation can have the greatest impact. God wants His Word to be heard and understood by people in their own languages. And the tremendous news about the progress of the PEV Mini-Bible is a wonderful example of how those who are often in the most marginalized communities in the world can be given access to God’s Word and have the opportunity to come to know Jesus through the Bible. Source: Wycliffe UK website Posted in Bible translation Previous Next