July 15, 2025 The Scheming Ways of God By Wycliffe Canada The Jade Star team strikes a play pose in Bangkok. Photo: Derryl Friesen Back to all stories “Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. Yet God does not take away life but rather, he devises plans so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him.” This description of the heart of God written in 2 Samuel 14:14 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. A powerful military commander and a wise old woman concoct a tragic story and devise a dramatic plan, complete with a script, a broken-hearted widow, black mourning clothes and fake tears to change the heart of a king and bring his beloved son back home. God schemes. He creates designs. He devises plans so that banished people do not remain outcasts from him. This is true for Mrs. Peace.* Mrs. Peace is Deaf. She lives in Jade Star City,* a very large Southeast Asian metropolis, home to bustling markets and numerous parks and lakes. Tens of thousands of temples and towering pagodas dot the landscape, some dating as far back as the 6th century. Crowded public transit in bustling Jade Star City. Photo: provided by author This country boasts more than 100 diverse ethnic groups, each with their own unique dress, dance, art and food. Mrs. Peace is part of one of those ethnic groups, but she also belongs to another very unique group that is invisible to most onlookers. She belongs to a group of an estimated half-million people in her country who cannot hear any audible sound around them. Unfortunately in their county, Deaf are often overlooked, discriminated against and considered not capable of doing jobs hearing people can do. The Jade Star Sign Language Bible translation team But Mrs. Peace is also part of another very unique group that is doing something about that misconception. She is a member of a young, dynamic, Deaf team who have committed their lives to translating the Word of God into their own unique Jade Star* Sign language . For the past ten years, in addition to their translation work, the Jade Star Bible translation team has been going on annual mission trips to various cities in their country to reach out to the Deaf and share newly translated Bible videos. This past March, for the first time ever, a team of thirteen travelled to Mother City,* in the centre of the country. Members of the Jade Star sign language team sign “I love you” while attending a translation conference in Bangkok. Photo: Derryl Friesen Outreach in difficult places In Mother City, there are no known believers among the Deaf. The Jade Star team’s goal was to introduce Jesus to about 31 Deaf people through a four-day Deaf Arts workshop . The team has become well-known among many Deaf communities all over Southeast Asia for their engaging Deaf poetry, songs and drama. Mrs. Peace shares, “When the time really came, I was nervous and my heart was pounding.” She continues, “Prior to our trip, the Deaf Arts team came together and prayed to commit the workshop to the Lord. The people in Mother City have a big influence on the rest of the country and have a reputation for spreading rumours about Christians. So we were worried about their strong opposition as we shared about Jesus.” As they prepared, the team also had concerns about safety as they travelled. The civil unrest raging in their country for the past three years has resulted in many restrictions. Travel has become increasingly dangerous and they would need to pass through many checkpoints. The Jade Star team teaches a workshop to members of the Deaf community in Mother City. Photo: Derryl Friesen Excellent and almighty “I praise God who leads us,” Mrs. Peace shares. “He is excellent and almighty! Our trip was smooth and all the participants arrived safely to the church venue. I was grateful to see so many Deaf people welcoming us. During the workshop, we didn’t hesitate to share the Bible stories because we believed that it would honor God, and we can be a witness of Jesus as we translate the Bible.” Miss Flower*, another Jade Star team member, shares, “The Deaf showed interest and actively joined all the activities. In particular, I witnessed a hunger to find out who God is and who created the world. We are not aware of any Christians among the Deaf people in this city. I feel we have just started to sow the seeds of the Gospel. I believe the seeds will grow in their hearts, and we will have a harvest! Please pray with us!” One participant signed at the end of the workshop, “When I look up to the sky, I always think about the earth, the sun, the moon, and everything. I am always wondering how they can be kept in balance and unchanged. I searched online for answers but I still don’t understand. There is no one whom I can approach to ask these questions. Through these teachings I learned about how the earth came into being and who the Creator is. This is my first experience and I felt amazed when I learned about this explanation.” Ripe for harvest On the last evening, the team distributed SD memory cards with Bible videos and other Christian resources installed. The next morning, the participants enthusiastically shared how clear the onscreen signers were in the videos. “We were attracted to watch more and more!” One Jade Star team member exclaimed, “These responses made me speechless. I thought they didn’t want to hear about Jesus Christ before we came. It touched my heart, and I was encouraged to share more of the Good News with people, because they are ripe for harvest.” “The workshop was so good!” another participant shared, “ I could not sleep after the workshop because I was so excited about what I learned and continued thinking about it… This was so different from any other teaching I have experienced.” The team concluded, “We are so happy to see their joy after the workshop. It seems they connected with us so well through the Deaf Arts workshop because they don’t feel like they are being forced to receive another religion. We have a responsibility for the spiritual harvest there! We are amazed by His great plan. Even though we all thought it would be tough to reach out to the people of this city, God made a way and did it!” And the timing? It was perfect. Wreckage from the devastating earthquake in Mother City. Perfect timing One week after their return to Jade Star City , a powerful earthquake struck Mother City. Mr. Drawing,* one of the lead Deaf Bible translators writes, “It was really bad. Mother City was devastated. Many buildings were destroyed and collapsed. I was so surprised that God protected us in this way. If we had gone one week later we would have been in trouble. Praise God, we have not heard of any deaths among the Deaf in Mother City. We don’t deserve it, but God loves us and protects us. Please pray for our country to be restored by God’s grace and mercy from this tragedy.” “In that day, the deaf will hear the words of the Book…” – Isaiah 29 *Pseudonyms used due to sensitivity Story by Derryl Friesen Posted in Engaging with Scripture Would you consider supporting sign language translation projects this summer? LEARN MORE Previous Next

April 10, 2026 Encountering God's Good Heart By Wycliffe Canada Members of the Bali translation team explain that “(God’s) good heart” is the perfect translation for the concept of grace. Photo: Provided by project Back to all stories After wrestling for months with how to translate the word ‘grace,’ the Bali team discovered the perfect expression. Sometimes, frustration during the translation process can lead to a deeper understanding of God’s character. For months, the Bali translation team had been wrestling with how to translate the word grace . They had been using the term ngasa , which literally means “good fortune.” While familiar in local churches, it didn’t fully convey the idea of God’s favour—being well-disposed toward a person. Members of the Bali translation team explain that “(God’s) good heart” is the perfect translation for the concept of grace. Photo: Provided by project Their translation consultant, Lee, continued to encourage the team to explore other options, but the solution still eluded them. Then, while checking the book of Romans, Lee revisited the topic and shared a document outlining possible approaches. After reading it together, he left to give the team space to reflect on their own. A perfect expression When he returned, the translators were beaming with excitement. They had discovered the perfect expression: (God’s) good heart. Laughing with delight, they explained how it fit naturally in key verses and captured the fullness of God’s favour. They were confident the community would be thrilled to hear the word expressed this way, because it fit perfectly. Moments like this are a regular part of Bible translation. The work can be challenging, but translators often say that the process draws them closer to God while deepening their understanding of both Scripture and their own language. “Personally, I thank God for including me in this ministry,” says Assongi, the translation team leader. “It strengthens my faith because I am constantly immersed in God’s Word, and it enriches my understanding of our language.” The Bali translation team engages in a checking session, part of the translation process. Photo: Provided by project Community joy The impact of Scripture in Bali is already evident in the community. Ruth, an elderly participant at a Bali-language Gospel & Culture workshop, shared her joy: “I am overjoyed by this work. When I read God’s Word in my native language, Bali, it penetrates my heart and transforms me day by day.” Romans 3:23-24 now says: For all people have sinned and miss having God’s glory. But God counts people as righteous at no cost, by means of his good heart and the salvation that is in Jesus Christ. Story by Ruth Richert Posted in Bible translation Previous Next

May 15, 2026 The Best Love Letter Ever Written By Wycliffe Canada Members of the Bamunka community examine their copies of the New Testament at the Bamunka dedication celebration. Back to all stories A Wycliffe member shares her joy in attending the Bamunka New Testament dedication after watching the years of sacrifice and dedication that went into it February 14 was a day of rejoicing. After years of waiting, Bamunka Christians finally had the opportunity to dedicate the translated New Testament in their own language. “What better day to celebrate the best love letter ever written than on Valentine’s Day?” exclaimed Anna Grove, who attended the celebration. Pastor Pius Mbahlegue, a translation consultant-in-training, holds the Bamunka New Testament and declares that it is God’s Word. Photo: Anna Grove Now aged 27, Anna was a child when the Bamunka translation project began. The daughter of Wycliffe members Dan and Melody Grove, she grew up in Cameroon, watching the Scripture translation take shape. Though the work had been ongoing for as long as she could remember, over time she became increasingly aware of the sacrifice it represented. The Ndop region—where the Bamunka translation is one of ten language projects supported by Wycliffe—has experienced intense conflict and upheaval in recent years. Anna witnessed firsthand the significant toll this took on the Bamunka community and those involved in the translation effort. Spiritual opposition “The spiritual opposition experienced by the translation team in this community over the years has been overt and intense,” she says. Many people faced fear, discouragement and grief. And yet, they persevered amidst the struggle. Years of dedication, partnership and faithfulness led to the day of celebration. Members of the Bamunka community examine their copies of the New Testament at the Bamunka dedication celebration. Photo: Anna Grove “This is the sweet and rich fruit of many years of service shown by many, many people,” Anna reflects. The dedication At the dedication in the town of Bafoussam, the arrival of Scripture was marked in a culturally powerful way. Men acting as traditional “town criers” carried in the New Testament copies, symbolizing the delivery of a message of greatest importance. They presented the books to a representative of the Bamunka church for ongoing stewardship. A heartfelt prayer of dedication followed. It was a touching and powerful experience for Anna and the other guests. Pastor Edward Woghombong, one of the Bamunka translators, says a prayer of dedication over the New Testaments. Photo: Anna Grove God’s Word has already brought hope, comfort and peace to many Bamunka speakers. People are increasingly open to the gospel, and new churches have been planted in recent years. Now, with the New Testament in their own language, those roots will only deepen. Anna Grove and her father, Dan Grove, attend the Bamunka New Testament dedication celebration. Photo courtesy of Anna Grove Full circle Anna’s connection to Cameroon has also grown—in 2025 she became a Wycliffe member and returned to her childhood home to join Scripture engagement efforts, and to help finish the translation work that her parents started. She was thrilled to attend the Bamunka celebration and to see the impact that God’s Word is already having in Bamunka communities. “It was beautiful to see the community receive their newly translated full New Testament—the Good News of Jesus Christ in their mother tongue—to read, hear, memorize, love and share,” she says. “Through [this translation] we know more about the faithfulness of God—His faithfulness to keep and preserve His people and His church, to provide and send workers into His fields. “He is faithful to bring about His promises, including His promise that all nations will come to Him (Psalm 67, Isaiah 2:2-4)) and that every tribe and tongue will be represented before His throne (Revelations 7:9).” Story by Anna Grove and Ruth Richert Posted in Impact Previous Next

May 25, 2026 Faith: More Than Just Believing By Wycliffe Canada The Khamti team translating Scripture together Back to all stories A key term in the Khamti language helped a grieving Wycliffe member cry out to God in difficult circumstances I’m grateful for the way God spoke to me through the Khamti Bible. In 2006, my husband Doug and I said “yes” to working with a small group of Christians in a sensitive region of Southeast Asia. They were part of a majority-religion language group and had been asking for God’s Word to be translated into Khamti—their mother tongue. Paul, the main translator, was the first Christian in the group. He loved his people and had this deep desire to see them know the God of the Bible and the saving work of Jesus. Doug (L) and Paul (second from right) working with other members of the Khamti translation team. Photo: Connie Inglis Translating key terms Even though I was not directly involved in the translation, I understood the process and, being ever-curious, was often a sounding board for Doug, particularly when it came to translating important key terms into the Khamti language. One such key term was the Biblical concept of “faith.” Initially, the Khamti word they used for “faith” simply meant, “to believe Jesus.” The translation team thought it was a good word. But when interacting with one of the local majority-religion leaders, he responded this way: “I don’t like it when you call us non-believers, because I too believe Jesus! I know he lived and passed on good moral knowledge.” Paul realized they needed a new word. So, the team created a compound word: “believe-rely on.” Compounding is a common way to create new words in the Khamti language. By adding the component “rely on,” it totally clarified what the concept of faith entails. T he word for “faith” in the Khamti script. Image courtesy of Connie Inglis True faith The local leader knew then that he didn’t have Biblical faith. But he saw, as did we, how Paul did have that faith. Despite persecution when put under house arrest by his own people, Paul did not renounce his faith. When family struggles and civil unrest occurred, he did not stop relying on God but looked to Him for strength and perseverance to press on in the translation. I have since returned to that definition many times in my own life when I needed to not just believe but also rely on the God of the Bible. Ten years ago, when our adult son was diagnosed with a severe mental illness, my faith was put to the test. My belief in God didn’t waver but, in all honesty, my ability to rely on God did. Learning to believe-rely Like David in the Psalms I cried out to God, “Why? Oh why?” many times. And as we watched the debilitating, ugly disease change our son, I wanted clarity and control, not reliance and surrender. I felt like I had to learn how to “rely on” God all over again. And slowly but surely, God showed up for me. I found hope in His faithful presence and mercy. Like Paul, I learned to not just believe, but to believe-rely on Him. Romans 15:13 back translation from Khamti: You believe-rely on God, causing you to have hope and so I pray that God might make you to be completely filled with happiness and peace. Then, your hope is full by means of the power of God’s spirit. Story by Connie Inglis Posted in Engaging with Scripture Previous Next

June 3, 2026 A Dream Come True By Wycliffe Canada Brody Naknakim poses for a photo at a recent Indigenous Initiatives translation workshop in Calgary. Photo: Henry VanderSpek Back to all stories For Brody Naknakim and his community, hearing Scripture in the Kwak'wala language is a dream come true “When I hear the Bible in Kwak’wala, I feel amazed,” says Brody Naknakim. Brody is working with his community to bring Scripture into the Kwak’wala language. For many Indigenous communities across Canada, the Bible was historically encountered in English or French—languages often tied to deep wounds and cultural loss. Brody Naknakim poses for a photo at a recent Indigenous Initiatives translation workshop in Calgary. Photo: Henry VanderSpek Today, Brody sees people responding differently as they hear Scripture in their own language. Brody's journey Brody is from Cape Mudge, on the southern tip of Quadra Island. Today, he and his wife, Alison, live with their four children in Campbell River on nearby Vancouver Island. Kwak’wala is a language spoken between Campbell River and Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, as well as on several other islands and across the channel onto the mainland. For years, the Naknakims have served in church programs, youth ministry and informal gatherings throughout the region. Over time, translation work has become another way of caring for their community. For Brody, translation is rooted in his own faith journey. “When I was younger, I started to learn about the Scripture and who Christ is,” he remembers. “What drew me to the Christian faith was that Christ sees your potential. He never leaves you or forsakes you.” Hearing the Word in Kwak’wala still moves him deeply. Tears of joy “We’re doing something that’s valuable for the Lord and betterment of our people. Some of the Elders cry tears of joy [as they engage with Scripture]! …It’s kind of like a dream come true.” Brody believes that Indigenous Christians have something important to offer the worldwide Church through their languages. “In the past, Christians have used other languages that contribute to our understanding [of Scripture]. Now, First Nations people are throwing their hat in the ring. “Not for our glory, but for God’s glory.” The Kwak'wala translation is part of Wycliffe Canada's Indigenous Initiatives, a project that partners with Indigenous communities across Canada as they translate Scripture into their heart languages. Learn more about how you can support this vital work at wycliffe.ca/campaign/summer Posted in Bible translation Previous Next

August 3, 2026 Not Alone By Wycliffe Canada Translation teams from across Canada gathered at the Indigenous Initiatives workshop in Calgary, September 2025. Photo: Henry VanderSpek Back to all stories Translating in remote communities can be isolating—but Bishop Lydia Mamakwa reminds her fellow translators that they are never alone in their work for God Some translators with Indigenous Initiatives live in isolated parts of Canada, where transportation challenges and long winters make travel outside their communities difficult. For the Anihshininiimowin team of Kingfisher Lake in Northern Ontario, travel is no simple task. At times, the physical isolation can feel like spiritual isolation, too. “Some of us are in remote communities, and we sometimes feel very alone [working for God], “ shares Bishop Lydia Mamakwa, a member of the Anihshininiimowin translation team. A boat rests on frozen Kingfisher Lake. Photo: Natasha Ramirez Bringing translators together But a translation workshop in Calgary this past September reminded Bishop Lydia and other translators that they are not alone. Indigenous translation teams gathered from across Canada, and on the first morning of the workshop, Bishop Lydia shared a devotion with the group. It began in 1 Kings 19, a passage of Scripture that might have seemed surprising at first, as it describes the prophet Elijah calling out to God as Jezebel tries to kill him. “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too,” cried Elijah. Bishop Lydia went on to explain that God passed by Elijah on the mountain, showed him His presence and answered Elijah with instructions on what to do next. Then, God comforted Elijah, saying “I still reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” In other words, Elijah was not alone in his work for God. “When this workshop was happening,” Bishop Lydia continued, “I felt like God was saying ‘I do have other people for you to work with.’” Translation teams from across Canada gathered at the Indigenous Initiatives workshop in Calgary, September 2025. Photo: Henry VanderSpek We give our all to Him She then encouraged her fellow translators with a reminder of why their work is so important. “When we were younger, we saw our grandparents reading the prayer books, and we were taught the importance of prayer and doing devotions. To this day, we have that because of how we were taught and trained. God speaks to us through His Word; He breathes it out. Only God can help us and see us through this [translation] work we do. So we give our all to Him and commit ourselves to Him.” Story by Ruth Richert Posted in Engaging with Scripture Previous Next

May 28, 2025 Feasting on God’s Word together By Wycliffe Canada In Southeast Asia, new believers enjoy a feast after their first harvest festival service. Back to all stories Bible translation helps the global church grow in its understanding of God God’s revelation through Scripture is like a banquet. Each language group and culture has their unique insight into God’s Word to bring to the table. Just imagine a family dinner without your favorite dish! When we only ingest our own culture’s understanding of the Bible, we are limiting our menu. We miss out on diverse flavours we could savour. When we welcome more people—and more dishes—to the table, the result is an amazing feast. We can make space for the gifts and perspectives of the whole Church. In doing so, everyone can sit together at a more bountiful and satisfying banquet, enjoying God’s Word together. In Southeast Asia, new believers enjoy a feast after their first harvest festival service . Insights gained through Bible translation are like new dishes at a banquet, helping nourish and strengthen all of God’s people . (File photo) “Just as each culture brings something new to humanity,” said former Wycliffe UK director Eddie Arthur in a 2013 blog post , “so does every language. Each language is capable of expressing some things better than all other languages . . . and each language has the ability to express itself in ways that other languages can’t quite manage. There are subtleties of meaning and inference that just can’t quite be transferred from one language to another without losing something. “This is really important, because that means each language can say things about God and is capable of praising God in ways that other languages can’t quite reach.” Translation enhances understanding In Tanzania, East Africa, the Rangi language group struggled for some time to translate John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” The translation team kept running into the same problem: the phrase “to remain,” or “to abide” wasn’t clear to Rangi speakers. As they worked on the passage with their translation consultant, they prayed and sought to understand what exactly it meant to abide in Christ. “A branch of a vine can’t live in the vine,” says a Rangi translator named Paul. “Instead, it’s attached or connected to the vine . Also, living in a person is an unclear concept to Rangi speakers—and even to me.” Finally, the team thought of a figure of speech that the Rangi use to describe two very good friends, or a loving couple. The expression, kʉva kɨɨntʉ kɨmwɨ , literally means to be “one thing.” “When we put this expression in our translation,” remembered Paul, “I pictured my grandfather sitting with his best friend. My eyes were teary because that helped me visualize my relationship with Jesus. When I live in Him, I am ‘one thing’ with Him. I saw how Jesus takes care of me. I could feel His love, and I could see a whole new life with Him.” The Rangi translation of “abiding” is one that may help believers from any language or culture to deepen their own understanding of John 15. Each culture has a distinctive ability to convey truth about God and His Good News, which cannot be achieved in any other language. That means that every time the Bible is translated into a new language, new insights about the Christian message are made available to all believers . The Rangi team went on to finish translating the entire New Testament. Their insights into God and His Word are now part of the great “banquet table,” bringing nourishment to the full body of Christ. Posted in Bible translation Previous Next

August 20, 2025 From Curiosity to Conversion By Wycliffe Canada God used His Word to transform Nsaku’s life and his marriage. Representative image: Alan Hood Back to all stories After reading Scriptures in his own language, a Congolese man is moved to follow Jesus and invest in his marriage. Bible translation is advancing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)! We’re excited to partner with Canadian believers, Wycliffe U.S. and the church in DRC to soon launch a new translation project* known as Lingala Equateur ya Sika . It’s a bold initiative to translate the full Bible in just three years, for up to 10 million people who speak this Bantu language. When Lingala speakers gain access to Scripture in the language that touches their heart, many will be moved to give their lives to Jesus. That was certainly the case for Nsaku,** a Congolese man who eventually found Jesus after he picked up a “religious” book his wife was reading. Written in their own language As Nsaku glanced at his wife’s reading material one evening, something caught his attention. He knew she was studying a religious text from her Christian faith, but this one was unusual. The book she was looking at was written in their own language! Nsaku had never been interested in church. But seeing verses in such a familiar script and style intrigued him. His wife explained that Bible translators in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were producing Scripture in their language. They wanted community feedback on the clarity and naturalness of their work, so they had given her a draft. More children in the DRC will soon have access to the Bible in the language that speaks to their hearts. Photo: Alan Hood Why am I not serving Him? He borrowed the book, which turned out to be 1 Corinthians. The words tugged at his heart. When he read the teachings on marriage in chapter seven, he recognized how poorly he had been treating his wife. He also acknowledged he was living a sinful life outside of God’s will. “I was living without God, and yet there are young translators who serve God,” Nsaku said. “Why am I not serving Him?” Convicted, he asked his wife for forgiveness and went to church with her that Sunday. He soon developed a relationship with Jesus Christ. Nsaku and his wife are both thankful to God for allowing them to access His Word through Scripture translation, and for redeeming both their marriage and their lives. * Lingala is one of the national languages in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Although widely spoken, no translation adequately serves the dialect spoken in more rural areas in the northwest part of the country. **pseudonym Posted in Impact Sign up to receive progress updates about Lingala Equateur ya Sika Give now to help launch this and other new translation initiatives GIVE NOW Previous Next

November 26, 2025 Jesus Also Speaks My Language By Wycliffe Canada Three young girls read from a copy of the complete Eastern Apurímac Quechua Bible at the Bible dedication ceremony in Peru. Photo: Ruth Richert Back to all stories The Eastern Apurímac Quechua Bible celebration in Peru Thin slices of tripe nestle coyly between potatoes and chunks of freshly-butchered beef in the clear broth. It’s 8 a.m. and the Eastern Apurímac Quechua Bible dedication is beginning with steaming bowls of soup and coarse bread. Every celebration needs food—and this one has been a long time coming. Local believers enjoy breakfast together on the church rooftop before the Bible celebration begins. Photo: Ruth Richert Women clad in cardigans and thick skirts bustle around the outdoor kitchen, stoking the fire and making sure every visitor is served. It’s the rooftop of a church in Chuquibambilla, a town in Peru’s Apurímac province. At 3,320 metres, the town sits high enough for foreign visitors to feel the altitude. But the small groups clustered under the rooftop tarpaulin have come from communities perched even higher on the surrounding mountainsides. Many are subsistence farmers, eking out a living from the fragile soil. Most don’t have the luxury of a mule, let alone a car—so they’ve made the long trek to Chuquibambilla on foot. A community member finishes gluing ribbons onto her skirt before the dedication begins as her friend and children look on. Photo: Ruth Richert Two decades in the making The mealtime calm gives way to a flurry of activity as people rush to change into their best clothes. They funnel into the church hall one floor below, arranging themselves in community groups easily identifiable by their coordinated outfits. Anticipation hums in the air. One woman hastily glues the last brightly coloured ribbons to her skirt as her children look on. The sudden bustle belies just how long they’ve waited for this day. Though translation work was completed by AIDIA—Wycliffe’s Bible translation partner in Peru—in 2021, printing delays added four long years to the timeline. Altogether, it has taken two decades to reach this dedication day. The journey began in 2004 with a language survey—an assessment of how a language is used, who speaks it and whether a Bible translation is needed. Pastor Luis’ path Pastor Luis Cervantes, now the director of AIDIA, was part of that original survey team. “I had no idea that this [survey] was going to end in this,” he says, tears streaming down his face. “I am very emotional seeing the Word of God after 20 years.” It’s a gift to his people, and confirmation that God speaks Luis’ heart language: Eastern Apurímac Quechua. Pastor Luis Cervantes rejoices as he holds the complete Eastern Apurímac Quechua Bible. Photo: Ruth Richert Luis worked as a translator on the New Testament, then took over leadership of AIDIA when work on the Old Testament began. It’s been a long and grueling road—but that’s not where his focus is right now. Today is about celebration. Together with local church leader Erwin Palomino, Luis walks to the front of the church. “Welcome, brothers and sisters . . . ” And so the dedication begins. “Now we can read the Bible and get it into our hearts” Quechua culture tends to be reserved—quiet and dignified. Celebration at the arrival of God’s Word doesn’t take the form of exuberant dancing or loud shouts. Instead, it’s expressed through deep emotion and reverent singing. One hundred and fifty voices pierce the still mountain air with soul-stirring, high-pitched melodies. Many clasp Quechua hymn books that proclaim: “Jesus also speaks my language. Christ, God, speaks my language.” Believers pray and worship God together during the Bible dedication celebration. Photo: Ruth Richert Each church group is invited to share a song or a message with the gathering. One pastor, beaming, stands to speak: “The church in our community is growing!” Gesturing toward his group, he adds, “It’s bigger than just us—there are only a few of us here today because we had no car.” Receiving God’s Word Pastor Luis then invites leaders from each local congregation to stand before the pulpit. Visiting pastors from Canada, Colombia and Japan gather around them, lifting their Peruvian brothers and sisters in prayer. These Quechua believers carry the weight of leadership—but now, they have God’s full counsel to share with their congregations. AIDIA staff place a copy of the Quechua Bible into each pastor’s hands. It’s a heavy, beautiful book: bound in black, edged in red and wrapped in protective plastic. Surrounded by other church leaders, Erwin Palomino leads the congregation in prayer during the Bible dedication. Photo: Ruth Richert “Now we can read the Bible and get it into our hearts!” announces Erwin, as he leads the gathering in prayer. The service concludes. Community members flock to the back of the church to purchase their own copies of the Bible. People line up for the single bathroom; some change back into their everyday clothes. Rain begins to spatter the windows as everyone climbs to the rooftop once more. The journey continues The celebration ends with lunch, a fitting bookend to the morning. This time, it’s hearty portions of potatoes, pasta and the remainder of the cow that was butchered earlier. People pass around communal bowls of choclo, giant Peruvian corn, before making the trip back to their own communities and homes. It’s the end of a journey. But in another sense, it’s just the beginning. God speaks Eastern Apurímac Quechua, and where His Word goes, transformation follows. AIDIA staff Dina Rojas (center) and Shendy Quispe (pink cloak) enjoying a presentation at the Bible dedication celebration. Photo: Ruth Richert Story by Ruth Richert Posted in Bible translation Previous Next

February 18, 2026 Three Generations of Faith By Wycliffe Canada Grace smiles for the camera in the Ndop region of Cameroon. Photo: Wycliffe Canada Back to all stories Grace smiles for the camera in the Ndop region of Cameroon. Photo: Wycliffe Canada On the Ndop Plain in Cameroon, three generations of women encounter Christ through literacy classes in their heart language Grace lives on the Ndop Plain of Cameroon. It’s a fertile region known for agriculture, but also for ongoing conflict. Life there is difficult, especially for women like Grace, a widow who never had the opportunity to attend school while she was growing up. But the Chrambo translation project offered her something she never expected: the chance to learn to read and write in her own language. It wasn’t an easy process, but Grace persevered. This meant that Grace could now read the newly-translated Chrambo Scriptures. After studying the book of Luke, she chose to give her life to Christ. Grace becomes a teacher Grace wanted other women to experience the same transformation. So, she quietly completed the necessary training to become a literacy teacher. When she walked to the front of her church to join the other teachers in a dedication prayer for the new school year, some people laughed. They were surprised to see her there—was she confused? How could a woman who had never attended school be a teacher? But Grace taught a literacy class to widows in her church anyway. Her students attended faithfully, even though their days were full of hard labour on their farms. Among them was Grace’s daughter Ernestine. She was so impressed by the impact that literacy had on her mother’s life that she decided she wanted to learn for herself. Another literacy class Not only did Ernestine learn to read and write in Chrambo, but reading God’s Word in her own language convinced her, too, to give her life to Christ. She later completed training to become a teacher. Ernestine (L) pauses for a photo with her daughter, Stacy in the Ndop region of Cameroon. Photo: Wycliffe Canada When Ernestine started her own class, her daughter Stacy wanted to join. Ernestine initially refused—Stacy was already attending a government school, and literacy training discouraged mixing students with those who had never attended school. But Stacy persisted. She wanted to learn to read and write in Chrambo. Finally, Ernestine agreed. On graduation day, Stacy was among the honorees. She had learned to read and write fluently in both Chrambo and English. A graduation gift As a graduation gift, Stacy and the other students each received a copy of the Chrambo New Testament. Stacy continues to eagerly devour Scripture, reading it late into the night. Ernestine often finds her asleep with the New Testament resting on her chest, open to the portion she had just read. God’s Word continues to speak through generations. Posted in Impact Previous Next