Churches in Asia and Latin America are ready to send their people to be involved in Bible translation for people groups within their country or in other countries. It is exciting to see the worldwide church responding to God's call to mission. Vision 2025 depends on the Church in Asia and Latin America mobilising thousands of workers to go to where God is calling them.
The Hand in Hands fund existed to supplement the support raised locally by national translators, but the initial phase has been completed. Now, you can support the work of national Bible translators through our general Vision 2025 fund.
Please give what you can. £10/$19/€12 can make a difference.
Here’s a story from one national translator who received support from the Hand in Hands fund:
“I started working as a Literacy Specialist among the Tigwa Manobo people of Bukidnon in 1979. Today, despite my current assignment in the Manila office, I still find time to visit the Manobo people and help in mobilisation and training.
Literacy and Bible translation go hand in hand. The translated Scriptures, though available, were meaningless to the Manobo people. But when literacy specialists taught them to read and write, people started reading God’s Word. Many of the people came to know the Lord personally by reading the Scriptures in their own language. Literacy classes developed into local churches that grew tremendously over the years. As a result of the literacy projects, many became pastors, literacy teachers and health workers.
Literacy classes are also the best promoters of the translated Scriptures. Literacy paves the way for evangelism because the curriculum includes the use of the translated Word. Literacy teachers start each class by reading a verse to the students.
I can say that without literacy classes, the translated Scriptures would have minimal impact on the Manobo communities. Life transformation would be minimal and there would be few pastors because only a few would be able to read. Literacy, together with Bible translation, has strengthened the moral, economic and spiritual fibre of the Manobos.”
