I'm a big fan and believer in the little-known efforts around the world to translate the Bible into native languages. There are a number of groups I'm aware of that work in this important arena, including Pioneer Bible Translators, Wycliffe Bible Translators, and New Tribes. I have acquaintences & friends in the first two organizations, who labor in Indonesia and Papau New Guinea. Here's a short story from Mission Network News about a people group that will soon receive its own New Testament....
Papua New Guinea (MNN)--New Tribes Mission reports success in a Papua New Guinea New Testament translation project that has lasted seven years. The completed efforts arrived in the form of 15-hundred copies of a beautifully bound Asengseng New Testament. The New Testaments will soon be on their way for a two-month voyage to West New Britain in Papua New Guinea. Their arrival will occasion a joyous celebration for four Asengseng elders -- Giaman, Krosli, Wisnamli and Tawin -- 20 Bible teachers, and the believers in ten local churches who are eagerly waiting to get the new Book in their hands.In preparation for this, Bible teachers last year began working toward chronological teaching at Elihi, another village in Asengseng. Pray for the literacy classes which are continuing in various villages throughout Asengseng - both teachers and students.
If you would, pray for those working in villages around the world, learning languages, teaching literacy, and slowly making God's Word come alive.
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This has always fascinated me from the perspective of my English degree from college. A lot of times the people heading into these tribal areaa have to work to develope a written language as most culture and heritage is passed on via spoken-word record. Then, another few years are spent on teaching the language, followed by the implementation of translating The Bible into the recently transcribed language. I've read up on tribes that have been worked with and educated for a decade or more to get a Bible into their hands. It's truly an awesome show of committment to get God's message out there.
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