Water of Life

Last summer, my family and I went to visit my grandparents in PA. While we were there, we decided to visit a local event that was presented by Wycliffe Bible Translators and JAARS. There were food stands, book stands, and speakers. One of the speakers was the son of Nate Saint, the missionary pilot who was killed by the Waodani tribe in Ecuador. Steve Saint explained how, through his father's death, the Bibleless and unreached Waodani tribe was brought to Christ. This story emphasized the mission of Wycliffe Bible Translators, who seek to provide various people groups with the Bible in their own language.

While walking among the various tables at the event, my mom and I found one booth where you could fill out a card and commit to regularly praying for a specific Bibleless people group. I chose to pray for the Ukhwejo people of the Central African Republic. Although I have prayed for these people pretty regularly, I am ashamed to say that I really haven't taken the time to find out much about them. I have free literature which Wycliffe provided for me, but I just haven't "felt like" reading that literature too thoroughly.

This morning, I was sitting at a desk having my QT (I answer the phone for the college where my dad works, and since the phone doesn't ring that often, I have plenty of time to read, etc.). I decided to check my inbox and found an e-mail from Wycliffe, encouraging me to pray for those countries who don't have God's Word in their own language. I ended up surfing their website for a while, and in doing so, I realized, "Wow! I have a Bible in my language!" It struck me just how tragic it is that millions and millions of people all around the world can't sit down every morning and have their "QT"! As I stared down at Matthew 27 this morning, I was saddened, thinking how those millions can't read this amazingly life-changing "water of life" that, when taken to heart, provides hope and reason for living. Even though they may have heard the gospel, they don't have an easily accessible version to read for themselves. It is true that God knows no language barrier; PTL, He can reach anyone through any means! And yet, what an amazing blessing it would be if the whole world could read the very words of God on a regular basis!

While at the Wycliffe/JAARS festival, we saw this chart:

Those are all the countries and people groups that DON'T have God's Word in their language! Wow!

Isn't this a powerful reminder that we should never take God's Word for granted? And yet so many times, I know I do! I have, like, 15 Bibles at home, and too many times I "don't have time" or "I just don't feel like" reading them.

This is also a challenge to me to start praying more meaningfully for the Ukhwejo...and for the others who are "unreached."

If you would like to find out more about Wycliffe and JAARS, click on the links above.