Friday, July 11, 2008

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.

5 comments:

Julia said...

Wow. I had no idea. Thank you God for placing me in America where they speak English!! Thanks for posting this, Brianna, it really woke me up, so to speak! I do take the Bible for granted!
Well that's changed for good. No more taking for granted here! :)
Julia

Paula said...

A great blog, Brianna, on a topic that we, from English speaking, and free countries, take for granted on a daily basis - a Bible in our native tongue! A family member's father, who has since passed away, spent his adult life (he lived until way passed 80) sharing the Wycliffe message with many so I am familiar with them. My church is currently getting Bibles into Tibet, so I will ensure, especially now after reading your blog, that I give some money to help! Thanks again. Paula :-)

Bob Creson said...

Hi Brianna,

Thanks for this post, and for praying for people who still do not have the Scriptures in a language and medium they relate to and understand best.

Lots of exciting things are happening in Bible translation today and we at Wycliffe are trusting God that the last language will be started in your lifetime--within the next 15-20 years.

Beyond praying, if you'd like to be a part of this exciting movement, you can, as you already have, go to our website http://www.wycliffe.org/Serve.aspx for more details.

Bob Creson
President/CEO
Wycliffe Bible Translators USA

Maddie said...

WOW! that is WAY more than I thought! and how often do I take my bible for granted......it is just always there sitting on my dresser when I am in the mood for praise or need a good pick-me up, but all of those people who speak those languages cant just reach and grab a bible because there is not one in there language!....thank you for this post!
love always,
Maddie

Unknown said...

Brianna,

Thanks for your continued prayers for the Ukhwejo this Bibleless language is still classified as a likely need for Bible Translation.

Here are a couple of links to information on this language group:
http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=ukh

http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php?rog3=CT&rop3=101260


Nate Cheeseman
Bibleless Peoples Prayer Project Manager
Wycliffe USA