Austin's derby car race

A secret morning

Photo: Ari Vitikainen

Far north in the nation of Laos, just beyond the China border, lies the province of Phongsali. A melting pot of ethnic diversity high in the mountains, many indigenous communities here live as they have for hundreds of years. Turning cotton into thread, washing clothes in the river, wearing beautiful traditional costumes each day and, of course, speaking their own unique languages. With over 82 living languages in Laos only 25 of them have some form of Scripture available. Dozens of minority language communities need a Bible translation. Please pray for the people of Laos.

Broken leg brings healing in Kenya!

UN Photo/Milton Grant

Ready for a day’s work at sea, a small fleet of boats hug the shoreline of a fishing village in the district of Kilifi, Kenya. Edwyn Kiptinness, a staff member with Wycliffe Africa in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, tells a story of when he broke his leg and was forced to spend nearly a year in hospital. With nothing to do Edwyn read the entire Bible in a language related to his mother tongue. He became a believer, even though he had trouble understanding many of the foreign words in the translation. When a Bible translation project began in his own language many years later, Edwyn determined to support it however he could. He reflects, “God knew very well what He was doing. His plans are higher than ours, and His wisdom is higher than ours. I am indeed blessed by a broken leg. Thank the Lord with me and my people.” Read the full story on wycliffe.net.


Edwyn unloads the long awaited Marakwet New Testaments

Literacy across cultures

Meet Eunice Kua, a Malaysian Chinese literacy specialist working in eastern Chad with the displaced Massalit people from Darfur, Sudan. Talk about cross-cultural ministry! Eunice says that her Malaysian-Chinese upbringing was exceptional preparation for her unique role here in Africa – just a glimpse of God’s great mission. Her team is producing books in the Massalit language and training literacy teachers, with an enthusiastic reception from the refugees. Eunice says, “When we invited 20 people for a work session, 40 would show up!” Read the full story on wycliffe.net.

Photo: Zeke du Plessis

Cameroonians in Bible Translation

Shelter

Sheltered from the heat of the day in a house-tent, a mother and her young child entertain visitors in Mali, West Africa. Although Islam is the majority religion in Mali, the secular government is welcoming to Christian NGOs and the need for Bible translation is being increasingly supported by Malian churches. There are currently two Bible translation projects nearing completion – Dogon with approx 600,000 speakers and Songhay, Koyrabora Senni with 430, 000 speakers. Please pray that these communities eagerly accept the Good News!

Although a number of other translation projects are underway, 35 living languages in Mali still have no Scripture available. Mali is currently experiencing a food shortage after no rainy season in 2011 resulted in a very small harvest. Click here to see prayer request for Mali.

Photo: UN Photo/John Isaac