This week we had the blessing of working with a number of individuals from a language that, while it does have two books of the Bible - Mark and John, more than likely they will need some revision. The missionary who has been leading the workshop explained to us that this language group has sounds that are not in the trade language (Swahili) which will need to be determined and recorded. Then the books will need to be revised to match the completed alphabet. Beyond this, the workshop will be used to create a dictionary (from Swahili to their language) and to record some Bible stories.
We've had an interesting time with these individuals. They come from a mixed background - of faiths, and education. Some can speak English fairly well while others cannot speak any English. For a large portion of the day, we've been sitting in the back of the conference room entering the word lists they give us into the computer, but during breaks and lunch time we are able to have more interaction with them.
They are so patient with us. They've given us some words and phrases of their language and explained what they mean in English which we'll try to read through to understand their meaning, and then attempt to speak. On the one hand it can be a humbling experience having everyone laughing at us because we can't speak any of their language, but on the other hand it is moving to see how also they respond to us as we continually work on learning from them. We can see their eyes light up and their faces glow because they have never before heard a white person speak their language. And even though the 2 weeks which we have with this people group will not be enough time to learn their language to the point of verbally communicating the Gospel message to them I am positive they are seeing it demonstrated before them.
What would it be like to never have any literature published in your language? Can you imagine never being able to read a magazine or good book? Or what would it be like to be proud of who you are and where you have came from yet have others laugh at or even despise you because of your heart language?
If a person really thinks about it they will realize that language is at the very core of a person's being: it is how we think, it is how we respond to others, it is how we get things done, it is one of the ways we feel and show love, it is a God given gift.
Or could you imagine what it would be like if no one ever took the time to care enough for you to help you meet Jesus? Can you imagine the hopelessness that you would experience when going through rough situations? What would it be like to realize that life is meaningless, and only if you do enough good works maybe things will improve but you can never be certain?
By in large, this has been a reality for the 230,000 people which speak the language we are currently working with. Even though currently the majority of the people we are working are of another major world religion, we can tell that they see hope in the work that we are doing with them. For they are eager to work with us. We were not able to complete all of the work which we were striving for this week but it did not matter to them because they were willing to work on it on their own time. The work must get done was their response--we must know the Truth.
Please pray for this people group here in East Africa. Pray that God would continue to open their hearts to the Good News. Pray that God would rise up all of the workers necessary to complete this work from the translators, church planters, evangelists, support staff, etc. needed to see these 230,000 people saved.
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