I’m so excited to tell you about this
fantastic opportunity!
To many readers of my memoir and blog,
Bible translation is a mysterious job and, frankly, it might seem pretty weird.
Certainly, the task can be daunting—the lifestyle, the long years of work.
But here’s an easy (and relatively
painless) way to learn more about the big picture of translation—as well as the
smaller nitty-gritty details, too.
And you can do it right here on U.S. soil.
This five-day event is called Explore Bible Translation Extreme and it takes place near Charlotte, North Carolina,
October 28 through November 2.
Participants will spend five days in a
simulated village setting with up to 25 others. They’ll sleep in hammocks and
live in typical huts (champas) five feet above the ground.
They’ll have a fire to cook meals and gather
around at night to hear veteran translators explain their work.
Morning and evening sessions around the
campfire will offer interactive learning opportunities.
And I guarantee they’ll also hear stories
of some amazing, even mindboggling adventures. Unforgettable stuff.
Participants will learn about:
- Wycliffe’s history and vision for the future,
- why people need Scriptures in their own languages (rather than languages foreign to them),
- how that changes lives,
- and of the many roles individuals play in carrying out the Bible translation task.
Like Wycliffe’s website says,
“It all
adds up to a memorable week of learning,
exploration and fellowship!”
Keep in mind that my husband Dave and I
did not carry out translation itself and did not live in remote settings such
as participants of Explore Bible Translation Extreme will experience.
Instead, as support personnel, we lived at
a missions center with lots of other Wycliffe workers and filled behind-the-scenes
roles which enabled translators to do their jobs. For example, Dave taught
those missionaries’ kids, and I worked in the administration office helping oversee
the translators’ projects and progress.
Other support positions include pilots,
doctors, nurses, accountants, mechanics, radio operators, maintenance staff,
secretaries, technicians, administrators—the list goes on and on.
So if YOU are thinking of working with
Wycliffe, keep in mind the two types of workers: (1) translators, and (2)
support personnel. Both fill crucial roles in Bible translation. The Explore Bible Translation Extreme will introduce the first type, translators, but would
also be significant for those interested in working in a support role.
Does Explore Bible Translation Extreme
seem too adventurous for you?
If so, here’s an alternate (and really easy) opportunity
for you. And you can stay in the comfort of your own home.
Wycliffe has compiled a list of documentaries introducing you to different cultures and people groups.
They’ll open your eyes and touch your heart and,
if you’re like I used to be,
they'll help you inch closer to saying,
“Yes, I think I could do that.”
To learn more about the reason Dave and I
worked with Wycliffe, and to explore whether God might like you to work with them,
look into these two resources:
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