(Orlando, Florida, USA)—Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that involves people in the acceleration of Bible translation efforts, is working to establish a Bible translation training center and provide technology resources to equip national Bible translators in the Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea, which occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea in the South Pacific, is home to over 10 percent of the known living languages on the planet—some 860 languages. And although English is the official language of Papua New Guinea, few people speak it.
While 175 Bible translation projects have been completed in Papua New Guinea and 200 current projects are in place, more than 300 language groups remain without even a single verse of Scripture.
Indigenous Bible translators are deeply involved in all aspects of Bible translation in Papua New Guinea. At the National Training Center in Ukarumpa, 40 nationals are trained together and are then sent out to their target language groups for literacy and translation work. Because Ukarumpa is still a great distance away from some language groups, small, regional centers provide additional logistical and translation support to missionaries and national translators.
In the Milne Bay Province, Wycliffe Associates plans to establish a translation training center in the provincial capital of Alotau, located at the most southeastern point of Papua New Guinea. The training center will serve at least 16 language groups in the province that currently are without any Scripture in their languages.
“We can speed translation efforts in Papua New Guinea and around the world through training and technology,” says Bruce Smith, president and CEO of Wycliffe Associates, adding that “national translators sacrifice so much to bring God’s Word to their people. Many have little time for regular paying jobs or tending gardens. They get by on little money for household essentials, school fees, and medical expenses. But they do it joyfully to share Scripture.”
The organization is working to raise $165,000 for the establishment of the Bible translation center in Alotau and to provide technology resources to indigenous Bible translators in Papua New Guinea.
One national translator, Wabele Fuga, said, “We believe in God, and faith alone will make this work happen. Where we don’t have the knowledge, God provides it.”
Another national translator, Selby Otire, remains committed to the work of Bible translation despite a number of obstacles: “I have seen hard times with my health, family, and child-related issues. But that does not shake me from the work of Bible translation. I am compelled by the work, and I have come to the point of dedication, commitment, and perseverance. As long as proper, adequate facilities are available, I long to see more men and women get trained and get into the heart of translation work.”
Wycliffe Associates involves people in accelerating the work of Bible translation through their time, talents, and treasure. Because millions of people around the world are still waiting to read the Scriptures in the language of their heart, Wycliffe Associates is working as quickly as they can to translate every verse of the Bible into every tongue to change every heart. The organization partners with nationals, mother tongue translators, staff, volunteers, and supporters to direct and fund these efforts, as well as provide logistics, networking, and technical support. Through a growing global network, Wycliffe Associates is striving to overcome local limitations of time and resources to achieve the goal of beginning the translation of God’s Word in every remaining language that needs it by 2025.
In 2010, the organization mobilized 4,381 volunteer and staff members to accelerate Bible translation in some 59 countries. Additional information is available at www.wycliffeassociates.org or by calling 1-800-THE WORD (1-800-843-9673).