All around the world, people are encountering Jesus in the languages and formats they understand. And when Jesus speaks your language, you can’t help but walk away changed!

Every time a community receives Scripture — whether a few chapters, select books, a New Testament or a full Bible — it’s a time to celebrate. That’s because Scripture is foundational to a healthy, thriving Church. It equips us for evangelism, discipleship, church planting and more. When people experience it for the first time in their language, it emphasizes that God knows them and values who they are, including their culture and the unique ways they reflect His character and creativity to the world around them.

We invite you to join us in celebrating with communities all around the world who are now able to engage with God’s Word personally, including those below! Please pray with us for hearts to be captured and lives transformed — for His glory and the good of all His people.

Eastern Slovak (Carpathian) Romani | Slovakia

More than 740 languages — out of the 7,000+ known languages spoken or signed around the world — have the full Bible. Praise God that the Eastern Slovak Romani are now included in that number!

Translation and publication of the full Bible into Eastern Slovak (Carpathian) Romani was made possible through faithful prayers and partnership. The vision for the translation originated in the early 2000s when the “JESUS” film was translated into Romani and shown in Roma settlements.

The New Testament was completed by volunteers with The Word for the World who worked to translate it over seven years. Then Seed Company sponsored a team of nationals to translate the Old Testament full-time over an additional eight years. The faithful work of these teams culminated in the dedication of the complete Bible on Dec. 10, 2023! Approximately 500 Roma, along with Slovak and international guests, gathered to celebrate through praise and worship, messages, prayer, readings in Romani and a presentation of certificates of appreciation.

The Bibles were then distributed, including USB keys with audio recordings done by Faith Comes By Hearing. The dedication emphasized Jesus' revelation through His Word and gratitude for the collective effort of the body of Christ in the project's completion.

Join us in celebrating with the Roma people and praying that God’s Word — now available in visual, audio and written form — will continue transforming the lives of everyone in their community.

Matigsalug | Philippines

On Nov. 10, 2023, the Matigsalug community in the southern Philippines gathered together to celebrate the dedication of their own full Bible. Scripture portions were read — some quoted from memory — and groups performed songs and interpretive dances.

When Bible sales opened, more boxes of Bibles had to be brought out for the crowds! The mayor’s office had generously donated funds so that Bibles could be given for free to those who could not afford them. This involvement from the wider community and support of local authorities was a great encouragement to the translation team.

Praise God that the Matigsalug community now has the full counsel of God’s Word — everything from Genesis to Revelation — in their own language!

Simbari | Papua New Guinea

On Sept. 21, 2023, the Simbari New Testament of Papua New Guinea was dedicated! God’s power was evident in every aspect of the Bible dedication ceremony. As the people in attendance heard God’s Word being read from their new Bible, many responded out loud and applauded with joy. Jesus’ name was lifted up, and many in the crowd heard the gospel clearly for the very first time.

One Simbari speaker talked about how the cover of their new Bible is similar in color to the traditional bark cape that they carry with them everywhere they go and use for covering themselves. He talked about the importance, too, of taking God’s Word with them everywhere they go — and that its truths should cover every area of their lives.

Join us in celebrating with the Simbari community and praying that, through the New Testament, many people would encounter Jesus and walk away completely changed by His love for them.

Celebrate Scripture in Your Own Life

Now it’s your turn! How can you celebrate Scripture in your own life?

We have the joy and privilege of not only having access to God’s Word personally, but of being a part of seeing others get to experience that joy for themselves. Together we can work toward providing this to all people in all languages. What an incredible day it will be when we see the fulfillment of Revelation 7:9, where a crowd — too great to count! — from every nation, tribe, people and language will be standing before the throne, worshipping Jesus.

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Each week, you can receive an update on what God is doing around the world — directly to your phone! Stay informed, inspired and encouraged by the latest news, and join us in praying for God’s name to be made known among the nations through the work of Bible translation.

Text SIGHTINGS to 407-358-0916.

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