The Philippines is a collection of islands located in Southeast Asia between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea. According to The World Factbook,* “for decades, the Philippine archipelago was reported as having 7,107 islands; in 2016, the national mapping authority reported that hundreds of new islands had been discovered and increased the number of islands to 7,641. …” Out of the more than 116 million people in the Philippines, about 318,000 speak the two languages in the Tadhana Cluster — the Butbut Kalinga and Southern Subanen.

That milestone was key to more people understanding the gospel, which ignited spiritual growth among local churches. Meanwhile it’s been about 40 years since the Southern Subanen New Testament was completed, but churches desire the full Bible in their language. The team can only imagine what the people’s joy will be like when the Old Testament is produced!

Partners decided to name the project between the Butbut Kalinga and Southern Subanen “tadhana,” which translates as “destiny.” As one staff member explained, this name was fitting because “it is the destiny of Butbut Kalinga and Southern Subanen languages to have God’s Word in their own [language].”

Many people in the Tadhana Cluster region, including some Christians, follow traditional religious practices. In the Butbut Kalinga community, those who don’t have a good understanding of Scripture sometimes revert to old habits during times of crisis. For Southern Subanen congregations, syncretism — mixing teachings from different religions — is also prevalent.

But as more of God’s Word is translated, church leaders believe that people will understand what it means to live a God-honoring life, turn from old activities and be transformed.

Both language communities in the cluster have desired the full counsel of God’s Word for a long time. God has answered the prayers of so many people — including those of a Butbut Kalinga translator named Romie Yac-ao.

“From the time that the New Testament was in the last stage of translation, I was praying that God would make a way so that the Old Testament would also be translated,” Romie said.

Romie is certain that translation work will generate a “great legacy” as people read the Bible and are convinced of its authority. “It will result in great joy, and God will be glorified,” he said.

Romie said: “My prayer for our children is that they may know God more and more, that they may read this Bible that is being translated and put it into practice in their lives.”

So far, the Butbut Kalinga team has made progress on 15 books in their Old Testament translation. A consultant has checked the draft of Ruth and portions of Genesis and Exodus. Meanwhile the Southern Subanen team has drafted 21 of the 22 books and has made even more progress on three of them.

God is transforming the hearts and lives of people in the Philippines and around the world today, and what a joy it is to witness!

* Source: cia.gov

Prayer points:

• Health and strength for the teams and their families.


• Protection for the Butbut Kalinga people among local conflicts.


• Praise: The Southern Subanen team took part in a two-week Hebrew discourse workshop and are now able to use the Hebrew Bible as a resource!