Never Too Late

Over the summer months, we have placed audio Bibles  into ten language groups in southern Mexico.  Most of these people are hearing the Scriptures in their own language for the first time.  This is the most exciting part of our ministry.  These people can’t read, so they’ve waited for 20 or more years for their New Testament to be translated and finally recorded.  We have the privilege of placing this valuable tool into their hands.  It can be a very emotional experience. 
   

Our ASM studio in Oaxaca also completed four New Testament recordings, and two more are currently underway.  It’s been a very productive summer.  Several of these recordings are in languages that have had their scripture translations in print since around 1980.  Yes, people have been waiting to hear the Word in their own language for over thirty years.   

Thankfully, prayer has helped us to overcome obstacles such as the lack of funds, available technicians, and literate native speakers for each project.  Sadly, though, in many groups a generation has died without knowing Christ.  
  

I’m reminded of the young boy walking along the beach who saw hundreds of dying starfish that had been washed up on the shore.  He started to pick them up one at a time and throw them back into the water, when a man came by and said to him, “You can’t save all of those starfish.”  The boy replied, “But I can save this one.” 

But is it ever too late to record the New Testament and make it accessible to the majority of non-readers in a language group? 
   

Our Mixtec reader, Jose, would say “No.”  Jose is 77 years young and is the only remaining reader in his village.  With failing eyesight, he dedicated three months of his life to record the New Testament in his language.  He decided to pick up a starfish and throw it back into the ocean.  Jose wanted to make sure that his people group could finally hear the Word.

The time is short, and the need is greater than ever to make God’s Word available to unreached people groups in Oaxaca, Mexico and beyond.  

No, it’s never too late.

(This article was written by Jim Loker for an ASM publication in August.)