Not Just for the Non-literate

Generally we focus on reaching out to people who cannot read, giving them the ability to hear God's Word in their own language.  In many places this includes elderly people whose eyesight is failing or who never received enough formal education.  In other areas it means ministering to people who are somewhat bilingual, who may even know how to read Spanish, but have not had an opportunity to learn to read their own mother tongue.

Looking at the text above (from Amuzgo de Xochistlahuaca in Guerrero, Mexico), you can see why reading some of these languages is a tremendous challenge, even for people who know how to read their secondary language.  Glancing at the highlighted portion, I see one word with seventeen characters.  Reading the scriptures in their native tongue can be a chore that does not resemble a devotional act.  Some may possess the capability of slowly sounding out the words, much as a first grader can sound out the vocabulary in their early primers, but few can read for comprehension or retention.

Now this problem can be remedied, thanks to new technology developed by friends of ours with Wycliffe Bible Translators.  They have created this phone app that enables people to listen to the scriptures in their difficult-to-read language while they look at the text, which is highlighted in sync with the audio.  What an exciting tool to encourage literacy among people groups!  We learn best when we can see and hear the narrative.

Audio players are still necessary for listening groups, the visually impaired, those without cell phone service, and for non-literate people who cannot access the internet even where it is available, but this option offers great potential for wider and free distribution of scripture translations we continue to record.

Praise the Lord for this new advancement in the use of Bible translations in both written and audio formats.  It's not just either-or, but both seen and heard.

We used to adapt the prayer from Psalm 119:18 for non-literate people groups, asking God to open their EARS that they may HEAR wonderful things in His Word.   
Now we can ask God to open their eyes, ears, and hearts that they may know Him more fully.

To view or download this app, go to https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.wycliffe.amuzgoguerrero.amu

Facts and Figures and a Very Cool Map

Thanks to our friend, Loren, for sending me this cool map based on the 2010 census data.

Write if you want me to send you a copy so you can blow it up bigger and see the actual languages in each bubble.

As for the facts and figures, here's a summary of the work we have facilitated these past 20 years in Mexico (for those who do not receive our monthly updates):

• 61 whole New Testaments recorded in 8 states in Mexico, mostly in Oaxaca
• Jesus Films dubbed in 44 different languages
• Around 5000 solar powered devices (Megavoice) of the New Testament distributed to individual families in 41 languages
• Nearly 1000 Proclaimers distributed to listening groups and churches in 36 language groups
• 57 team trips hosted, including scripture distribution teams, construction projects on 18 new churches, medical, and children's ministry.
   

We think that's pretty cool, too.  Looking at the map, please pray for the remaining 60 or so Bible translations that are still either in process or on the list for future linguists.  Pray for the completion of ten New Testaments that are in the publication stage.  Pray most of all that they will be utilized.  Pray that we can schedule, record, format, and distribute audio Bibles in each of these new areas, too.  Pray for a fruit-filled response to people hearing God's Word in their own language.

Audio, video, and literacy

After posting the last article, which I had hoped might encourage some friends working very diligently in less than successful literacy campaigns in Oaxaca, I discovered that it stirred slight animosity from Bible translators we know.  Let me go on record as saying that Jim and I remain huge fans of Bible translation.  We send monthly support out of our own budget to help finance Bible translation work in other parts of the world.

Twenty five years ago, Jim and I arrived in Guatemala as the so-called "Literacy Specialists" - having taken the necessary graduate courses through the University of Texas in Arlington.  It was in Guatemala that we first faced the obstacles to literacy in a culture that did not value it, and where we adjusted our personal vision statement to be "Seeing lives transformed through the translated scriptures in use among native speakers."  

We make a purpose to reach people in the way they are most receptive to the gospel.  Because most of the people around us are oral learners, scriptures in audio form and Bible stories are effective tools.  Without a written New Testament and a minimal number of literate native speakers, we could never hope to dub the Jesus movie, Luke video, or to  produce audio scriptures. We are in no way "anti-literacy."

With that said, I want to share a very cool video of some music translated and performed in one of the many Zapotec languages of Oaxaca.  You can see how the language looks in written form along with the Spanish and English translations below it.  We are told that it is not difficult for native speakers learn to read it, though it is tricky to learn to write.

The native translator of this language is married to an American linguist who is a friend of mine, and their sons (playing bass guitar and keyboard on the video) are friends with our kids.  The recording was done in our studio next door, bringing this project that much "closer to home."

You might also like to check out Rucel's, the older son's, photography business (click to see his Facebook page).  He sells greeting cards and posters with excellent photos of Oaxaca.