One of the five promises the missionary team made to the Iski people when they moved in among them in 2014 was that they wanted them to understand God’s message for them in their heart language through the translation of the New Testament. It’s hard to believe that was ten years ago! Since then, the team along with Iski co-workers have pushed hard to see that goal accomplished. While they are still working towards that, they have recently reached a huge milestone; the Iski New Testament is completely drafted. What that means is 85% of the NT has been fully completed and checked by a translation consultant and the other 15% has now been drafted and is in the different final stages of testing to prepare it for the final consultant check next spring.
The process of translation has been challenging but well worth the investment. Using meaning-based principles, which means the goal is for people to understand the Bible clearly in their everyday language, communication is the heart of translation. Taking the meaning from the original inspired text and making sure it’s communicated clearly in Iski.
People in Iski are experiencing God’s Word firsthand. When Scripture speaks clearly to them in their language, they come to KNOW God as approachable and personal. A good translation is a deeper reflection of God’s mercy and grace, allowing His Word to become their authority-and not, for example, someone else telling them what God’s Word is supposed to be saying. While teachers of God’s Word are essential, the Iski people should always be able to read and understand what the original author intended to communicate, so that they can measure what is taught against God’s Word, and not the other way around.
Seeing how God’s Word is transforming lives in Iski through clear communication is one of the most exciting parts of Jason and Nisae Williamson’s ministry!
The church is aware of your prayers for the current outreach going on in “S” village and are very encouraged. The teachers have reported that the first day there were eleven new people, and by the end of the week the number was up to 24! The teachers are praising God that despite the outside pressures, God is faithfully drawing in people. Please continue to pray. Last week, the teachers moved on from the story of creation and the fall to Cain and Abel, the flood, and the Tower of Babel.
One of hard realities of living in the swamps is the presence of large salt-water crocodiles. Recently a cousin of one of the Iski believers was taken and eaten by a very large crocodile. This man sadly was not a believer. Please pray for the family of this young father that God would use this to draw them to Him. Pray that no others would fall victim.