Streams of Prayer for 11 March 2024
The Streams of Prayer for 11 March 2024, is a circular from Wycliffe Global Alliance. Wycliffe Caribbean makes this available.
March 10, 2024 – March 16, 2024
Training
Many people with various areas of expertise are needed to translate the Bible in a clear, accurate and natural way. Training in Bible translation roles is therefore one of the seven Alliance Participation Streams. The skills are so important that many Alliance organisations regularly offer courses or training workshops, often in cooperation with other organisations.
We will pray for those who are teaching, the students, and the organisations and institutions that host these training programmes. We will ask God to provide instructors, administrative staff, finances, materials and equipment. Pray also for unity of purpose, excellent teaching and energy for learning, all of which result in well-equipped staff to serve in Bible translation movements.
Translator Misriani Balle of East Timor studies in a library at a training program in Thailand in preparation to help other translation teams. Photo: Marc Ewell (2016)
Training for translating the epistles: Papua New Guinea
Pray for preparations for the Translating New Testament Epistles workshop scheduled for 10-24 April at the Alotau SIL Center. Rainer Oetzel of SILPNG is preparing the curriculum and course book for this workshop. Ask God to give him wisdom and good ideas on teaching methods that are helpful for Papua New Guinea learners. Translators from several language programmes in Milne Bay will be participating in this training. Ask the Lord for a positive and productive time of learning. Pray that when these translators are away, their families will stay safe and healthy, and that their needs will be provided.
A long history of training: Chad
The Chadian Association of Literacy, Linguistics and Bible Translation (ATALTRAB) has always been committed to training staff in many areas. These include exegesis, consulting for oral and written Bible translation, linguistics, Scripture engagement and literacy programme supervision and facilitation. Administrative staff have received training in accounting, finance, human resources and management. Pray that God will use all of these efforts to further his mission in the work of Bible translation in Chad. Pray also for:
- ATALTRAB’s literacy coordinator who is studying theology and African languages at university,
- plans to develop the careers of six translation consultants, seven exegetes and three Scripture engagement staff,
- and plans to offer diploma courses in linguistics, administrative management, accounting and finance and organisational Leadership.
Training volunteers as representatives: France
In 2022 and 2023, Wycliffe France trained several volunteers as ambassadors. The training helped them understand the importance of Bible translation and gave them tools to explain this clearly to Christians in France. Through this, staff and volunteers hope to motivate and encourage many people in churches and youth groups to pray for the Bible translation movement. Another challenge is to recruit more young people as volunteers who can contribute to the smooth running of the organisation and strengthen the team on the Board of Directors. As Wycliffe France looks for a new director, ask God to make this investment in training volunteers fruitful and pray that these volunteers will have a significant impact.
Deaf training event encourages unity: Brazil
A Deaf training event, Language and Translation in the Mission of God, was held in Brasilia from 29 August to 1 September 2023. In total, there were 44 people involved in the event: 19 Deaf translators, 15 hearing facilitators, 4 key participants interested in Deaf translation and 6 facilitators of the course material. For the 34 participants (from three organisations) directly involved in translation into Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS), it was a time of mutual learning and developing unity. Give thanks to God for this event and all those who participated in this course that provided an environment of friendship, community and unity.
Basic intercultural and linguistics courses: Colombia
The A.B. Simpson Missionary Training Center of Colombia conducted the Basic Course on Linguistics and Phonetics in person with the participation of 23 students. Subsequently, the centre started offering the Language and Culture Acquisition course in an online format. During 2023, the Basic Course Instructional Design team, composed of members who collaborate in the design of online courses and digital materials, met to provide details that help make the basic courses appropriate and suitable for diverse cultures. Pray that God will help the team in the design and revision of the courses and materials so these will be a blessing to all who take them.
Training for overseas missions: Taiwan
Intercultural training and training in how to learn a language are very important for people interested in overseas missions. Wycliffe Taiwan is cooperating with a local seminary to provide seminary students the opportunity to participate in an overseas training programme. The first batch of students involving three families have begun their training in the Middle East. Pray for them as they continue through this one-year training which will end in June. Ask the Lord for a rich and positive learning experience for everyone involved.
Significant training progress: Nigeria
Praise God for the significant strides made in 2023 by the Nigeria Bible Translation Trust (NBTT) in the area of training. Highlights included 40 oral Bible translation workshops and comprehensive leadership training for the entire staff. Some staff members also underwent special training to enhance their skills in Bible translation. Consultants-in-training are participating in a series of strategic training workshops and implementing growth plans under the mentorship of senior consultants. Pray that these efforts of NBTT yield abundant fruit. Pray for continued wisdom and multiplication of skilled staff members within the organisation for leadership. Pray that all staff remain steadfast in their mission of bringing the transformative message of God’s Word to diverse communities in Nigeria.
Streams of Prayer is the prayer bulletin of the Wycliffe Global Alliance.
Valrie McCarthy
Language Development Officer
Wycliffe Caribbean
7A South Avenue
Kingston 5
JAMAICA, W. I.
876 754 9334, 908 2970, 582 6592
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