I was first introduced to Wycliffe Bible translation six years ago when I had the privilege of taking a missions trip to Switzerland to care for the children of Wycliffe missionary families during their regional conference. These families work in the Middle East and Central Asia- some of the darkest, most dangerous places for Christians- yet they boldly shine their light for Christ to hearts waiting for hope. I was forever changed by their faith, commitment, families, sacrifice, outlook, and love.
When I received this recent update it moved my spirit and touched my heart in such a way that I had to pass it on....
Sebastian was 50 yrs old, an alcoholic, with a 2nd grade education; when he trusted Christ as his Savior. He was 55 (quite elderly for his small Mexican community) when he began translating the Scriptures into his Tezoatlan Mixtec language. He had no training, no help, not even an alphabet, but he saw a need. While he could understand a fair amount of what he read in his Spanish Bible, his wife could not, nor could the others who attended the Bible study in their village. His heart burned to help them.
Finally one day he decided he had to try. He bought a notebook and set out to translate the resurrection story in Luke 24. It was hard to spell Mixtec words with only Spanish letters. It was even harder to express Biblical concepts in his own language. It made his usual work plowing rocky fields and hauling wood down mountains seem easy, nevertheless he kept at it.
He took his beloved notebook to every Bible study, but didn't read it out of fear that he might have mistranslated the precious Word of God. Then one night as he watched his neighbors sleeping, wiggling, and whispering to each other through in unintelligible service; he knew he couldn't wait any longer. He slowly stood up, and moved under the only light bulb in the room. With trembling hands, he opened his notebook, took a deep breath and began to read. Slowly- haltingly at first- he read those words, gaining strength and confidence as he read on.
Several people gasped as they realized he was reading in Mixtec, their own language- the language of their hearts. Then the room grew quiet and no one moved or spoke. Tears rolled down some cheeks. The light of understanding shone in their eyes. Sebastian read on for a long time and he knew when he stopped, no one present would ever be the same again.
Time passed and Sebastian's notebook filled up. His farming suffered, as did his extra income palm weaving. Money grew tighter, but God always provided for his needs. He kept translating, and he kept on sharing new verses with his wife and neighbors. He read at 4-5 services a week and the walls began to come down. God was no longer a foreigner. God spoke Mixtec! and the words went straight to the heart.
Four yrs after Sebastian began translating, Wycliffe member, John Williams came to his village. He was looking for someone to move 6 hrs away to teach John the Mixtec language for translation and book making. John was only there for one night, but God led him straight to Sebastian, who asked only one question....."Do we leave tonight or in the morning?"
As they worked together, Sebastian eagerly appropriated the new alphabet symbols making his language easier to write. He contributed to every aspect of their translation and literacy work......and 13 yrs later, with joy and thankfulness, he held in his hands a draft of the whole New Testament in Tezoatlan Mixtec!
Not long after that, God took Sebastian home- his task on earth completed. The NT was joyfully dedicated in 2008 and is now being used by the Mixtec's in written and oral form. If you or I had been choosing a translator we may have overlooked Sebastian- saying he was too old, his health was compromised by former addiction, he wasn't educated, he didn't know Spanish, he could never create a new alphabet, or write in a language that had never been written, he could never translate the Bible!
But God knew better. He changed Sebastian's life first, and then He gave him the vision, endurance, and ability he needed to translate God's Word for his neighbors- providing for all his needs along the way. Then He graciously sent John and Judy Williams to help him complete the task. (told by Bob Creson)
- What is God calling you to do in your life?
- What needs- in your community or the world- has God laid on your heart?
- What special gift has He given you to use?
- What sacrifices is He asking you to make?
- Do you trust God to provide for your needs- even if it means giving up your wants?
- Can you hear God speaking the language of your heart?
- What excuses do you use?
It is true......God uses our clay vessels for His glory!
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