Translators Ed and Debi Condra were repeatedly saddened as they watched Kudal grow up. They were translating the New Testament into the Papatar language in his village. Kudal grew increasingly violent and foul mouthed through his teen years.
In March of 1998, the New Testament was completed and dedicated and the Condras weren't able to remain in the village. But after several months, Ed was able to return for a short visit. Travel conditions and weight limits on the small aircraft severely restricted Ed's luggage preventing him from bringing even his copy of the translated New Testament.
When Ed arrived in the village, the young man Kudal was one of the first people he ran into. Ed remembered Kudal's sister buying a New Testament and asked Kudal if it were possible to borrow it. Ed was surprised when Kudal reached into his shoulder bag and pulled out a copy of the New Testament.
Further surprised, Ed noticed specifically that it was worn and underlined, a well used Bible. He received chills as he began to understand. It was evidence of the Holy Spirit working in the young man's life, transforming him.
Bible translation is about more than just giving people a Bible in a language they can read with their heart.
Wycliffe Bible Translators started about 70 years ago by a man named William Cameron Townsend who had an incredible passion for everyone to be able to read and understand the Bible. Here in the US, it is a simple task to pick up a Bible and read from it. Many people around the globe pick up a Bible, if they can get their hands on one, and when they try to read it they do not understand the words on the page. Wycliffe formed around the vision to see God’s word accessible to people in the language of their heart. 350 Million people are still waiting for this to happen.
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