Bible Translations

Cec Murphey is an excellent writer that I’ve known for around 20 years. He has some great stories, and this is one I heard him tell. He introduced me to Don Piper in 2014 and helped him write his true story, 90 Minutes in Heaven .  If you haven’t read it, you should. 

Missionaries went to a remote village in Kenya and taught Jesus to the Polopa (puh LOOP uh) people. Bonauro Were (WAH-ree) obeyed the gospel and wanted to share it with his fellow villagers. Although he knew English, most did not, so his heart’s desire was to have the Bible translated into his native tongue. He knew it would be expensive, so he started saving and asking others for donations. The people were poor, and contributions trickled in. He lived modestly so he could put his own money into the project.

After ten years, he had saved enough money and was ready to make arrangements for the translation, but his village was suffering from a famine. He used the money he’d saved to buy food for the starving.

He began again. After another ten years, he had saved enough. But his village was struck by a plague, and he gave the money to buy medicine.

He began again. After another ten years, he had saved enough money, and this time his dream came true. He had the Bible translated into the language of his people, the Polopas, so that they could understand its message.

When the people of his village tell the story, they end by saying this:

“Bonauro Were translated the Bible three times, but the first two invisible translations were more powerful than the last.”

What invisible translation of the Bible do people get from us?

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.   Ephesians 5:1-2