Pray for Scripture use

Step five is producing the master copy of the JESUS Film and carrying out initial distribution. When the final soundtrack is approved by the in-country committee, a digital video master is produced. And, if needed, a 16mm film master is created and then copies are made. DVDs or film prints are then packaged with projectors, portable generators, screens and speakers for distribution to waiting film teams and partners throughout the world. A digital video master may also be made for television broadcasts. Praise God for all those who give so these things can be accomplished.

JESUS Film states: "Step one begins by seeking out a trained Bible translator from one of our partners (Wycliffe Bible Translators, SIL International, Pioneer Bible Translators, Lutheran Bible Translators, etc.) who is working with the language—or a partner who can train a primary-language speaker in the translation process. Working with exactly timed phrases, a careful, line-by-line translation is done, matching the new language as closely as possible to the exact syllable count of the original English version. This process often takes several months or more." Pray for stamina for the level of concentration that is required.

This classic film portrays three and one-half years of Jesus' ministry as told in the Gospel of Luke from the Good News and King James translations of the Bible. The producer, John Heyman, wanted to create a true-to-life film to help people feel like they are in first-century Palestine. Everything from clothing, to customs, to food of the country during that time period was studied to ensure authenticity. With a cast of more than 5,000 Israelis and Arabs, "JESUS" was filmed on location in Israel. Praise God for calling and providing for staff to continue to produce the film in more languages.

*Click here to watch the film.

A project in a sensitive location in Africa held two workshops in April to do a final check of translated Scripture stories and to discuss orthography decisions. Both workshops now need follow-up. Pray for the right time and place to record the audio Scripture story set. A meeting is planned in July to get consensus among community leaders for the proposed orthography; pray that the right people will come and for constructive discussions.

Some of the language groups in Siberia are remote and widely dispersed. How can they be reached with the translated Scriptures that speak most clearly to their hearts? A team in the region has been looking for effective approaches. The team leader writes, “Over the past few months, plans have come together for a new initiative that is really exciting. It includes communicating the Good News in culturally relevant ways, involving local churches and native speakers, and partnering with a national organization in a new and sustainable way.” Pray that God will guide as these plans are developed.

Pray for Oral Bible Storytellers in the Sepik Province. Pray for those in the Kwomtari, Kukwo (Urim), Pouye, Malinguat, Kombio and Urat languages as well as the Tok Pisin team in city of Wewak. Thank the Lord for the Bible stories that are being told in these language communities and bringing encouragement and blessing to the Body of Christ there.

Praise the Lord for a successful three-day workshop on translation awareness held in the Mekeo language area. Thank the Lord for the new people who attended the workshop. They learned about Bible translation and the processes involved in this task. Pray that the Lord will continue to stir ther hearts to participate in Old Testament translation in various ways. Also, pray for interest to promote and distribute the New Testament which was finished in 1999. Pray for Victor and Ana Opungu as they provide leadership in the Mekeo work.

Karen Hopping and Caroline have completed their first trip to a village community in Marau to begin the process of teaching and training in Bible-based adult literacy classes. They began assessment and awareness on this first trip and then future trips (during the month of May) will include teaching, training, monitoring and advanced classes. Pray for both Caroline and Karen as well as the community, that they will be changed by God's Word as they learn to read. Pray also for Karen and the translators from Owa, Kwaio and Baegu languages, as they work together to produce the Bible-based literacy curriculum in their languages for future teaching and training.

Thank the Lord for the good and profitable Oral Bible Storytelling (OBS) workshop held in Wewak for the seven language groups. This is the third in a series of four that are planned for these languages. Praise the Lord for training given to a number of the Sepik participants showiing competency to build skills and knowledge for further engagement of OBS for other language groups in the Sepik region. Praise the Lord for the wisdom, health and strength for the Bible Translation Association's OBS team.

On March 6, the formal dedication of the Belize Kriol English New Testament was held in Belize City in St. John's Anglican Cathedral. The cathedral, built in 1812, was the first Anglican Church in Central America. The labor was done by slaves, the ancestors of Belize Kriol people. Now, 200 years later, they dedicated God's Word in their own language in this same church. The Belize Kriol people also have the New Testament on a dramatized audio CD. The music and sound effects make it come alive. Pray that this will be a great tool for beginning readers and those who don't read Kriol.