16 Oct The Reecks – Translating in Africa

Roger and Marilyn Reeck, UB endorsed missionaries with Wycliffe, have been spending a lot of time working with Bible translation in Africa. They recently spent two months in Guinea-Bissau, and filed this report after returning to their home in La Ceiba, Honduras.

“During the first part of our time in Africa, we helped train national consultants as the newly built Lendem Translation Center in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Twenty-two pastors and leaders took the three-week training in linguistics, which included a course in phonetics, which Roger taught. At the end of the course, six of the best participants were chosen to receive further training. We are eager to see this group develop into translation consultants. It was thrilling to see them talk over what they learned as they crafted verses in the Balanta-Naga language.

“After a week break, another three-week workshop included the translation focusing on main languages of Bisau: Blanta-Naga, Masonka, Bayote, and Felupe. During the workshop the group translated and perfected the first four chapters of Luke. Roger was assigned as consultant to the Blanta-Naga group and it was such a joy to work with this eager group who worked long hours. It will be exciting to see them have scriptures and the Jesus film in their languages. Roger will return to Africa in March for the initial stages of another group of four languages!

One of the most joyful moments was watching the translation teams get their printed copies of the translated Scriptures. They knew they were holding pure gold in their hands. They could taste the victorious feeling they would have when their friends from the village listened to the Bible for the first time. They weren’t holding just a trophy in their hands–they were holding God’s living Word. And in their hearts they are now dreaming of the day when they will hold the whole Bible.”

Joining them in Africa is Fernando (right), a Honduran who whom the Reecks have known for many years.

“When we first met him, Fernando was a barefoot boy in a remote Garifuna village in Honduras. Though quiet and reserved, he was a young man of great potential and became the most valuable person on the translation team. After years of sacrifice, he and the team finished the Garifuna Bible. He then went on to study at a Bible school in Florida. While in college, Fernando heard of the need in Guinea Bissau and felt God call him. So, he is now in Africa.

“When he arrived in Bissau, Roger was there to meet him. We spent 6 weeks together at the workshop center. He is trying to learn a new language and a new way of life. It is amazing how rapidly he is picking up Kriol. His job is to travel to remote villages to test and determine which language is spoken in each town. This way the geographical boundaries of each language will be determined and the exact number of languages of the country will be established. The goal of the survey is to identify how many people groups need the Scriptures in their language. Roger and he were able to take a short trip to several villages and Roger taught him how to survey the different villages. When we left, it was hard to say goodbye, but we know that the Lord will be with him even in periods of loneliness. Pray for Fernando as he starts this very urgent task.”