Attached is our release on Wycliffe Associates initiative to launch 100 new Bible translation projects in the Sepik River area of Papua New Guinea.
http://www.wycliffeassociates.org/news/pressdetail.asp?id=601
Wycliffe Associates to Support Launch of up to 100 New Bible Translation Projects in Papua New Guinea’s Sepik Region
(Orlando, Florida, USA)—Wycliffe Associates, a global organization that involves people in the acceleration of Bible translation around the world, is helping launch the Sepik Initiative, a plan to launch up to 100 new Bible translation projects in the linguistically diverse Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea.
“With a vision for up to100 new Bible translation starts, this Sepik Initiative has the potential for one of the largest and most comprehensive efforts in Bible translation history,” says Bruce Smith, President and CEO of Wycliffe Associates.
Approximately 12 percent of the world’s languages are spoken in Papua New Guinea, which occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea in the South Pacific. Its 838 living languages are spoken in an area roughly the size of France, with almost 100 languages currently being spoken in the Sepik River region alone.
“Throughout the Sepik region, people are hungry for the truth and hope of God’s Word,” says Smith. “Until now, Bible translation efforts have been a struggle in this area of such diverse language groups.”
One of the wildest regions in the world, dense jungles and mountains isolate people groups and make travel in the area extremely difficult.
Wycliffe Associates is currently raising $153,000 for the Sepik Initiative, which will accelerate Bible translation efforts, provide training and facilities, and equip Bible translators with technological support to advance their work.
“For decades the people in the Sepik Region have been waiting,” Smith says. “But time is passing quickly for this generation. I believe that story by story, Scripture by Scripture, word by word, God’s plan of love and redemption can touch this entire region.”
About Wycliffe Associates
Wycliffe Associates involves people in accelerating the work of Bible translation through their time, talents, and treasure. Because millions of people around the world are still waiting to read the Scriptures in the language of their heart, Wycliffe Associates is working as quickly as it can to translate every verse of the Bible into every tongue to change every heart. The organization partners with nationals, mother tongue translators, staff, volunteers, and supporters to direct and fund these efforts, as well as provide logistics, networking, and technical support. Through a growing global network, Wycliffe Associates is striving to overcome local limitations of time and resources to achieve the goal of beginning the translation of God’s Word in every remaining language that needs it by 2025.
Last year, the organization mobilized 3,145 volunteers and staff members to accelerate Bible translation in 71 countries. Additional information is available at the organization’s website at www.wycliffeassociates.org or by calling 1-800-THE WORD (1-800-843-9673).
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