Languages around the world have been disappearing at an alarming rate, many of which are spoken by indigenous peoples. In a bid to preserve, revitalize, and promote indigenous languages, the United Nations has declared 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL2019). While the UN considers this a "matter for development, peace building, and reconciliation", we at Wycliffe also believe that the value in these indigenous languages lies in their ability to connect with and reach people who speak these languages in a deeper spiritual and emotional way.
What language do you speak?
When people come to know Christ, they need the Word of God to be able to grow in faith. While the Word may already be available to them in a language they are literate in, it is only when they read God's word in their heart language - the language they grew up with, think in, dream in, and understand best - that they can be truly touched not just in mind, but also in heart; subsequently, whole families, communities and generations come to be touched by God's love.
This is why at Wycliffe, we persist in our mission to provide a Bible translation for every people group that needs it, "... for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Gal 6:9