Translating Scripture Around the Corner

In May 2025, we gathered to hear stories from the field experience of M*, a Bible translator from Argentina who served for many years in a neighboring country. Right from the start, M* gave a warm shoutout to her longtime Singaporean neighbor and fellow translator for the B language. With great charm and humility, she shared stories about their work together, her life before serving overseas, and how God led her family through fiery trials.*

Early Leading of God

When M* and her husband, W*, first began considering overseas service, they didn’t know of anyone else from Argentina involved in this kind of work, so they weren’t even sure if it was possible for them. But the Lord began to open doors. While studying linguistics, M* learned that many Christians did not yet have the Bible in their language to receive comfort and guidance from God. Because of what the Bible meant to her, she was deeply moved and saddened—and began praying for this need. She never imagined she could personally help, but she knew she could pray.

As she explored further, God led her to Wycliffe, where she signed up to pray for a Bibleless people group. Soon a small prayer card for the B* people arrived in the mail. She didn’t even know where they were located! Still, she pinned the card on her wall and prayed faithfully, asking God to send someone to them. In His surprising way, God answered her prayer by clearly leading her and W* to that very place—just “around the corner” from Singapore.

Training and Language Learning

At that time, linguistics training was offered only in English, so they first had to learn English before they could begin their training for translation. Later, they also learned the national language of the country where they worked, along with the B* language. When asked how she managed to learn so many languages, M* explained that her motivation was simple: she wanted to be able to communicate with people she otherwise couldn’t—and most importantly, to share the gospel with them. That was inspiring!

Language learning went hand in hand with understanding the culture, which was very different from her own. She told a story of bathing in a river near a longhouse and casually saying the word for “crocodile” out loud. To her surprise, many locals immediately rushed out of the water! She later learned they believed that speaking the word aloud would cause crocodiles to appear.

M* and W* worked alongside a team of three B* mother-tongue translators (MTTs). At one point, while they were translating verses about “evil spirits,” the enemy tried to frighten the team with supernatural disturbances—bad dreams, or lights switching off by themselves multiple times in a day. But this backfired: the translators came to realize, for the first time, that Bible translation is not only intellectual but also a deeply spiritual work.

It took ten years for the team to complete the New Testament. At times, the work felt painfully slow—some days they wrestled with a single verse. Yet God carried them through to the finish line. Truly, every translation is a miracle of God.

God's better plans

P & H had made an appointment to see the regent of that regency, but disappointingly, that fell through. But God had prepared another plan! They discovered that a brand-new public library had been opened just the month before, intended to be the centre of literacy for the entire region! They were invited in and introduced to the head of the education department as well as the head of the library who were very excited to see the printed folk story booklets. They shared with P & H how they realised that they really didn’t have any material in Saluan, and they would love to have some local literature for their grand opening in three months’ time. With great joy, P and H were able to offer to print a collection of the stories for the library, and also share the mobile app. 

Personal Joys and Sorrows, to the Present

While serving overseas, God blessed them with the joy of adopting three children. But alongside that joy came deep sorrow: one of their children, who was born with congenital heart disease, passed away at a young age. That season was filled with grief, yet they experienced God’s grace and comfort through His people.

Seven years ago, they returned to Argentina. Today, both M* and W* serve as translation consultants, traveling to other countries to support Bible translation teams. In fact, she is eagerly preparing to check 1 & 2 Samuel with the B* team this coming January.

She closed her talk with a verse especially dear to their family—Psalm 9:10:

“And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,For You, LORD, have not abandoned those who seek You.”

About M*

M* and her husband, W*, are from Argentina. Together, they served in Southeast Asia for 17 years, facilitating the translation of the New Testament and helping produce other books and educational resources in local languages. They now live in Buenos Aires, where they continue serving as translation consultants. M* also serves as the Board Chair of Letra Argentina, a member organization of the Wycliffe Global Alliance.