Bisu is a language spoken by about 10,000 people in several Asian countries. Although the New Testament has been translated into Bisu, few are literate in their own language. However, digital media and the internet have opened up new ways to spread the good news. This animated video has been produced by Project Video Asia . It has been dubbed with the translation of the Prodigal Son story in the Bisu language from Luke 15:11-32, with a local man recording all the voices. The video will be distributed online to enable Bisu speakers anywhere to have easy access to the good news in their heart language. The Bisu project is supported by Wycliffe Singapore's R200 Programme .

by Ling Lam A special team looking at consultancy concerns for Bible translation has been making good progress. The Area Consultant Taskforce (ACT) is a new initiative by the Asia-Pacific Area of the Wycliffe Global Alliance that started in April 2020. We invited Barry Borneman, who leads this team, to explain more about it. Barry serves as the Associate Director for Language Programme Services for the Area. Barry Borneman speaks to a group of translation consultants during an Asia-Pacific meeting in Bangkok in 2018. Photo: Ling Lam A Response to a Dilemma “The formation of the ACT was a response to a dilemma that had been shared by the leaders of Alliance organisations in Asia-Pacific for a number of years,” Barry says. The three related concerns expressed were: Translation projects needing consultant checking; A perceived lack of translation consultants; and A desire to develop the next generation of consultants. In order to understand the breadth of the challenge and respond well, the Asia-Pacific Leadership Team first researched and collated relevant information from each Alliance organisation with language projects. “The research showed that some countries were well-supplied with consultants while some were desperately short with no clear strategy for addressing the shortage,” Barry says. “As a result, the ACT was tasked with being a catalyst to assist those Alliance organisations with the biggest challenges.” Success Far Exceeds Anticipation Barry explains what it means for ACT to be a catalyst. “First, it is not to bring in new programmes,” he says. “It is important that we support the Alliance organisations’ existing translation strategy and consolidate what is working.” ACT, he adds, is a Wycliffe Area response to a felt need, not an external, international response. “ACT is made up of translation consultants from Alliance organisations in Asia-Pacific. The key to the achievements of ACT has been the local knowledge and connections the Alliance organisations bring as well as their willingness to share leadership, expertise and resources.” With some excitement he exclaims, “The outcomes have far exceeded what we anticipated!” Some basic catalytic activities of ACT are: 1. Consultant Care Initiative The concern was that some key translation consultants had struggled to do their jobs because of a lack of personal financial support. ACT accepted recommendations from Alliance organisation directors regarding key consultants who were in this situation. Six consultants from four Alliance organisations are receiving additional funding through Wycliffe Singapore. This has already proved to be a big encouragement as well as practical help. 2. Online Consultant Checks The ACT tasks itself with reducing the backlog of consultant checks among the least-resourced Alliance organisations with translation projects. As the pandemic continues and international travel remains restricted, online consultant checks become a potential game-changer. ACT undertook a pilot Zoom consultant check with consultants from Taiwan, Singapore and Australia, and the Bilua translation team in Honiara, Solomon Islands. An evaluation report with recommendations was made by ACT for rolling this out further. By the end of this year, four phases of Zoom consultant checks are expected to have taken place, resulting in the publication of 1 Kings in Bilua. 3. Online Consultant Gatherings The first ACT online Zoom consultant gathering was held in October 2020. Thirty-five consultants and trainees from across Asia-Pacific joined and it was so much appreciated that it has turned into a bi-monthly event. It provides opportunities for mutual encouragement and learning, and gives consultants a space for them to participate in something bigger than their own world. Barry says, “These gatherings are important because a sense of belonging is such an important element in remaining motivated and dedicated to a cause.” 1. Certification in Biblical Hebrew Partnering with 4.2.20, an Alliance organisation in Asia-Pacific, the Jerusalem-based Institute for Biblical Languages and Translation is offering online a Certificate in Biblical Hebrew. Over 50 staff-members from Asia-Pacific are participating, with funding coming from some of the Alliance organisations in the Area. “This is another game changer,” Barry says. “Education is often restricted because of cost and language acquisition. Those without the wealth, adequate English and ability to travel and dedicate years to study in the past had to forgo their opportunity.” The online course not only makes this certification more accessible, it also helps build local capacity instead of teams always having to relying on expatriate expertise. Scratching Where It Itches Barry is especially satisfied to see how ACT “scratches itches” rather than imposing outside agendas. “I feel like ACT is about removing some of those obstacles that have been identified for a number of years but have become difficult to budge,” he says. “When you remove them, the people are set free to create new momentum of their own. It is like this for our translation consultants. Remove some obstacles and create some space, then they will redefine their future. This is a better way to work than to drive people in the direction that you think is best.” Along with Barry, the ACT team consists of three translation consultants from Wycliffe Singapore, Wycliffe Malaysia and Wycliffe Taiwan, and Simon Wan and Tony Chan of the Wycliffe Asia-Pacific Leadership Team. “I like the diversity across Alliance organisations, the amount of experience that is available to us and the humility on how that experience is exercised,” Barry says. “While I convene ACT, I feel that it is shared leadership and shared responsibility.” No Big Goals When asked about ACT’s goals, Barry says, “I am not a person that thinks big audacious goals are helpful. … Big goals suggest that we are in control. I don’t think we are.” What does surprise the team, he adds, is that even though ACT is taking small steps to test the waters with various activities, the outcomes have been much greater than they expected. “If there is a reason for this, I think it is in the waiting and the listening,” Barry says. “We took the opportunities that were not forced. These were responses to obstacles that had been identified by many people for a number of years and when they came to our attention again, we had the decision-making capability, the resources to respond and a strong sense of the leading of the Holy Spirit.” So, what next? “Simply find that next thing that will make a difference for our colleagues or organisations, and then be faithful in supporting them to take up whatever opportunity they have,” he says. “Faithfulness and shared commitment together is better than predetermined goals.” Reproduced with permission from Wycliffe Global Alliance

Where does the expression “feet of clay” come from? ©Jeremy Park, Bible-Scenes.com In a dream recorded in Daniel 2:31-32, the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar saw a statue in which all parts from head to legs were made from different metals (gold, silver, bronze or iron), while the feet were made of iron mixed with clay. In Daniel 2:41-43, Daniel interpreted this to mean that there would be a succession of three strong kingdoms represented by gold, silver and bronze. However, the fourth kingdom, represented by the iron legs with feet made of iron mixed with clay, would be partly strong and partly brittle. This last kingdom would be disunited and therefore weak, and could be easily crushed. In the dream, a rock struck and smashed the feet of the statue, and the whole statue fell and broke into small pieces. Over the years, the image of the smashed feet causing the destruction of the whole statue has stuck in readers’ minds, and the expression feet of clay is now used to refer to a serious weakness or character flaw, especially in a person who is successful or powerful.

by Grace Chou View over Honiara from Parliament House. (Photo: Elyse Patten) Restrictions on overseas travel during the pandemic have led to an unexpected blessing. The Bilua Bible translation project in the Solomon Islands conducted a virtual check with international consultants—whom they could not have afforded to bring onsite for face-to-face work. In Bible translation work, a consultant check is the final step before the translation is published. But there are not enough consultants to carry out consultant checks. Over the past two years, the Wycliffe Global Alliance Asia-Pacific Area Leadership Team conducted a study to find out how many translation projects in the region needed consultant checks, and to know the workloads of existing consultants. This survey was part of efforts to encourage greater sharing of consultant resources among Alliance organisations in Asia-Pacific. The idea is to enable organisations with more consultant resources to assist translation projects that need them. Changes brought about by the Pandemic When the pandemic unfolded, the Old Testament translation team for the Bilua people in the Solomon Islands looked for a consultancy solution to keep the work progressing. The Alliance’s Asia-Pacific leadership team suggested they try a new model, and invite different entities from the Asia-Pacific area to participate in community checks for the Bilua Old Testament (Kings). The three consultants who participated in the project were from Australia, Singapore and Taiwan. The Australian translation consultant, Debbie Conwell, who has been serving long-term in the Solomon Islands, acted as the cross-cultural bridge, linking the Bilua team with external consultants. The Singaporean resource consultant “Shan” (pseudonym) was the adviser. And the Taiwanese translation consultant was me, Grace Chou, who oversaw the Bilua Old Testament consultant check. The Bilua translation team included translator Jonah Onama and a pastor. A boy paddles in a canoe in the river that runs through Honiara of the Solomon Islands. (Photo: Elyse Patten) The Bilua population numbers about 5,000. A few decades ago, Wycliffe Bible Translators translated the New Testament into Bilua. Subsequently, the Bilua church appointed some translators for the Old Testament. Five years ago, the first translator died, and his younger brother, Jonah, continued the work. The translation of the Bilua Old Testament has in fact been drafted. However, it has not been published due to the lack of funding for consultant checks. Unexpectedly, the pandemic has made online consultant checking both possible and acceptable, and the lower costs have allowed publication plans to move forward. Historically, Bible translation groups in the Solomon Islands have relied on financial support and resources from international organisations. Debbie pointed out that Bible translation efforts in the Solomon Islands are led by the local church. However, because they are short of funds, being able to complete and publish their translation is quite a surprise. As a result, she is overwhelmed with thanksgiving whenever she mentions how the pandemic ironically enabled the completed drafts to be consultant checked. mifala no lookim yu The islands where the Bilua people live have no electricity or internet access. Jonah and an assisting pastor have to take a two-day boat ride to the translation office in the Solomons capital, Honiara, in order to log on for online consultant checks. There was some concern about two Bilua people, new to online meetings, carrying out checks with consultants they were unfamiliar with. However, with much prayer, and regular interactions with the consultants, the Bilua team members have grown increasingly comfortable expressing their views, allowing the consultant checks to progress smoothly. Although the team was checking the Bilua text, the languages used for communication among team members are English and Pidgin, the vernacular language used in the Solomon Islands. I cannot understand Pidgin and had to rely on Debbie for translation. However, I have since learnt a phrase in Pidgin! The computer used by the Bilua team members would often enter sleep mode, which meant that we were then unable to see them on the video. Each time this occurred, Debbie would say mifala no lookim yu, meaning “we are unable to see you”. Jonah would then activate his computer so that we could see them. After having heard this phrase over a few days, one day when their computer again entered sleep mode, I said “mifala no lookim yu”. I had barely completed the phrase when laughter could be heard coming from the Bilua team members, and soon enough they could be seen. I suppose my pronunciation was not too accurate, and they found it funny. A woman sells lettuce at the Honiara Central Market. (Photo: Elyse Patten) Learning through the Process Shan, the consultant from Singapore, has decades of experience carrying out Bible translation consultation checks. The outcome of the Bilua consultant check would definitely be much better with her handling it. However, to give me opportunity for growth, she allowed me to try and gave me much encouragement and guidance along the way. Before we had started the consultant checks, I was anxious and worried that I would mess up. Shan told me, “Do not worry! God will watch over His own Word.” Indeed, I often felt the Holy Spirit open our eyes and lead us to take note of important points that needed changes through the whole process of checking. At the same time, Shan often reminded me, “Even though I have a few decades of consultation experience, I approach each consultant check with fear and trembling, because we are handling God’s Word. I think the right approach is humble reliance on God.” Raised Standards The consultant check for the Bilua translation of Kings is but a small step in the Alliance’s plans for translation checks. Doing checks online significantly reduces the cost and allows participation by more consultants in more locations—thereby raising the standards of the checks. Based on the experience with the Bilua translation, the Asia-Pacific Language Service Programme Department has put in place some guiding principles and policies to help future cooperation efforts in consultant checks in the Asia-Pacific region. Although the Bilua Old Testament translation has long been drafted, only 5 percent of the material has been consultant checked thus far. The Alliance organisations that participated in this round of cooperation are happy to continue helping with the Bilua translation, though the project still needs the participation of many consultants. We hope the consultant check for the Bilua Old Testament translation can be completed in the next few years so that it can be officially published. Countries in the Asia-Pacific, such as the Solomon Islands, India and Indonesia, still have many completed drafts of Old and New Testament translations awaiting consultant checks. The Alliance looks forward to more such cooperative efforts in getting Bible translations published so that they can be used in the local churches. _______________________________________________ Reproduced with permission from Wycliffe Global Alliance.

Bible dedications are usually big celebrations, with local believers and supporters from all over the world coming together for a festival of praise. Although the Puman New Testament celebration was smaller, the praise was just as heartfelt. Translation of the Puman NT began in 2006, and it was typeset and printed in 2020. In 2006, there was already a writing system, and some Puman were literate in their own language. At the time, there were fewer than 100 believers. But by 2020, this number had grown to over 400 believers! During these years, the team not only translated scriptures, but also shared Bible stories, audio recordings and facilitated the printing of worship songs which Puman Christians were writing and translating. These were used in small groups and churches and were joyfully received by the believers. The project advisor C shared how the project had been interrupted by long periods of ill-health more than once – he had suffered from dengue and chronic fatigue in 2011, suffered a relapse in 2018, and contracted dengue again in 2019. But God gave him the strength to resume work each time, and sustained the whole team as they worked together to complete the NT. Some words from Puman believers: A young man who works for a radio programme which broadcasts scripture, stories and worship songs in the Puman language reported: “Some people who listened wanted to trust in Jesus.” As for himself, he said, “I used to read the Bible in the national language but did not understand it well, but if I read the Bible in Puman, I can understand it well.” Another believer says she had read the whole NT in the national language several times, but could not really understand it. She said, “I prayed to God for a Bible in Puman, my own language, so I could understand it clearly. Praise God that he answered my prayers!” A man said that when Bible stories in Puman were distributed in his church, the people were keen to read them because they were in their own language and easier to understand. Now that they had the Bible in their own language, “If anyone tells us something that is different from God’s word, we can check if what they say is right or wrong or if anything is lacking. We can maintain our faith so we don’t wander away from God. It helps strengthen our faith and build up the church.” Pray with the team that the Puman NT will be widely distributed, and that they will be read and applied. The audio recording of the NT is now 80% complete and work is being done on a mobile app. Large sections of the OT have been drafted, and the team hopes to publish significant portions by 2023. To God be the Glory! Wycliffe Singapore’s R200 Programme has been a supporter of this project since 2015. If you wish to support a project, please contact us here. * Not the real name

What was the incense used in the Tabernacle made of? Incense altar Equal amounts of gum resin, onycha, galbanum and frankincense (Ex 30:34-36). The gum resin was likely to refer to myrrh resin, while galbanum and frankincense are other types of aromatic gum resin. It is uncertain what onycha might be – suggestions include part of a shell found in the Red Sea or some other aromatic resin, among other possibilities. The burning of incense has been used in religious worship since antiquity as an offering or as a symbol of prayer. In Exodus, Aaron, the high priest, was instructed to burn incense on the altar every morning and evening (Ex 30:7-8). King David prayed: “May my prayer be set before you like incense” (Ps 141:2). In Rev 5:8, incense symbolises the prayers of God’s people. Paul also used the imagery of incense when he wrote that God “uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere” (2 Cor 2:14).

Was Joseph’s “coat of many colours” (Gen 37:3, KJV) actually multi-coloured? The Hebrew word (passim) used to describe the tunic (ketonet) can have a range of meanings, from colourful; embroidered; striped; long-sleeved; long (reaching the ankles); or made from wool or silk. The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, chose to translate the term passim as many-coloured, and this meaning was followed in the Latin Vulgate and early English translations of the Bible. However, other Greek translations of that time chose the meanings long or long-sleeved. English translations in use today vary – some continue to describe the garment as many-coloured or with long sleeves, but others use adjectives such as ornate (NIV) or beautiful (NLT). Nobody knows for sure, but no matter what the original phrase was intended to signify, the main point is that Jacob singled out Joseph as favoured by giving him a robe that was special in some way, thereby arousing his brothers’ jealousy.

Literacy class Did you know that over 2000 people groups do not have any scripture in the language that touches their heart most deeply? Do you want to help marginalised people groups hear God speak in their own language, and see their lives transformed by understanding and applying God’s word? Do you yearn to stand in the multitude in heaven and hear God praised in every language, and know that you played a part? Read on to find out more about serving in Wycliffe! Q: What roles are available? Wycliffe organisations work in field projects all over the world, and people with many different skills are required. Just a sample of the varied roles: Translation (Bible translation, scripture use, oral storying, etc.) Literacy and multilingual education Administration (HR, finance, project management, IT, communications, etc.) Community development (‘tent-making’, business as mission (BAM), poverty alleviation, etc.) Q: What’s the best age to join Wycliffe? There is no ‘best age’! Some join Wycliffe in their twenties, practically straight out of education. Others may have worked for several years before joining Wycliffe in mid-career. Still others may only join after retirement. Each stage of life brings with it different strengths and challenges. Younger people may have more energy and a long runway ahead, while older people will be able to draw on more extensive work and life experiences. Explaining a passage Q: Is a linguistics degree or specific working experience necessary? Many of our members have a university degree, but not necessarily in linguistics. A degree or other tertiary qualification is generally recommended because it provides training in critical thinking, transferable skills and in-depth study of a subject. Another important reason is that a tertiary qualification can make it easier to find opportunities to live and work in another country. There is no precise course which is the ‘best’ for the work of Wycliffe as it depends very much on the role to be filled. Except for language-related roles, formal training in linguistics is actually not needed! And in fact, many Wycliffe translators do not have linguistics backgrounds, and only get linguistics training after joining. Those who wish to serve in other types of work should have the appropriate training and experience for their area of service. Many Wycliffe members in future are likely to be ‘tent-makers’, holding down a job or running a business while doing ministry. A track record in some line of work, whether as a teacher, entrepreneur, doctor, baker, etc. will provide equipping in work skills, and also make it easier to find ways to live and work in another country. Experience of working in organisations is also invaluable for anyone who intends to work cross-culturally and with other people in the field. Q: What other training is needed? Before heading to the field, everyone will needs training in how to work and relate to people cross-culturally and how to learn a language. Technical training for ministry will be needed as well – whether for language work, IT, running a business, etc. However, some of this can be acquired when needed, not necessarily before heading to the field. Some theological training is recommended, though not a full seminary degree. Serving among an unreached people group will often mean that you will need to minister to others in some way, and a good grounding in scripture is essential. Other ministry skills such as discipling or leading small groups will also be important in situations where there may be few Christians and churches. You will also need to learn how to maintain your own spiritual health in tough and lonely situations. All this adds to the time before getting to the field, but the training is necessary to ensure that you have sufficient equipping for the job and to thrive in the field. Audio checks Q: Do I have to speak the ‘target’ language to translate the Bible? The simple answer is ‘yes, but not necessarily to a very high level’! Language projects always involve mother-tongue speakers, but you will be able to contribute more to the work if you know language better. Expatriate workers are most needed for their skills in project management and supervision, accessing outside resources, and making sure that the texts are sufficiently tested and checked. In particular, as the local people are often fairly new believers, the expatriate will usually be responsible for helping them understand the scripture and translate it accurately. In order to serve in these ways, the expatriate will need to be able to communicate with the team in their language or the working language of that area. So, some language learning is needed before embarking on any project. Q: What can I do now to find out more? The best way to find out more is to contact us for a chat. Attend our events and activities to get a feel of what we do. Sign up for our regular mailings and read our website. We look forward to answering your questions! Considering missions but not sure where to start? Our members come from all walks of life, contributing to our ministry in many different ways. Are you or do you know someone in IT, HR, accounts, admin, working bi-vocationally etc.? We need more than Bible translators to do the job!

Wycliffe Singapore’s next Executive Director, Charles Ho, will assume the position on 1 October 2021. Ahead of taking up his new role, we caught up with him to find out what he’s been up to and what led him here. Call to service A Systems Engineer in IT, Charles was called to serve full-time in ministry late 2000 as Wycliffe Singapore’s Ministry Coordinator, right when he was looking for an IT role in ministry. Though working with computers was what Charles was comfortable with, he saw the need for a computer specialist and how heart language was instrumental for church growth and discipleship, especially in the work of Bible translation. The opportunity was also good preparation for entering the mission field, which he eventually did together with his wife Hoong Yen, in 2005. The couple received training in linguistics and theology before setting off for a country in Southeast Asia with 190 years of minority Christian presence. Charles’ passion for missions was birthed serving in various capacities in Bartley Christian Church’s Youth Fellowship and the Missions Department, where he was blessed with many opportunities to explore his spiritual gifts in IT, administration and leadership roles. On the field In the 13 years abroad, Charles’ IT expertise saw him in positions such as a computer specialist providing support to regional personnel and mobilisation coordinator with a partnering organisation in the Mekong region, where he oversaw the development of strategic plans for national involvement in 5 countries. He has also served as the interim director for another Wycliffe organisation in the field, while Hoong Yen served in literacy efforts. Engaging with locals in Bible translation as well as recruitment efforts in missions exposed Charles to the diverse demographics and leadership in national churches from different areas—from small, community, ethnic churches to large, city churches. Surveying the efforts of the national churches in that country to send out missionaries, Charles is encouraged by the growing involvement of youths in missions. They are also strategically located to reach out to neighbouring countries where people groups have similar language and writing systems. After pursuing a Masters in Global Studies during his sabbatical in the States, the couple relocated in 2014 to another Southeast Asian country. Here, Charles continued to serve as an IT consultant and Director of Strategic Initiatives of Wycliffe Global Alliance Asia-Pacific, overseeing the strategic initiatives teams in several countries. He was also involved in Scripture and community engagement among 7 unreached people groups. On his greatest challenge thus far, Charles shares about “communicating with [locals to] understand the heartbeat of God as a missionary”, working with them “as a church to send out cross-cultural workers to unreached people groups”, seeing “God as a redeemer [at] the centre of missions”. “One of my weaknesses is depending too much on self rather [than] on God. I need to trust that in all things, God is sovereign and learn to trust […] the Holy Spirit for direction and leading.” Home ground Since returning to Singapore in 2018, Charles has been serving as the Missions Director of his home church. The couple also continue to serve an unreached people group remotely. “Serving and equipping local Christians and churches towards a transformational indigenous movement has always been my heartbeat as I believe God is preparing local believers to be the missionaries and church planters [in] regions where we, the foreign missionaries, have difficult or no access.” Going forth Willing and open for God to use him in any capacity, Charles sees this upcoming role as another instance of God “[using him] for a particular purpose for a particular period of time.” “My vision for Wycliffe Singapore is to establish a strong partnership with churches so as to raise the next generation of young people for the harvest field. Through strategic partnerships, we will together explore new ways in which the Gospel can reach the last frontiers and [for] communities [to] be transformed through His Word in their heart languages,” Charles shares. From engaging the next generation through social causes to facilitating strategic collaboration, integrating Bible translation with discipleship and researching Business as Missions for creative access nations, there is much to be done and much to look forward to. Soli Deo gloria!

What was a scapegoat in the Bible? A real goat! Read Leviticus 16 for the instructions that the high priest was to follow on the Day of Atonement. The Hebrew word was translated in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate as the goat that departs, and in Tyndale’s English Bible as the (e)scape goat. This later became scapegoat in the 1611 King James Bible.