Barriers to Bible Translation

Overcoming Challenges to Bring Scripture to All

Location 

How far is your commute? Translators often drive several hundred miles over unpaved, rural roads. The Zaka community in Papua New Guinea travel four hours by boat and scale a mountain to reach the church circuit headquarters. 

Environment 

Do you ever experience an uncomfortable work atmosphere? Hailu, a lead translator in Ethiopia laments, “Because of shortage of clean water in the environment the translators had to drink from the Woito River and that is very risky for water born disease and other problems. The bat invasion was also a problem for some years.” 

Restriction 

Are you ever unfairly segregated? “Evangelism is illegal, for both local believers and especially for foreigners. Foreigners can’t teach in local churches or even worship with locals regularly,” shares a Khon project leader. 

Hunger 

Do you get hungry? The Komba people refer to a time when food runs low as the “hunger season.” In 2023, heavy rains destroyed many peanut crops, but the translation work didn’t stop. 

Internet and Electricity 

Have you been frustrated by slow Wi-Fi? In many countries where Lutheran Bible Translators works, voltage is too low on the national grid. Internet can often go out for days disrupting translation teams’ ability to continue steady work.

Despite these many setbacks, translators carry on the good work. Why? Because they’ve experienced the hope, life, and transformation of Scripture and are dedicated to bringing God’s Words to their communities. 

Each time you experience a workplace stressor, use it as an opportunity to pray for that barrier to be removed from the Bible translation movement so all people may experience Scripture.