Literacy

When people can read Scripture in a language they clearly understand, they can better interact with it and integrate it into their lives. That's why literacy programs often go hand in hand with Bible translation. And when they gain access to other translated resources like Bible studies and devotional materials, local churches thrive spiritually.

Literacy also benefits the broader community. It can preserve previously unwritten languages and help record traditional forms of oral history and storytelling. Literacy is also an important part of life-saving health and hygiene promotion and helps subsistence farmers grow more productively and sustainably. In a rapidly changing world, literacy opens doors to education, economic empowerment, and a better life for the next generation. 

The above text is taken from the website www.wycliffe.ca. You can visit it to find out about different projects that are engaged in literacy. It explains well the importance of literacy and why it is a necessary part of what Wycliffe does. In some countries literacy doesn't need to be a focus. For example, the translation may use a script that is already used by the "official" language of the country and the language community learned it in school. However, in many places a writing system has to be developed and people have to be taught how to use it and read it. 

While Wycliffe does have projects engaged with literacy, we also have members whose own work and ministry is focused on furthering Bible translation through literacy. Let me introduce you to one of our members, Nancy. She has worked with us for 12 years. Similar to my own experience overseas, Nancy lives in Asia, though a different country than I was in. Nancy is a literacy and education specialist. She is positioned to support both the educational needs of the community she works in as well as the spiritual needs. This started with first having to compile an alphabet and has progressed all the way developing reading and math materials, as well as Sunday Sunday materials. Nancy is involved in the development of those resources and also does teacher training events for school teachers and Sunday school teachers, who then return to their communities to teach their students. 

Nancy's work is a vital component of enabling people to access the word of God. A community has to be literate if the Bible is being translated in written form. Churches, leaders, and any Jesus follower needs to be able to use the scriptures in their own language to grow in their faith. Further, literacy is foundational to community development, capacity building, and scripture engagement. Fourty nine percent of the global illiterate live in Southeast Asia, and 27% live in sub-Saharan Africa. There is a lot of literacy work to be done in these parts of the world.

To learn more about literacy projects that Wycliffe Canada supports visit www.wycliffe.ca. To learn more about Nancy's work, and due to the sensitive location in which she ministers, please write to me for contact information.

Pray for the projects around the world where Wycliffe Canada is involved in Capacity Building. Visit our website https://www.wycliffe.ca/projects/literacy/ to learn more about how Wycliffe Canada works towards this pillar.

Pray for my own work in member care as we look at ways to better use my education and training to support Wycliffe Canada staff and our partners.

For the past year Wycliffe Canada has been on the search for a new president. In the middle of October we welcomed Jon Imbeau to Wycliffe. Give thanks for the success of this search, and pray for him as he gives direction and leadership to our organization.