Source: International Mission Board, April 19, 2022
IMB missionaries Andy and Marie Hoffman served more than 11 years without seeing any fruit among their unreached people group in North Africa. During those years, the family and their partners built relationships and shared the gospel with these nomadic farmers and desert horsemen.
It wasn’t until the culmination of their hard work was almost complete that they saw nationals come to saving faith. Andy, with the help of national believers, finished a translation of the Scripture into the heart language of this predominately Muslim people group.
As they were completing the project, Tom, one of the new believers and a fellow translator, asked a question that was “like an arrow that hit me in the heart,” Andy described.
Tom asked, “Andy, the Bible is a very important book, right?”
“Yes,” Andy replied.
Tom continued, “Why did it take you so long to get here and bring it to us?”
Stunned, Andy explained that he came to live among Tom’s people group when he was 29 years old. “I couldn’t have come much sooner.”
“No, I mean, how long has America had the Bible?” Tom pressed. “Our parents and grandparents—they never, ever got to hear.”
Andy replied, “You’re right. We held on to it too long. Praise God, it’s here, working among your people now. Let’s not be guilty of holding on to the Bible in your country. Let’s reach the other languages who still don’t have it.”
For some of the many groups working to bring the Word of God to the nations, see a list of the 50 largest US missions and Bible translation organizations, by revenue (Ministry Watch).