Source: Wycliffe Bible Translators, January 18, 2023
Nearly 40 years ago, three missionaries began Bible translation work for the Border Kuna people of Panama. The missionaries were a light in the community, sharing their faith and making significant progress translating the New Testament into the Border Kuna language. But tragically, the missionaries were kidnapped in 1993. The community mourned the loss of their friends, and soon also realized that their translated New Testament was in jeopardy. But God continued to provide for the Border Kuna.
Wycliffe missionaries arrived in Panama in the mid-90s to finish the New Testament translation work. While the Border Kuna people were thrilled to receive their New Testament, they were also disappointed when translation efforts on the Old Testament halted. The Border Kuna people’s hope for a full Bible might have seemed to be on hold—but one community member was persistent.
Dario Pizarro was one of the first Christians and Bible translation advocates in his community. From an early age, Dario had a dream: to have the full Bible in his language. And he did not relent. In 2018, Dario went to a local missionary agency and asked for their help translating the Old Testament into Border Kuna.
Read the full story—an encouraging testament to the power of perseverance and collaboration. See also God on the Move: Accelerated Impact Through Bible Translation Today. Praise God for the exponential growth of Bible translation.
You might also enjoy The Woman Who Gave the World A Thousand Names for God (“how a British linguist and a failed Nigerian coup changed everything about Bible translation”) from Christianity Today.