Latin America—Bible League impacts generations of Kaiwá people group with God’s Word

More than 20 years ago, Bible League sponsored the publication and printing of the newly-translated Kaiwá New Testament for this people group in Brazil.

“During the succession of two decades, having God’s Word in their heart language has helped transform the lives of thousands of Kaiwá. This makes a significant impact on multiple generations of the Kaiwá people,” says Bible League’s Ministry Director for Latin America.

God’s Word in heart language
Grandma Araci is an esteemed elder among the Kaiwá people. She was not a Christian when she first assisted a team from Wycliffe Bible Translators during a 25-year language analysis for the Kaiwá translation project.

At the beginning, Araci was opposed to everything she learned in the Scriptures. But as the translation progressed throughout the years, she came to know who Jesus is through God’s Word in her heart language and she received Jesus Christ as her Saviour.

Grandma Araci’s new faith established a legacy of Christ followers for generations to come.

“One woman came to me and said, ‘I’m Araci’s daughter, I’m now a Christian,’ reports a Wycliffe representative. Another man also said that he is Grandma Araci’s grandson and he was hoping to attend a Bible school next year. Another of her grandsons said that when the local missionary is away, he takes up the responsibility to preach.

Over the years, most of Araci’s children and all of her grandchildren have committed themselves to Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Now, they are sharing the Gospel with others using God's Word.

Long term impact
Kaiwá is spoken by about 21,000 people in Brazil who live on reservations where they grow crops for their families. The Kaiwá are poor materially but they are becoming rich in Christ.

Although Bible League ministry was repositioned away from Brazil, this same kind of impact still continues through a Wycliffe partnership in many other countries where Bible League’s ministry continues.

“The long-term impact Bible League had through these New Testament projects—reaching generations of people with the love of Jesus Christ—is evidence that God’s Word does not return to Him void,” adds the Ministry Director.

“When I hear God talk in my own tongue it is very good for it spears my insides,” says a Christian of a minority language group in Papua New Guinea. Yet, there are still 2,286 languages or 196 million people who don’t have the Scriptures in their heart language. Nevertheless, God declares that one day every knee will bow before Him and every tongue will confess Jesus is Lord.

But how can they know Jesus without God’s Word? Will you help provide Scriptures to some 200 million people who are waiting for God’s Word in their heart language?

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