The northern regions of Nigeria are on high alert as the army searches for the 230 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram. However, the risk to life has not stopped Bible translation work in the region. In fact, Wycliffe Associates reports that its team of translators in the area has only been spurred on to get even more of God’s word translated into the local languages.

As Boko Haram continues its terror campaign, Wycliffe CEO Bruce Smith said that, unfortunately, the girls kidnapped in April were “not unknown faces” but family members of some of the people directly involved in Bible translation in that part of Nigeria. The attacks of the Islamist militant group remain a continuing and immediate threat to the translation workers and their families. “Bible translation is a high priority need there. They have more than 300 languages that have not one verse of Scripture and need to be started.”

The threat is real but Smith says that Bible translation workers are continuing to push ahead with projects in the area. “The desperation of the situation actually increases their motivation for getting God’s Word translated because they realise that the political and religious solutions are not working,” said Smith.

Christians are spurred on in their task by the thought that it took a century for 45% of the Nigerian population to become Christian. Will another century be needed to reach 90%?

Source: Joel News International; Christian Today

BIBLE STUDY: Jeremiah 23:29

PRAISE: God that translation of His Living Word continues despite dangers. Pray for a great move of God in Muslim Northern Nigeria.