Understanding the Book
"I never understood like this before,” a Northern Tepehuan man said after reading a portion of the New Testament translation. "When is another book going to be ready?" he asks missionary translator Kevin Case.
Kevin and Wendy Case have 80 percent of the New Testament translated in the Northern Tepehuan language. In one week, on April 17, the book of Hebrews will undergo the final comprehension check. The Tepehuan missionary team expressly asks for your prayers during this process.
The Tepehuans live in small-scattered homesteads among rugged mountains and canyons. The biggest challenge to building an effective tribal church among the Tepehuan is their isolation, which leads to independence and mistrust compounded by years of abuse and exploitation.
"It's been very hard for the Tepehuan believers to learn to love and care for one another." Kevin says. "To date, they have not been able to develop a group identity as a church."
That is why it is essential that the Tepehuan have God's living Word in a language they can truly understand. Only God's Word has the power to break through distrust with truth and light.
"Lives are being changed in this place." Kevin affirms. "Take Inez, a very poor Tepehuan woman, who after reading the Word, became generous with the little she had and began to look for ways to bless others."
Thank you for remembering to pray for the Tepehuan missionary team, for the completion of the New Testament in the Tepehuan language and for growth of a thriving, mature church among the Tepehuan. Ask God to provide consistent translation help for the books of Mathew, 2nd Corinthians, James, the two books of Peter, the three books of John and Jude.
Your gift can help translate the Bible into more languages. Each $35 pays for a verse, and for teaching materials so people can read and understand it.