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News & Updates Archives
12/17/2009: Timing Is Critical for Wycliffe Associates’ Completion of Translation Facilities in Southern Sudan
(Orlando, Florida, USA)—Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that mobilizes volunteers and resources in support of Bible translation efforts, is working to establish a permanent Bible translation center in Southern Sudan while a peace agreement with the North currently remains in effect for Sudan until 2011.
Bible translation efforts in Southern Sudan had been stalled for nearly 18 years as translators were forced to leave the country due to hostilities between the North and the South. In the translators’ absence, squatters occupied the translation facilities, which have deteriorated significantly. Upon their return in 2005, translation teams lived in mud huts until housing and office space could be repaired.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), “The many years of civil conflict ensured massive or near total destruction of the physical infrastructure in Southern Sudan. Most buildings lie in a very dilapidated state. . . .”
Bruce Smith, president and CEO of Wycliffe Associates, says the completion of a new translation facility within the next two years is critical to the future of Bible translation in the region. With the expiration date of the peace agreement looming, we must establish a permanent translation center to ensure that Sudanese nationals will be equipped to translate God’s Word into the remaining languages that need it,”, Smith says.
Wycliffe Associates has committed to renovating the existing Bible translation facility and construct a new Bible translation and literacy center in the city of Juba. This past year, Wycliffe Associates has sent five teams of volunteers to help with the renovation and repair work. New plumbing and electrical wiring have been installed in the existing facilities and structural repairs have made the buildings functional again.
“Though much has been accomplished, there is so much work left to be done to provide these committed Bible translators with living quarters, classrooms, offices, and workstations,” says Smith.
More than one million people in Southern Sudan—representing 25 language groups—currently do not have the Bible in their language. But translation work cannot begin on new languages until there is room to train new national translators and provide them with office space. Currently, translation training classes are filled to capacity.
In addition to limited classroom and office space, translation experts and advisors are facing a housing shortage. Rent for a typical three-bedroom house in Juba averages $3,000 per month. These prices make it impossible to obtain housing, making it more cost-effective to build facilities that will be used by translators for the next 20 years and beyond.
Wycliffe Associates believes the new facilities will do more than provide living and working space for translation teams, however. “The work of Bible translation in Southern Sudan has the power to bring hope, peace, and rest to a nation that has suffered upheaval and violence many times in its history,” Smith says.
And Elizabeth Newport, the Sudan Branch director says translators are hopeful that their work will help bring peace to the people of Sudan. “The Sudanese translators and literacy workers want to be part of peace-building as Southern Sudan is rebuilt,” says Newport. “True peace will only be lasting if the teachings of the Prince of Peace are at the heart of the nation —having a stable base in Juba to support the mother-tongue translation teams will bring that goal closer.”
Wycliffe Associates recently received $30,000 in a matching fund challenge for the Juba Bible Translation Center and hopes to raise an additional $30,000 or more over the next 30 days.
During 2009, some 4,347 Wycliffe Associates volunteers served as part of the worldwide Bible translation team. Wycliffe Associates has served in over 54 countries through volunteer and financial support. Next year, Wycliffe Associates is planning to mobilize more than 5,600 volunteers to serve in 63 different countries to build and renovate facilities, construct roads and airstrips, teach Vacation Bible School, help with language development and office work, oversee projects, use their computer skills, and much more. For more information, visit www.wycliffeassociates.org or call 1-800-THE WORD (1-800-843-9673).
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