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Soon after they arrived, they accompanied the translators to Then the group went to a local bus stop where students
Meadowbrook High School in Kingston. The team members waited to begin their afternoon commute. The translators
spoke to the student body during a large assembly and shared their drafts with several people. Susan notes,
shared some Jamaican Scripture verses. “The students “And how cool to begin reading their own language for the
were very receptive,” Susan observed. “I think the majority first time from the Word of God!”
of the students would agree that [Scripture in Patois] was
As David and Susan said good-bye to the team, the
easier for them to understand than what they usually hear
translators gave them two bookmarks containing Jamaican
in English, in church.”
Scripture. But as they interacted with other Jamaicans,
Next, they traveled to the Bible Society of the West Indies the couple gave away their Scripture souvenirs. Now their
headquarters in Kingston, the bustling capital city, where passion for Bible translation is stronger than ever.
the translators work. Project coordinator Bertram gave them
an office tour. He demonstrated the software they use
and showed them the team’s reference resources. “How often do most people thoroughly study and
Bertram also explained how he has divided the work and think about God’s Word in [the way the team does]?”
described their translation procedures. He invited David —Susan Swafford
and Susan to observe the team in action. The translators
Datano* leads a Bible study storytelling that has one day of travel by foot “Tell your children about it in
for 15 men in their remote retained important or motorcycle, a second
the years to come, and let your
region in Southeast Asia. cultural information day’s eight-hour bus
children tell their children.
But only four of them are for generations. These ride, and then a final
Pass the story down from
literate enough to actually storytelling methods day to fly to the capital
read Scripture. In their can be used to quickly city and negotiate the generation to generation.”
eagerness to learn, group communicate Scripture overcrowded transit —Joel 1:3, NLT
members often plead for stories that provide clear system. But for them,
methods that don’t require and applicable truths to the arduous journey was carefully prescribed
them to read. Datano a community in urgent worth the effort. process by which the most
wondered what to do for need of God’s Word. important, significant
At the workshop, Datano
these people of few means aspects of our culture are
So Datano was excited and his colleagues
and little spare time. entrusted to those whose
to travel with his two prepared an initial set of
responsibility it is to pass
Today, The Seed Company friends from a remote, stories in their language.
it on faithfully to the
is helping national mountainous region of They carefully worded the
next generation.”
translators like Datano their island homeland stories, memorized them
pioneer new methods to a recent InStori and learned to retell them Now, before a written
that center on the clear, translation workshop. accurately to teach others. translation would be
accurate and consistent Their trip involved complete, Datano and his
One workshop participant
friends study and learn
noted, “We are an oral
from God’s story. They
culture. We have a
long to tell others the
most important story
The InStori translation
of all.
team’s three-day journey (*pseudonym)
to the translation work-
shops is well worth it.
Kwame Nkrumah grew up surrounded by the ancestor idols his shaman father served.
But when he was young, a Kwame testifies, “When I Today Kwame, who is The Seed Company’s
couple started translating the see where I come from—the fluent in nine languages, is National Consultant
Bible for his Ntrubo people son of a witch doctor living just one of many national Training Program equips
in Ghana. Kwame put his in a farming community—I colleagues with whom The men and women to
faith in Jesus and asked the never thought that I’d get this Seed Company works. All qualify as consultants for
translators if he could work position. God found me … Seed Company projects translation projects. Interns
with them full-time. it’s by His grace.” provide training for national develop individual growth
translators. In the course plans that include academic
Above: The Seed of translating Scripture, preparation as well as hands-
Company’s Passaal pastors and teachers learn on apprenticeship. Currently
New Testament more about God’s Word, 39 consultant interns are
project was an early deepening their personal completing their training,
partnership that
ministries. To date, Kwame and nine more plan to begin
national leaders
has served more than 30 before the end of this year.
like Kwame (second
from right) were Bible translation projects
Another facet of equipping
influential in. throughout Ghana.
is The Seed Company’s
The Seed Company comes Facilitators, Advisors,
Left: Kwame is a
passionate advocate alongside high-energy Coaches and Trainers (FACT)
for projects such national Christian leaders program. Through FACT,
as the Avatime New like Kwame to empower experienced mother-tongue
Testament in Ghana. them for the work God has translators learn project
called them to do. (Continued on page 8)
God’s Word 3030 Matlock Road, Suite 104, Arlington, Texas 76015-2934 The Seed Company Vision
For Every Language Toll-free: 877-593-7333 • Fax: 817-557-2393 God’s Word transforming lives in
—In This Generation www.theseedcompany.org • A Wycliffe Bible Translators affiliate every language in this generation