“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him…And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us…” John 1:1, 10, 11, 14.
Over 2000 years ago, the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.
Over 40 years ago, God called a North African to be a light among his own people … a people who strongly resisted the Gospel … a people who alienated and persecuted him. This man persisted and obeyed God. In spite of opposition, this man taught the T. about the God who changed his life … he taught them to memorize scripture even though scripture was not written in their language. He taught them how to read and write. This man prayed that one day the T. would be able to read … that they would be able to read the Word that would one day be written in their language. This man prayed … many others prayed.
Over 10 years ago, God called out a team from different areas of the world to learn to speak an unwritten language. This team learned the language. They wrote the language and then began translating the Word into this language.
Two years ago many of the T., and others across the northern area, saw a vision of a man flying across the desert holding a book in his arms. The name on the book was ‘Jesus.’ They asked the North African the meaning of this vision. The man was invited to speak the Word on the radio at just the right time for the T. to listen as they sat down for their evening meal. Many believed … Many could now read…but there was no written Word…all they could do was hear the Word.
After many years of trials, hardships and perseverance and love, the T. can read…The Word (the New Testament) has been completed in the written language of the T. … They can now read the Word in their own language.
Saturday, January 9, 2004, there was to be a celebration of this event, but the Harmattan (Sand-Dust storm) settled in … the worst that has been seen in some time. Visibility was low and flights were cancelled. It would be days before the dust clouds cleared out. Many, who had been waiting years for this moment, were now unable to attend this significant event … even the key speakers. Would God, who is in control of the elements of nature, allow His plan to be foiled? Would there be a celebration of His Word?
A prayer force was ignited. All over the world prayers were lifted up … you prayed … God heard. At 6am, the day of the dedication, the word came, “a gold miners’ flight was cancelled … be ready to fly in their place in two hours.” Everyone hustled … they celebrated … they praised the one who controls the elements of the nature … the One who hears and answers…the One who delights in performing the impossible … the One True God … the One whose Word has just been completed in the language of the T.
An estimated 150 people, including the mayor of [a town of legendary fame] and people from at least 9 different countries, several agencies and denominations were present for this rare occasion. [Diverse choirs sang.] Speeches were given in French and translated into T. One of these speeches was given by the SIL director. He describes the event this way:
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"The musical opening was a reading of John 1:1-18 in T. by a T. woman with a man playing traditional T. melodies on an electric guitar softly in the background. At times he was singing as well. Later, several choirs preformed rousing songs in T., punctuated by the "uulations" [a type of yodeling, characteristic of the T.] of women in the back of the church.
"Another crowd pleaser was when the women's choir of [a church] sang and danced with choreography. They each had matching outfits with gold and silver pieces braided into their hair. One woman was dressed up as nomad with turban and all, dancing back and forth in front of the others.
"After a few more songs, the evening was over and we poured out into the courtyard of the [church] to look at the literature table and buy NTs and special Dedication T-shirts. Then we headed over to the other side of the yard for a meal prepared by the ladies of the church and a general time of fellowship and picture taking. That was marred only by the food running out a bit too soon and the cold desert air that chilled us who live in Mali to the bone!"
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A spectacular event … a rare event … a miraculous event … an event celebrating the completion of the Word, orchestrated by the Author of the Word…the Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob…the Holy One of Israel…God…the Father of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for praying and being a part of history in the making. When you look at your Bible tonight, your Bible that contains the OT and the NT, be thankful. Thank God for those who spent years translating so that you could READ God's Word. Thank God that you have the ENTIRE Bible to read, the whole story. Pray for those who only have PART of the Bible, that the translators will not tire, that they will persevere. Pray for those who are still waiting even for the first word in print, for those God is calling out to tackle this tremendous task. WHEN you pick up your Bible tonight, Pray for those who are still waiting even to HEAR the Word. Who will be the one, who is willing to be sent so that they may hear. The fields are white: sowers, waterers and reapers are needed. When you pick up your Bible, ask the Author, "What about me? What would you have me do?" Someone is waiting. It may be your neighbor, it may be my neighbor. Will you say, "Here am I, Send me?"
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NOW:
I want to take a quick few minutes just to introduce you to a bit of local culture, hoping to entice you to come to the land of the people I love, the land that so desperately needs the feet of prayer warriors touching its soil, the soil that is waiting for the imprint of the feet of the Mande prayer warriors.
No time for a camel ride … or is there?
Just let the flight attendants know you will be a couple hours late and they will delay the flight for you. That’s what happened to us on the way back from Timbuktu. We had breakfast at 6am; left for the airport at 6:30am; prepared to check in at 7am only to find that our flight would be delayed until 10. A couple of tourists wanted to take a camel ride before leaving so they held the flight. A few hours later they walked into the airport with huge grins on their faces. At 10am we were told our flight was delayed now because someone somewhere was injured and needed a flight to B. We could not depart until this person arrived to the airport. We finally left at 11am (never did see the injured person.) Hmmm ... we should have taken that camel ride after all.
When you don’t have the correct change …
I told the lady I wanted to buy ½ kilo of onions. She told me the price. I gave her the coin. She left and returned a few minutes later telling me she didn’t have change. I didn’t see anything else I wanted to buy from her, but I did need eggs. I asked where I could find eggs. She directed me down about half a block. I left with my onions and my coin and found the man selling eggs. I bought 8 eggs and handed the man a bill. He gave me change. I walked back to the onion lady, who was now nursing her baby, and gave her the correct change. She smiled and asked me to come back soon. I love these people. There are so laid back and trusting.
You know you’re off key when …
I went to my first women’s Bible study last week-alone. I sat and visited with two women for 45 minutes before moving into the concrete building. The first 15 minutes we sang hymns in their language. The five women sang beautifully; I made a joyful noise. Since I didn’t have a song book, I looked on with the woman beside me. I didn’t know all of the words I was singing, but the tunes were familiar. Several times throughout the song the woman pointed to where we were supposed to be singing ... that was my clue that my pronunciation was not quite correct. I chuckled to myself and continued singing. The women are so patient and loving. I told them I have friends in America. They want to meet you.
Brevity of Life
I first heard the commotion and then saw the crowd that had gathered…some with faces of concern…a few with faces of amusement. I walked toward the crowd and made my way through the small circle of people looking down at the pavement. An outline of red chalk was already drawn around the body of the woman who lay face down on the concrete road. She was unaware that someone had removed her crying baby from her back. About 4 meters further was her brand new motorbike lying in the center of the street. I watched the woman closely as I prayed…hoping for a sign of life. She was breathing. I continued praying. No one touched her until the small taxi pulled up. Two men quickly picked her up, one at the shoulders and the other at her feet, and pulled her into the taxi. Another woman with the crying baby climbed into the front seat and the taxi pulled away. The remaining outline and small patch of blood was a reminder to me of the brevity of life and of the urgency to share the Gospel. While this scene, which was my first personal encounter, may sound shocking to you, it is one that is repeated often in the capitol city. Please say a prayer of healing for this woman and baby and for the many others whose lives are in the balance everyday. Pray also that they will come to know the One, Jesus Christ, whose blood was spilt for their salvation. How will they hear unless ... (Romans 10:13-15)
In my Bible study this morning I came across a verse that reminded me of God's love for me. 2 Samuel 14:14. "Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But God does not take away life; Instead, He devises ways that a banished person may not be estranged from Him." Unlike David's response to Absalom, my heavenly Father did not hide His face from me. As is written in the story of the Prodigal's son, He had His arms stretched wide open waiting for my return ... waiting to offer forgiveness ... waiting to clothe me in the finest robe and to restore me to a place of service. He wants to do the same for you. His arms are open wide waiting for the return of His children who have turned their backs. How long will He stand with open arms? As long as it takes. It is the picture of His Son on the cross ... arms extended ... His final words still echo across the expanse, "It is finished." It is His desire that ALL come to Him. There is NO ONE He wants to turn away. (2 Peter 3:9) I pray you are feeling the strength that only comes from being in His arms. Please pray that the Mande will respond to the voice of the One who speaks truth ... the One who is Truth.
Thank you so much for doing the hard work of prayer. ... Little by little, if we persist and not give up, ALL will hear ... all WILL hear and run into the arms of the One who is Truth.
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*Please pray for my encounter with my friend I.: - that I will know how to relate to her and what to share/not share.
*Pray for my night guard, S.: yesterday morning he asked to borrow some money so he could buy 'a meat.' The sheep have arrived up town and he wanted to get there before they were all gone. His family is looking forward to the upcoming celebration of 'Tabaski', the most significant of the Islamic holidays. Pray that he will begin to inquire about spiritual things.
*pray for my relationship and communications skills with my new housekeeper, D. She is doing well and is very patient with my limited language skills.
(RS)
For a Listing of all Mande & Tuareg peoples and their populations & needs, go to:
http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopcluster.php?rop2=C0134http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopcluster.php?rop2=C0219
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