Sam Luscombe reports on the ongoing legacy of SGM Lifewords’ Power to Save programme, as the Cuvok people of Cameroon celebrate their first encounter with the Bible’s life words in their own language.
Eight years ago, I sat in the gloom of an African dusk, and listened as a Nigerian pastor shared his passion for God’s Word, his unswerving belief in its transformative power, and his heart for his people. Like millions of others around the world, Pastor Samuel was still waiting to receive the first words of scripture in his mother tongue.
It was an experience which touched me profoundly, and which has stayed with me ever since. So I’m always thrilled to hear about SGM Lifewords’ ongoing contribution to the task of making the Bible available to people like Pastor Samuel, who hunger and thirst to receive these life giving words in their own language. The SGM Lifewords global family is passionate about helping people to engage with and be transformed by the Bible’s life words: words for every human being on the planet, whatever language they speak. It’s this passion which has led to SGM Lifewords’ long partnership with Wycliffe/SIL. Joint initiatives, including Power to Save and Pioneer, have all been aimed at making God’s Word available in languages where access to the Bible is limited or nonexistent.
Both Power to Save and Pioneer provided translators with portions of Scripture which were easy to translate, in a format which could be quickly and economically reproduced. Simple sentence structures ensured their suitability as literacy aids. Illustrations were deliberately multicultural, and designed to be easy on the eye for those unfamiliar with printed visuals. SGM Lifewords has partnered with hundreds of Wycliffe translators around the world to typeset manuscripts, and to organise and fund printing.
As the needs of translation teams and the nature of Bible translation have evolved, SGM Lifewords’ role in these initiatives has changed. We’re no longer directly involved in the production of Power to Save and Pioneer materials. But we continue to make the manuscripts available, and translation teams can now adapt and print the booklets for themselves. Both Power to Save and Pioneer are still in use around the world – and it’s exciting to hear about the lasting legacy of these projects, and the difference “God’s Word in my language” can make.
The Cuvok people of northern Cameroon received God’s Word in their language for the first time this year as a result of that legacy. Ken Hollingsworth, a Wycliffe translator based in Cameroon, shares their story:
“The Cuvok have been part of the Wycliffe Bibleless People’s Prayer Project since at least 1987. Since that time, people around the world have been faithfully praying that God would raise up translators for the Cuvok people and give them his Word.
“A young man from a different language group in Cameroon had a burden for the Cuvok. He studied linguistics at Yaounde University and did a linguistic analysis of the Cuvok language, with the aim of preparing the way for Bible translation in the future. At about the same time, a Cuvok evangelist was taking part in a practical linguistics course for those interested in beginning a Bible translation project. With the support of the Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy (CABTAL), they began to work together to establish an alphabet and writing system for the Cuvok language. Teachers were trained and literacy classes established. But still the wait for God’s Word in Cuvok continued.
“Eventually, a translation team was identified. According to the plan outlined with CABTAL, they were to start work on the gospel of Luke, rather than the shorter gospel of Mark. But the people were eagerly waiting for Scripture. How could we ensure that they received God’s Word in their language as soon as possible?
“The Power to Save materials provided the perfect solution. I suggested that the team focus on the Luke portions contained in Jesus Christ Saviour of the World. Our goal was to have the booklets ready in time for Christmas, so that the Cuvok could read the nativity story in their own language for the first time. Due to a delay by the printer, they only received it shortly afterwards, but it was received with great joy! Finally, God speaks Cuvok through Power to Save. At last, the Cuvok people can encounter the scriptures in their heart language.”
Stories like this one never cease to touch my heart. Imagine the impact of reading the Christmas story for the very first time in your own language! And what a privilege for us to be able to play even a small part in making that possible. Please give thanks with us for the ongoing impact of Power to Save and Pioneer. And pray that as the next chapter in this story continues to unfold, many more people will encounter the Bible’s life words in their own language for the first time.
Lifewords in Australia has provided counselling materials for those affected by the recent bushfires. 
