Bible translation experience

Hey guys. I want to share with you some of my experience with the Bible translation process. In fact, Bible Translation is the primary reason that I came to Honduras. You see, before coming to Honduras, I talked with the director of DOOR (Deaf Opportunity Outreach), and the he told me that there was a Bible Translation process already started in Honduras. He encouraged me to contact them to see if they would be interested in partnering with DOOR. I agreed to be a part of this endeavor.

Then, I moved to Honduras and made contact with the ministry here called "New Life Deaf Ministries" (NLDM).

NLDM has 3 different aspects to their ministry. They have an elementary school for Deaf children. They have a high school, which opened this year. Also, they have a church that is lead by 2 Deaf pastors. It's really a cool. I'll explain more about them, but first I want to talk about the Bible translation team.

When I first met the group of translators, they gave me a little background into how the process started, and how they've gotten to where they are now. Wow. It's so great! I felt so welcomed by this group of people. They were very friendly and inviting from the moment I showed up. They have allowed me to join their translation meetings, and I've been learning tons about the process. It's been super cool. I'm so thankful for this team, and the way they've welcomed me here in Tegucigalpa. They are sharing LESHO with me, and information about their culture. Their friendship has been an overwhelming blessing.

They have also been great about welcoming me into their discussion concerning a partnership with DOOR. We've talked much about this opportunity. We came to the agreement that Aura, who is the leader of the translation group and was born in Honduras (but raised in the states then moved back to Honduras) and I will travel to Africa in early April. We'll be going to Kenya to see how their translation process works and see if it will be a good fit for what has already been started in Honduras.We will also be meeting with the director to ask questions like: if we are to partner with DOOR what would that look like? what - if anything - would change in the process we have now? How are we going to benefit from their involvement, and how will they benefit from ours? We will be there for about 9 days.

After we check out the facility and spent time with the people there, we'll come back to Honduras and discuss the things we observed with the Bible translation team. Aura and I will give a report about how we felt while over there, and how we think we should proceed. And then we'll see how the Lord leads. ^.^

I'm really excited to go to Africa - it's really soon! I'll be leaving in just under 3 weeks.

Oh, about NLDM and their 3 ministries: the elementary school, high school and church. The elementary school has been running for some time now, but they are only in the first year of the high school. They just added a 7th grade class this year because last year they had their first 6th grade graduation. Some of the individuals on the Bible translation team are also teachers at this school. It's cool to see how they work together.

The third part of the ministry, the church, has 2 Deaf pastors. Manuel and Melvin do a wonderful job teaching those who come to the church. They take turns preaching. This Church has been a wonderful place for me - I already feel like I'm a part of the church family. I have such a good time chatting with the other members. They are willing to help me out when I make cultural mistakes and they are gracious as I'm still awkward at times and learning what norms are expected here in Honduras. I really can't say it enough, as they have been so welcoming and friendly in accepting me.They have been a God-send, for sure.

It has been really cool to see how God planned out all that's happened. God knew that I would be coming to Honduras to work at Amor en Accion, and to be a part of the Bible translation process, but He also knew who shall help me feel welcomed by the local Deaf community. He provided Christian friends as a support system for me here, and I'm so grateful that He did. I want to thank the Lord for all His perfect provision.

So, that's about it. I think that's all I have to say.. I will vlog again soon, next week hopefully. See ya!

In His Grip,

Azael