Four Bible translators killed

“Militants killed four national translators and injured several others in a raid on a translation office in the Middle East”, the Bible translation global organisation Wycliffe Associates informed. 

“They shot and destroyed all the equipment in the office including the Print On Demand (POD) equipment. The invaders burned all the books and other translation materials in the office.

“Two workers died of gunshot wounds. Two other workers laid on top of the lead translator—saved his life—and died deflecting bludgeoning blows from the radicals’ spent weapons”, Wycliffe Associates Prayer Coordinator Mae Greenleaf said.

“The remaining translation team has decided to re-double their efforts to translate, publish, and print God’s Word for these eight language communities. We praise the Lord that He protected the computer hard drives containing the translation work for eight language projects. ”

“PRAY THAT GOD WILL STRENGTHEN HEARTS OF REMAINING TRANSLATORS”

The organisation asks prayer for the injured translators and for other “to step up and take on the translation task.”

“Please ask the Lord to mend the hearts and wounds of the translation team who have gone through this horrible ordeal. Pray that God will strengthen their minds, their hearts, and their bodies to be able to continue the translation of the gospel for their people.”

The organisation wil now work to come alongside this translation team to “assist them, replace equipment, to help the martyrs’ families and the families of those hospitalised.”

“Please pray that a new location will be found that will provide safety, security, and the freedom to continue translation and printing.”

“PRAY FOR THE KILLERS”

“Pray with for the killers too”, the statement says, which mentions Matthew 5:44: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”