At a board meeting of Word for the World-Slovakia, the Slovak organization that holds the copyright for the Eastern Slovak dialect of Romani language Scriptures, I was able to hear the testimony of some of the translators. So far, the New Testament is completed and available. Currently the Old Testament is being translated. What these three men shared was an incredible testimony of the power of the Scriptures to touch the heart through one’s heart-language.
“The more I work on this, the more I realize what a beautiful language we have and how God’s word is understood in our language. I can experience God’s word deeper in my own language. It is a blessing.” Translator 1.
Translator 2 added, “I learned more about my own language in this process, in the reading of God’s word. Even non-Christians are asking and waiting on when the translation will be done. For my family, to be active in God’s word every day is having a big influence on my faith and on my family.”
“When I read to Roma in Romanes, you can see how God’s touch falls on them. (This translation) speaks to them deeper. Once they learn a new word, you can see how much more of God’s word than they knew (from when the translation is) in Slovak.” Translator 3
“When I read (the Bible) in Romanes, the Slovak I grew up with suddenly was not only more understandable, it was not sufficient.” Translator 1
It was encouraging to hear the testimony of these three men as they reflected on the incredible work they are doing.
Pray for these three as they continue the translation process. Also pray for a project being done by the Slovak Bible Society which will offer a parallel translation of Slovak and East Slovak Romani New Testament.
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