500th New Testament!
March 2000
More than 900 people gathered March 18 in Paramaribo, Suriname, to dedicate a New Testament translation for the Javanese people. The event in South America also marked the 500th New Testament translation with Wycliffe Bible Translators involvement.
The open-air celebration drew hundreds of Javanese Christians, including representatives from the government and partner organisations including The Bible League, which published an initial 5,000 copies of the new translation. The ceremonies included corporate worship, solos and traditional dance. Javanese believers first led celebrants in a contemporary worship session complete with guitars, drums and electronic keyboard. Later, dancers in brightly-coloured costumes performed several traditional dances to the accompaniment of dramatic music that echoed the sounds heard by countless generations of their Indonesian ancestors.
The translation was done in partnership by a team of national translators led by Javanese pastor, Antoon Sisal, and Wycliffe consultants Edward and Linda Speyers, who served as project facilitators. The team developed an alphabet for the previously unwritten language, produced primers and easy-to-read Bible stories and taught literacy to Javanese believers.
Presenting Sisal with a personalised copy of the completed New Testament, Edward Speyers said, "I've waited 20 years for this moment. Suriname is richer tonight, especially the Javanese people. But nobody is more pleased than God, because it's His Word of salvation." "All glory be to God," responded Sisal. "We are just workers. . . God has chosen us and we have just obeyed Him."
Sisal presented a copy of the New Testament to the acting Minister of Education, with his prayer that "it would contribute to the spiritual welfare of the country." The education minister then presented a copy of the Javanese New Testament to an elderly Javanese couple, two young adults and two children, signifying the dawning of a new day spiritually for each generation represented.
Suriname's 60,000 Javanese are descendants of contracted plantation workers who came here from Indonesia between 1890 and 1939. The Javanese Church has experienced encouraging growth in recent years. In one denomination alone, the number of believers has increased from a few dozen 20 years ago to more than 1,000 today. The publication of the New Testament in their heart language is expected to fuel further church growth among the Javanese.
Wycliffe currently works as partners in over 1,000 language projects in 70 countries. But an estimated 380 million people still do not have God's Word in their own language.
In his closing remarks guest speaker Dave Underwood reminded celebrants there is much work yet to be done. "Five hundred is a good figure," he said. "But I have a request. Pray with us, for the day when 3,000 other [Bibleless] people and language groups will be able to celebrate as you are celebrating tonight."
