Do white people die?
Thousands of communities would never hear the gospel if it wasn’t for surveyors.
They are pioneers, blazing a trail for Bible translation by asking questions like: “How many languages in a region need their own translation? Which dialect would be the best to use in order to reach the maximum number of people? How could a translation project be set up?”
Lynn Landweer describes one of her surveys:
"We have just returned from being “out bush” in incredible country, where we located a small community who speak their own language, Baibai, almost exclusively. They live in sago swamps where malaria and tropical ulcers are endemic. Medical help is two-days’ trek away. Only 20 men have had any formal education—the school is one and
a half day’s walk away. Even the most educated could not really understand the Tok Pisin (trade language) Bible.
"Do white people die? Is the resurrection for white people only?” a pastor asked. My heart went out to them.
With so little understanding of the gospel, no wonder they fear spirits. A shooting star is considered a particularly bad spirit; one bird is an omen of death; they fear water deeper than their ankles. Sorcery is considered the cause of misfortune, disease, death.
"Oh, how I long for trained workers to help these people translate God’s word!"
"They will have to be tough—the nearest airstrip is two days’ trek away; there are no established trails; there are leeches, mosquitoes and sandflies. But the Baibai are
people who need the Lord.”
Six years on, the Baibai are still on the (long!) priority list for Bible translation. As yet no one has been found to help them.
Do you have a heart to serve God wherever he sends you? Are you up to a physical, mental and spiritual challenge? Do you enjoy travel, adventure and discovery? Are you good at relating to people? Find out more...
You could help to bring the gospel to some of the most marginalised people on earth.
