Vision to Action
Round Table Discussions: Field Directors- Facilitators-Consultants-Consultants-in-Training coming together
Diverse perspectives converged, vast knowledge was shared, and aspirations were crystallized into action at the Round Table Discussions attended by field directors, global facilitators, consultants, and consultants-in-training. These dedicated leaders of Wycliffe Bible Translators Philippines or Wycliffe Philippines(WP), as it is often referred to, came together from all over the northern and southern parts of the country, not to mention those that hail from the main headquarter in Manila, gathered at the SIL Philippines Conference Hall on September 18 to 22, 2023.
There was enthusiasm and dynamism among those that came for the forum – a clear indication everyone aimed at seeing vision transposed into action. The leaders knew in their hearts that they have been called to ensure that WP’s core mission in participating in the Great Commission is to put in place the Holy Scripture in the hearts of any and all the tribes for whom the translated Word should remain at all times. The passion of these devoted leaders enabled them to discuss and further the development of the WP Translation Process from its concepts, methodologies, strategies, and approaches that would be effectively applied to all its ongoing and incoming Bible Translation projects.
One of the things that the leaders pointed at during the discussion forum is the quality assurance of the translation processes. With years of field experience, the consultants, coordinators, and facilitators have altogether put in efforts to intelligently assess methodologies and set out the plans that were thought to be most suitable in the attainment of the WP best practices in attaining the penultimate quality of translating the Bible. The team assembly has productively come up with the “Base Plan” laying up and augmenting the necessary portions that will ensure two important facets: the contextual process, which is the crucial adaptation to the needs of the community for “naturalness” and “authenticity” of the translation into the local community’s language; and the process for meeting the need for a high level of accuracy critical pathway in achieving the uncompromised exegetical meaning of the Scriptures itself. WP leaders have thoroughly looked through the ways of devising the methods and implementing these in order to guarantee irreproachable results of the translation process for both written and oral projects.
Facilitators shared their observations and sensible recommendations.
Careful deliberations of the community needs of the organization’s ongoing Bible Translation projects were considered during the 5-day event. The facilitators who regularly toil as front line field workers shared their observations and sensible recommendations on how best to relate with the community and help them effectively arrive at identifying and convening respectable Mother-Tongue Translators (MTTs), nurturing them and raising their capabilities over time.
During the language assessment process, WP is committed to contextualizing its approach, and in particular, determining whether to use the oral or written translation, depending on the needs of the community. The desire of WP, as a translation agency, is to see potential language communities embracing the work of the BT ministry in their area. It is the agency’s goal to eventually penetrate the hearts of the people in the community with the truth of the Gospel. The Word of God transforms lives! - this is the irreproachable truth. Someday, even the most hostile of communities will find spiritual and developmental changes happening in their midst brought about by individuals and families that exude intriguingly changed lives. Within that people group will multiply the number of community members who understand God’s divine plan for them individually, and as a community, as the Word permeates the hearts. This is the vision and the task that spurs commitment among the leaders of Wycliffe Philippines, the same compelling drive that will be trickled down to all its workers.
As the 5- day period went by, the leaders also listed several new potential languages to include in their upcoming translation projects, closely reviewing the process of preparing proposals for these projects. Seeking new opportunities to serve tribal communities, particularly those who still do not have a single verse of the Bible translated in their heart language, is a primal objective of WP. Its all-embracing aim beyond the translation process, is to help the community apply the translated Word in the daily lives. Church and Scripture engagements strategies were also part of the discussions holding the field director for Scripture engagements, as well as the field director for church engagements to plan their team’s activities timely and consistently. It has been expressed by the group that currently, there are already several Scripture engagement activities that are being implemented in the field such as radio programs, moral recovery programs, bible studies, home visitations, Sunday schools, and others. The group’s discussions further delved into the need to seize opportunities to engage the people in the communities so as to help invigorate their lives through the study of the Scriptures which has already been translated into their very own heart language.
Leaders listed several new potential languages to include in their upcoming translation projects.
The leaders also affirmed and solidified established processes even while working on the improvisations. They encouraged one another to keep walking in the light and overcome darkness in the pursuit of their mission. Many doors are still left open for WP. The task is difficult, yet through His grace one step at a time, WP is getting stronger each day. Dedicated in the service, the leaders of Wycliffe Philippines are determined to reach that vision of someday seeing all tribes near and far, living their lives in the light of the gospel, finding contentment regardless of their plight, and having the hope in the salvific grace of God, all because they have understood His Word.
Wycliffe Philippines leaders are committed to seeing every tribe living in the light of the gospel, finding contentment, and embracing hope through understanding God's Word.