Demand for new translation outstrips supply in Chiapas

Miguel Ortega describes how he gained understanding from an encounter at the dedication of the Bible in Tzeltal of Oxchuc and of Tenejapa, in Mexico

One of the choirs which participated in the launch of the Bible in the Tzeltal language of Oxchuc and of Tenejapa. Ocosingo, Chiapas State, Mexico. Photo: BS Mexico/Gustavo Luján (MEX03DJ-3)

CHIAPAS, Mexico — On August 16 the Bible Society of Mexico launched the Bible in the Tzeltal language of Oxchuc and of Tenejapa, in the town of Ocosingo, in the state of Chiapas. A large number of Christians arrived from the surrounding area dressed in their holiday finery. Many came on foot, others by bus or by car; but all came to celebrate this great outdoor spiritual festival.

Keen to discover their feelings on this great day, we went out and wandered about among the people who gathered for the occasion.

A girl of about 11 was tenderly embracing her mother as they sat together on the grass. I walked up to them and asked the little girl a friendly question.

Beautiful eyes

Opening her beautiful black eyes, she looked at me but said nothing. Thinking she hadn’t heard, I tried again.

“Do you speak Spanish?” I asked. She shook her head. Then her mother began speaking rapidly to me but I couldn’t understand because she was speaking in Tzeltal. And although we were standing so close, I realised just how far apart we were: we could talk to each other and listen to each other but we simply couldn’t understand.

But what I did then understand was the immensity of the task facing us. I understood the great task of the Bible Societies, the missionaries and the Bible translators of putting into Tzeltal – or any other language – the sense of the Word of God.

And the Word of God at the end of Matthew’s Gospel – “…teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you” (NIV) – became clearer to me: the one who teaches must be able to communicate with his disciples. And in order to make them true disciples of Jesus, he must understand their culture and environment.

Joy

Among the many demonstrations of joy that day was a sign in large letters we saw standing under a leafy tree: “We celebrate with joy the Glory of God. Now the Holy Bible is in the hands of the Tzeltales of Chiapas.”

A great number of people there expressed their joy at being able to read the Word of God in their own language, but there was also regret that there were not enough copies of the new Bible for everyone to have one: only 15,000 were printed and these were distributed among the Presbyterian Tzeltal churches, 400 copies per church. Hence the sadness.

A man of about 35 who didn’t belong to any of the churches where the Bibles had been distributed asked how he could get a Bible. A Bible Society promoter gave him the name of the person in charge of the distribution but I don’t know if he got a copy. Another man, a member of a Pentecostal church, came and asked to buy a Bible for his church but we had to tell him that all the Bibles were accounted for and he went away disappointed.

All this offers a vivid demonstration of how the Gospel has been growing in such an amazing way in the state of Chiapas, and that we need to work with greater urgency so that we can satisfy the demand for Bibles in other languages and supply them to more churches.

Lots of music groups were performing in Tzeltal (their local language). I don’t know if it was the Oxchuc or the Tenejapa form but one thing I know for certain: God understood them all and he must have had a broad smile on his face.

Humble

Some of the groups were semi-professional, others – including a children’s group – were more humble, but they were all performing with great joy because after years of waiting they had the Bible in their own language at last. No longer will someone have to translate it for them: now they can put questions to God and examine his Word personally.

The state governor, Pablo Salazar Mendiguchia, led the presentation but the highlight was the dedication of the Bible by the Rev Abner López, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Mexico, who called the directors of the Bible Society by name to take part in the ceremony. Several radio and television stations and newspapers gave it coverage. (WR 374/24 - 2.03) [PHOTOS]