‘I felt called to work for the Bible Society’

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica — Mayra Ugalde had always planned to work in forestry, and completed her education with this in mind. Her career path seemed set when she was offered her dream job as a forester, but, on the same day, she was approached by the Bible Society of Costa Rica, which wanted her to work for them.

Mayra Ugalde, Head of External Relations of the Bible Society of Costa Rica, originally wanted to be a forester but felt a strong calling to serve the Bible Society. As well as working for the Bible Society she takes care of three children, who she adopted. Photo: UBS/Dag Smemo (CRI03DJ-50.JPG)

Should she choose the job she had hoped and trained for, or should she accept the Society’s offer? It was a difficult choice. After much reflection she chose the Bible Society because she strongly felt that it was a calling from God after years of working for them as a volunteer. As she started her new job, Ms Ugalde felt daunted, but worked with dedication and passion.

Bri Bri and Cabécar

Now 45, Ms Ugalde has been with the Society for 23 years and is the Head of External Relations. She thoroughly enjoys her work, which is diverse and challenging, and looks back with joy on the many enriching experiences it has brought her. She is particularly enthusiastic about the Bri Bri and Cabécar translation projects. Of Costa Rica’s eight indigenous language groups, these are the only two that have more than 1,000 speakers.

“The Cabécar New Testament was published in 1987, and is currently being reviewed,” she explains. “Work on the Bri Bri New Testament has recently been completed and is being reviewed before being sent for printing. To help promote the reading of the Bible among the Bri Bri people, we have produced a calendar with Bri Bri Bible texts.”

Ms Ugalde’s personal life has also been enriched by her work with the Bible Society – although she never married, she is responsible for bringing up three children who were given into her care. Naomi was nine months old when she went to live with Ms Ugalde 19 years ago, and is still with her now. Two boys, brothers aged four and six, also became part of the household a few years ago.

“This was because of my work with the Bible Society,” smiles Ms Ugalde. “I was handing out a Bible to each boy and talked to them. I said they should come and see me if they ever needed help. And they did. The two boys, Elias and Gabriel, suddenly found they had no place to live and contacted me. They ended up staying.” (WR 386/10 - 6/7.04)

(Please see also: World Report 385/6 - 4/5.04)