Trainee translator eager to get started

ALMATY, Kazakhstan — Raichan Sachanova is very keen to complete her studies in literature and language at Almaty University. This is because she will then be equipped to begin translating the Old Testament into Kazakh. With the support of a United Bible Societies consultant, she will first tackle the Book of Proverbs, working from the Russian text.

Long journey

Mrs Sachanova is not a conventional student. She is 30 and is married with a young daughter. She has made a long journey to become a trainee translator.

“I grew up in a Muslim family, but we did not practice our faith very actively. That’s quite common in Kazakhstan. I didn’t really start to think deeply about my beliefs until my sister became a Christian after hearing the testimony of her room-mate. This aroused my interest. Around the same time, my husband and I were invited to a Baptist church.

“Before long, I realised that the Bible provided me with the answers to my questions. My husband and I both became Christians, as have all my brothers and sisters.

“Now I’m really looking forward to getting started on bringing God’s Word to my people in their own language.” (WR 390/8 - 02.05)