What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven--and the future starts now!
1 Peter 1:3-4 (The Message)

In Peru there are four New Testaments to be printed within a year. And now that my publications responsibility has extended to several other countries in Latin America I am coordinating another six New Testaments for Guatemala, Colombia, Bolivia and Ecuador.
In January, 2002, Ralph Toliver (translator working with the Ambo-Pasco Quechua in the Andes of Peru) was working on Matt. 11:28-30, where Jesus says, “Come unto me, you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” He thought that this passage would be easy for the Quechuas to relate to with its figure of burdens. Quechua people are always carrying large loads, and often over long distances. You can picture an old woman walking up the street with a load of corn stocks so big it almost hides her, and men commonly lift and carry 50 to 100 pound bags of potatoes or corn. They would understand what it means to have rest from a heavy load!

Lorenzo Albino, Ralph’s co-translator, said that it would be difficult to preserve the figures in the translation in such a way that the meaning was clear. But he began pondering over these verses, and when they sat down to work on them, the translation just poured out of him. He just dictated all three verses on the spot!

Verses 28-30 now said, “Come to me, those who are like people who are exhausted with hard work or with carrying a heavy load. Like a bull which has been put into a yoke, accept the teaching that I teach to you. (This is a reference to the young bull learning from the old bull how to work in a yoke.) I am like a gentle animal, and am not arrogant. In this way, you will find rest. Even though to learn my teachings is like being a bull which has been put into a yoke or like a person who has shouldered a heavy load to carry, it is not difficult.”

Ralph printed out these verses several days later, and took them to a Quechua friend. He read these three verses to her as she was hanging up the laundry. When he finished, she had tears in her eyes. “This,” she said, “touches the heart.”

Ralph plans to print Acts this year. That’s why we are willing to spend our lives in this ministry. We are so thankful for those who faithfully supporting us through prayers and finances.

Juan Bautista Añapa, the Chachi pastor at Zapallo Grande, led the meeting in the new but partially built Loma Linda church. Can you picture this crowd of people clustered around the DVD player and a small TV watching the Chachi Jesus video? They only got half way through before a number of people started asking how one becomes a Christian. So Juan interrupted the film to explain. Twenty-one people accepted the Lord. I wonder if they were able to finish the showing?

Neil and Ruth Wiebe have spent many years preparing the Chachi translation. Last week Neil had gall bladder surgery. But they are still planning to do the layout soon.

And my precious daughter, Loris, is making wedding plans to marry Thomas, on July 23rd in Lancaster.

My dad was volunteering at the JAARS Center when he began to experience some heart trouble. He flew back to Winnipeg where he underwent a successful quadruple bypass. We are so thankful for his positive recovery. Now we just have to figure out how to get his car back to him. On the other hand maybe we can enjoy his blue hot-rod while we travel.

Thanks for your prayers for our home life. We constantly see God’s provision and experience his blessing in our family. And that has made a big difference in our ability to minister for Bible translation in Peru.

Dyck's Digest Printable Version (PDF format - 327k)

Dyck's Digest Previous Edition: April 2004 - Vol 20.2