January 2020 - TEAM Christian Missions Blog

What Does a Bible Translator Do When. . .

A group of men in Chad work on a Bible translation project

Bible translation is rarely about simply replacing one word with another. Bible translators share some of their trickiest challenges and how they overcame them.

Jan 29 2020

The journey of a TEAM Bible translator begins long before the first word of Scripture is written down. It includes undergoing extensive training, cultivating cultural sensitivity and navigating the possibilities of a difficult climate or an unfriendly reception. And once the translation work begins, each language project has unique challenges all along the way. For example … … After 10 long years, still searching for just the right word for “hope.” … Discovering two very different words for “God.” … Realizing that your recommendations as translation consultants don’t go over too well with the translation team. So, what’s a Bible…

A group of people sit together over a meal to discuss their missions strategy

Most churches want to send missionaries around the world. The question is, how do you make it actually happen?

Jan 21 2020

Did you know every single TEAM missionary has a sending church? Whether they are going for two weeks or 20 years, staying here in North America or serving in Southern Africa, we believe so strongly that God has called the church to send missionaries that TEAM has made it our mission to help them do so! Most churches would say they want to be a church that sends her people outside her walls, whether that is across the street or across the globe. But how does a church become a church that sends people? With over 500 sending churches in…

Simson led the Bible translation team for the Hatam Bible. Here he sits at his desk.

Simson was desperate for a Hatam-language Bible. But he never imagined he would join — and ultimately lead — the Bible translation team that made it happen.

Jan 13 2020

Imagine this: You’re on an island, and you can only keep a few Bible verses. The rest will be wiped from your memory. Which verses do you choose? Give it just a little thought, and the question quickly becomes complicated. You could use up all the verses on explaining Gospel. But what about God’s character? What pleases God? How does He think of you? How should you relate to others in light of Christ? Even if you had years to choose, you would agonize over what you were missing. But you might understand a little of what Simson Dowansiba felt….

This month we made tapas from Spain! This lovely spinach and bean dish is perfect for chilly winter days!

Jan 08 2020

This month, our TEAM Eats dish comes all the way from Spain! TEAM missionaries Sharon and Carey Owens love the Spanish tradition of going out for tapas. Tapas are delicious food served on small plates, like an appetizer. One of the Owens’ favorites is espinacas con garbanzos, a chickpea and spinach dish. Sharon says this is the perfect hot dish for a cold winter day. It’s great alone or with crackers or a baguette! “We love it in the winter months when it’s chilly. Sort of like a different type of chili. Delicious! Warms you up from the inside out,”…

This month, we're focusing our prayers on translation ministries around the world. Learn what goes into Bible translation and how you can pray!

Jan 02 2020

Chaow sat on the bus and flipped the book over and over in his hands. It was such a small book. Yet it represented years of hard work for lots of people. And now, it was finally ready. The book was the first translation of the book of Matthew into a language used by a very influential Buddhist people group. And the bus Chaow was on was headed to a monastery to distribute it. Chaow had been a monk himself once, so he had some idea of how the people would react. But this didn’t stop him from walking up…

Archive - January 2020

What Does a Bible Translator Do When. . .

How to Become a Sending Church

On an Island Without the Bible

TEAM Eats: Espinacas Con Garbanzos

A Former Monk and a Miracle Book [January Prayer Focus]