Notable Numbers & the Marvellous Match!
From Steve Lancaster (TWFTW UK Director) Jan & Feb 2026
Notable Numbers & the Marvellous Match!!
A Very Happy New Year To You All! With the start of 2026, I wonder whether you’ve made any resolutions for this year. Here at TWFTW we’ve actually made our resolution for the next 24 years! We’ve resolved to be instrumental in completing first-time translations of the entire Bible in 1000 languages! That’s a huge number and if we’re going to reach that target, we’re certainly not going to do that in our own strength. We pray the words of Psalm 90:17 "May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us; may He establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands".
The New Year is a chance to look forward, but also a chance to look back to assess what we've been doing in previous years. This issue is therefore all about numbers…… whilst also recognising that it’s not all about numbers! Because, hiding behind every number, there are real precious lives that have been changed and influenced by the Word of God. Numbers are often significant in the Bible. The number 7 features a lot, symbolising the holy perfection of God. Number 12 keeps on cropping up in association with the tribes of Israel and the disciples. The number 40 is often used in relation to wilderness wanderings, and times of testing or preparation. Even the fourth book of the Bible is called ‘Numbers’! It’s one of those books that we often find difficult to read; maybe even as tough as reading through Leviticus!?
The wilderness of Sinai
Here's an interesting (?!) fact about the book of Numbers. In the Hebrew Bible it’s not called ‘Numbers’, but ‘Bamidbar’ - which means "In the wilderness", taken from the fifth word of the first verse, reflecting the setting of the book. When the Old Testament was translated into Greek the translators decided to give it a new title, focussing on all the counting that took place in the book. They called it ‘Arithmoi’ from which we get the word ‘arithmetic’. The Latin Vulgate version translated this as ‘numeri’ – so that’s how we come to know it as ‘Numbers’, reflecting the two censuses that act as a bookend to the book; one in Sinai and the other, some 40 years later, in Moab. Both counts were commanded by God with all the fighting men being counted as a form of military conscription.
As we enter the New Year, it’s good to take stock of where TWFTW has come from, where we currently are, and where we hope to be as we move forward towards our goal. Here are the numbers which tell that story:
THE PAST: 1981-2025
1981: TWFTW founded in South Africa – active projects 1
2018: Milestone reached: TWFTW project involvement 100
2024: Number of projects TWFTW involved in 376
2025: Number of new projects started in Asia & Africa 71
2025: Percentage growth rate this year 16%
2025: Full Bibles published 3
2025: New Testaments published 17
THE PRESENT: Where we are at the start of Jan 26
Bible translation projects currently active in 436
Total translation projects completed 8
Number of active Oral Bible translation projects 65
Total number of Orthographies established 175
Total number of New Testament’s now completed 100
Full time indigenous translators 1228
Countries working in 33
Knocking on the doors of countries 21
THE FUTURE: 2026 - and way ahead!
By end of 2026 further New Testaments published 62
By end of 2026 further Bibles published 2
New projects/engagements targeted for 2026 60
Our 2050 goal - published Bibles 1000
We praise God for the growth TWFTW has experienced, especially during the last 5 years, and trust Him with regard to the New Year ahead. Doors are opening into countries that are generally hard to get into. People groups are crying out for God’s Word in their heart language, and TWFTW has more indigenous translators than ever before. We have so much to be thankful for. To those who have supported us financially and/or prayerfully, our thanks goes out to you for your support and generosity.
The "Marvellous Match" for 2026!
Photo: iStock
Match Funding: As we head into this new year, we've been blessed (once again!) to have a generous donor come alongside us and offer match funding for any new or uplifted donations we receive this year. As an example, it means that if a donor gives £20 to TWFTW for the first time this year, the match donor matches it by giving £20, so it therefore becomes £40; a double blessing! In terms of 'uplift' it also means that if you're a monthly supporter who gave last year and you decide to increase that monthly gift, the increase will be matched. Also, if someone donated last year with a one-off donation, and decides to give again this year, that is also counted as ‘uplift’ and will be matched. £10 becomes £20. £50 becomes £100. £1000 becomes £2000 and so on! We're extremely grateful to our match-funding donor for this "marvellous match" commitment, and that gratitude extends to all who are able to give towards the work of TWFTW. THANK YOU for any support you're able to provide. For more details on how to give, please click here, and scroll down the page for the different ways to give. Donating to TWFTW
Sinai for Sena Update. 10,000 Sena Bibles were safely delivered to the port of Beira, Mozambique, just a few days ago! Hopefully, they'll be cleared by customs sooner rather than later without too much hassle! The next stage of the journey is an overland trip north to Blantyre, Malawi. TWFTW Malawi team will then be arranging a distribution programme amongst the Sena community in the south of Malawi.
TWFTW Bible Reading Plan: Maybe one of your New Year’s resolutions is to read through the Bible in a year with the help of a daily reading plan. TWFTW has produced such a plan, and if you’d like one sent to you, drop us a line, with your address, to admin-uk@twftw.org and we’ll post one to you.
Out & About Diary Dates for Jan/Feb 26:
Sun 11: Preaching at Strete Evangelical Church in Devon
Thur 15: UK Board meeting in Milton Ernest, Bedford
Sun 18: Preaching at Ladyfield Evangelical Church in Chippenham
Weds 21: Meetings with TWFTW Finance Officer in Cambridge
Thur 22: Speaking at Grace Community Church, Kempston, Bedford
31 – 7 Feb: Bible teaching on an Oak Hall ski trip to Champery, Switz
Tue 10 Feb: Bible teaching - Corsham Baptist Church Men's Event
Fri 13 Feb: Preaching at Corsham & Chippenham Central Bible Study,
Ladyfield Evangelical Church, Chippenham (pm)
Praise & Prayer Points:
Albania: The Aromanian team has completed the translation of the New Testament in just 2.5 years!! They are now doing the final revisions and it is hoped it will be ready for typesetting and publication in 2026.
Asia. Please continue to pray for D who is an IT manager with one of our teams. He is much improved, but still needs further chemotherapy. He is the only typesetter in the team, and there are several New Testament’s awaiting typesetting.
Congo: Pray for our translators in Goma, that they would be strengthened in their work amidst ongoing difficult conditions and political tensions.
Oral BT. Pray for the continued growth and effectiveness of our oral Bible translation work. We’re currently engaged in 65 OBT projects.
Uganda. Praise God that Bible translation and the consultation process is going well in Uganda across 20 Bible translation projects! Pray for peace as Uganda goes to the polls on Jan 15 2026.
UK Board meetings on Thurs 15 Jan near Bedford. We’re still seeking a new voluntary trustee who could take on the role of treasurer. If interested, please get in touch (admin-uk@twftw.org) for further info.
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“To desire revival... and at the same time to neglect prayer and devotion is to wish one way and walk another” (A.W. Tozer)