Sinai for Sena / Testaments & Testimonies
The Turning Tide! At the recent leadership conference in South Africa one of the speakers told us that, due to our continued growth, we should get prepared for a tsunami of Bible dedications and launches! In the June edition of this newsletter I reported on the Lambya full Bible launch in northern Malawi, and for this edition I’m focussing on the launch of three New Testaments in SE Asia. Next month, three more NT’s are being dedicated in Tanzania; Uganda have recently completed the drafting of 10 NT’s, and the three Roma NT's in Serbia/Croatia are also nearly there! Granted, not quite a tsunami, but the tide is beginning to rise as projects near completion! On the New Testament front TWFTW has now completed translating 76 New Testaments and has been instrumental in the completion of another 22, bringing our NT count to 98. To add a bit of clarity, the term ‘instrumental in’ is defined as, “playing a significant role in at least two of the following key areas: training, quality assurance, funding, management and publication”. And so, with 98 completed NT’s, we rejoice that we are very close to exceeding the three-figure mark, and look forward to the tide continuing to rise!
Testaments & Testimonies:
To say that the latest New Testament launch took place in a SE Asian country in chaos would be an understatement! It is a huge credit to the three teams that they were able to translate the three NT’s in 5-6 years, despite the turmoil that surrounds them...and still does. I am unable to share faces and names, but am thankful to God for these faithful translators, and am in awe of their perseverance. Along with Barry & Julia Funnell, a couple of TWFTW supporters were also able to attend the launch and were also able to see a consultant-checking process in action. You will find below a series of testimonies from a number of translators who were at the launch, and a selection of comments from our visiting supporters.
Translator: “We worked in times of instability, pandemic, political unrest, health crises, and trials. Yet in those moments, we saw the hand of the Lord guiding us. His presence strengthened our small team when we felt weak. We witnessed how God made a way when there seemed to be none. The completion of these translations are the result of faith, resilience, and God’s sustaining grace”.
“Another result of the Bible translation effort has been a shift in perspective among the D believers. Most D Christians had only ever seen and read the Bible translated into their national language. Seeing and reading the Bible now translated into the D language for the first time, many were astonished. It changed their whole perspective. This transformation in outlook has filled us with indescribable joy and hope. When this happens, people begin to experience a personal connection with God — that He is not just a distant God, but the God of the D people as well. This growing awareness will lead to a deeper experience of God’s love and mercy, and hearts will be transformed”.
Dr Barry Funnell at the launch of the 3 New Testaments in SE Asia
Supporter: “Our time in this country was short, but focused and intentional, and hugely beneficial on so many fronts. The dedication ceremony was beautiful; very calm, measured, and understated, compared to the average African ceremony…..though equally beautiful. It was also different from other ceremonies because the event happened away from the people that the NT’s are intended for - but that was necessary. It was also great to observe the translation process in practice. We were able to witness 10 verses completed; fascinating verses involving thumbs and big toes being removed, high places, foothills and the Negev…..and much more!
We were hopefully able to encourage the team, and share some of our impressions of what the Lord had laid on our hearts, and spent time praying for them. One can never underestimate the power of being there in person; it has an outsized impact in terms of encouraging the team on the ground, and them knowing they are ‘seen’ by the Lord. They are an impressive team, and it was just so good to have time to fellowship with them and learn from them.
At no point did we feel unsafe, or watched, or even that noticed, despite the fact we were frequently the only westerners in restaurants, or in the hotel where we all stayed; life seemed to just be continuing as ‘normal’, but the time with the team as they shared their stories and testimonies of the past few years told an entirely different story. Pandemics, military coups, travel restrictions, wars, earthquakes, and a crippling rise in costs are all very real and present. It is a marvel and a sign of the Lord’s goodness, and the faithfulness of his people that the projects have continued, and that the new testaments have been launched, and that other translations are ongoing”.
'Sinai for Sena': Sponsored climb of Mt Sinai & Mt Catherine
Back in April I had the privilege of attending the Lambya Bible launch in northern Malawi. Whilst there I was able to meet with a group of pastors from the south of Malawi who are from the Sena tribe. The Sena Bible was published in 2006, having been translated by three TWFTW Sena translators over a ten-year period, with consulting help from TWFTW stalwarts Barry & Julia Funnell back in the 1990’s. Twenty years after publication, and the Sena church is still growing - but they’ve run out of their stock of Bibles and are pleading for more! Following our return to the UK we were sent many letters containing lots of signatures from pastors, requesting our help to produce more Bibles.
Barry with the three Sena translators (Paul, John & Maxwell) at the launch of the Sena Bible in 2006 (MC Pastor Rodgers Alufazema).
Malawi is one of the worlds least developed countries with a very hot & humid climate, especially in the south. They continue to face a number of challenges; ongoing poverty, a lack of access to good education and healthcare, as well as frequent flooding from the Shire River in the south, where the Sena people live. Back in 2023 Cyclone Freddie caused a lot of damage, destroying roads, buildings and crops, including a store-room where Sena Bibles were being stored; 2000 copies were ruined. So – we’ve decided to help.
What’s the plan? The total cost of printing 10,000 Sena Bibles comes to £48,000 (£4.80 per Bible). With half of that cost already covered, I am seeking to raise as much as possible to help cover the balance of £24,000! During a short visit to the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt (7-12 Nov) I’m planning to get to the top of Mt Sinai (7496ft) and Mt Catherine (8668ft), which will involve 20 miles during a two-day trek, and a night under the stars! The particular route I’ll be taking is not technically difficult, so I won’t be in need of ropes and harnesses - just a good set of boots and some manna & quail to keep me nourished! I’m looking forward to the challenge, and to being in the land of the Exodus, which is a ‘book’ I’ll certainly be pondering as I puff & pant my way up these barren mountains!
Exodus 34:32 tells us that “all the Israelites came near to Moses, and he gave them the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai”. As Moses went up and down Mount Sinai (5-7 times!) to bring God’s law to the Israelites, I’m planning to ‘go up and down’ the mountain to help bring more copies of God’s ‘law’ to the Sena people of Malawi. For more details – please head to our website, where you’ll find out ways in which you can donate to the project. Anything that you’re able to contribute would be very much appreciated.
Over the next few months, leading up to the Sinai climb, there will be regular updates on our Facebook & Instagram pages - so if you'd like to be kept in the loop, please 'follow' - click on the buttons on header page.
Website Page with details of different way's to donate: https://www.twftw.org.uk/sinai-for-sena
Thanks for Praying! Last month there was an urgent prayer request for one of the finance managers in a SE Asian country. A reminder: “Last night, local authorities entered his home, confiscated their family registration documents and national ID card, and placed the household under close scrutiny. This is a deeply distressing time for him and his family. Please pray for God’s protection over him and his family; for wisdom and peace in the face of fear and uncertainty, and for divine intervention for justice, mercy, and peace in this country”. Praise God that his documents have now been returned, and that he’s been exempted from ‘forced conscription’ thanks to the ‘local council helping out’; a wonderful answer to prayer!
Out & About Diary Dates:
31 Aug: Atworth Chapel, Wiltshire (am)
7 Sept: Hesket Newmarket EC (am) Castle Sowerby Ch (pm), Cumbria
11 Sept: TWFTW UK Board Meeting in Bedford
15–24: Bible teaching on Oak Hall trip to Greece (Athens & Corinth)
26-27: Bible teaching at CBC Men’s Weekend away, Crickhowell
3-10 Oct: Annual Leave – Holiday
17-19 Oct: illumiNations Gathering in Surrey
Praise & Prayer Points:
SE Asia: Praise God that Barry & Julia enjoyed a safe and hassle-free trip to witness the launch of the 3 New Testaments in a SE Asian country. We also thank the Lord for the translators who have worked tirelessly on these three projects amidst very uncertain and unstable conditions.
Malawi: Please pray that all aspects of the ‘Sinai for Sena’ arrangements go well, and that we’re able to raise what is needed to provide 10,000 Bibles to the Sena churches of Malawi.
Uganda: TWFTW teams have recently completed the drafting of 10 New Testament’s!! Please pray with the team as they move into the next stages of the process; that publication and distribution for these NT's will be able to take place in 2027.
Papua New Guinea: Please pray for our teams here. All of the projects in this region are facing quite a few challenges.
UK: An ongoing prayer: that in every preaching appointment I have, that I would preach God’s Word faithfully, clearly and correctly; that people would be encouraged into their Bible’s, and get a clearer vision of the importance of heart-language translation.