Scripture Distribution Bible Society Vietnam
Project 8825
Immediate Bible Engagement for the Ethnic Minorities in Vietnam is a project that has been developed by the Bible Society Vietnam (BSV) since 2022.
In Vietnam, up to 70% of Christian believers are from minority ethnic groups. Scripture engagement materials translated into these languages are rare, and most new believers struggle with reading and studying the Bible.
The project aims at fulfilling immediate Scripture engagement needs for various language communities through the development and distribution of Bible stories and Bible study guides, tailored to the linguistic and cultural contexts of each community.
Milestones achieved by the project over the years:
– In 2022 & 2023, BSV developed and distributed 1000 sets of IBE materials based on the book of Mark to five language communities.
– In 2024, BSV expanded to 5 other language groups: each group with 1000 sets of IBE materials based on the book of Luke.
The IBE materials serve as a bridge, not only enhancing literacy but also fostering spiritual growth and salvation for believers and non-believers.
In 2025, BSV continues to support four language communities with 1,000 sets of IBE materials based on the book of Matthew.
Partner with us
Our partnership target for 2025 is $11,111
If we receive extra funds, this will go towards the following year’s target.
South East Asia Church Based Literacy Project
Project 8818
‘I am so very happy … Now I can share my knowledge and help teach other children about Bunong literacy so that they can read the Bible and sing songs to worship God like I do.’ Mhat, Koh Nhek District
Most people in the Bunong communities in Mondilkiri, Cambodia, cannot read or write, even in their own language. This means their language is in danger of dying out, their cultural heritage could be lost, they have difficulty interacting with government authorities, vital health information is missed, they struggle commercially, and those who are Christians are unable to read Scripture and worship songs.
The Northeast Community Education and Development Organization (NCED) is committed to helping Bunong communities with this need, with funding help through Wycliffe Australia and Entrust Foundation. NCED runs literacy programs through 12 Bunong churches with participants of all ages – children, youth, adults and elderly people.
As a result of this funding partnership, Bunong teachers are being trained and equipped, and their capacity to teach others is being strengthened. Literacy materials such as hymn books, early reading books and Bible story books are being printed and distributed to individuals who attend the classes, and also for use in mobile libraries. Solar lighting systems have been installed in churches that hold literacy classes to facilitate evening meetings, and leaders are trained in using and maintaining these systems.
Mhat was a grade 9 student using the National language in school, but she was sad that she didn’t know how to read and write in her own Bunong language.
After attending literacy classes at her church, Mhat says, ‘I am so very happy because at this time I can already read and write my own language. … Now I can share my knowledge and help teach other children about Bunong literacy so that they can read the Bible and sing songs to worship God like I do.’
IT – System Support
We need a volunteer IT specialist to come for a month to help with the diverse IT needs of an organisation in Timor-Leste, especially with network systems.
Responsibilities:
- designing and configuring a computer network system
- setting up a cloud-based archive system
- installing and configuring computer systems, networks and printers
- responding to service issues and requests
- setting up accounts for new users
- possibly training a junior Timorese staff member
- continue volunteering remotely to help with issues and requests.
Qualifications:
Computer networking knowledge is required, which may be from a degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or Computing.
Language and Culture Training:
- four weeks’ language and culture training called Launch
- fluency in Tetun Dili, English, Bahasa Indonesia, or Portuguese
Orientation:
- orientation workshops, held at our National Centre in Kangaroo Ground, Victoria
- on-field cultural orientation
Scripture – Church Engagement Specialists
How has the Bible transformed your life? Would you like to help other people engage more deeply with God’s Word? We are looking for people to come alongside churches and communities in Dili, Timor Leste, to encourage people to use the Scripture and biblical resources available in their language. This could include helping them to increase their ability to read portions of vernacular Scripture, working alongside local church leaders, translators and staff members.
Responsibilities:
- discipleship
- workshops
- material production
- training
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree
- minimum of one year (or equivalent) at Bible college
Training:
- One year at SIL Australia
- English fluency of at least 5.0 IELTS
Orientation:
- orientation workshops, held at our National Centre in Kangaroo Ground, Victoria
- on-field cultural orientation
Bible Translation Advisers – Timor Leste
As a Bible translation adviser, you’ll work with a team of mother-tongue speakers based in Dili, Timor-Leste and other linguists to produce Scripture translations in a minority language (or cluster of languages) that are accurate, clear and speak to the heart of an entire people group.
Responsibilities:
- exegesis
- translation training
- support with drafting
- facilitation of community testing
- linguistic analysis, possibly including orthography revision
- project management
- liaising with stakeholders
- coordinating publication
- capacity development of the translation team and local institution to continue translation and assume responsibility for the future of their translation project
Training:
- theological degree
- four weeks’ language and culture training called Launch
- one year of training with SIL
- English fluency of at least 5.0 IELTS
Orientation:
- orientation workshops, held at our National Centre in Kangaroo Ground, Victoria
- on-field cultural orientation
Ambon Scripture Engagement Project
Project 8817
The Ambonese Malay New Testament has been published and was officially launched in September 2022! But publication is not the end of this story. God has brought together an enthusiastic team of local Scripture engagement workers to promote the new translation and help people to use it and apply it in their lives.
The Ambonese Scripture Engagement team is passionate about seeing God’s Word at work among the people of Maluku. The team is highly sought after for their training workshops that are designed to meet the needs of local churches. Topics include trauma healing, parenting, overcoming addiction, using local language in ministry, conflict resolution and more. At each workshop the team teaches, prays and leads worship in Ambonese Malay, enabling participants to experience the impact of God’s Word in their own language.
An important part of their work during 2024 will be running a series of workshops to introduce the newly published Ambonese Malay New Testament to churches and showing how it can be used in teaching and discipleship.
2023 Update
The completion of the Ambonese translation of the Jesus film was a highlight for 2023. The Scripture Engagement team had previously worked on the Ambonese translation of the script and, in this period, worked with other partners to audition voice actors and record the film audio. The movie is now released to the public and provides a free contemporary audio-visual way to interact with the story of Jesus in Ambonese Malay. LPMI (the local Indonesian branch of Campus Crusade for Christ) in Ambon have plans for screenings and outreach and follow-up in dozens of locations in 2024. The Scripture Engagement team has also made good progress on Old Testament translation, particularly exegetical reviews and community testing of the translation of Genesis, and drafting of selected Psalms. This translation will be an important addition to the New Testament when it is completed and published electronically.
Thank you for your prayers and support!
Partner with us
Budget target: AU$16,000 per year
Excess funds will go towards the following year’s target.
Bunong Old Testament Translation
Project 8327
The Bunong communities in Cambodia celebrated the completion and release of their New Testament in May 2016. As Christians noticed the big difference that reading the New Testament in Bunong made, they began discussing how they might also have an Old Testament.
When different groups met together they discovered many people were excited about the prospect of having the Old Testament in their own language. In a proposal to their larger church body, they requested help and outlined their commitment of time, energy, food and funds towards an OT translation. The church authorities passed on the request.
The desire by the local church to translate the whole Bible, along with their commitment of resources to help make it possible, excited the Australian team who will once again be contributing both resources and skills to assist the local team.
As a partner, Wycliffe is planning to make an annual contribution of $7,500 towards travel, accommodation and meals to help teams of Bunong translators gather together six times each year.
Partner with us
Our partnership target for 2023 & 2024 is $12,206
If we receive extra funds, this will go towards next year’s target.
Papuan Malay Distribution Team Support
Project 8525
Papuan Malay is the language of wider communication spoken by 2 million people in the Indonesian province of Papua. The Papuan Malay Bible translation team has a goal of distributing 1 million Scripture forms (books, social media hits, Jesus Film views on YouTube, Scripture app downloads, oral Bible stories etc) before completing the New Testament, so that people are aware of, already using and hungry for Scripture in Papuan Malay before the New Testament is available as a complete publication in 2028. For this to be achieved, a robust and wide-reaching distribution, church networking and Scripture engagement program is essential and a major focus at the current stage of the project.
The Papuan Malay Distribution team is comprised of five local team members and one facilitator from Wycliffe South Korea. They are working hard to run Sunday School and oral Bible storytelling workshops, supply stock for bookstores, church ministries and individuals, visit local churches to raise awareness about Papuan Malay, network with church leaders, do live-streaming and radio broadcast, recruit volunteer distributors, and network with people in other parts of the province. They are investing in building relationships and partnerships at the church denominational and local congregational level with the goal of increased local ownership and widespread use of Papuan Malay materials and the New Testament when it is published.
The project will cover wages for the five local Distribution Team members so that they can continue their vital work.
“The team in West Papua has been going from strength to strength in recent years, as more and more people use the growing Papuan Malay language, and ask for Scripture materials to be made available to them in the language. Wycliffe Australia has had members involved in this work for many years and we’re delighted to be supporting the team to keep growing. After consultation recently with the Papuan Malay Team, we will move to assisting them by targeting our funding directly towards the wages of the Distribution Team. This will ensure employment of the Distribution Team members so that they can distribute the Scripture materials that have recently been printed and recorded. It will also free up funds to be used to enable other activities to take place – such as printing more materials for the Distribution Team to distribute, and Scripture engagement activities to teach people how to use and understand the materials. As our support is changing slightly there will be a name change to “Papuan Malay Distribution Team Support” from April 2023. If you have any queries about this change in funding target please feel free to contact us at projects-admin@wycliffe.org.au . “
Partner with us
Our partnership target for 2024 is $19,315
If we receive extra funds, this will go towards next year’s target.
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