Why are we doing this?

I suppose we don't talk about this very often... and why should we?  

We do talk a lot about Discovery trips and most of you know we spend summers in Africa with interns...or Discoverers as we call them. But the WHY sometimes gets lost a midst the details.

If Bible poverty is a new concept, maybe you can try this.  Count all the Bibles in your house, don't forget the ones on your computer and phone, the children's picture Bibles and even scriptures you have on your walls.  If you're anything like us, there are many and in many versions... and all in your mother tongue language, the language you best understand.  Now imagine not having access to even one verse in your heart language.  That is Bible poverty.
  

We've served with Wycliffe Bible Translators for just about 30 years and during that time, the number of bibleless peoples have decreased and the rate of people groups gaining access to scripture in their heart language is increasing dramatically.  Many new testaments and whole Bibles were completed in Ghana where we were personally involved.  But there are still almost 2000 languages which have not one word of scripture in their language yet.  That's over 200 million people living in poverty... Bible Poverty.  The map below shows where the needs are. 

Justice is a big deal!   
Proverbs 31:8-9 says "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy."

We are passionate about justice, and we think God is too... and we also think this generation of young people are too.  And that's why we are doing this!  We think this generation can eradicate Bible poverty!  And that is why Discovery exists... to recruit the Bible translators needed to do just that.  

I'm guessing that if you've read all the way to the end of this post... that you are just as passionate about this issue as we are.  You may already be involved, praying, giving or going... We say a BIG thank you to ALL OUR PARTNERS in this cause, because we certainly are not lone rangers. 

But just in case anyone is reading who isn't yet involved... here's where you can partner with us.  http://www.wycliffe.org/Partnership.aspx?mid=38EBB4 

What are your thoughts on Bible poverty?