Bible Translation Celebration
18 Jul 2026“GTherefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Provinces and minority groups… Did you know that Cambodia has over 20 minority ethnic groups with their own languages and cultures? If you could not hear or read Jesus’s words in your mother tongue, do you think you would believe in Him? Jesus commanded us as His followers to teach people about Him and the love of God the Father. Some missionaries are working on Bible translation, promoting and encouraging writing of indigenous praise songs among these groups as the church grows. Some friends of ours in the northeast and in the middle of the country are among these missionaries, whom we have visited during motorbike prayer circle rides. Before we were married many years ago, Yong lived for 4 years in Mondolkiri and Wendy lived there for 6 months, so we both have memories and relationships with people from there.
In May, Yong was invited to join a 10 year celebration of the new testament Bible translation of Bunong language. This was held in Mondolkiri, a good 7 hour motorbike ride away from the capital and our home.
Praise God for the churches among these groups that are growing faster and for the minority group missionaries coming up from within who are seeking to plant and grow churches among other minority groups.
Thank God for the opportunities Yong has to help with website building and management for Bible translation partners who are working among minority ethnic groups in northeast Cambodia.
This is Yong… I also took part in the initial Bible translation celebration 10 years ago. Prior to that while I was living in Mondulkiri I got to know the SIL couple that was doing the translation there. Part of the reason I was asked to take over the deployment of the translated Bible onto the internet was that the translator, Didi, had been battling cancer for many years. This past week, Didi went to be with our Lord. It is sad for the community he left here but we know he’s in a better place now.
If you’re curious as to what Bunong sounds like, go to this link and click the play audio at the bottom of the page: bible.bvp-bunong.org.
Learning cohorts (from Wendy)… the small pilot project of a cultural learning group for cross-cultural workers here was interesting to co-facilitate. Working with co-facilitators who have also been serving in Cambodia several years, I really appreciated reading, discussing and thinking about the cultural factors here, including worldviews, values, beliefs, that impact how people respond to the saving good news of Jesus. I have now lived and worked in Cambodia for over 12 years. I want God to shape my understanding and give me wisdom to serve Him within the community He gives us. The course completed in April with some good reviews and feedback for future potential cohorts. Secondly, the spiritual formation group completed in May, with significant insights and celebrations for many of the participants involved, deepening in their love and knowledge of God and in their understanding of themselves and how they hear from God. How or where do you feel most aware of God’s presence? For me the beauty of creation points me to the Creator and His majesty, singing songs of praise and hymns softens me to His love and care, seeing new aspects of His character reflected in others teaches me how glorious God is and the beauty of God’s word shapes and corrects my thinking.
Brief updates about the hospital appointment system… We continue to work on the communications with patients. Now about 40-50% of our patients each day have appointments and we are improving our patient flow. Lately we have seen a lot of very sick patients and we have had more admissions into our inpatient care. Please pray for our communications with patients and that we can take all opportunities that God gives us to share the love of Jesus with them.
Thanksgiving and prayers:
- Praise God for the churches among these groups that are growing faster and for the minority group missionaries coming up from within who are seeking to plant and grow churches among other minority groups.
- Thank God for the opportunities Yong has to help with website building and management for Bible translation partners who are working among minority ethnic groups in northeast Cambodia.
- Praise God for all the many different ways God speaks with us and shapes our understanding.
- Please pray for our communications with patients and that we can take all opportunities that God gives us to share the love of Jesus with them.
- Praise the Lord that Wendy’s Dad’s house sale has completed!
- We continue to pray for provision for Cambodian refugees due to the war with Thailand at the start of the year.