A Journey of Faith, Language, and Discovery: Reflections on Bible Translation
Philippines 2026
Before traveling to the Philippines and choosing the Wycliffe Philippines Internship Program for my internship, my understanding of Bible translation was quite abstract and limited. However, stepping onto the field and meeting more than ten distinct language communities—including the Bago, Sagada, Iwak, and Kulamanen—completely transformed my perspective.
Shelley (fourth from left) and Andy (fifth from left) receive a warm welcome from the Wycliffe translation team serving the Iwak community.
Observing the translation process firsthand, from team and community checks to consultant reviews and Oral Bible Translation (OBT) recording, opened my eyes to the vast scope and profound dedication required for this work. What began as an observational journey quickly became a deeply personal revelation: Bible translation is far more than an academic task—it is a vital bridge connecting faith, language, and culture.
First, in terms of faith, the Lord reveals Himself through Scripture, choosing human language as the medium through which His truth is communicated. To know God deeply, the language of Scripture is crucial. My own experience is a good example. English is my second language, and while I can comfortably read the Bible in English, developing an intimate relationship with Jesus through it requires more effort—especially during morning devotions and Scripture memorization. In contrast, reading Scripture in Chinese brings me a much deeper spiritual resonance. Having the Bible in one’s heart language is vital for any believer seeking to draw closer to God.
Furthermore, Bible translation plays a critical role in preserving endangered languages. I recently learned that there are at least eight endangered languages in Mindanao alone. As fewer people speak these languages and younger generations grow up without learning them, a translated Bible can become a living legacy. It provides valuable documentation that helps preserve the language, enables communities to recognize its inherent beauty, and encourages future generations to keep it alive.
An opportunity to be a blessing: Andy and Shelley pray with a woman from one of the language communities served by Wycliffe Philippines, sharing God’s love through prayer and compassion.
Finally, Bible translation honors culture and shapes identity. Through contextualization, Scripture is translated in ways that enable communities to understand God’s Word within their own cultural setting. For example, in 1 Corinthians 3:2, Paul speaks of feeding believers “milk, not solid food.” In some Chinese translations, “solid food” is rendered using terms such as “rice” or “grain” to reflect traditional dietary contexts while effectively conveying the core spiritual meaning.
I deeply resonate with the slogan on the SIL calendar: “Because people matter, their languages matter.” At its core, Bible translation is about seeing people as they truly are. By honoring their language and culture, we affirm their dignity and recognize each community as unique and precious in God’s eyes.
Unforgettable Field Experiences
During this trip, two experiences stood out as particularly unforgettable. In Tabuk, I learned about the ongoing ministry among the Bago people. A consultant facilitated a three-day workshop to help Mother Tongue Translators (MTTs) understand and structure their language linguistically, laying a solid foundation for future translation work.
The participants engaged enthusiastically, contributing local examples and collectively drafting nearly twenty pages of basic grammar notes. Watching them earnestly review the fruit of their labor—and seeing how deeply they cherished their mother tongue—moved us deeply. It reminded me that Bible translation is not just about preserving a language; it is about honoring a people and their heritage.
Additionally, although most of the Bago MTTs are elderly, their vitality is inspiring. Beyond their translation work, they remain actively involved in their churches and local communities. One translator, Uncle Romeo, shared that he had held no leadership roles in his church before becoming a translator. Since taking on this role, however, he has been invited to preach and lead prayers, using his gifts to serve fellow believers. Although he had previously been diagnosed with cancer, he shared that the joy of ministry had noticeably restored his health. Translation work has clearly renewed his sense of self-worth and purpose.
During our stay, we were also invited to attend a local wake, where Uncle Romeo offered words of comfort and the Bago translation team sang a hymn of praise. This experience showed me that Bible translation does far more than unite a community—it empowers individuals to become sources of blessing to those around them.
Another highlight was spending two days in a village with the Iwak people. During our visit, the translation team presented their progress to the community, beginning with popular worship songs translated into Iwak, such as “10,000 Reasons.” Hearing the villagers worship the Lord in their heart language with such joy was deeply touching.
The team then read three translated Scripture passages aloud and invited feedback. Community members asked thoughtful questions about word meanings and spelling, while the translators listened humbly and explained their choices. Seeing this vibrant dialogue made it clear that having Scripture in their mother tongue is not merely a project for the translation team—it is a shared vision for the entire village.
To wrap up our visit, the villagers performed a traditional dance and invited us to join them. Although we were far from skilled dancers, we shared in their joy and cherished every moment.
Looking Ahead
Looking back, this field exposure was as much an inward journey of personal transformation as it was an outward study of mission work. Entering unfamiliar environments pushed me well beyond my comfort zone, teaching me to adapt with flexibility, rely more deeply on the Holy Spirit, and humbly acknowledge my own physical and personal limits.
Most importantly, seeing how God moves through heart-language translation has fundamentally reshaped my worldview. Carrying these insights with me, I am stepping forward with a renewed heart, prayerfully seeking how God would have me participate in and serve the global mission of Bible translation.
Reflections by Shelley Law
Andy and Shelley Law, a married couple from two different Bible seminaries, were endorsed by Wycliffe Hong Kong to explore internship opportunities with Wycliffe Philippines. They spent nearly two months serving and learning alongside Wycliffe Philippines teams. Although their schools have different internship requirements, they share a deep passion for missions and a desire to seek God’s guidance as they discern His calling for their future.
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