Doug & Priscilla Higby

Vision

How can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? –Rom 10:14 This challenge from Paul is the motivation behind Wycliffe Bible Translators and their goal of providing access to the Word of God to people from every nation, tribe, people and language. This mission continues today and is far from complete, with an estimated 2078 languages with no access to God’s word and no work begun.

Doug and Priscilla were privileged to take part in translating the Fulfulde New Testament which was dedicated in Mali, West Africa in 2006. During that time they learned how to use computer technology to speed up the work of linguistics and translation. With the incredible pace of technology, much more is possible today than was back then. Language technology can help adapt a translation from one language into a related language with minimal effort. It can also help in checking the consistency and quality of a translation. When it is time to publish, it can facilitate the distribution of Scriptures through audio recordings or text on small devices, including cell phones. It is the Higbys’ vision to harness modern technology to accelerate Bible translation in the remaining languages.

Mission

Getting technology out to the mission field has proven to be difficult. As a result, there are Bible translation teams today who are still unaware of the technology that was created expressly for their needs as many as five years ago!

In response to this challenge, the Higbys have implemented a plan in Africa to get the tools and training into the hands of the language workers more quickly. It involves finding competent computer users in each country, then bringing them together each year and training them to introduce and support the new technology in their areas. This program to train trainers has grown in its success for the past five years, and has allowed technology to spread quickly in Africa, often making its debut in less than a year if its release!

Now Doug has been given the job of coordinating the use of language technology internationally in order to assure that the tools to speed up Bible translation are being used by language workers across the globe. Praise the Lord for this effective ministry, and pray that it continues to prosper “…that the Word of the Lord may speed on and triumph”—2 Thessalonians 3:1 RSV 

Thank You

We praise God for His work around the world and the privilege of serving Him. Thank you for your prayers, generosity and support for our ministry with Wycliffe Bible Translators in partnership with Christian Reformed World Missions. Together, by the grace of God, our efforts are transforming lives and communities in Burkina Faso. Thank you.

Contact Information

Website: http://higbyfamily.com/
Contact Us: http://higbyfamily.com/contact
Wycliffe Bible Translators: http://www.wycliffe.org/