www.nieamission.org-NIEA

Web Based Translation

Mon, 09 May 2011 09:41:45 CDT

    This past month, we welcomed on the Bihar ministry campus, 25 Angika speaking Church leaders representing ministry service in all of the 7 Angika speaking districts of Bihar (estimated population of speakers 15 million). The occasion was to discuss and share further about a new approach to Bible Translation using a “crowd” (large group of believers distributed geographically far from each other, but connected by the internet). You have it right, similar to Wikipedia or Facebook the aim is to identify and recruit a crowd of over 1000 Angika speakers to participate in a new and unique web-based Scripture translation project, which will then be compared to a similar translation project done by a 4 member team sitting in a regular office.

    Each verse of Scripture undergoes a 14-step translation process before being finalized for publication. But along this process there are back translations and help in testing from the target community which is needed to judge the quality and nature of the translated verse. The strength of the “crowd” or multiple inputs from more people towards a common purpose is supposed to exceed the limited work of a 4 member team. So let us see, as this project is prepared for official launch in July 2011 for an initial period of 4 months. If successful, it will carry with it incredible lessons for Bible Translation ministries to harness the power of technology and accelerate the remaining Scripture translation needs across the world! Surprising isn’t it, that something of such great significance is tested in the most insignificant place in India – the state of Bihar. J

    This week plans are being finalized for a Strategic Church planting mission among six language groups in this state. In recent months, the power of the Scripture being provided in the heart languages of the recipient communities have clearly shown great receptivity and significant impact on the ground, as both oral and literate communities respond to God’s Word. What a privilege we have at NIEA to serve all Churches and Missions in Bihar by providing them with Scripture tools in hitherto Bibleless languages for oral communities especially. Later this year the Gospel of Luke project will come to a completion, and the dubbing of the Jesus film in three languages will commence. Again, a tremendous opportunity for millions of people to recognize the love of God, as they hear and sense the God of the universe who loves them so much, that He comes to them within the boundaries of their linguistic and cultural understanding.

    NIEA is at this point talking with a major publishing company in the US about providing “The Story of Jesus” picture books in all languages needed for children in India. The initial project design includes 10 languages spoken by more than 700 million of India. The commitment to place God’s Word and His story into the hands of each child in India is outstanding. More about this in the next newsletter, but please do pray as plans and time-lines unfold this month.

    We are humbled and grateful to God for His grace and direction. The task before us is great – both in India and in South Asia. But his promise to us is, “Ask of Me, and I shall give you the nations for your inheritance; the ends of the earth for your possession.” (Ps 2:8)

Thank you for your partnership along this journey of transformation!

Yours in Christ,

Dr. Alexander Philip,

Transformation

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:15:24 CDT

April 5, 2011.

April 4 was one of NIEA’s finest moments in Bihar. Jesus said to “Go and Make Disciples of All nations” (Matthew 28:19,20) and this is exactly what we have been trying to accomplish through the ministry – with several transformational initiatives.

It was in the Fall of 2008 that the state of Bihar experienced her biggest flooding disaster ever. About 30 million people were affected. There was despair and hopelessness on several fronts. It was right then, that in partnership with the Seed Company Bible stories were being crafted in six heart languages of Bihar. These new stories were then shared in the heart language of the people who were in despair and who had lost everything. Though they were strangers to us, the stories from the Bible which came to them for the first time ever in their own language captured their hearts.

Within a matter of days, they had become good friends and they became part of the New India family at the NIEA Relief camp that was set up to care for about 500 people for the three month acute phase period.    As a result of this new found trust and friendship, the NIEA team was invited back to Madhepura in December of 2008, for an evening meeting. Again, the sharing of the Word of God in the heart language of Angika, the Jesus film in Hindi language – all found place in the hearts of 4000 people who had gathered. That evening 800 people responded to become followers of Christ and churches in five new places were started.

A year later, discipleship meetings and evangelistic crusades were continuing to be held.   Friends and pastors of NIEA continued to track the weather- beaten roads of rural Bihar of Madhepura and Supaul to find eager, enthused and committed followers of Christ. The listening devices containing stories in the heart languages of Bihar have been a strategic tool to explain, discuss and share with oral cultures. In September of 2010, over a four week period about 8800 people in 515 villages belonging to 68 mission and church groups used this device. The result was 1052 commitments to Christ and 250 baptisms.

Today in two districts, 100 new Angika speaking church plants have emerged. Absolutely new first generation Christian converts, Christ followers, have emerged. 42 of them were present at the NIEA Bible Center Graduation yesterday, to receive commendations as deacons and elders of these new church plants!    To God be the glory!

We believe that God is on a mission of transformation. We are living in a fallen, deformed world needing to be transformed. Individuals are being called to be conformed to the image of Christ. Transformation is a concept rooted in the New Covenant (John 4:14; Rom. 12:2,3, 2 Cor. 3:18, 5:17, 1 John 3:9). Transformation involves seeking positive change in the whole of human life, materially, socially and spiritually by recovering our true identity as human beings created in the image of God and discovering our true vocation as productive stewards, faithfully caring for our world and people.

Thank you for your partnership along this journey of transformation!

Yours in Christ,

Dr. Alexander Philip, Director

Leader Development

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 19:43:54 CDT

March 3, 2011

Last year at Cape Town’s Lausanne III, there was a clarion call issued based on St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesian Church, to consider “Humility, Integrity and Simplicity” as core values of life and witness for Christ. At the NIEA ministry too, we continue to learn and regard these as critical scriptural pillars which have protected and preserved the witness of the Church down through the ages. In spite of human frailty and in our brokenness, the Lord continues to strengthen and encourage us on a daily basis. Paul found strength as the Lord Jesus Christ reminded him that “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinth 12:9). May these words strengthen, comfort and bless you throughout the year ahead.

NIEA’s Hospital in Bihar is currently under construction. This approx 20,000 sq. ft. facility will provide medical services especially for the less fortunate and marginalized. To start with we are looking at a 50 bedded facility (during this Phase 1), and to gradually build it up to about 200 beds eventually. A little over half of the US $ 750,000 budget for this project is in hand and we request you to kindly pray for the timely completion and also commencement of medical services here. In this edition of our newsletter there is an exciting article about a new initiative focused on maternal and child health. PTL!

Last month about 60 graduates from NIEA’s Kerala Seminary graduated. A couple more dozen will graduate next month in Bihar, Wayanad, Chhattisgarh and other locations. We praise God for the opportunity to train and equip men and women of God for meaningful Christian ministry. In May later this year, all NIEA Bible School faculty will gather to learn from Dr. Malcolm Webber of Leadersource – a Biblical model of Leader development based on the Connexions model which he has put together. Gathered from about thirty years of study, hard work and experience – this model offers theological faculty and educators a fresh look into Jesus’ model of leader development based on 5 C’s – Calling, Commitment, Character, Community and Competence.

On another note, NIEA’s extended services to the nation through partnership projects at the Bihar state level, the Central Zone level (encompassing four states in Northern India) and also at the national level continues to build healthy partnerships towards the Vision 2025. With God’s help - we hope everyone of the remaining 110 Bibleless languages in India will have a translation project started and in progress. This of course will be significant in India’s mission history and a fulfillment towards Rev. 7:9 where nations from every language also gathered before the Throne of the Lamb of God! Our training center faculty and leaders are praying about their regular Bible training programs incorporating the elements of Oral Bible Story Consultancy Training from Northern Indian states in order to contribute towards the fulfillment of this national vision!

Thank you for your focused prayers, friendship and partnership in the Gospel!

Alexander Philip, Director