Pressing toward the Mark

In April 2005, Tenek-speaker Fernando Angeles and his wife, Christy, approached Bibles International with a request for help in translating the New Testament into the Tenek language, a language spoken by Tenek Indians in Mexico in the state of San Luis Potosi. Some of the preliminary work, such as alphabet and orthography issues, had already been established by the government, but there was a need for Scripture that was true to the Word of God.

After prayer and consideration, the Tenek New Testament project was adopted by BI in May 2006. Soon afterward, Fernando and Christy came to Grand Rapids for Bibles International’s translation training. Once they arrived back in Mexico, work began in earnest. They began pressing toward the mark of a Tenek New Testament which would be true to the original Greek.

In the years since then, they have continued pressing toward that mark, sometimes holding the Tenek workshops in Mexico, sometimes being hosted by friends and family in the United States. Consultants Ross and Cathy Hodsdon have often hosted workshops near their home in Maine. On other occasions, Christy’s parents have hosted the workshop in Hawaii, where Christy’s father pastors their sending church. And on still other occasions, they have met through the technology of Skype. No matter the location or the technology involved, Fernando and Christy continue moving forward toward the day when the New Testament will be completed.

In a recent workshop in Maine, they were able to finish checking the book of Acts and 1 Corinthians 1:7-20. But in this workshop, they encountered a problem. The words for holy, Spirit, and love are lacking in the Tenek language. Fernando and Christy have returned to Mexico, where they will continue to work on finding a word or words that adequately convey the concept of these three words, as well as others they may encounter that present challenges. Meeting with their Read and Review Committee is helpful at a time like this, giving them additional information on words that might be used.