Scott and Mary Crickmore poured 15 years of their lives into helping to translate the New Testament in the Maasina dialect. It was for the Fulani tribe in the West African nation of Mali.
After the initial draft, Mary visited nearby villages and read it to people. She sat in huts with a group of men or women listening to them discuss what they understood. That helped her to make sure the words they were using in the translation were accurate and clear.
Some people would think that the Crickmores’ sacrifice was too great—giving up their comfortable lifestyle, changing their diet to mush and rice, and living in less-than-ideal circumstances for those 15 years. But the Crickmores say it was “a fair trade,” because now the Fulani people have the Word of God in a language they can read.
The psalmist delighted in God’s Word. He stood in awe of it, rejoiced over it, loved it, and obeyed it (Ps. 119:161-168). He found great peace and hope in the Word.
The Fulani people are now able to discover the “great treasure” (v.162) of God’s Word. Would you agree with the Crickmores that any effort and sacrifice to get the Bible to others is “a fair trade”? — Anne Cetas
The Bible brings great hope and peace,
Beyond all earthly measure;
So we must share it with all those
Who don’t possess this treasure. —Sper
One measure of our love for God is what we’re willing to do to share His Word with others.