Oh how I wish I had pictures for you. I went to a Wycliffe Associates banquet last night at the Hilton. Sounds posh, doesn’t it? Well, I certainly dressed up for it.

Wycliffe Associates, a partner organization of Wycliffe Bible Translators, hosts regular banquets to help raise awareness of and financial support for Bible translation. Last night a seasoned Wycliffe illustrator shared about the amazing transformation that he’s seen take place in lives of people who read the Bible in their language for first time. I was greatly encouraged by his sense of calling and nods of agreement that steadily emanated from the audience.

The speaker begun as we sipped our coffees and finished our slices of carrot cake. He reinforced the notion that we all have a part to play in God’s mission of redemption. His role is enlivening literacy materials and Bible stories with catching illustrations that draw the reader in and aid comprehension. He demonstrated his skills by freehanding two members of the audience while we all watched. One gentleman he drew asked if he had every been punched after the illustrator audaciously highlighted the “age lines” in the man’s face. Well, the illustration did turn out to be accurate. Sorry, man.

I saw some familiar faces in attendance and made acquaintance with new folks who share a similar passion for seeing the Bible translated into the remaining 2,000+ languages that still need it. I encourage you to check out the Wycliffe Associates web site to find a banquet near you and go hear about what God is doing through his word translated into peoples’ heart language. You’ll be encouraged. I know I was.