The bigger picture – Day 10

It is touching to attend the launch of a new Bible, especially if it is the first time the Bible is being translated. Translators, church leaders and the public usually attend the launch. Usually, these people are believers who have waited many years for the translation. Often, these launches are synonymous with singing, dancing, and a lot of praise and worship. It is the perfect opportunity to take very special pictures.

I met Moses Ndala in 2009 in Platfontein, near Kimberley. It was during the launch of the New Reader Scripture Selections in !Xuhn. Moses was very close to being 70 years old.

Moses was dressed very neatly, wearing a white hat. He sat on a step, reading aloud from the New Reader Scripture Selections Book B. For the first time, he could read about Jesus in his own language.

I moved closer to take the picture. The flash did not even disturb him. He was concentrating on what he was reading. As I moved closer to talk to him, he looked at me. “What I read here is true. Jesus is the Son of God,” he said.

Moses Ndala had to grow old before he could receive something from the Bible in his own language. He will probably not be receiving the whole Bible in his mother tongue very soon.

The bigger picture in which Moses Ndala finds himself, tells the sad tale of unsettlement and of having to find his feet in a strange new country. The smaller picture that I captured tells the tale of a believer who loves his language and the Bible.

It is truly inspiring to meet someone like this – someone who is not ashamed to talk about his love for the Bible, even if it is not in his own language. This should encourage us, as believers, to express the same love for our Bible.

May it be as the psalmist says, “I keep your teaching in my heart.” If we confess this, then let our lives reflect it.