Every Tribe and Tongue: Translating Testimonies

In an effort to share the love and hope of Jesus Christ, our teams with Samaritan’s Purse travel all around the world reaching every tribe and tongue, but our work would be nearly impossible without the help of translators in each country who devote their time to helping us work in various contexts to tell the stories of God’s work in people’s lives.

Elise is a translator and Cambodia native who recently worked with our Operation Christmas Child team. She shares about joining the trip unsure of what to expect but open to however God may use her. And during those days, He moved mightily, using her voice to convey the spiritual awakening happening all across Cambodia.

“I think it really opened my eyes to see Cambodia and recognize that there are needs and there are people that are ready and the harvest is there, but are we ready? Am I ready to be that harvester, to step out in faith and be willing to be courageous and bold?” – Elise

Kristy hears multiple stories of how the Gospel has changed lives in Cambodia, all told by Elise as she takes us into the hearts of a people desperate for the hope of Christ.

Through this episode we learn that translating goes beyond rendering speech word-for-word across languages. Rather, it’s a skill that carries ideas and messages across cultural and linguistic barriers to deliver the core of what people are trying to convey. The amazing thing about being brothers and sisters in Christ is that words aren’t always necessary to understand someone’s heart for the Lord.

“I'm just blessed and I think it really challenged my own faith and just how I live my life and how I'm doing ministry. I feel like I gained a new perspective and a whole new love for my own country, honestly.” – Elise

We also hear from a member of the National Leadership Team in Cambodia who was delivered by Christ from a broken past and now carries a burden for discipling the next generation. Kristy reminds us of Psalm 78:4 which says, “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord.”

“Maybe I cannot change the whole Cambodia, but I said to the Lord, ‘Can I be the one that plants your seed in people's lives, so then they can carry your seed to other people.’” – Cambodia National Leadership Team member

Please pray for Gospel opportunities for Elise as she continues to work in Cambodia. Pray for our teams with Operation Christmas Child who work year-round to carry the Good News of Jesus Christ to the ends of the Earth. If you’d like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground, please visit SamaritansPurse.org.