Eschatology Translation

Since the time of the Tower of Babel, language barriers have impeded mankind’s cross-cultural communication.  As I child, I was fascinated with on-stage interpreters who understood the unintelligible-to-me speech of a foreigner and immediately transformed each phrase into comprehensible English.  “I want to do that one day!” was my aspiration.  But first I would have to learn at least one foreign language.

Thirty years later, here I am in Africa, fluent in the language of the field in which God has placed me.  I have found the challenge of oral interpretation to be every bit as fun as it seemed in my childhood, and those around me have noted my gifting in that area.  That’s why it was a natural choice for Bila to ask me to translate for three days of eschatology instruction in his Reformed seminary.

The professor was an American pastor coming to preach at our conference and staying several extra days to teach the seminary course.  The problem was that the conference usually leaves me absolutely exhausted, physically and emotionally.  Would I have the stamina for three full days of oral interpretation immediately following the event?  After prayer, consideration, and counsel, I decided to accept the challenge, and God’s grace enabled me to keep that commitment despite the food poisoning that weakened me through that time.

Sitting beside Pastor Joe that Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday, I translated his English instruction into our national language for the seminary students.  Six to ten were present at any given time, with others around the country watching the livestream in real time or the videos later.  I also translated their questions into English so Pastor Joe could respond.

Despite my best efforts at concentration, I caught myself making grammatical errors as the phrases poured out of my lips.  And some of the foreign words for describing and interpreting Daniel’s visions were difficult for me to recall on the spot.  I was grateful that Boniface, who is one of the students, assured me that my mistakes weren’t a distraction as the locals automatically overlook slip-ups of a non-native speaker.

During the breaks in translating, I ate the snacks Bila had kindly brought to help me maintain my anti-migraine regime.  I also responded to messages on my phone regarding work matters — which sometimes distracted me even when I tried to put them behind me to focus on translating the next session.  I learned and was edified from what Pastor Joe taught, though I didn’t agree with all of his eschatological affirmations that I  was nevertheless careful to faithfully translate.

Communicating across language barriers will continue to be a challenge for humanity, and particularly for those called to share His gospel in other lands, until Christ returns to make all things new.  Please pray that God will equip me to accurately deliver the message each time I am called upon to fill the demanding role of an interpreter.  Thank you for upholding me in prayer.