For approximately 350 million people worldwide, the Bible is a book that only comes in someone else's language. National Bible Sunday this year is being marked on July 19, when Bible Society will highlight the importance of Bible translation.

Of the 6,909 languages spoken in the world, fewer than half have any portion of the Bible. There are 451 languages that have a full Bible, 13 more than last year, and 1,185 have a full New Testament. Translation is a long and very complex process and it won't be until about the 2070s that a project has at least begun in every language.

There were 71 new translation projects begun this year. In New Zealand, three translation projects are under way: the Tokelau Bible, the reformatted Maori Bible and the contemporary Maori Bible.

Bible Society has produced a range of resources to help Christians understand the translation process and why it is so important to Christian mission. A free DVD documentary featuring Kiwi Dr Stephen Pattemore helping the Urak Lawoi people in Thailand translate the Bible is available to all churches. It is a moving illustration of the efforts some Christians make to ensure their people have a Bible in their heart language.

You can watch it now on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/bsnz). The documentary is available in three lengths, 3, 5 and 10 minutes. The DVD also features a Kiwi-made music video to the Casting Crowns song The Word is Alive.

For more information on Bible Sunday and to order free resources, visit Bible Society's website: www.biblesociety.org.nz

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