Latin America is home to between seven and eight hundred indigenous languages. While some of these languages are in danger of disappearing as younger generations often leave their villages and choose not to continue speaking their ancestral tongue, hundreds of languages are still used daily. Yet only about 10% of them have a complete Bible translated into the native language.

You may ask, “Can’t they simply read the Bible in Spanish or Portuguese?” While that may be possible for some people, a deeper spiritual connection is usually reached when Scripture is read, or heard, in one’s first language. In that setting, God’s Word is often experienced with a clarity and emotion that is difficult to achieve in a second language.

I saw this firsthand when talking with a friend here in Lima, Peru. He grew up in the mountains and spoke Quechua at home until he moved to Lima after high school. He has lived in Lima for about thirty years now, speaking Spanish all of that time, and has become fluent in Spanish. I asked him if it was more meaningful to him to listen to preaching in Quechua or Spanish. He did not even hesitate before he responded, “Definitely in Quechua!”

Bibles International (BI) exists to see God’s Word translated into many tongues so that lives may be transformed by His Living Word. This mission has faced challenges in Latin America, primarily due to a shortage of trained personnel.

One major bottleneck has been the lack of trained consultants in the biblical languages of Greek and Hebrew. Every verse of a translation must be reviewed by a consultant to ensure accuracy with the original text. For many years, BI has had only two consultants available in the Spanish-speaking world, and one of them is now retired! That situation, however, is now changing.

Encouraging developments began in January 2024, when two Peruvian pastors and seminary teachers expressed interest in serving as consultants with BI. Since then, Glenn and John Jairo have studied specialized computer software for handling translated texts, continued their studies in Greek and Hebrew, and visited the Wampís translation project to observe training sessions and the consultant review process. They also participated in a weeklong linguistics workshop for the Wampís translators. In 2026, both men will begin full-time linguistics studies at a Peruvian university in Lima. Once their training and mentoring are completed by 2027, BI will be strengthened with two additional consultants for projects across the Americas.

Another highlight occurred in April 2024, when BI launched a new project in Peru’s northern jungle, near the Ecuadorian border. Work began with a revision of the Wampís New Testament, originally completed 50 years ago. José and Alejandro, the two men overseeing the translation, are now close to completing half of the New Testament revision. Although others involved in the project are not that far along, steady progress is being made. Plans for the Old Testament translation are expected to follow, Lord willing.

In October 2025, another long-delayed project was resumed in Venezuela. The Warao New Testament revision was dedicated in 2004, but since then, BI has faced many obstacles in continuing work on the Old Testament. Recent meetings were held in Brazil to provide translator training and guidance for committees tasked with reviewing drafts to ensure that the text is clear, accurate, and natural in Warao. A newly-trained consultant with BI will serve in this project, her first assignment in the Americas.

The Lord’s hand has also been seen in the establishment of BI’s fourth affiliate office, this one based in Lima, Peru. The office was created to oversee ongoing projects in Latin America and to plan for new ones. Five Peruvian pastors, previously unfamiliar with BI’s ministry, prayerfully agreed to serve on the board. They now express eagerness to attend a translation workshop and to witness firsthand how a translation impacts lives when people receive God’s Word in their mother tongue.

It has been remarkable to see national believers take increasing leadership in this work. Missionaries, once highly visible in these projects, have been less prominent as Peruvian pastors and Christians have stepped forward. BI now has two Peruvian consultants-in-training, five pastors serving on the new affiliate board, and even a young Peruvian linguistics student, who has assisted with Wampís workshops and linguistic training for the translators and the Read and Review Committee. Lord willing, she will continue developing her gifts for the advancement of Bible translation.

Across Latin America, and indeed around the world, the need for Bible translation continues. The work is extensive, but God is answering the prayers of His people. We invite you to pray specifically for the Wampís and Warao translation projects, the consultants in training, and the new affiliate office as it begins to operate. May the many tongues of Latin America receive the One, True Word!