What does harvest time look like at Bibles International? BIBLES!

Harvest Time at Bibles International

"There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other is that heat comes from the furnace." These are the words of scientist, ecologist, conservationist, and influential figure Aldo Leopold (1887-1948). I like this quote. But as a forerunner to the modern environmental movement, Leopold’s writings are missing something essential – God. The Creator is the ultimate scientist and sustainer of the plant and animal kingdoms. He designed the principle of sowing and reaping. Ecclesiastes states there is “a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted” (3:2b). Times and seasons are appointed by the Designer.

The Creator employs the metaphor of sowing and reaping to describe the process of planting a seed (sowing) and harvesting or gathering what grows from that seed (reaping). Indeed, a good farmer is a craftsman of the highest order. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, told Timothy that the hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the fruit or crops (2 Timothy 2:6). The agricultural world vividly displays the process of sowing and reaping.

The Scriptures are saturated with agrarian terminology, metaphors, and lessons teaching us that sowing represents actions, and reaping represents the results of those actions. Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season, we shall reap if we faint not (lose heart).” Gathering a successful crop is arduous work. At Bibles International (BI), translation teams have been sowing and cultivating the seeds of translation work for decades. It has required wisdom, hard work, tenacity, and endurance. One has planted. Another has watered and cultivated. But it is God who gives the increase and reaps the harvest in due time.

IT IS HARVEST TIME!

Moved by compassion, our Lord told His disciples, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37b-38). BI laborers worldwide have been sent to sow and cultivate Bible translations. Translation teams have labored tirelessly, patiently, and faithfully for years. We are now at a time for reaping! BI is experiencing a great harvest like never before. Full Bibles and New Testaments (NTs) are being completed. In 2023-2024, we saw the completion of the Matu Chin NT (Myanmar, revision), the Zomi Bible (Myanmar), the Sango Bible (CAR; revision), and the Rhema* Bible (Asia). In 2025, we hope to see the dedications of the Sara Kaba Dem Bible (Chad), the Sara Madjingay Bible (Chad), the Falam Chin Bible (Myanmar, revision), and the Phyle* NT (South America). In 2026-2027, Lord willing, we will witness the dedication of the Sara Kaba Naa Bible (Chad), the Day Bible (Chad), the Dendi Bible (Benin), the Riza* NT (Asia), and the Teleo* NT (Asia). Praise God that it is harvest time at BI!

What does harvest time look like at BI? BIBLES! The Lord of the Harvest is placing God’s Word in the hands of those waiting. The Scriptures are being read, studied, listened to, and memorized. Souls are being saved, believers discipled, churches planted, and pastors equipped to shepherd their people. BI is encouraged to continue planting seeds, but Satan is threatened. Would you please pray for protection and global impact? Just as a farmer relies on fertile soil, tenacious labor, and unwearied patience for a bountiful harvest, so too, BI laborers must not grow weary in cultivating the translation of God’s Word in the mother tongues of people groups worldwide. Lord of the Harvest, bring forth the increase for your glory!