Report |
Japan Deaf Evangel Mission Year
End Report 2000
BIBLE TRANSLATION
In last year's report, I mentioned concern
that we had only produced three tapes. It hasn't gotten better-yet. This
year, though we translated and recorded 1 and 2 Thessalonians
separately, it was still only one tape. We marketed it this spring.
We had four projects in process this year:
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Work on 1 John continued off and on until September, when we
decided that after many tries, the translator just didn't have the
gifts needed for the job.
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Pastor Minamida, having done the translation work for the JESUS
video, is now working on translating Luke, but his heavy
responsibilities as a pastor have prevented him from giving the time
necessary for the project. Our latest strategy is to have him come to
the office and just "tell the stories" in natural sign
language while we record them on videotape. The translation team then
goes back and fills in the gaps, ending up with a much more naturally
signed translation. They have completed a first draft of chapters one
through four this way, with very good results
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Mayumi translated James, bringing it almost to the studio-ready
stage, and then turned it over to Pastor Matsumoto, who will be doing
the signing. We're planning to record in January.
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Our brightest ray of new hope is the Galatians team. During a
workshop a year and a half ago, Mr. Wakabayashi stood out as a good
signer, and expressed a desire to serve as a Bible translator. We
encouraged him to get together a team of people to work with him,
which he did. Pastor Minamida went for a training session last spring,
and started them off on the book of Galatians. The first results have
been very encouraging.
OTHER JAPAN DEAF EVANGEL MISSION ACTIVITIES
Some other highlight of the year include:
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A video of last years Sign Singing Workshop (October 9-10, 1999)
has sold 51 copies so far, indicating a high degree of interest.
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Rev. Watabe, the General Director of the Japan Bible Society,
joined the board of the Japan Deaf Evangel Mission at our board
meeting in May, and was quite enthusiastic in his show of support for
our translation project.
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We held a Sign Language Bible Translation Forum in Korea Aug. 7-11
in conjunction with the Asia Deaf Christian Fellowship conference. The
main focus was on helping the Korean Deaf to get started on a Bible
translation project.
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Sign Language classes for hearing people interested in Deaf
ministry continue to be popular, and help to promote the Bible
translation work as well.
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