Donor Stories
by Angela Nelson
Andy and Kate Ring moved their family to Ghana in 1979, setting out to translate the Bible into the Lelemi language for the Buem people. For more than fifteen years, they labored to translate the New Testament. More than once they faced difficulties that would have caused most people to quit—yet friends and family back home helped bolster their faith.
Each completed book of the New Testament became a cause for celebration—both for their support team and the Buem people. In 1996, they celebrated the dedication of the Lelemi New Testament.
At one time a forward-thinking visitor had commented to Andy, “Wouldn’t it be great if all ten languages in the Volta region of Ghana got God’s Word?” With the Lelemi translation complete and that challenge still in mind, Andy set out to pioneer Wycliffe’s first cluster project.
Cluster projects allow teams to translate multiple related languages simultaneously. Mother-tongue translators from each of the languages in the cluster contribute their language and cultural expertise, working in tandem with linguistic consultants to render accurate, relevant translations. Following this approach, the average New Testament can be completed in just over seven years—significantly less time than the traditional method requires.
By 2009, Andy’s team had completed four related-language New Testaments, and Andy has now become involved in another cluster project in West Africa. This time speakers of twelve different languages are working together toward the day when they will have the Scriptures in their languages.
Cluster projects like these can happen only with the financial gifts of God’s people. By setting up a charitable lead trust, you can help not only one, but multiple languages receive God’s Word at a quicker rate than ever before!
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