In early September, we announced that two new translations of our Travel Guide to the Bible were in process. The translation task is the “biggest” we have done to date. While we have been working in translation for more than a decade (the “little book,” Simple Truths is now in 41 languages), we had never attempted a project of this size. The Travel Guide to the Bible is a book with 70 chapters and nearly ten-times the word count of Simple Truths.

We had been praying about when to start our first project for some time. Then in late August, because of the kindness and generosity of the people who make up our support team, we were able to send the book to our French translators.

The challenge in working on a translation from a book written in simple English is not necessarily accuracy. We wrote the book in a style that anticipated translation, so making the meaning clear is not the tricky part. What is challenging is assuring that the French translation is just as simple for French readers as the English translation is for English readers.

We are thankful to announce that the translators completed French version of the Travel Guide to the Bible on October 20. Even though the book has been reviewed by four translators already, our process requires additional field-testing before it can go to press. To continue this field-testing process, we have sent drafts of the book to readers in West Africa, Haiti, and France. There the books are being reviewed by the leaders of church networks and mission field-workers to assure that the message is: linguistically clear, theologically simple, and biblically faithful.

So, what is next? Even though the book has been reviewed by four translators already, our process requires additional field-testing before it can go to press. To continue this field-testing process, we have sent drafts of the book to readers in West Africa, Haiti, and France. There the books are being reviewed by the leaders of church networks and mission field-workers to assure that the message is: linguistically simple, theologically clear, and biblically faithful.

Here is a small sample from the Travel Guide to the Bible in French from chapter 2.

LA BIBLE C’EST LA PAROLE DE DIEU

INTRODUCTION   |   CHAPITRE 2

La Bible a plusieurs similitudes avec d’autres livres. Mais il y a une chose qui rend la Bible différente des autres livres. En effet, elle est unique en son genre. La bible c’est la parole de Dieu.

La bible c’est la parole de Dieu.

La Bible c’est la parole de Dieu, qu’est-ce que cela signifie? Cela voudrait dire que la Bible est une révélation* de Dieu. Nous disons que les paroles de la Bible nous viennent comme un message de Dieu Lui-même. Les paroles sont les moyens par lesquels Dieu nous montre des choses que nous ne pouvions pas savoir à moins qu’Il nous les montre.

Dieu a plusieurs façons de nous montré des choses Le concernant. Par exemple, Dieu a créé toutes choses. Lors qu’Il l’a fait, Il a laissé plusieurs signes dans Sa création* qui nous parlent de Lui. Quand nous jetons un regard sur Sa création, nous pouvons voir que Sa puissance est grande. Nous pouvons savoir qu’Il est très sage. Nous pouvons voir que Dieu aime l’ordre et la beauté. Nous pouvons connaître ces choses à propos de Dieu en regardant tout ce qu’Il a créé.