September 24, 2024
August was a significant month for the Bible cause in Colombia, where the Colombian Bible Society (CBS) celebrated vital milestones, including its 50th anniversary. This celebration showcased God’s faithfulness in the country and included the dedication of the first Bible in an indigenous language, Wayuunaiki, with two special events. The first was held on August 9th in Riohacha, where 600 attendees thanked God for the Bible. The second took place on August 10th in Uribia, La Guajira, the indigenous capital of Colombia, attended by nearly 2,000 people. This major event highlights the progress and impact of years of work to bring God’s Word to more people.
“The Bible for All” is a well-known motto within the Bible Societies’ Fellowship, but more than that, it is a mission that transcends linguistic, cultural, and geographic barriers. The shared goal is that every person, regardless of origin, can access the Scriptures in their language. This collective effort promotes unity by spreading the Bible’s transformative message to communities worldwide in the language that speaks to their hearts.
“How wonderful it is to see a messenger coming across the mountains, bringing good news, the news of peace! He announces victory and says to Zion, “Your God is king!”
Isaiah 52:7 (GNT)
A People of Sand, Sun, and Wind
Over the years, Colombia has expanded access to and availability of the Bible. The country boasts great linguistic diversity, with over 68 recognized Indigenous languages, including Wayuunaiki, spoken by the Wayuu people. In Colombia alone, the Wayuu make up 19.42% of the Indigenous population, equivalent to over 380,000 people, making them the largest Indigenous group in the country. This community also resides in northeastern Venezuela.
For the Colombian Bible Society (CBS), collaboration with the community and the church was vital for the project’s early development. The translation project began in 2011, with strong support from Wayuu leaders. Responding to the community’s request, the CBS translated the first complete Bible into an indigenous language in Colombia. They formed a team of native translators and consultants to ensure that the Wayuu could access God’s Word in their heart language.
The project was completed this year thanks to years of hard work and donations. Translators included Bautista Fince, Ricaurte Uriana, Ramón Uriana, Petronila Tiller, Fidel Epieyu, Jandy Rodríguez, and Abraham Epieyu, along with CBS Bible Consultants Alexander Gómez and Angie Suárez, IT Coordinator Heimar Grimaldo, Translation Consultant Cosme Vivas, and CBS Translation Director Sergio Ramírez. The Wayuu people, often called “the people of sand, sun, and wind,” are known for their connection to the desert landscapes and the warmth of their community, and the much-anticipated Bible Dedication Day brought together over 2,000 people in Uribia, La Guajira, 1,058 km from Bogotá. It was a day of celebration for both the Wayuu community and the CBS, who were also joined by local authorities, religious leaders, national media, and representatives from regional Bible Societies and United Bible Societies (UBS), including Rev. Dirk Gevers, UBS General Secretary, and Adrian White, UBS Director of Operations and ISP Executive Director.
A Historic Event in Uribia
At 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 10th, the San José Coliseum, where the dedication took place, welcomed attendees to witness a historic moment. Sara Usuga, CBS Communications Analyst, and Jandy Rodríguez, a Wayuu translator, hosted the event. Diana Leal, CBS Executive Director, opened the event with a warm welcome:
“Today is a day of great joy for the Colombian Bible Society as we arrive in this beautiful land of Uribia and have the opportunity to present the first complete Bible for the country’s largest indigenous community. This moment fills our hearts with joy, knowing that God speaks Wayuunaiki, too, and that He is bringing His message to the entire community here in La Guajira… We hope to contribute 20,000 units, but the Wayuu community is vast, so the challenge is great in providing materials to support the understanding of the Bible’s message.”
The event continued with the Guajira Metropolitan Choir, who uniquely performed the Colombian national anthem— in Wayuunaiki. Following this, Bible Consultant Pastor Cosme Vivas shared:
“The Wayuunaiki language is not inferior to any major language because God speaks Wayuunaiki too. He loves the Wayuu people and wants them to hear Him in their language.” He expressed gratitude to local and international donors who supported the translation project. He acknowledged the collaboration of UBS Bible Consultants Esteban Voth and Marlon Winedt, who assisted and encouraged the team, emphasizing that “unity was key in this process.”
A Legacy of Faith and the Bible’s Impact on the Wayuu Community
The Bible dedication ceremony was a deeply emotional and symbolic event. This work not only preserves the language but also has the potential to transform lives and strengthen family relationships within the community.
Sergio Ramírez, CBS Translation Director, shared: “The translators played a fundamental role in this effort, dedicating time and energy to ensure a faithful translation. Their work is a vital legacy for the Wayuu community. This Bible is the color of the earth because the Wayuu people believe that God’s Word will heal this land, and it is golden like a treasure we will hold in our hearts.”
Rev. Dirk Gevers, UBS General Secretary, also shared a message, reflecting on 2 Corinthians 9:12-15, which speaks of generosity:
“For this service you perform not only meets the needs of God’s people, but also produces an outpouring of gratitude to God… (2 Corinthians 9:12-15).” He continued: “Our generosity has made this possible— the generosity of churches, the Colombian Bible Society, donors, translators, partners, but above all, the generosity of our God. The Wayuu people have received the gift of this Bible, dear brothers and sisters, and this is the beginning, not the end.”
With these words, Rev. Gevers encouraged attendees to share the Bible’s message in Wayuunaiki with every person in the community. Marco Martínez, UBS Latin America & Caribbean Relations Manager, translated his message into Spanish, and Jandy Rodríguez, a Wayuu translator, translated it into Wayuunaiky. This collaboration brought the UBS General Secretary’s message to the dedication attendees as they prepared to receive their first Bible in the language of their hearts.
The moments of thanksgiving continued with speeches from religious leaders of faith communities in the region, including Pastor Hemerry Medina, representing the National Missions of the United Pentecostal Church of Colombia, and Jeinny Reales, Coordinator of Religious Affairs of La Guajira. Both representing religious and civil authorities, they highlighted the collaboration between different sectors for the good of the community.
The spirit of support and unity within the Bible Society Fellowship was further reflected during the recognition of Saúl Sosa, Executive Director of the Bible Society of Guatemala, and Francisco Viguera, General Secretary of the Chilean Bible Society, who presented awards to the Colombian Bible Society for its biblical mission and service to the region on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
The team of translators also had the opportunity to express their joy at this work, which they have developed with great effort over the years. It has not been easy, but we have achieved the long-awaited goal of having us, the Wayuu, in our mother tongue,” said Ramón Uriana, Bible translator. The translators also expressed how the work represented a great commitment and responsibility to the community, and thanked the pastors and leaders who supported the project.
The Challenge and Hope of Distributing Bibles to the Wayuu Community
Finally, the moment arrived. Boxes of Bibles were opened and distributed to families at the dedication— a total of 2,016 Bibles bearing the title “Nünüiki Maleiwa,” meaning “God’s Word.” The phrase moved many to tears, both within the Wayuu community and among the guests, all deeply touched by the historic moment. The dedication took place on a Saturday, and by the next day, many Wayuu churches were using the complete Bible in their language for the first time. Pastor José Agustín, who joyfully received his Bible, could preach the Word of God from it during his congregation’s next service.
The dedication of the first Bible in Wayuunaiki symbolizes hope, unity, and a renewed commitment to the Wayuu culture. This translation is a legacy for present and future generations, a vital tool for education and spirituality, and an expression of God’s love for the Wayuu people. As the Bibles are distributed, the Wayuu community is strengthened in their faith and cultural identity, celebrating the transformative power of God’s Word in their language.
