A young fisherman uses old wooden goggles to hunt in the crystal clear waters of Atauro Island, East Timor. Colonized by Portugal for centuries, the fledgling nation of East Timor reclaimed Portuguese as one of its national languages after gaining independence from Indonesia in 2002. Unusual in Asia, 97% of East Timorese identify themselves as Roman Catholic, but many people continue to observe local traditions as well. This small island nation boasts 16 indigenous language communities, yet literacy rates are low in the national languages as the majority of people prefer to use their mother tongue. Over half a million people – 13 unique language communities – have no Scripture at all available in the language of their heart. They are like divers without goggles, unable to see the treasures before their eyes. Please pray for the ministries of Bible translation and vernacular literacy in East Timor.

Photo: UN Photo/Martine Perret | Words: Elyse Patten