Orang Seletar, also known as The People of the Sea, are aptly named. Their lives have always been closely tied to the sea. They once lived in houseboats, harvesting the sea’s resources for their livelihood. Although many have since moved onto land, they still consider the seashore their true home.
Wycliffe Malaysia began the Jesus Film project for the Orang Seletar in late February this year, and it was completed six months later in August. When we initially proposed the project, the people did not shout, “Hurray! Now we can have the Jesus Film in our language”. On the contrary, it was challenging to convince the churches to agree to this project.
The pastor we first approached, Pastor V, was apprehensive. She said, “Yes, we can do it, but I have only one question: Is this film from the Bible?” However, when we began working with the Orang Seletar in her village and she observed the translation process, she came to see that indeed, the life of Jesus is faithfully told through the Jesus Film. Looking back at the translation process, I can only acknowledge God’s timely providence in every step of this journey from beginning to end.
As we mingled with the community and shared about the project in other villages, people gradually became interested.
Another village pastor, Pastor C, introduced us to one of the villagers named Acuk who was willing to help with the project. Acuk later shared, “I was asked to help with the consultant checking and recording. I thought it would be easy since it’s in my own language. But I soon realised translation is difficult. We have to make sure it’s both accurate and understandable for our people.” This reminds us about how important it is for native speakers and local churches to be involved in translation projects like this. Languages should not be taken for granted: even though languages can be translated from one to another, it still needs to be natural and functional for the community to accept and understand it. We are thankful to God for providing us with Acuk and other Mother-Tongue Translators to help translate the film properly into their own language.
On another occasion, I remember struggling to find mattresses to soundproof our recording ‘studio’. We spread the word among believers and even posted our need for mattresses on social media. Then, someone connected us with a person working at a retreat centre. To our surprise, he said, “Yes, we have mattresses though some are quite old. We’re giving them away.” We praised God for His provision of the mattresses and for the transport of the mattresses to the recording site.
Even through the testimonies of the villagers, we truly saw how God provided everything we needed at just the right time.
I don’t have much education. Why do you ask me to be involved? But you said I could help with the recording, and I’m glad I did. It’s good that this film is in my language. Many in my community will now understand who Jesus is more clearly.
Pak T
I’m happy that we could unite and work together to make this Jesus Film a success. We can use it to bring others to Christ, not only in this generation, but for
generations to come.
Acuk
Lord, help us to spread this film so that many will come to know You. Help us use it to reach our community: the children, youth, and adults, both inside and outside the church. May this film guide our people to know You better.
Amen.
A Prayer by CK
the recording ‘studio’ of the Jesus Film.