Missionary FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions --

Imagine having a very stressful day, full of anxiety about the future and burdens about past failures. You can feel the tightness gripping your shoulders.  You're emotionally, mentally, and physically spent. So you go to your Bible to find some solace, to let the words of God quiet your soul. But, upon opening your Bible, you find that it's empty. The pages are blank. This is reality for hundreds of millions of people.


Why are you doing this?

Well, if the above scenario wasn't reason enough, there are other reasons. But if we had to pick a singular statement that animates us, it would be Matthew 20:16: "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." We want those the world has put last, those who have been last to hear God's Word, to be put first. We want to see them experience what can happen when God's Word takes root and saturates a culture.  

So where are you going?

Not overseas... yet. We are currently in the USA, working in the department of International Media Services (IMS).

What does IMS do?

IMS seeks to answer a question: How do you get the Bible to people who don't have a written language, don't want a written language, or, even if they had a written language, wouldn't prefer to use it? The answer: Put the Bible in visual or auditory media that speaks to the hearts of the audience and is readily available. 


Media, really? 

Yes, really. IMS puts the Bible into media, which oral people groups can use wherever they are, in order to hear or see God's Word in their language. It's very powerful. Examples of this media include The Jesus Film or audio versions of the Bible or ethnic music recordings or storytelling drama recordings, to name a few.


What do you do for IMS?

In short, we help tell the stories of oral people groups hearing God's Story and cast the vision of what IMS is doing.

But... what about your health?

I guess the bottom line here is that God has called us both individually. My job is to be obedient, not question, doubt, or make excuses as to why I think I am not a good choice. Plus, fear is not my god.

Who pays you?

Our income is raised from friends, family, and churches who desire to partner with us in our ministry

When you say "partner", isn't that just sales lingo?

Great question. When partners give of themselves in prayer or financial support or moral support, they truly are partners or "fellow workers" (3 John 5-8). Furthermore, we really believe that partners like these are the ones deserving of the greater honor than the worker getting all the attention out in front (1 Cor. 12:23-24). What a beautiful principle Jesus established. 

How can I become a prayer partner?

Subscribing to our newsletter is the best way

How can I become a financial partner?

The greatest financial need we have is for recurring financial partnerships, be it monthly, quarterly, yearly, or however. The easiest way to give is online through our Ripe for Harvest webpage

What in the world is Bible translation?!

The Bible was written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Therefore unless you speak these languages, the Bible must be translated into your language in order for you to read it. Makes sense, right? **

Why not just have the people learn to read the Bible in English or another trade language? 

A woman from Asia once said reading the Bible in the trade language was like eating a banana with the peel still on. But it's also a matter of justice. Why does English or Spanish or Mandarin get to be the language with God's Word? Does God only speak the major languages? Renowned linguist Ken Pike has said, "Man's personal identity comes to fullness through expressing himself freely in his mother tongue. It is a burden ... to struggle with any other tongue. Should we deliberately force them to struggle to learn about Christ in our language simply because it is hard for us to learn their language? We are supposed to carry their burdens -- not make them carry ours. This was the mind of Christ."

Why not just use Google Translate?

To answer this question, a brief story will help. You see, Bible translation is not just a word-for-word process. Doing so can actually distort the meaning. Sometimes you need to change the words in order to retain the true meaning and message of Scripture. Bible translation involves analyzing the context of the language and its culture.

What is the impact of Bible translation?

Great question. Watch this video:


Desmond Tutu once said, "If you want to keep people subjugated, the last thing you place in their hands is a Bible. There's nothing more radical, nothing more revolutionary, nothing more subversive against injustice and oppression than the Bible."

I have a question

Please ask us! You can email us, aidan_dimartino@wycliffe.org // ricky_dimartino@wycliffe.org

** Taken from MaustsonToast