James and Philip, Endo translation and literacy staff in Kenya, recently took a trip to visit local pastors and check on the status of literacy work. During their visit, they had the chance to attend a church service in the village of Liter. The church was small and simple. Most of the 20 members present were young, but there were also several women and some older men.

The visitors were warmly welcomed and asked to introduce themselves to the congregation. Speaking in the Endo-Marakwet language of the area, they spoke of the beauty of the mother tongue and explained that if the people themselves would help in the work, the translated Endo New Testament would soon be in their hands. Smiles and murmurs of approval were evident as they spoke.

After the service, many people wanted to find out more. As they gathered around James and Philip under the trees near the church, a woman in her fifties asked what books had been translated so far. James reached into his backpack and pulled out several published Scripture portions and some booklets concerning women's activities. Other women crowded around, excitedly taking the books out of his hands. Although they had never before read Endo and the script was different from what they were used to, they found they could read it. Standing beside James, an old man held a book close to his face, reading word by word from the gospel of Mark. He was transfixed by the message and refused to give up, despite the difficulty of the passage. He, too, had never before read Endo.

As James and Philip left Liter, they marveled at how keen and motivated these people had been. It gave them assurance that God is leading the Endo translation and literacy project and that the Endo people will soon be confidently reading God's Word for themselves in their own heart language.