I want Jesus to save me from my lostness
At the end of checking the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1–10), the team went back to the beginning of the passage. The leader asked, “What is the main teaching of this story?”
“He came to seek and to save the lost,” resounded from many in the room.
There was a brief silence.
Then Endy*, who often joined the team for their checks, spoke up.
“I want Jesus to save me from my lostness,” she clearly and vulnerably shared.
The team leader was taken aback. Wow, this woman had just spoken such powerful words of truth — a moving testimony of longing and hope in Christ. What made the moment even more profound was that Endy was still a follower of the majority religion. Yet here she was, encountering Jesus personally through Scripture made accessible in her own language — the very heart of the mission of illumiNations Asia.
An opportune moment presented itself for the leader to respond simply and truthfully: Jesus can indeed save us from our lostness. Encounters like this reflect why Bible translation matters so deeply, as shared across other Impact Stories — because understanding God’s Word clearly opens the door for genuine response.
“Each day I follow Jesus, I can see Him leading me into His light, into greater understanding of the truth, and out of my lostness,” she professed.
This moment echoed the very purpose behind translation work explained in How Bible Translation Works: when Scripture speaks the language of the heart, it no longer feels distant or abstract — it becomes personal, confronting, and life-giving. Stories like Endy’s stand alongside others such as God Calls and 25 Old Testament Stories, where access to Scripture leads to curiosity, conviction, and transformation.
Pray for Endy’s journey — and for the journeys of other Baker* people — as they continue stepping toward Christ’s light, guided by Scripture they can truly understand. Supporting this work through giving a verse or choosing to join the movement helps ensure more testimonies of hope like this are possible.
Globally, moments like these affirm what Bible translation partners such as the Wycliffe Global Alliance have long emphasized: when people hear God speak in their own language, hearts respond.
