What language do you think people in these countries speak at home?
Mandarin? Mongolian? Minnan?
For more than 1.46 billion people in the countries in this region, is 普通话, монгол хэл or 閩南語 their formative language used to process their deepest thoughts and emotions? This foundational question lies at the heart of the mission of illumiNations Asia, and is explored through many shared Impact Stories and foundational reflections throughout Week 1 devotionals.
Most likely not. Language is deeply personal — it is your identity, your earliest memories, your first words shared with your loved ones. It is the language in which your heart truly speaks, a reality often highlighted through faith and inspiration stories and woven into initiatives such as Pentecost 2025.
Imagine how hard it must be for millions of them who do not have the Bible in a language they understand best, a challenge reflected in communities featured in Impact Stories from Indonesia and other parts of the region. Without Scripture in their heart language, faith can feel distant — words heard but not fully understood, truths sensed but not grasped.
Mapping this multilingual reality across East Asia reveals a staggering mosaic of languages, cultures, and identities. It also reveals why those who join the movement and support access through giving initiatives play a critical role in bridging linguistic gaps and restoring spiritual clarity, aligning with global Scripture-access efforts championed by organizations such as the Wycliffe Global Alliance.
To map languages is to map lives. To bring Scripture into these languages is to affirm identity, dignity, and belonging. As we begin this journey across East Asia, let us remember that every verse translated brings God’s Word one step closer to the hearts it was always meant to reach.