An Insider's Perspective from a Bible Translation Team In 1959 the Bob and Mariel Ward answered the Lord's "call" to missionary service.
They joined Wycliffe Bible Translators.
After completing the intensive training requirements of Wycliffe's Summer Institute of Linguistics the Wards boarded an American Mail Line Freighter, destination Philippine Islands.
"Penetrating the Stronghold of Islam" is the amazing story is their story.
Mariel Ward relates gripping stories of their forty-five year ministry among the Muslim people on the Island of Mindanao, one of the Philippine Islands.
They faced the unique challenge of translating the bible into the native language of any people group is difficult under the best of conditions.
The Wards met with a major barrier; their people group the Maranao, were Muslims.
An additional challenge was the fact that the Wards lives and the lives of their language assistants were threatened.
They were and a risk and faced danger.
Their story is filled with non stop exciting activity and reads like a fast moving exciting adventure novel, which includes kidnapping, murder, and intrigue.
You may even consider their testimony as an extension of the New Testament book of the Acts.
God's protection, provision, and guidance are shown as miraculous in timing and results.
Mariel, gifted as a communicator and a natural story teller, writes with integrity and objectivity, which helped me as a reader understand the significance of the events, the people, and the places included in her story.
The result of their ministry is being continued today through the lives of former Muslims who have become followers of Christ.
These new disciples of Jesus are now reaching in their own world with the message of the gospel.
Creation House, 978-1599794860 As reviewed for Midwest Book Review