Each Growing in Christ poster provides the text of the Bible story, which is printed in English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, and Russian on the poster’s reverse side.
“So often in these faraway lands the people cannot read their own language, thus a picture is truly worth a thousand words,” says Deaconess Pamela Nielsen, senior editor of Sunday school, youth, and family materials at Concordia Publishing House. “Providing the story in their language so someone can read it to them is a priceless tool.”
The translators for this project are from around the world, but they have one thing in common, Nielsen says. All were eager to do the work, and they understand the potential of what they are doing. The translations were sent via email to CPH, where artists and editors ensured they were properly placed on the posters.
Spanish. Sandra Luiz is a high school English teacher who lives and works in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She and husband, Ricardo Gross, have four children and are active in helping handicapped children in Latin America.
French. Joseph Randriansolo is a resident of Ivory-Avaratra, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar. He is a professor of systematics at the Malagasy Lutheran Graduate School of Theology, an assistant pastor to The Malagasy Lutheran Church of Camp of Joy, and a lecturer at national religious events. He also works with poor rural street kids through the Good Samaritan Association in Fianarantsoa.
Russian. Olga Suhinina lives, works, and attends church in Novosibirsk, Russia. She is a translator at the Lutheran Theological Seminary and a charter member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. “Novosibirsk” means “a new city in Siberia,” Suhinina says. “It is only 110 years old.”
Chinese. Janice Lau is a travel consultant who works out of her home in San Francisco. She is a member of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit in San Francisco, where her husband is pastor.
Arabic. Hicham Chehab is a former Muslim now serving People of the Book Lutheran Outreach (POBLO), evangelizing to Muslims in Chicago. A native of Lebanon, he is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Roselle, Ill.
