My name is Julia Isakova, and I want to tell you about the wonderful transformation that took place in my life. I was born in a Komi village in northern Russia. We are Komi people, not Russians. When I grew up I was surrounded by beautiful nature, but we had great difficulties in my home. As a child, I was always unhappy, and I wanted to run away from home and away from that old village. So, when I had finished school, I left my village. But the change of environment did not help at all. I began to understand that evil resides within me, and that’s why I was always unhappy. I wanted to be changed, transformed, but didn’t have the power to do it on my own.

Then, I came in contact with a few Christians. They were kind, and gave me a Russian Bible. “Read about God the Creator who loves you,” they said. I read and read and read, but the message of the text never touched my soul. But then I received “Vyl Kösjysjöm,” the New Testament in the Komi language. I am not able to express the gratefulness I experienced when I received that book. When I read what God says in my own Komi language, His words immediately find their way into my heart. In the Light of the Word, I saw my sin. But I also saw how much Jesus loves me. He died in my place and redeemed me through sacrificing His life on the cross. There is power in His Word. In the Word of God, I meet Jesus.

The New Testament in Komi is my guide and best friend. In it I find help and guidance when I meet up with various questions and situations in my life. Now I study the Bible with the help of a Russian correspondence course; such courses are not yet available in Komi. Often it is difficult to understand the Russian Bible translation, but since I now have the Komi New Testament I’m beginning to understand even the most difficult passages. Every day, I read the Komi New Testament and I meet Jesus in the Word. Indeed, I thank God that He knows my language! When He speaks to me in Komi, I understand Him! Now I wish the Old Testament was also available in Komi. But I recognize how much work it takes to translate it, and how difficult it is. I long for the day when I’ll be able to open and read the entire Bible in the Komi language.

I extend sincere thanks to all of you who participate in making The Word available in my Komi language, the language my people understand. You have experienced trials and difficulties, I’m sure, but I want you to remember that the Lord is with you. By giving us The Word, you are leading us to the eternal Spring of Life. I only wish that every Komi speaker would open this book and that through its message their eyes will be opened to see Jesus and the salvation God sent us through Him. Without Jesus, there is no life – only a dead-end street. I remember you in my prayers.

Julia Isakova
December, 2009

The Project of the Month

The translation of the Old Testament into Komi is in progress. First the Book of Psalms will be completed. When the peoples of Russia have tasted the Living Word of God in their mother tongue, the requests for more books are steadily increasing. Please support the Bible translation work with a gift to the monthly project! Click here to donate.