The Ndamba people live on ancestral land on the plains of a large river. Many rely on the river and rains to grow food for their family and provide a little income. They trace their ancestry to a group that migrated from South Africa.

Tanzanians are known as peacemakers. In the region of Ndamba, however, “peace” can require retribution to maintain balance. Even for natural phenomena, authorities will usually blame someone and punish him or her.

Though approximately 70 percent of Ndamba speakers are Christians, most still practice many kinds of traditional rituals and fear curses. It’s only natural in a region where your faith is dictated by ancestry. Even professing Christians struggle to understand what their faith teaches without the Bible in their language.
The Ndamba people will benefit greatly as the translation team completes parts of the New Testament, and makes these Scriptures available almost immediately. The team has made plans to publish parts of the Old Testament after they finish the New.

The Old Testament will help believers understand the background of the New Testament and offer them a bridge to share Scripture with their neighbors who follow another world religion. When Ndamba believers understand what Scripture teaches, their culture will begin to change as individuals modify their lifestyles in obedience to Christ.