Choco of Colombia
The people of the southern Chocoan language groups live primarily on the Pacific coast of South America. Rugged terrain and extensive river systems contribute to the relative isolation of these ethnic groups. Many people are enticed or pressured into elicit drug production, in areas where mosquitoes carry malaria and dengue fever. The Choco believe evil spirits have power; the dead often become demonic beings; and shamans are spirit intermediaries. The Catholic Church has had a small impact, but few believers are found. Because the Choco people live in an oral culture, this project will begin by helping partner groups produce accurate, oral retellings of Scripture stories. The second phase of work will build on this foundation and provide the community with the translated text of key Scriptures.
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Thank the Lord for the conversion of the two most prominent leaders! Pray that God will guide the team as they teach the young churches by precept and example how to apply the translated Scriptures to their everyday lives.
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A main translator, with the help of some students, completed the team check of John’s Gospel. He also edited eight more chapters of Acts. Next, he and a co-translator will check through Genesis again.
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Continued efforts are underway to make the adapted Scriptures as accurate as possible. The team is beginning to do a trial adaptation of the New Testament epistles as well. The team recently adapted Exodus and Matthew.
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Nine new believers were recently baptized. Please pray for them. Praise God that a man who’s a leader of believers has had opportunities to defend his faith, led by the Holy Spirit.