Lole of South Asia
This project simply couldn’t start fast enough. Lole translators started translating the moment they realized they could have a Bible, too, just like their neighbors who speak Kupang Malay.
The translation team aims to produce the Lole New Testament and Genesis by 2015. They’ll also create a dictionary and a good writing system. More literature and hymns of worship are next on their plate.
Kambari of Nigeria
On February 10 we prayed for the Kambari cluster. As the three teams get close to publishing New Testaments, they are moving right along by starting the Old Testament. They will translate key books like Genesis and Exodus to answer the questions: Where did man come from? What is the character of God like? What does He require of human beings? Why do human beings need a Savior?
Logo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Civil war has taken its toll on the daily life of the Logo people—who number about 200,000. It’s hard to know what they struggle with more: physical or spiritual needs.
Isoma of South Asia
2010 will be a special year for the Isoma people, numbering about 150,000, because the New Testament is just about ready! Translators have been hard at work since 2004 when the project began to complete both the New Testament and Genesis.
Many Isoma fear evil spirits. The local church expects the Scriptures to immediately impact people’s lives, setting them free from this spiritual bondage.
- Give glory to God because now the people will hear Him speak Isoma!
Ichen-Ibaas of Nigeria
Because of growing pressure from another major religion, Ichen Christians are becoming more fervent than ever about translating God’s Word into their mother tongue. In 2008 Ichen translators began a project to complete the New Testament and portions of the Old Testament by 2012.
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Praise God for the first Scripture portion published in the Ichen-Ibaas language: the Gospel of John!
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Pray that the Gospel of John and a new literacy book will impact the people now!
Huba of Nigeria
During a church service, a Huba man read aloud a portion of Scripture that had just been translated and checked in the Huba language. The people were simply amazed, for they got to hear God’s Word directly—unaided by further explanation on the part of the preacher. As the Huba man later said, once the Bible is in the mother tongue, “there’s little need for commentary.”
Huichol of Mexico
The 20,000 Huichol people have had the New Testament for over 40 years, and now lots of vibrant churches are awaiting the Old Testament. The project began in 2007 and is expected to finish in 2011—next year!
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Pray that the translators can keep the momentum of translating as well as attending to their gardens, a key time for planting.
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Pray that God will give wisdom to the team about how to revise the drafts based on feedback from the community.
Irigwe of Nigeria
The Irigwe people of Nigeria number about 40,000. About half are Christians, but until recently, they’ve only had access to the Scriptures in the regional language called Hausa. Of course many people who lack education in Hausa can’t truly hear God speak this way.
So in 2006, an Irigwe team committed to translating the New Testament plus Old Testament portions by 2013. They just dedicated the “JESUS” film in December 2009, providing the people with first glimpses into God speaking Irigwe.
Gofa, Gamo and Dawro of Ethiopia
More than one million people speak the Gofa, Gamo or Dawro languages. The languages are similar, but warrant separate Bible translations. Starting in 2004, Gofa, Gamo and Dawro translators formed a team, and today three New Testament translations are just about to be published!
Yambetta of Cameroon
Because the Yambetta way of life corresponds very closely to that of the Old Testament, church leaders feel that the stories will minister to the people in a unique way to clarify their understanding of God. Roman Catholic missionaries brought Christianity to the Yambetta area almost a century ago, and it remains a powerful influence in the community. A few Protestant denominations are also active in the region. Yambetta volunteers have been working on Bible translation since 1978.