AFRICA - Wycliffe Bible Translators · 2015. 4. 15. · FON; BENIN (1,400,000) Praise the Lord! God...

WYCLIFFE.ORGTHE FINISH LINE 2015: AFRICA 1

S AFRICA SFELDSPAR; AFRICAThe goal of this project is to produce a New Testament and significant portions of the Old Testament, all in audio format. The team was well on their way to completion until they encountered unanticipated delays. Praise the Lord that last year he provided a project leader to guide the translation team. Ask God to raise up some gifted mother tongue translators to finish the translation. Pray for success as team members set up a website to distribute Scripture materials. Pray for the translation to meet the quality standards expected for distribution. Pray too for partnering groups in the country to promote the Scripture materials. Praise God that Bible studies and home groups started by and for new believers are using these resources. Pray that local interest will continue to grow.

AFRICA

FLAME; AFRICAThe translation team members aim to typeset the Flame Scriptures by the end of 2017. This year, they will work on the Epistles of John and Peter. Pray for unhindered progress. Last year one translator was imprisoned for almost two months. In spite of persecution, pray that these challenges to translation will result in the glory of God as well as unity among Flame believers. Pray for the local translation association to successfully prepare churches to distribute the translated Scriptures in more than 80 villages. Pray for pastors to learn how to use these new Scripture resources to reach out to the Flame community. Finally, ask God to raise up the funds needed for printing the New Testaments. Thank the Lord that an AIDS awareness story and its discussion guide are now available in the Flame language.

KWEME; AFRICA (40,000)The Kweme New Testament was typeset last fall and sent to a printer early this year. Pray for God’s hand on each remaining step — for functional printers, a smooth bookbinding process and secure packing and shipping of the books to the Kweme area. Ask the Lord to show the translation team members the best way to distribute and make the Scriptures available to this people group. Pray that the truth of God’s Word will provide maturity for those who follow Christ and that it would draw many others into a transforming relationship with him.

THE FINISH LINE 2015: AFRICA 2 WYCLIFFE.ORG

MARBLE; AFRICAGive thanks to God for the improved health of the main translator in the Marble project. He continued to gain strength even after suffering from ongoing health problems. Final consultant checks were completed on the New Testament, and a United Bible Societies consultant also approved the text. Pray for the team as they check their work for consistency in the use of key terms and spelling. Pray for the successful production of an audio recording of the New Testament. Ask God to provide both men and women who have clear enunciation and are confident readers to perform the different parts. Ask the Lord to direct the team as they seek ways to distribute the Scriptures. Possibilities include satellite TV, the Internet and other new media. Pray for open hearts that are eager to receive God’s Word.

NARA; AFRICAThe Nara now have the New Testament — not only in audio and PDF format on the Internet, but also in print form! God graciously provided funding and 13,000 copies were printed. Pray for God’s blessing on the translation team members’ plans for distributing the Scriptures. Pray for wide acceptance of their work by Nara speakers. Ask the Lord to protect his Word as it goes out and for the Holy Spirit to transform Nara lives as they read of the love of Jesus in their heart language. Meanwhile, translation of the Nara Old Testament continues to move forward. Lift up the team in prayer as they juggle schedules and look for good times to meet with a translation consultant. Pray that God will strengthen them and allow them to make good progress.

RUPAIQA; AFRICAThe Old Testament draft is complete but there is a substantial amount of material still to be consultant-checked. The main translator, expecting that the process would be further along than it is, made other commitments and is now only available to the rest of the team for a few weeks each year. Pray that God will provide for this translation team, perhaps by adding other qualified team members, or by making a way for this senior translator to be more involved in spite of his other commitments. In the meantime, the team has decided that they need to revise the New Testament which they translated on their own several years ago. Ask God to give them guidance and patience through the process.

S BENIN SAJA; BENIN (512,000)The Aja translators and consultants need alert minds and sharp eyes as they finish evaluating each translated New Testament book this year; some of the books are very challenging. Pray that the decisions they make will result in an excellent and natural sounding translation. They want to have the New Testament ready for typesetting by the end of this year. Pray that nothing will impede their progress, and that they will stay focused. Pray for the committees and organizations coordinating the final translation and publication to work well together. Also, the language community extends into Togo, a neighboring country. Ask the Holy Spirit to give the Togolese Aja population great interest in using the translated Scriptures. Finally, ask God to raise up the funds needed for printing the New Testament.

BIALI; BENIN (104,080)The Biali language is spoken by the Berba people in northern Benin. Praise God that there is a renewed interest in learning to read and write the language. Pray that the community and government leaders would understand the importance of literacy programs and support them. Pray that local schools will teach Biali to Berba children. Give thanks that the translation team was able to check Colossians and James last year; this year they will work on John’s Epistles and perhaps Peter’s. Pray for the team to be attentive and have discernment as they evaluate each book of the Biali New Testament.

FON; BENIN (1,400,000)Praise the Lord! God provided the funds last year to print the Fon Bible and a celebration was held on February 2, 2014. An audio version was also produced with the help of Faith Comes By Hearing. Pray that churches and individuals will use the Word in both printed and audio forms. May it transform many lives! The language community extends into the country of Togo; pray for the Togolese Fon population, that they will be eager to use the translated Scriptures as well. Ask the Holy Spirit to use this translation to bear much fruit among all speakers of the Fon language.

NATENI; BENIN (66,000)Last year the team attended several workshops, two of which were focused on 1-2 Corinthians. 2


Corinthians is one of the more challenging books to translate, so pray that the translated text is clear and makes sense in the Nateni language. Pray that more Nateni speakers will make an effort to learn to read and write their own language. Ask God to supply the team with wisdom and energy so that his Word can soon be accessible to the Nateni. Pray for sustained health for the team members so that they can give their full attention to the work of translation.

YOM; BENIN (300,000)Praise God that the Yom New Testament, which was published in 1986, continues to enjoy good sales! Ask God to grant excellent health to three translators and their families who are working hard to complete the Old Testament. Pray that their laptops and Paratext software — which provides translators with automated checks to evaluate the accuracy and consistency of a translation draft — will work well. Lift up their need for dependable electricity, especially during translation checking sessions with a consultant. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide the translators when they receive requests to help with other translation projects; any time they accept one, it results in a delay to the Yom project. Pray that they will use their time efficiently and wisely. And pray that the translation will be accurate, clear and natural, and speak to the hearts of the Yom people.SIM International — sim.org

S BURKINA FASO SDAGARA WULE; BURKINA FASO (100,000)The Dagara New Testament is very near to completion yet is seriously at risk of stalling because of a lack of funding. Thank the Lord for a church

in the U.S. that heard of the need and helped provide some of the finances needed for 2014. The translation team members held meetings in local churches to raise awareness of the importance of the Scriptures in Dagara. They spoke of its necessity for spiritual and social transformation. People are now becoming enthusiastic about the idea of having a New Testament in their own language! Pray for this enthusiasm to continue, and for God to raise up the remaining finances to complete the project through people locally and abroad. The team has been working hard and meeting their translation goals. Pray for a special zeal for the team during this crucial time. Lift up their families in prayer, that they might enjoy good health.National Association for Bible Translation and Literacy, Burkina Faso

DOGOSÉ; BURKINA FASO (40,000)The Dogosé translation team finished the book of Revelation last year and continued to steadily work through each book of the New Testament with a consultant. They looked for ways to improve the naturalness and accuracy of the text. Pray as the team finalizes a glossary and ensures consistency of key terms used throughout the New Testament. Ask the Lord to give alertness and strength to those who prepare the book for printing. And lift up the literacy classes in prayer, that many Dogosé will learn to read and be able to use the Scriptures. In all of this, pray that God, who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, will raise up the funds needed for salaries, printing and a dedication event for the New Testament. National Association for Bible Translation and Literacy, Burkina Faso

KAANSA; BURKINA FASO (6,000)God was faithful as the translation team members worked hard last year preparing the New Testament for publication. They checked to ensure key terms were used the same way throughout the manuscript. They also wrote introductions to each book and prepared a glossary. Intercede for the team that will typeset the New Testament early this year. One experienced translator said, “Typesetting is not for the faint of heart!” The process involves countless hours of scrutinizing the Scripture text on both the computer and in printed form. They must look for errors, make corrections and then repeat it all as page formatting, pictures and footnotes are added. Pray for the printing firm to produce books with clear type and strong binding. The team would like to hold a dedication in December; ask God to guide these


plans. Pray too for God’s provision of the finances needed for each stage of the work. And pray for the Kaansa to eagerly receive God’s Word with joy.

SÌCÌTÉ; BURKINA FASO (38,000)Last year the translation team members completed the exegesis of Hebrews and Revelation and later checked the translated books with speakers in the community to ensure good comprehension. Progress was made on several other New Testament books as well. Pray that God will continue to provide finances for partners who help fund the project. Ask God to give great success to new literacy classes organized by church leaders. The goal is to prepare people to read the translated Scriptures. Pray for wisdom for the team members as they get ready to read through the entire New Testament. They will ensure that common terms are used consistently throughout the Gospels. And pray for good health for the team members and their families.National Association for Bible Translation and Literacy, Burkina Faso

S CAMEROON SBUM; CAMEROON (21,400)Praise God! The New Testament for the Bum people was typeset last year and sent to a printer. Community leaders were so excited about the books that they mobilized Christians and non-Christians alike to pay in advance for their copies. Pray that God would be glorified during a Scripture dedication scheduled for February 8, 2015. To complete this project, God used ordinary men and women with on-the-job training in linguistics and translation. Pray that the Holy Spirit will speak through each distributed copy, and that God’s kingdom will grow and mature among this people group.Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy — cabtal.org

KWANJA; CAMEROON (20,000)Rejoice! Kwanja translators made good progress last year on completing a three-year Old Testament lectionary series for Lutheran and Catholic churches. The team’s goal this year is to complete a consultant check of the series, prepare it for publishing and turn it over to a printer. Ask the Lord to fill the team with strength, discernment and alertness to catch any errors and ensure a quality translation. Praise God for Kwanja who are listening to audio Scripture players. Lift up the coordinator who fell into sin but has repented. Pray that his repentance will be complete as

well as an example to others who need to repent. Pray that local Scripture listening groups will continue to grow, resulting in more transformed lives.Lutheran Bible Translators — lbt.org

LAMNSO’; CAMEROON (125,000)Early this year two editions of the complete Lamnso’ Bible will reach the hands of the Nso’ people! It’s been a long and challenging road, filled with joy and sorrow, but God has been faithful. Pray for God’s leading for the Nso’ church and the local community as they prepare for a meaningful Scripture dedication. Ask the Lord to bless ongoing literacy classes in churches and schools so that many will be equipped to read the Scriptures. Pray that the impact of God’s Word will grip the land as the people receive the entire Word of God in their heart language. And intercede for pastors and churches, praying that they will encourage extensive use of mother tongue Scriptures by making sure that Lamnso’ is used in discipleship and evangelism.Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy — cabtal.org

MAKAA; CAMEROON (80,000)Praise God that the Makaa New Testament was typeset last year! The people anticipate the arrival of the printed books this year. Pray for wisdom for those planning the details of a Scripture dedication and the distribution of the New Testament. Thank the Lord that interest in using the mother tongue is slowly increasing and many church leaders enthusiastically use the language. Pray that more church leaders will see the value of using mother tongue Scripture in their ministry. One of the translators also serves as a pastor in a large Protestant church. Ask God to use him to promote the use of Makaa Scriptures from the pulpit. The translation team is facing complex issues related to dialects of the language; ask the Holy Spirit to guide them to solutions.

MEREY; CAMEROON (10,000)Rejoice! The Merey received the New Testament in their heart language on January 11, 2014. An audio recording of the translated Scripture was also made


available. Pray for a Faith Comes by Hearing listening plan, recently inaugurated, to have great impact. This program trains pastors and leaders to listen to the audio New Testament with their congregations for at least 30 minutes a week. They then discuss it and conduct follow-up sessions. The “JESUS” film is also available in Merey. Ask the Holy Spirit to draw many people to Christ through the printed, audio and video Scriptures. And lift up in prayer the desire of the people to also have the Old Testament in their language. A replacement team of translators and consultants are needed for this project.

META’; CAMEROON (87,000)March 1, 2014, was a traditional weekly market day when Meta’ people would normally go to get supplies for the week, yet over 1,000 people attended the dedication ceremony of the Meta’ New Testament on that day. Those attending included government officials, Chiefs of the Meta’, clergy from all denominations and churches, choirs, dance groups and the general public. The ceremony featured choral singing, kids’ games, speeches and a traditional dance. More than 1,200 copies have been sold, with many more Meta’ communities requesting copies. They also want teachers who will instruct them how to read their Bibles. Pray for God to bless ongoing literacy efforts. Ask the Holy Spirit to use each copy of the New Testament in people’s hands to transform their hearts. Intercede for the “JESUS” film, recently recorded in Meta’ and pray for it to be a powerful tool in bringing people to Christ.Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy — cabtal.org

NDOP CLUSTER PROJECT — BAMBALANG AND BAMUNKA LANGUAGES; CAMEROON (60,000)Thank the Lord for Scripture portions already available in Bambalang. The printed copies, an audio recording and a dubbed video of the Gospel of Luke are having a huge impact: people want to understand who Jesus is. Many who have never been to church are eagerly listening to and watching the Scriptures. One old man said, “Now that we have been given this message from God, we must respond to it.” Pray for both the Bambalang and Bamunka translation teams as they check and test books to produce the final copies of their New Testaments. Ask God to keep them and their families safe. Pray for ownership of Scripture engagement activities by local inter-church committees and that committee members

will share the Scriptures with their villages. Lift up in prayer those who are working on finalizing the tone orthography of Bamunka (how the tone of the language is written on words and sentences). Pray that they would finish the linguistic work well and ensure that God’s Word is clear, natural sounding and easy for the Bamunka people to read.

NUGUNU; CAMEROON (40,000)Praise God that Bible translation even benefits people who have never had the privilege of learning to read! There are 96 Nugunu participants in six listening groups meeting weekly to hear God’s Word read aloud in the Nugunu language. Ask the Lord to bless the listeners and deepen their faith. Pray for more volunteers to be trained to lead listening groups. The translation team finished consultant checks of the Nugunu New Testament and are now making sure the translation is consistent. They are checking style, spelling and punctuation; pray that they successfully finish these last steps so that typesetting can begin in October. Ask God to protect the team members and their families, blessing them with good health.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

OULDEME; CAMEROON (10,500)The Ouldeme translation project is facing unexpected delays. The local security situation has deteriorated. Although the team continues to check the translation to ensure it is faithful to the original text (a necessary step in all translations), the process has slowed down considerably. Pray for violence in the area to cease and for God’s mighty protection over his Word and the people. Ask the Lord to grant the translators quality times to continue checking. Pray for courage for local believers and wisdom for them during these uncertain times. Lift up in prayer the experimental school program that is using Ouldeme instead of French. Pray that it will help children gain greater understanding at school and prepare them to read. May they be impacted by God’s Word in Ouldeme.

VAME; CAMEROON (8,500)Every Bible translation project nearing completion faces obstacles. For the Vame, the security situation in their area of Cameroon presents great concerns. The situation there deteriorated significantly last year, causing the translation project to slow down. Pray for peace and ask God to protect the translators and their families. Pray for courage for the translation


team members, and for progress as they check each book to ensure the text accurately conveys the original meaning. An experimental school program is underway, where children are taught in Vame instead of French; it helps them to do better at school and prepares them to read Vame Scriptures. Ask God to protect this program which could be adversely affected by the security situation.

VUTÉ; CAMEROON (20,000)In late 2013, much of the work on the translated Old Testament readings for the Vuté church lectionary series was lost as a result of computer problems. Alfred, the translator, lost momentum and made limited progress after that happened. Thank the Lord that he now has a better work rhythm and is once again making good progress. His translation goals for this year are many as he wants to complete the translation, have it checked by a consultant, edit it and have it printed. Please pray and ask God to fill Alfred with his Spirit. May God encourage him, and equip and enable him for the task. And pray that the Old Testament lectionary series will be a mighty tool that God will use in the churches to impact people’s lives as they hear his Word more clearly in their own language.Lutheran Bible Translators — lbt.org

YAMBETA; CAMEROON (3,700)Last year, consultant checks for the Yambeta New Testament were completed and now the translation team members are getting ready for typesetting. Ask God to give them discernment as they prepare introductory material and check style, spelling and punctuation. The team is pushing ahead in the Yambeta project, but unfortunately there are also setbacks and obstacles that hinder their progress. Just as the translation team began one of their checking sessions last year, project coordinator Léo received word that his 35-year-old daughter had passed away unexpectedly. Pray that Léo and his family would rely on God and experience comfort and peace during this difficult time. Léo is also training to become a translation consultant.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

YEMBA; CAMEROON (300,000)Praise God that the Yemba translation project is making an impact in Cameroon. The team is showing the “JESUS” film in Yemba and reading portions of the translated Scriptures on a local radio station. These efforts allow people in unreached areas to hear

the gospel in the language they understand best. Pray for consultants to be available to check the translation work. The team is also focusing on outreach and networking. Join with the team, a language committee and network of churches that are supporting this project in prayer. Ask God for creativity in making his Word available and applicable to people’s daily lives, and for continued progress toward the completion of the New Testament.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

S CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC SDAGBA; CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (44,000)One of the two translators for the Dagba is attending Bible school. As a result, translation checking sessions can only be done during school breaks. Last year, as they worked with a consultant, they refined the orthography, and checked and corrected the book introductions. This year they are checking for consistency in the spelling and content of the various books. Ask the Lord to open up windows of opportunity for increased checking sessions to take place. The goal is to send the manuscript to those who prepare it for printing by the end of this year so it can be printed in 2016. As you intercede for the translation team, pray also that the Holy Spirit will work in Dagba hearts, creating a hunger and thirst for God’s Word. Bibles International — biblesint.org

GBAYA SOUTHWEST; CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (220,000)Political turmoil in Central African Republic has made Bible translation more difficult. The translators cannot travel to Gbaya Southwest communities because of violent rebel and anti-rebel groups. Pray for God’s protection upon his workers. Give thanks that the team was able to safely make a three-week trip to another town where they could review and test their drafts. While the team faithfully waits for God to make a way for them to get to the communities, they remain steadfast in their work on the Old Testament. They are conducting team checks of 1-2 Samuel and Ruth. Praise the Lord for local churches where believers can still gather to worship him, despite the violence around them.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org


GBEYA (200,000), KABA (83,000), NZAKARA (50,000); CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLICThe last two years were extremely difficult for these three translation team members — each within a few years of completing New Testaments. Because of insecurity in the country, the teams were temporarily relocated to the capital city of Bangui in order to continue working at a national translation center there. Thank the Lord that in spite of the country’s war, all three teams are progressing. However, a huge challenge remains. Since the war started in December 2012, no translation consultants have been able to go to the Central African Republic to check translation drafts. Please pray for the availability of translation consultants, and especially that the doors will open for them to come. Lift up the need for funding that will help with consultants’ travel, wages for the national translators and other project needs. Intercede for the translators, praying that they will not lose their faith in the face of serious hardship, but that instead their faith will be strengthened day-by-day. May the Lord preserve their desire to follow him no matter what happens. Pray for peace and security in the country to improve enough so that translation teams can return to their homes and continue working among the language communities and churches they serve.Central African Association for Bible Translation and Literacy

S CHAD SGARAP; CHAD (6,000)A consultant check is a crucial step in the translation process. A consultant goes over the translation with the team, checking for accuracy, clarity and naturalness. He also looks for omissions, extraneous thoughts or possible misconceptions. Thank the Lord for progress made last year in having a consultant check several Garap New Testament books. Still, there are not enough consultants to meet the global need. Please pray for God to raise up many more consultants and for some to be available to check the remaining six Garap books. Pray too for endurance for the translation team members as they prepare for publication, checking details in the Synoptic Gospels and ensuring consistent use of key terms throughout the manuscript.

GOR; CHAD (181,000)Rejoice that another group in Chad has God’s Word in their heart language! The Gor New Testament was publicly dedicated last fall, when the rainy season was over and people could more easily gather. Pray for wide distribution of the Scriptures. Ask the Holy Spirit to anoint each copy as it goes out. And pray for the Gor people to treasure and be transformed by God’s Word.

GUERGUIKO; CHAD (13,000)In the translation process, an exegete is the person who examines each text of Scripture in order to ensure it is properly interpreted and faithful to the original text. The person who does this for the Guerguiko translation team lives in another country. Thank the Lord that the team is learning to work more effectively together using modern technology, even though they are separated by long distance. Pray that the exegete will be able to return to Chad this year to work onsite with the team and finalize some books so they can be checked by a consultant. And ask the Lord to make a consultant available when the books are ready.

KUO; CHAD (15,000)Seasons of the year, as well as water and food, are important considerations in planning a Scripture dedication. The Kuo translation team dedicated their New Testament on December 19 after the rainy season was over so that people could easily travel on the roads. It also ensured that there would be enough water for all those who attended. By then, they also had sufficient millet to feed everyone. Praise God for a joyful celebration! Pray for Scripture use efforts to be effective, and that the Kuo will grow in their desire for the Word and in their ability to apply it to their lives.


S CONGO SBEEMBE; REPUBLIC OF CONGO (40,000)Rejoice! On March 23, 2014, over 1,000 people gathered in the main square of the town of Mouyondzi to launch the New Testament in Beembe. They were from churches of every denomination. For over four hours they celebrated amidst tears of joy and jumping around, happy to finally have this long awaited book. One person said, “This launch for the New Testament was an eye-opening experience for me. It has given me more information about my people, but it has also touched my heart. I now have the incentive to learn — no excuses now, as I have the Word of God in my own heart language.” Pray for God’s Word to take root and grow. May it bear much fruit in Beembe lives and churches.Bible Society of Republic of Congo — alliancebiblique-congo.org

S CÔTE D’IVOIRE SDJIMINI; CÔTE D’IVOIRE (85,000)North Côte d’Ivoire has been under rebel control during 10 years of political crisis. Despite being located there, the translation team has courageously persevered. In February 2014, they passed the milestone of checking the last Old Testament book!

Praise God that they began typesetting last fall and are working toward sending the manuscript to a printer. The New Testament is already available in both print and audio forms. The team will record the “JESUS” film in Djimini this year. Pray for health for the team and especially the project leader, Matthieu, who had typhoid twice last year. Pray for protection for all those working on literacy, Scripture promotion and preparations for the 2015 Scripture dedication.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

JULA; CÔTE D’IVOIRE (4,000,000)Rejoice with the Jula people, who now have God’s Word in their heart language! Last year, the Bible was dedicated in two key locations with joyful ceremonies. The second celebration included four choirs, a sketch by a professional theater group, readings from the Jula Bible by women and children, and a procession presenting the Bibles to a cheering crowd. This was followed by a prayer of dedication by all the pastors and missionaries who were present. Pray that the Jula would read the Bible fervently. Pray too for local churches to catch the vision for promoting literacy. Pray that they would encourage the use of translated Scripture for both spiritual growth and evangelism.

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ALUR; DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO/UGANDA (2,400,000)A new translation of the Bible in Alur began in 1981, using a substantially revised orthography. Instability and wars in the country interrupted the work for a number of years. The translation was completed in 2012, typeset and sent to a printer in South Korea. But funds to cover the printing costs are lacking. Pray for the needed funds to come in as the Alur are eagerly waiting for the Bible and are asking when they will receive it. And pray that the people of this war-torn country will be comforted and encouraged by the Scripture portions they have while they wait.Bible Society of Democratic Republic of Congo — biblesociety-cd.org

FULIIRU; DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (400,000)Last year the translation team members completed revising the final books of the Bible. They are now diligently reviewing every verse of the entire Bible,


making sure there is consistency in key terms and that the text is clear and natural sounding. They want to send it for desktop publishing by August 2016. Ask God to protect each member of the team and to give them and their families good health and a strong spiritual walk with the Lord. Pray for the funds to publish the Bible in both paper and electronic form. And pray that the Bible will impact people’s hearts and bring them hope and eternal life. At the same time that this Bible is being finalized, efforts are in progress to enable it to be computer-adapted into at least two related languages. Ask God to give that project success.

LENDU; DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO/UGANDA (2,500,000)God’s hand continues to remain on this Bible translation project. The New Testament was published in 1988, and work carried on with the Old Testament until it was about 85 percent complete. But then the country was overtaken by war in 1996. During the conflict, the great majority of the Old Testament material was destroyed and one translator was killed. Translation work began anew in January 2004. Praise God, that in June 2012, the whole Bible was completed, typeset and sent to South Korea for printing! A major obstacle arose, however, as there were insufficient funds to print it. Ask God, who “ … owns the cattle on a thousand hills … ” (Psalm 50:10), to bring in the necessary funds. The Lendu are eager to have God’s Word and wondering when they will receive it!Bible Society of Democratic Republic of Congo — biblesociety-cd.org

LOGO; DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (200,000)Rejoice that the Logo New Testament will be embraced by both the Protestant and Catholic churches! Last year, God answered prayer by enabling the leaders of both local denominations, the translation team and a consultant to work together to finalize key biblical terms. This will improve the quality, use and impact of the Logo translation. The spirit of humility and unity of all the participants in the meeting was also a strong testimony to the power of prayer and God’s Spirit over them. Pray for wisdom and inspiration as the team finalizes the New Testament manuscript. Pray too for God’s protection over them and their families — several of their children were hospitalized with illnesses.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

MAYOGO; DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (100,000)Praise God that typesetting of the Mayogo New Testament is almost complete! The translation team in the Democratic Republic of Congo is working with typesetters in Nairobi, Kenya to complete this phase of the project. Pray for reliable and prompt communication between the team and the correspondent in Kenya. As they proofread the text, ask God to reveal any details that should be corrected so that his Word sounds natural in Mayogo. Pray too for successful plans and full funding to print the Scriptures this year and hold a dedication celebration. Continue to pray for peace in this war-torn country.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

MBANDJA; DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (362,000)The Mbandja speakers now have access to the whole Bible in their mother tongue. Praise God! The Old Testament was dedicated in October 2014; the New Testament had been published in 1998. Pray that the newly published Old Testament will renew interest in the Mbandja New Testament and rekindle the people’s love for God.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

NDRUNA; DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (100,000)Praise the Lord, funds are available to publish the New Testament! The translation team is pressing on to finish final checks of the New Testament by March and send it to Kenya for typesetting in April. Lift up in prayer the health of team members (one has high blood pressure) and ask God to meet their financial needs. Ask the Lord to give energy and alertness to the typesetting team processing the details of laying out the manuscript for printing. Pray for peace in the language area where there is militia activity, so that reading classes can be held to prepare the people for using the Scriptures. And ask God to protect electric lines so that the weekly radio programs featuring Ndruna Scriptures can continue. These programs impact not only people in the community but the militia groups as well.

TAABWA; DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (500,000)Praise the Lord, all copies of the New Testament published in 2007 have been distributed! It is an


amazing achievement in light of the fact that the Taabwa have scattered as a result of unrest in their area. Sadly, one of the original team of translators passed away last year, leaving just one translator, Pastor Kasokota, for the Old Testament project. Because of the unstable situation, consultant checking of the Old Testament has been interrupted. Ask the Lord to raise up new, additional translators for the translation project. Ask him to grant Pastor Kasokota health and encouragement. And pray for God’s wisdom for the team members as they discuss a strategic plan for the project with other ministry partners.The Word For The World — twftw.org

TEMBO; DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (150,000)The environment in which the translation team operates is extremely challenging and the town where team members work has been a focus of insecurity for years among the warring factions. Pray that God will establish a lasting peace in the area so that the team can finish work on the New Testament and hold the last consultant sessions and technical checks. Ask the Lord to give the translators courage and perseverance to complete the translation in spite of also experiencing personal financial crises. Praise God for positive feedback from listeners of weekly radio broadcasts in which the team reads drafts of New Testament books. Listeners are delighted to hear God’s Word in their language and some ask how they can get copies of the Scriptures being read.

UBANGI CLUSTER PROJECT — MONO, NGBANDI-NGIRI AND PAGABETE LANGUAGES; DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (354,000)Last year the Mono translation team suffered the terrible loss of the Rev. Gaspard Suma, a translator and project coordinator, to a sudden illness. Intercede for the team and especially Gaspard’s wife and family, asking God to provide his peace for them. Thank the Lord for the eternal impact that Gaspard made while he was alive. Under his leadership, the Mono team translated the New Testament and entered the final stages of the project. Rejoice with the Mono people that for the first time last year they were able to celebrate an Easter service completely in their heart language. The Pagabete translation team is undergoing Bible storytelling training; pray that they

pick it up easily and use it effectively. Thank God that newly translated Ngbandi-Ngiri Scriptures brought clarity to pastors with longstanding questions about prayer. Ask the Lord to bless all three of these teams and meet their needs in tangible ways as they strive to complete the tasks before them.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

S EAST AFRICA SMOROGORO CLUSTER PROJECT — ALUGI, AREW, LUGHULU, MAKUA, NDAMBA, NING, NUGI, OMARAZ, POGOLO, REWE, UTUKI AND VIDUNDA LANGUAGES; EAST AFRICA (4,496,000)Translators have been working on a Vidunda New Testament for seven years, and the Vidunda believers are eager to have God’s Word in their language so they may read and study it whenever they meet together. Rejoice that their wait is almost over! The New Testaments for Vidunda, Utuki, Nging and Makua are finished with consultant checks and are in pre-publication, and the Arew and Omaraz teams recently performed a consultant check of the book of Acts. Pray that the translators would not grow weary, but would finish strong. Give thanks that the other six New Testaments — the Lughulu, Pogolo, Ndamba, Nugi, Alugi and Rewe —have been typeset! Pray that the books, once printed, would be efficiently distributed and made accessible to the people. Lift all these groups in prayer so that they yearn to read the Scriptures for prayer. May they learn more about their heavenly Father. Pray for spiritual and physical protection for all the teams.Seed Company, Pioneer Bible Translators and The Word For The World


S EQUATORIAL GUINEA SFANG; EQUATORIAL GUINEA (534,000)The day the Fang had been waiting for finally arrived last fall when they received the New Testament in their heart language! Pray that an official dedication, with public officials attending, will take place early this year. Thank the Lord for his many answered prayers through the years. As they use the Scriptures, Pray that the Fang will now say with the Psalmist, “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey” (Psalm 119:103, NLT). And ask the Lord to provide good readers to help make an audio recording so that people can listen to the New Testament as well.

S ETHIOPIA SBASKETO; ETHIOPIA (57,800)The Basketo New Testament suffered numerous setbacks during the printing stage. Some miscommunication last year caused a delay in the printing which is taking place in South Korea. Thankfully it was cleared up and final approval has now been given for printing. Praise God with the translation team for his faithfulness! Pray for safe transportation of the books back to Ethiopia and for immediate clearance by customs officials. Lift up Getachew Yohannes, who is planning the dedication service and also finishing his master’s degree. He is often away from his family because he must travel to Nairobi. Give thanks that using the four Gospels in the local Basketo churches has resulted in increased anticipation for the full New Testament.

ETHIOPIA CLUSTER PROJECT — GAMO, GOFA AND DAWRO LANGUAGES; ETHIOPIA (1,236,000)The Gamo, Gofa and Dawro Old Testament translation teams are using a computer program called “Adapt It” to generate a first draft in each language. Praise God for the valuable experience the translators bring to the project; they each helped translate the New Testament for their three languages. Ask the Lord to give them special insight and discernment as they thoroughly evaluate the first drafts. Their goal is to produce accurate and natural translations of the Old Testament books. Pray for the computers to work well and for good health for the

participants and their families. Ask the Holy Spirit to deeply touch the translators’ lives as they work their way through the rich teachings and history of the Old Testament. Pray that they can then impart the value of these Scriptures to the people in their communities.The Word For The World, Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

HADIYYA; ETHIOPIA (595,107)Approximately three-fourths of the books in the Hadiyya Old Testament have now been checked by a consultant. Thank the Lord for the team’s diligence in working with the consultant and checking Scripture with the community. Pray for strength and endurance for the consultant as he handles a heavy workload. Pray against frequent power failures that affect the team’s work and ask that the team’s new laptop computer would be beneficial and serve it well. Give thanks for translator the Rev. Tesfaye Abebe. He lost his daughter last year, but is now doing well and experiencing God’s encouragement. Pray for sufficient finances for all of the translators as they face a rising cost of living.

HAMER-BANNA; ETHIOPIA (74,400)Thank the Lord that the New Testament will be printed in both Latin script and Ethiopic script. This will make it accessible to the Hamer-Banna who use each type of script. Both editions were typeset last year and are now being printed. Pray that the printing will produce high-quality, durable books. Pray for safe shipment back to Ethiopia. It is hoped the books will arrive by mid-2015, after which a dedication will be held. Lift up the Banna people in prayer, that they will eagerly read and hear the Word of God and apply it to their lives.SIM International — sim.org

KAFA; ETHIOPIA (834,000)The Kafa New Testament was published in 2000. Twelve years later, two mother tongue translators completed a draft of the Old Testament. Last year, one of them died from cancer, leaving a significant hole in the team. Thank the Lord for providing a new member. Lift him up in prayer, asking God to help him fit in well and share good insight. Pray for the consultant check of the Bible to be completed soon. It will then be typeset, a detailed process involving many formatting decisions. Ask the Lord to strengthen the team member and give them wisdom. May he enable the proofreader to find any errors


that need correcting before it is published. Ask God to oversee the books’ printing in Switzerland and shipment of the Bibles back to Ethiopia.SIM International — sim.org

KAMBAATA; ETHIOPIA (570,000)Pray that work on the Kambaata Old Testament will progress and that the final product would be an accurate translation of the Word of God. Two members of the Kambaata translation team are also doing their seminary studies. Praise God that more than half of the Kambaata Old Testament has been consultant checked. Pray for the translation consultant to have the strength he needs to manage his heavy workload and continue helping the team check the Kambaata Scriptures. Thank the Lord for the new laptop computer the team members recently received that enables them to continue work even when electricity is unavailable. Pray for them to remain productive and joyful despite the challenges they face, such as power outages and financial stress.

KOM CLUSTER PROJECT — KONTA, MELO AND OYDA LANGUAGES; ETHIOPIA (60,000)These three New Testaments are undergoing various steps in the translation process. The Konta team has four books ready for team checking and Acts ready for back-translation (rendering a translation back into a language of wider use, usually in a word-by-word or phrase-by-phrase format. This enables consultants who do not know the language to evaluate the accuracy and adequacy of the translation.). In the Oyda project, the team is checking drafts of Matthew and Romans. Melo translators are redrafting multiple books, which will then be checked by the team. Pray that each vital step in the translation process will serve its purpose in producing top-notch renderings of New Testament books. While the three teams were typesetting Mark, they found they had to address some writing-system issues. Ask God to grant them clarity and direction while they wrestle with the complexities of language and communication.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

KONSO; ETHIOPIA (242,000)When the Konso New Testament was dedicated in 2002, the first edition of 2,500 copies was sold within three days. Since then, two reprints totaling 10,000 copies have also sold out. Ask God to strengthen each member of the translation team working on the Old

Testament. Pray especially for translator Estifanos who has experienced long-term health problems. Thank the Lord for the consultant who has moved to Ethiopia to assist with the project; a number of books are ready to be checked for naturalness and accuracy. Ask Jehovah-Jireh to provide funds for another reprint of the New Testament, as well as a printing of Old Testament portions until the full Bible is ready. And pray for the Holy Spirit to infuse the team with courage and inspiration in the midst of challenging and detailed work. The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus South West Synod, Bible Society of Ethiopia, Lutheran Bible Translators

MAJANG; ETHIOPIA (40,000)The local Majang church has taken ownership of the New Testament translation. Ask God to enable the project to keep going. Pray that the translators remain focused as they work on key terms and make the text sound natural. They will also check the quality of the translation and perform consistency checks. Pray for the review committee to come together easily and safely; they reside in different parts of the country and travel is difficult. Ask the Lord to bless the project and use his Word to transform lives.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org


ME’EN; ETHIOPIA (151,500)The Me’en project is moving forward at a steady pace and the quality of the translation is improving. Ask God to show the team the right words to use in order to convey his messages to the Me’en people. Multiple Bible books are now ready for a consultant to check. Pray for successful and productive checking sessions. Pray also for positive interaction between the team and the education community. Translators worked with education officials to develop schoolbooks that will teach the Me’en alphabet to students and aid in mother tongue literacy. Ask God for continued favor with government officials and church leaders.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

SIDAMO; ETHIOPIA (2,900,000)Both the Sidamo New Testament revision and Old Testament were completely checked by the Bible Society of Ethiopia. Praise God for their progress! The translation team’s goal is to print the entire Bible for the Sidamo, but the biggest obstacle is a lack of funds. Pray for a spirit of generosity and for pledges from the Sidamo churches to be forthcoming. Pray that nothing hinders the process of getting the Word of God to the Sidamo speakers. Pray too that interdenominational cooperation does not result in delayed decision-making. Pray for wisdom for those deciding how to distribute the Sidamo children’s Bible, which has been in storage for almost two years.

XAMTANGA; ETHIOPIA (300,000)Technology plays a valuable part in Bible translation. Last year, the Xamtanga translators attended a Paratext software training workshop. This tool allows them to see several Bible versions side by side along with their own translation for comparison. It helps them make sure important biblical terms like “sin” and “salvation” are translated consistently. Thank the Lord for this software. Pray for the team members to apply their new skills to further the translation of the Xamtanga New Testament. Pray for alert minds and keen eyes as they perform final revisions on translated Scripture. They are also writing introductions for the Bible books.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

S GHANA SAVATIME; GHANA (24,000)Praise the Lord that last year 30 churches participated in a workshop that helped believers learn to use the Scriptures in evangelism and discipleship. The teaching materials for the workshop were portions of the translated New Testament. Praise God that his Word in the mother tongue is already connecting with the Avatime people. The translation team also began checking Romans and 10 other books. Pray for the availability of translation consultants to complete this task.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

BULI; GHANA (190,500)Translation work is not immune to sadness and grief; one of the three pastors working on this project died last year. Ask God to comfort his family. Thank the Lord that the other two pastors completed a revision of the New Testament. They checked the manuscript for consistent translation of key terms throughout the Old and New Testaments. They also expanded the topical index to include both the Old and New Testaments. Pray for the committee of Buli speakers as they review the entire Bible. Intercede for the members of the typesetting team, asking God to infuse them with energy and alertness to details. The team would like to send the Bible for printing this year.

DEG; GHANA (23,500)God strengthened the team members and last year they completed a revision of the existing New Testament. They also performed computer checks on spelling and consistency, and read through the entire Bible to ensure clarity and accuracy. By the end of 2014, the manuscript was passed on for typesetting. Pray for the mighty hand of the Lord to be on the team as they press on to completion. Ask God to energize and give wisdom to the typesetters as they make layout decisions. Pray that God will guide every aspect when it goes to print — for functional printers, a smooth book-binding process, and secure packing and shipping of the Bibles to the Deg area. They would like to hold a dedication later this year.Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation — gillbt.org

GONJA; GHANA (270,000)Last year was a productive year for the translation team. They read through the entire Gonja Bible from


Genesis to Revelation, ensuring that the text was clear and natural. A committee reviewed the Gonja orthography and agreed on a unified one. Pray that this orthography will be accepted by everyone and enable Gonja speakers to easily read their language. The Bible is being printed in early 2015, so ask the Lord to bring in funds to cover the printing expenses. And pray for quality printing and binding, and safe delivery of the books back to Ghana. Lift up in prayer the group planning the dedication. Pray that they will schedule it when many Gonja can attend and be impacted by God’s Word. Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation — gillbt.org

KAAKYE; GHANA (80,000)The entire New Testament is drafted and some of it already checked by a consultant. However, the translation team came up against major obstacles last year. Funds are very limited, and there are not enough consultants. Ask Jehovah-Jireh to bring in sufficient funds to carry out needed translation and literacy activities, and to provide consultants so the remaining New Testament books can be checked. Claim God’s promise in Philippians 4:19, “And this same God … will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (NLT). Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation — gillbt.org

KASEM; GHANA (130,000)Last year we prayed for the Lord to raise up people and churches to contribute funds so the Bible could be printed. God answered prayer! The finances were provided, and the Bible will be printed this year. Give thanks to God. He also gave strength and wisdom to team members as they read through the Bible, made corrections and worked with a typesetter to lay it out for printing. Ask God to oversee the printing process, that it will result in books with clear print and sturdy binding. Pray for a dedication that glorifies God and that the Kasem will say with the Psalmist, “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey” (Psalm 119:103, NLT).Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation — gillbt.org

KOMBA; GHANA (150,000)Hallelujah! The Komba New Testament was printed by the Korean Bible Society last year, shipped safely back to Ghana, and dedicated on November 1. The Komba no longer have to wait to read God’s Word

in their heart language. Pray for many to purchase copies and for wide distribution throughout the Komba-speaking area. Ask the Lord to use it to transform lives, build his church and bring peace among estranged families and clans.Lutheran Bible Translators — lbt.org

KUSAAL; GHANA (240,000)Typesetting is a detailed and complex task. The process involves countless hours of scrutinizing the Scripture text on both the computer and in printed form. The team must look for errors, make corrections and then repeat it all as page formatting, pictures and footnotes are added. Thank the Lord for helping John Sidsaya and his colleagues finish typesetting the Kusaal Bible last year. As it is printed early this year, pray for the equipment to work well and produce clear and readable books. Intercede for those planning the dedication, praying that the Lord will guide them in all the details. Pray for many Kusaal to attend and, above all, to be transformed as they use and apply God’s Word to their lives.Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation — gillbt.org

LELEMI; GHANA (130,000)Hallelujah! The Lelemi do not have to wait any longer; they received God’s Holy Bible in their heart language last November. Pray that as the Lelemi people read and hear God’s Word in their own language they will be influenced by it. Ask the Holy Spirit to transform their lives and cause them to share the love of Christ with others around them.Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation — gillbt.org

NAFAANRA; GHANA (61,000)God is faithful. He strengthened the translation team through years of rigorous work and gave energy and concentration to the typesetter to complete the layout for the whole Bible. It was sent to a printer last fall. Pray for high-quality printing and binding, and safe delivery of the books back to Ghana. As the Bible is dedicated, ask Almighty God to “ … accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20, NLT) through his Word in the people’s heart language. Pray for a joyous and meaningful Scripture celebration. Pray for God’s kingdom among the Nafaanra to grow and mature.Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation — gillbt.org


NYALOTA CLUSTER — LOGBA, NYANGBO AND TAFI LANGUAGES; GHANA (18,300)Praise God that a completed translation in a related language is serving as a model for the translators in this cluster project; they can refer to it as they draft the New Testament books in their own languages. Last year, the teams improved their skills in translation as they drafted 15 parables and the Gospel of Mark. Thank the Lord that committees formed in each of the language communities to actively support the work. Ask the Lord to fill the translators with peace and give them good health so they can concentrate on their tasks. Ask God to direct them to suitable work locations within the communities so they can meet regularly.Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation; Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

SISAALA; GHANA (105,000)Praise God! On June 28, 2014, the Sisaali Bible was dedicated in Tumu, the capital of Sisaala East district in northern Ghana. There are many opportunities for Sisaala speakers to use the Bible — in Sunday readings and preaching, Sunday schools, Bible studies and general evangelism. Pray that believers and churches in the Sisaala area will maximize the use of the Bible, for the glory of God. Ask the Lord to lead the people to compose songs in their own language; may they be inspired by Scripture! And pray for new churches to spring up as a result of having the Bible in the heart language. Ask God to grow these churches.Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation — gillbt.org

VAGLA; GHANA (13,500)Thank the Lord for progress made last year! The team finished revising the New Testament, performed computer checks on spelling and consistency, and read through the entire Bible to make sure it was clear and accurate. Late last year it was sent for typesetting. Pray for members of the typesetting team, asking that they would have good health and wisdom, and remain alert as they determine how the New Testament will be formatted. They must make decisions about what font to use, the size of the type, how many columns and what footnotes to include. Ask the Lord to put his mighty hand on the team members. They would like the Bible to be printed and dedicated by the end of 2015. Pray for the printing firm, hat clear and well-bound books would be produced.Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation — gillbt.org

S GUINEA-BISSAU SMANJAKU; GUINEA-BISSAU (285,000)Give thanks that the translators have completed the first draft phase for the entire Manjaku New Testament. Jonah, Luke, James and 1—2 Timothy were previously published as individual booklets. Support team members in prayer as they train local church leaders and check both the books of Luke and Acts. Pray for favor from border officials. Pray too for courage and boldness for pastors, church leaders and believers to proclaim the Word. Many Manjaku people celebrate funerals with ceremonial pomp because they believe death is the doorway to the underworld, but praise the Lord that the church is challenging long-held cultural beliefs with truth about God’s power over death and the grave.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

S KENYA SDAASANACH; KENYA (50,000)Rejoice! The Daasanach people received the New Testament in their heart language on September 20, 2014. It took place in the Ileret area in the far north of Kenya, a location with poor roads and limited access. Praise the Lord that some partners and church leaders were able to attend via a small plane. Pray that as the Daasanach use God’s Word, they will say with the Psalmist, “I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure” (Psalm 119:162, NLT). Bible Translation and Literacy Kenya — btlkenya.org

GIRYAMA; KENYA (751,500)By October this year the translators plan to complete a consultant check of the final 10 Old Testament books. In addition, they hope to revise the existing New Testament (first printed in 2004), typeset the whole Bible and send it to South Korea to be printed. “ … Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible” (Matthew 19:26, NLT). Ask God Almighty to infuse the team with energy, alertness, strength and wisdom. Pray also that the very passages being translated will deepen the team’s love for Christ. Lift up the typesetting and printing teams, praying that the equipment will work well and that clear, long-lasting books will be produced.Bible Translation and Literacy Kenya — btlkenya.org


RENDILLE; KENYA (34,700)The Rendille translation team — Nick, Joshua and Laban — has diligently worked on checking and revising older books (where needed) and preparing the New Testament manuscript for publication. They have benefitted from the Paratext software program which facilitates editing and has tools to help check the consistency of spelling, punctuation and other features. This year Nick will move to South Africa where he will continue to work from a distance using Paratext Live. The software will allow him to have direct contact with the team in Kenya. By using it, they can easily converse, share computer screens and edit the main manuscript. Ask the Lord to bless them with dependable Internet connections. And pray for good health, energy and wisdom for the team members as they work to cross-check the whole New Testament by the end of this year.Africa Inland Mission

SAMBURU CLUSTER — SAMBURU AND ILCHAMUS LANGUAGES; KENYA (190,000)Join with the Samburu people in celebration! The Gospel of Matthew was published and dedicated last year with a colorful ceremony. Progress on the whole New Testament is going well. All the books were finished and now the team is focused on consultant checking. Pray for successful checks and that God would reveal any parts of his Word that could be translated with more clarity. The Ilchamus translation team is also pressing towards the finish line. Intercede for both teams, asking that they would be

encouraged and energized in their work. Ask also for the churches to continue to support the work of Bible translation; pastors are eager to receive Scripture in their heart language.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

THARAKA; KENYA (112,000)The Tharaka team intends to have all the books consultant-checked and completed by the end of this year. Next year, they hope to revise and typeset the Old Testament. Pray for continued progress, thorough consultants and an eager Tharaka community. Praise God that the translated Scripture is in use — families use it during their devotional times and pastors are reading passages during worship services. Thank the Lord for the people’s interest in having the Word of God in their heart language. Pray for successful planning of Scripture-use workshops and literacy classes. Ask God for positive results so more people may improve their reading abilities and know how to use the Old Testament.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

S LIBERIA SSOUTHERN KISI; LIBERIA/SIERRA LEONE (253,000)God answered prayer! Finances were provided to pay for printing the whole Bible in Southern Kisi, and the books arrived safely, back from the printer, in Liberia. God miraculously allowed a dedication to be held November 30, 2014, amidst the Ebola epidemic. Pray for the eradication of Ebola, and for Southern Kisi speakers to treasure and find hope in God’s life-giving Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to draw many Kisi speakers into God’s kingdom. Pray for believers to know God’s grace and comfort as a result of having the Scriptures in their mother tongue.Lutheran Bible Translators —lbt.org

KPELLE; LIBERIA (705,500)God is faithful to his promises — he provided the funds needed to print the Kpelle New Testament! God miraculously allowed the dedication of the New Testament to take place on November 20, 2014, amidst the Ebola epidemic. Praise God that Ebola could not stop this event from happening. Pray for the epidemic to be completely contained and for the country to recover. Now that the Scriptures are available, pray for the people to come to know the


love and comfort of God found in his Word. Pray that many Kpelle speakers will treasure and use God’s Word in their heart language.Lutheran Bible Translators — lbt.org

S MALAWI SELLOMWE; MALAWI (900,000)The shipment of New Testaments from South Korea to Malawi took longer than anticipated, but praise God, the Ellomwe now have them! The books were dedicated to God’s glory late last year. Pray that people will use the translated Scripture and apply it to their hearts and lives. The Ellomwe also have access to a DVD with Ellomwe worship songs. Pray for a good and clear recording of the New Testament and that all the production equipment will work well. Ask God to use his Word, in written and audio forms, to impact many lives for Christ. And lift up the team that continues to translate the Old Testament. Ask the Lord to protect team members and their families. May God bless them with unity and stability during challenging times.Bible Society Malawi — biblesociety-malawi.org

LAMBYA; MALAWI (60,000)The New Testament was typeset last year but a lack of funds held up the printing and the Lambyan people are still waiting to have it! Pray for God to supply the needed funds so it may be printed early this year. Ask God to also enable an audio recording of the New Testament to be completed. Pray that believing Lambyans will be encouraged and others called into God’s Kingdom through the printed and audio Scriptures. Thank the Lord for 30 literacy centers where Lambyan adults are learning to read the Bible. Pray for ongoing success of this program. Translation of the Old Testament is going well, with 44 percent of it already checked by a consultant. Ask the Lord to give good and steady progress to the translation team. The Word For The World

S MOZAMBIQUE SMAKONDE; MOZAMBIQUE (360,000)The Makonde don’t have to wait any longer — they have the New Testament, together with Genesis, Jonah and Ruth in their heart language! A joyful celebration took place July 26, 2014. Thank the Lord for his watch and care over every stage of the project. Pray that these Scriptures will be eagerly used. Pray

that they will be the foundation of a gospel movement among the Makonde churches.

MEETTO; MOZAMBIQUE (1,200,000)Meetto believers used to feel uneasy about death. They were unsure if they would be buried in a way that honors the Lord. Recently the translators distributed funeral liturgy providing an order of service with prayers and Bible verses that communicate God’s perspective. They were surprised at the high demand for this literature and are excited to see how God is using it to proclaim truth to the community. Give thanks for a new Bible study for local pastors who meet regularly to study and revise drafted Scripture portions. Their feedback is helpful to the translators and encourages them. Praise God that several Bible books are undergoing back translations and only a few remain to be drafted.OneVerse — oneverse.org

NYUNGWE; MOZAMBIQUE (420,000)By its very nature, Bible translation promotes, preserves and protects local languages. The Mozambique government celebrated International Mother Tongue Day and invited the Nyungwe translators to bring translated materials for an exposition at the event. Pray that the local government will continue to support the translation project and provide further opportunities to spread the news about heart language Scripture. Pray that the translation team members may be registered with the government so they can purchase property to build an office. Ask the Lord to bless their efforts as they prepare two books for a consultant check. Praise the Lord that Matthew is being prepared for publication. Thank God for a local church leader who now comes weekly to help the translators.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org


SENA; MOZAMBIQUE (1,900,000)Rejoice with the Sena people! Last November they held a dedication ceremony for the New Testament. Pray that the Scriptures are well-read in the Sena communities. Pray that as a result, many people are being drawn into his kingdom. Pray for perseverance for the team members as they continue to translate portions of the Old Testament.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

TAKWANE; MOZAMBIQUE (200,000)The final books of the New Testament were checked by a consultant last year. Then the translation team members carefully checked for consistent use of key terms, spelling and formatting. Thank the Lord for giving them health and strength. Pray for Susan as she prepares the digital copy for printing; it’s a detailed task. Ask the Lord to fill her with joy and keep her focused. Lift up Jeff, Peg and Nancy in prayer as they proofread the copy; they need keen eyes and abundant energy. Pray also for God to bring in the funds to pay for the publishing of the New Testaments. Ask God to grant favor to Jeff and Peg as they share this financial need with friends and churches. Finally, thank God for an audio recording that was made of the Scriptures, and pray that many will listen to his Word and be transformed.

S NAMIBIA SDHIMBA; NAMIBIA (12,000)Praise God! On January 25, 2014, nearly 20 years of work came to fruition and the Dhimba people dedicated their New Testament. They had been eagerly waiting to have God’s Word in their language. Often they would ask translator Reverend Tolu, “Where are the Dhimba Bibles? We need to have the Bible in our language.” Give thanks for their excitement. Pray that it continues to spread and that the Dhimba speakers would see the power of the Holy Spirit at work among them as they read and treasure the Word of God.Lutheran Bible Translators — lbt.org

KHOEKHOEGOWAB; NAMIBIA (200,000)Bible translation cannot depend on the strength of the translators alone. Prayer is an integral part of the work, and is especially needed as a project approaches the finish line. Pray for the Khoekhoegowab translation team to

remain steadfast in the face of challenges. Ask God to help the members keep the Khoekhoegowab Old Testament in focus despite busy schedules. Pray for the resources and time they need to bring the project to completion.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

S NIGER SEASTERN NIGER FULFULDE; NIGER (450,000)Praise God for the translation team’s progress. Lift the members up in prayer this year as they check the final books of the New Testament for consistency in spelling and punctuation. They will also perform a read-through of the New Testament to look for errors. They need keen eyes, good concentration

and strength for these tasks. The team will then work with a typesetter to lay out the manuscript for printing. Ask God to grant the members wisdom as they make decisions about formatting, like how many columns to include, what font and type size to use, and where to place pictures and maps. Pray for good health for team members and their families. Ask the Lord to raise up funds to cover the typesetting and publication costs. SIM International — sim.org

WESTERN NIGER FULFULDE; NIGER (500,000)Thank the Lord for his protection of Doulos and Bouba, the translation team. In spite of heightened security in the country, they have been safe and made good progress in their work last year. Ask the Lord to constantly renew their energy and give them clear


minds and wisdom as they work with a consultant in January on Hebrews and 2 Corinthians. The rest of the year they plan to proceed with Romans, 1 Corinthians and seven smaller Epistles. After that, they will perform a thorough review of the manuscript, ensuring harmony of key terms between different books. Their goal is to have the text ready for typesetting by early 2016. Ask God to prepare hearts among the local communities to receive his Word with great joy in their own language.SIM International — sim.org

TAMAJAQ TAWALLAMMAT; NIGER (1,000,000)The Tamajaq Tawallammat translators face special challenges as they work to produce two New Testaments — one in Latin script, and one in Shifinagh script, an alphabet used specifically by Berber peoples. Pray for extra strength and alertness for them as they finish typesetting early this year. They must go through the process twice, typesetting for each script. They are scrutinizing the text, looking for errors and making corrections. Then they will repeat those tasks as page formatting is done. A separate proofreader will check to ensure all edits were made correctly and the manuscript is ready for printing. Pray that the printing job will result in top quality and durable books. Ask the Lord to protect the New Testaments as they are shipped back to Niger. And lift up Tamajaq Tawallammat speakers, that many hearts will be drawn to Christ and transformed as they read the Scriptures.

S NIGERIA SABAKALIKI CLUSTER PROJECT — EZAA, IKWO AND IZII LANGUAGES; NIGERIA (530,000)The printing and delivery process for translated Bibles can take anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the project’s location and the obstacles that must be overcome. Obstacles range from travel and logistics, to matters of health and morale, to political pressures and worse. Pray for God’s sovereign hand to govern such factors as these three Bibles are printed and returned to Nigeria. Pray especially for the provision of the necessary funding to get God’s Word into the hands of the Ezaa, Ikwo and Izii people. Ask God to orchestrate significant

events and enable a joint Bible dedication to take place early this year.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

BEKWARRA; NIGERIA (151,000)Rejoice that the revised New Testament is now being typeset! Give thanks that, within the community, there is an increasing appreciation for the ability to read God’s Word in the Bekwarra language; it is in high demand among the people. Pray for the Bekwarra people to succeed in literacy classes so that God can speak clearly to their hearts through the translation. Continue to support the team in prayer as they bring Old Testament books through the various stages of translation and checking. Pray for the translators to absorb knowledge and skills from workshops and training sessions they attend. Pray too for them to remain healthy and safe so they may continue their translation work without distraction.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

BWAATYE; NIGERIA (477,000)It is exciting to see local churches using portions of the translated Bwaatye New Testament for their Sunday Scripture readings. Pray that God’s Word communicates powerfully to the people through their mother tongue. Pray for the translation process to proceed without hindrance as the translators give priority to team-checking Bible books; they are providing critical input that will largely determine the final form of each book. Intercede for the family and friends of Pagiel, one of the translators who passed away last year. Ask the Lord to comfort and encourage them, giving them joy during this challenging time.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

C’LELA; NIGERIA (90,000)The C’lela translation team finished a back translation of Matthew, Mark and John. God has also provided a unique opportunity for the team to creatively use mass media to share Scripture. Every Tuesday night the translation team broadcasts half-hour television episodes to share God’s Word in the C’lela language. A state official expressed gratitude for the program, indicating that hearing the Scripture in his mother tongue left him feeling refreshed. Rejoice that God is making an impact through the program! Marcus is the translator in charge of coordinating pastors and singers for the program. Pray for God to guide Marcus to people who will accurately and


enthusiastically present the gospel message to the C’lela television audience.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

DADIYA; NIGERIA (30,000)There is conflict between the Dadiya people and a neighboring ethnic group, but the translated Word is increasingly bringing comfort to Dadiya speakers who have suffered loss. Pray for resolution to the strife. Thank the Lord for the translation team’s progress — the members checked a draft of 1 Peter and Galatians; the first 7 chapters of Acts were approved by a consultant; and they are preparing chapters 8-10 for the consultant. They are also excited about an audio recording of Matthew, Mark and John in Dadiya; pray that these recorded Scriptures will spark interest among people as they listen to God’s Word in their heart language. Pray that they would apply it to their lives.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

DUKAWA; NIGERIA (73,000)The Dukawa live in the northeastern part of Nigeria. The translation team members have steadily worked on the New Testament. This year they want to complete the books of Acts, 1-2 Corinthians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Peter and Jude. Intercede for the translators as they dedicate themselves to this task. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill them with wisdom, discernment and strength each day. Pray for God’s protection on their families. Participants in the project live in Nigeria, Texas and Florida. Pray for dependable technology — computers and Internet connections that are stable and strong so the team can regularly communicate with one another.

EHUGBO; NIGERIA (40,000)A trial copy of the Gospel of Luke was dedicated and launched in the Ehugbo communities. The Luke-based “JESUS” film is now recorded. Pray that the film will increase the desire to follow Jesus among the Ehugbo and that God’s message will have an eternal impact. The Gospel of Matthew has been checked with a consultant, and work continues on Mark and John. Pray that there will be no unforeseen challenges that might hinder the team’s progress. Ask the Lord to grant approval from the local government for the team to teach the Ehugbo language in schools. Pray

that the upcoming generation will be well equipped to read the mother tongue Scriptures.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

ETULO; NIGERIA (10,000)The Etulo people love the mother tongue Scriptures. Praise God for their interest in the translation project as well as the literacy initiative. Pray that when Scripture materials become widely available, they will be well accepted and read often. The “JESUS” film has been drafted in Etulo, and the translation team is conducting checks of about a dozen New Testament books. Pray for success in their efforts as the labor of translation continues. Pray that the Lord will continue to spur the hearts of the Etulo to embrace his Word in their own language.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

GAMAI; NIGERIA (200,000)When the Gamai translation project first began, the people used to ask, “How is your Bible work going?” Now, many people are asking, “How is our Bible work going?” Praise God that the Gamai are interested and want to be able to read God’s Word in their heart language. Team checks are proceeding well, with 1 Peter and 1-2 John completed and Matthew underway. Pray that God enables his workers to render clear, natural and accurate translations. Ask the Lord for good health for the translators and their families. Pray especially for safety from the extremist groups in the area.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

GWOROK; NIGERIA (100,000)“Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD! Sing to the LORD; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves” (Psalm 96:1-2, NLT). Gworok youth have taken this passage to heart and have planned a district-wide singing day featuring music, competitions and Scripture readings in Gworok. Give thanks for their enthusiasm to worship God. Pray for the translators to persevere in their work. They will soon circulate several chapters of Matthew for community testing. Praise God that interest in the Gworok translation is widespread. By using heart language Scripture in local churches, more people are drawn to attend.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org


HYAM; NIGERIA (500,000)Soon the words and deeds of Jesus will come alive for people when they see him speaking their own Hyam language in the “JESUS” film. Pray for effective distribution of the film, which is based on the Gospel of Luke, and that many Hyam people will have a personal encounter with Jesus. Thank the Lord for progress on the translation. Seven Epistles were team-checked and are now ready for a consultant to review them. Pray for fruitful literacy efforts that will enable people to read the New Testament. The team launched an official Hyam alphabet and wordlist to aid mother tongue literacy. Above all, pray that the Scriptures in Hyam will help Christians stand firm in their faith, combat false teaching and live godly lives.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

ICHEN; NIGERIA (130,000)The Ichen people are beginning to experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Prior to the start of the translation project, there was conflict, anger and frustration between various clans. Give thanks that reconciliation is now occurring and differences are being resolved. Pray that unity and love become the new normal for the Ichen as they learn from the example of the early church in the book of Acts. The translators have already typeset Acts and it is ready for printing. They are also reviewing numerous other books and translating the “JESUS” film into Ichen. Pray for patience and endurance for those engaged in the challenging process of developing a film script that matches the timing of the film.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

IKA; NIGERIA (345,000)The Ika team is making progress in translating the Old Testament — Psalms 1-40 have been tested by the community, a consultant has checked three other books, and the team checked most of Isaiah. In this prophetic book, it’s easy to catch a glimpse of how God works throughout human history. Pray that Ika speakers will sense how God’s purposes come about and are revealed in Isaiah, the rest of translated Scriptures and modern history. Ask that God’s hand of blessing be upon the members of the Ika translation team as they forge ahead in their good work.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

ITEN; NIGERIA (40,000)Translators have printed and distributed seven New Testament books as trial editions that will be circulated among the Iten speakers. Pray for a positive response. Pray too that the Lord would draw these people into his kingdom when they read his Word in their language. The translation team conducted a team check of Peter’s Epistles and was also able to have Romans checked by a consultant. Pray that the consultant check of 1 Corinthians is constructive. Pray for insight for the translators as they comb the text to ensure that it is clear, precise and natural-sounding. Ask God to continue to empower literacy efforts among the Iten.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

JENJO; NIGERIA (15,000)God continues to bless the Jenjo translation team. Last year, a two-week literacy workshop was conducted. Although only three people were able to attend every day, God had a surprise in store — one of the men was so grateful for the workshop that he chose to pay for the fuel for the team’s generator for the next five months. Praise God for working in unexpected ways to meet the needs of the team. Pray that he would grant the Jenjo translators and their families good health, energy and protection. Pray, too, for wisdom and discernment as the team completes back translations in anticipation of consultant checks.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

JJU; NIGERIA (300,000)Jju translation work is being broadcast by radio. As a result, people have been calling in and asking for Jju printed materials! Pray that this radio program will continue and that people would long for the whole Bible to be available in their language. The New Testament is already available and a draft of the Old Testament is completed. The translators are conducting team checks of their work, and a consultant is checking Judges and Daniel. Pray for the translators to remain dedicated and find joy in working so closely with God’s Word. Give thanks that some local schools are requesting copies of the translated Scripture materials.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

KUTEB; NIGERIA (100,000)The Old Testament books are progressing through the various stages of translation. The team recently


drafted Song of Solomon, Hosea and Malachi. Pray for the translators and ask God to grant them wisdom as they continue to render his precious Word in the Kuteb language. The Old Testament translation project has been stirring local interest in a reprint of the mother tongue New Testament. Praise the Lord that Kuteb speakers are convinced that reading Scripture in their language helps them to understand it better than in the national language. Continue to pray for peace in Nigeria.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

LEGBO; NIGERIA (80,000)The Legbo translators are busy at work on the Gospel of Luke, performing a consultant check. Pray that their efforts will result in Scripture that is accurate and natural sounding in Legbo. The “JESUS” film, which is based on the Gospel of Luke, has also been recorded. Ask God to prepare “good soil” so that when the Legbo receive God’s Word, they will “ … hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest” (Luke 8:15, NLT). Team member Enya passed away into the presence of the Lord last year. Pray for the team, friends and family as they absorb this loss. Pray too for peace in Nigeria. The Legbo villages have endured attacks from neighboring communities.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

LIS MA RON; NIGERIA (75,000)Give thanks that the entire New Testament has been drafted in the Lis ma Ron language. The team is now focused on the more advanced steps in the translation process, including team checks, community testing and consultant checks. Ask God to enable them to bring all the books to publishable quality without difficulty. A list of key biblical words such as “grace” and “kingdom” is circulating among local reviewers and community leaders. Pray that God will communicate meaningfully through the team’s rendering of these important terms. Pray too for God to use the Lis ma Ron translation of the “JESUS” film to win people to himself.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

LOKAA; NIGERIA (350,000)Praise God that the Lokaa people will soon have more Scripture available in their language. They already have the New Testament, and the Old Testament translation is well underway with portions of the Old Testament in the process of being published. Pray that these new Scripture portions will provide encouragement to the

Lokaa people. Pray that the translation team would receive the feedback and input needed to complete the rest of their work. Last year a translator who served on the Lokaa project for many years passed away. Pray that the Lord will comfort those who mourn and provide for the needs of his family.Seed Company — theseedcompany.org

MAYA; NIGERIA (50,000)Praise the Lord that Ephesians, Philippians and 1-2 Peter have received a consultant’s approval. These books were also tested with the local people. Continue to pray for good team spirit among the Maya translators. Pray that they would relate well to local churches despite some disputes. Ask for the Lord’s protection on the

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AFRICA - Wycliffe Bible Translators · 2015. 4. 15. · FON; BENIN (1,400,000) Praise the Lord! God...

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