Several language groups in Tanzania will launch New Testament translation projects this year. Others have completed New Testaments in their hands (or final publication stages), and now they hope to locally own and manage an Old Testament project. In response, SIL Tanzania has launched the “Remaining Languages Project”…
Read More
The Burunge translation team took their draft of Deuteronomy to a “Community Check,” a crucial and exciting regular activity for the project. It was going well, and one of the Translators had his copy with him as he walked along a road filled with people…
Read More
“Praise God for answers to all the prayers for the Mbugwe JESUS film!” After months of preparation and production, the Translation team have completed a version of the film in their own language, using their Mbugwe translation of Luke’s Gospel and the original film script. The Mbugwe community celebrated, of course, complete with a ‘premiere’ showing and sold-out supply of flash cards loaded with the film, Scripture text, audio and more…
Read More
“We now have God’s Word in Simbiti!” cries a dancing man. “Simbiti people say Oye!” They shout it in response, as a growing crowd parades through the village. The long-awaited celebration of a completed New Testament for Tanzania’s Simbiti people has begun. “This day was not easy,” says one of the Translators, “but the people are very happy to see that now the Simbiti New Testament is in their hands…”
Read More
Their film scripts were ready. Bende and Pimbwe translators needed voice actors from the language communities. They were delayed for months by COVID, then detoured hundreds of kilometres by washed-out road. “When we came,” said one translator, “some candidates wanted to be paid rather than volunteer.” Another added, “some follow another religion, and they were afraid that helping us might betray their own faith…”
Read More
“I’ve been a Christian a long time,” said one Sangu translator. “But working on this translation, it’s like being in a Bible school. It has shown me anew what life with Jesus is about.” At the big celebration of the completed Sangu New Testament another translator said, “I see the people receiving God’s Word… receiving God himself.”
Read More
The small church roared with celebration as the first Ndali language New Testaments were opened. Songs and speeches in Ndali thrilled the crowd. “We welcome the Scriptures with two hands,” said a translator as he gestured a giant handshake. “It means a good welcome. This day will be remembered…”
Read More
“Now God’s Word has a direct path to the hearts” of the Kinga language community of western Tanzania. Numerous Christian doctrines celebrated together publically, near a main local bus stand…
Read More
“Truly, I feel joy, great joy,” said one Malila Translator at the celebration of the completed New Testament. “The Word of God will reach our people in the right way, and cause many to be saved and discipled. When they hear it in Swahili, sometimes they can’t understand. But now, in the language they understand, there will be great change…”
Read More