Jud Jusell and Teri Sheffield of TWFTW USA holding copies of the newly-published New Testaments in Dawro, Gamo and Gofa.

“Happy are those who… find joy in obeying the Word of the Lord, and they study it day and night” (Psalms 1.2)  

November 2011 was a joyous month for three nations in Ethiopia. The New Testament was published in the languages of the Dawro, Gamo and Gofa people!

This was a joint project between The Word for the World and The Seed Company. The translators were all members of the Dawro, Gamo and Gofa nations, who were translating into their own language.  They were trained in The Word for the World’s training program, and were assisted by consultants from both organizations.
  

The Word for the World and Pioneer Bible Translators are partnering in Bible translation projects in Tanzania. During November, Dr Barry Funnell, a consultant of The Word for the World, checked the translation of 1 and 2 Corinthians in eight languages in Morogoro, Tanzania. The languages were: Lughuru, Kwere, Kutu, Vidunda, Nguu, Zigua, Pogolo and Ndamba, all from East Africa. Group consultation is an innovative approach to consultation that saves money and time, because one consultant’s services benefit more than one translation team simultaneously.

This video explains how such a group consultation works.



Funding for the projects comes from The Seed Company, as well as a foundation in the United States and private donors. Prayer support is through intercessor networks. TWFTW thanks God for all who contributed in so many different ways to make this possible.

The Seed Company and The Word for the World Bible Translators both have the same vision: That the Bible may be translated into every language on the face of the earth that needs it. The Seed Company and The Word for the World are partnering to bring the Bible to the people of Tanzania, Ethiopia and India. More partnerships are envisioned.

In this partnership, The Word for the World trains Bible translators and consultants, and manages translation projects. 

From October 21 to 23, international leaders of The Seed Company met with leaders of The Word for the World in Kleinmond, South Africa. 

On Saturday, October 23, there was a meeting of supporters/partners with the leaders. The purpose of the meeting was to enable supporters/partners to meet the leaders, and to hear more of the work of the two organizations. The Seed Company presented Dr Veroni Kruger, International President of The Word for the World, with a painting as token of appreciation of the partnership between the two ministries. 

Tessema Wachemo and his team in Ethiopia juggle all thirteen translation projects – some doing drafting, team checking, field testing and yet others being consulted on - all of it simultaneously.

TWFTW thanks everyone for the diligent prayers and financial contributions as the Gamo, Gofa and Dawro New Testaments have finally been type-set by The Seed Company (TSC) in the USA. The teams are currently doing final proof reading after which the manuscripts  will be returned to TSC to be sent to the printers. TSC and the Bible League USA (who partners with TWFTW) will take care of the publication.

Scripture portions in seven languages were dedicated and distributed to the local people. For some of them, such as the Sheko and Shenasha, this was the first written material ever in their languages. The people responded with great self-confidence and pride to have such wonderful resources “in their hands and hearts”. People from government, the community and churches attended the ceremony, which afforded everyone a chance to mingle with each language group.