So What are You Doing Over There?!?

                                                                                    Iringa, Tanzania

That was the question a family member recently asked us about our work in Tanzania. So we thought the best way to answer that question was with another question. So what are we and our partners in ministry doing over here?  You see, we are only here because our partners have lovingly and obediently supported the work.  Here is the year end  summary--thanks to our director-- of what has happened in our branch (Tanzania-Uganda). As we come to the end of 2011 and anticipate 2012, it’s good to look back and thank God for  His continued faithfulness to us.  Much has been accomplished in the past year and we want to thank each one of you for your part in the work!

 ~This year we celebrated with the Sangu and Ndali language communities of Mbeya Region as they dedicated the Gospel of Mark, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon and the books of Ruth and Jonah. We also celebrated with the Ikoma-Nata-Isenye, Kabwa and Zanaki language communities of Mara Region as they received and dedicated the Gospel of Luke.

~2011 saw the publication of Genesis in Rangi and Burunge; the Gospel of Mark in Temi; and the Gospel of Luke in Ikizu. These are just the published portions of Scripture, there has been a lot more Scripture drafted, checked and ready for publication. A number of the teams in Uganda are getting very close to finishing the New Testament. Bwisi has completed 71% of the New Testament and has just the gospels of John and Matthew to complete. In total our translation consultants checked 17,276 verses in fiscal year 2011.

~Our literacy and Scripture Use teams continue to produce new local language publications, including locally authored story books, Bible-based reading materials, and basic health and development booklets. 108 new publications were produced in fiscal year 2011 and the number of sales, which we use as an indicator of use of local language materials, has increased by over a third (15,700 to 25,000), which is very encouraging. There was a dedication event for 12 devotional booklets in Sukuma, one for each month of the year. The whole service was in Sukuma, and a little bell was rung if anyone strayed into Swahili!

~Many local language literacy classes have been held throughout the year. As a result close to 20,000 community members have learnt how to read and write their own language. Scripture Use events have also taken place, with around15,000 people attending various local language Scripture use events.

~This year saw the start of the Luke Partnership project with The Seed Company. The project includes 7 Ugandan languages. Some of these languages have existing Scriptures, but are dealing with issues of access particularly associated with difficult to read orthographies.

~Foundational linguistics and orthography development work is proceeding in a number of our projects, including Mbugwe and Ik. This year linguistic work will be started in 3 new languages to the south east of Mbeya: Pangwa, Manda and Kisi, as well as in the new Katavi Cluster.

  ~Strengthened partnership with the churches in Katavi Region and the commitment of the Katavi Cluster Advisory Committee to the project. The cluster team is starting to grow in Mpanda, but has had to deal with a number of challenging situations including a medevac and ongoing health issues

 ~This year we’ve started more intentional advocacy for use of local languages in education and development in Tanzania and have continued to participate in a Multi-lingual Education Network in Uganda. The advocacy work in Tanzania has been significantly aided by the recent publication by Uwezo which indicates that many children in Tanzania speak a language other than Swahili at home and those children are disadvantaged when they go to school, being less able to understand the teacher’s instructions in Swahili. As a result they perform poorly. There is substantial evidence from other places that this situation can be rectified by teaching the child to read and write first in their mother tongue. The child would  then be much more able to learn to read and write in Swahili, providing a stronger foundation for their continuing education through primary school and beyond. Looking ahead we would like to be able to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach through well researched and documented basic literacy programs so that we can back up what we are saying with tangible evidence.

And that’s just a few of the highlights!  Thank you to all of our friends and family who faithfully support our work here in Tanzania.  We wish you many blessings!

“Rebecca, Translate the Bible”

“Rebecca, translate the Bible.” Those were the words Tanzanian Member of Parliament Rebecca Michael Mngodo heard 30 years ago when she was studying languages at the University of Moscow. Who spoke those words to her?  It was Cameron Townsend, founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International.

Cameron and Elaine Townsend were in Moscow at the invitation of the University faculty in the language studies department. (This was at a time when Russia was still a communist country!)  At the same time, Mngodo and her future husband had received scholarships from the government of Tanzania to attend school in Moscow.  Through a divine appointment, the two families met.   Mngodo was moved by Uncle Cam’s passion for getting the word to everyone in their heart language and they became friends. Ultimately, Uncle Cam (through a series of anonymous donors) raised money for her to go to England for an extensive 6 weeks course in Bible Translation taught at Wycliffe UK.

Mngodo later returned to Tanzania and had a successful career in TV production, was active in her church, and continued her friendship with the Townsends.  And, just last year, she became a member of the Parliament of Tanzania. Throughout this time, she continued to have the words burn in her heart, “Rebecca, translate the Bible.”

In June, she was in Dodoma for the session of parliament.  While at a gas station, she saw a vehicle with the name SIL on it. She met one of our colleagues and learned that SIL was working in Tanzania. The words of Uncle Cam hit her with such power when she saw SIL was in Tanzania! The colleague recently related this story of the meeting to Craig.  Then, Craig, along with another SIL colleague in Dar es Salaam, invited her to the office in Dar.

Last week she was able to visit and learn about the acceleration of Bible Translation in Tanzania and also tell the members of our office about her time with the Townsends. More importantly, she wanted to know how she could help. It turns out she is on the committee that relates with the key government ministry SIL is trying to work with! At the end of the meeting, the entire staff of the Dar office came and prayed for MP Mngodo and her work in Parliament. We praise God for this incredible divine appointment that happened at a humble gas station, and we ask you to pray about how MP Mngodo might be used by God to advance the cause of translation and fulfill the words of Uncle Cam, “Rebecca, translate the Bible.”