In the past, the Nambya people relied solely on the Ndebele Bible—a common language, but not their mother tongue language. The Nambya community is ecstatic about the prospect of finally having a Bible in their heart language! The review team, made up of fifteen members, asked to keep the incomplete Bible translation manuscripts of Mark, Luke, Acts and Romans for use in their homes and churches. Their thirst for the Word of God made them want even portions of the Bible in the language they could understand easily! Their eagerness to hear and understand the Bible caused them to exclaim, ‘When can we receive the completed books?!’
The Nambya people’s enthusiasm calls to mind Psalm 42:1-2 (NASB):
As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for You, God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;
When shall I come and appear before God?
Having the Bible in their heart language will not only quench their thirst to know God and the Gospel message of hope—bringing salvation and transformation and improvement in the social, physical, mental, financial and spiritual wellbeing of the people—but it will also be a source of preservation of the Nambya language, customs and traditions. It will give the Nambya community a sense of pride as a people group and an identity that will last for generations to come.
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