I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NLT)
Today, Bwaidoka families live on what they grow. In the late 1990s, a few families started trusting God for their harvests rather than invoking local spirits. Despite having no Scripture in their language, they made public professions of their abandoning the traditional garden rituals, and their neighbors witnessed God’s blessing through His provision of bumper crops. One man asked, “Why are your yams so big but mine are puny?” The answer: “Because you’re trusting in garden magic but I’m trusting in the Lord.” Before the Bwaidoka heard the gospel, they practiced cannibalism and feared spirits but over time, people began to embrace the missionaries’ message. Now most Bwaidoka claim Christianity. Yet, old traditions die hard. Scripture in the language of their heart will help the Bwaidoka people understand the power, authority, and character of God. It will give them confidence in God’s love and provision so that they may easily lay aside the traditional beliefs that have bound them for centuries.
Praise the Lord that he uses ordinary men like Joseph to accomplish His purposes. Pray that many Bwaidoka speakers will come to faith in Jesus because of this translation project. Ask God to continue to bless the relationships and work of the translators.
Praise God for training courses and materials to equip translators for the work of Bible translation. Pray for traveling mercies, protection from illness, and grace for Didani as he works on 2 Corinthians and Colossians.
Ask God to direct the completion and preparation of the nine New Testament books soon to be printed and distributed to pastors and the translation committee.