We are nearing the completion of the Waali Bible translation project. The Bible is at the printer and should arrive in Ghana early next year. Recently, we asked a Ghanian what it means to him for the entire Bible to be published in his langauge. Here’s his response:
When I first heard from Mr. Mining [sic] about the completion of the Waali Bible, I was very excited about it. For me personally the translation of the Bible into Waali will be a great tool in the ministry. To see the word of God in my own language shows how much God is interested in having a relationship with my people and increasing the faith of the believers. To the best of my knowledge the Waali Bible is the only document first written in the Waali language.
An important part of the Waali Bible is that, there are pastors who are trained in the waali language only because they cannot read English. Some of these pastors have never read the Old Testament and what a joy it will be for them to get it. It is like for years part of the truth has been hidden from them. I had an opportunity of being around some of these pastors and working with them. Their desire of having the full Bible in Waali cannot be explained. One pastor once told me, “if only I knew English….” His reason of knowing English was to be able to read the Old Testament. When you are with these pastors it becomes obvious that they are lacking something very important in their ministry and that is the full Bible.
One thing the unbeliever say in Wa is that Christianity is the white man religion. The waali Bible I believe will be a witness to the unbeliever that Christianity is for everybody. The Waali Bible can also be used at the radio station where our pastors preach and discuss about the Bible.
As I said earlier on the excitement of just hearing about the Waali Old Testament is beyond my explanation, but one thing that I know is that people will be able for the first time read the Old Testament in their own language and know the mystery that has been hidden from them years ago.
I would like to take this time also to thank you and your board very much for all the hard work and efforts that you have put into the Waali Bible translation. Only eternity will tell what impact you have on my people although you have never met them.
If you have any question about anything I will be glad to answer them.
Thank you.
IT IS ALL ABOUT CHRIST
Praise the Lord for the opportunity we have of showing Africans that Christianity is not just a white man’s religion! Praise the Lord also that the Waali pastors and believers don’t have to worry about learning English to read the precious truths of the OT!
Do we value those same truths to the extent that we would be willing to learn another language just to be able to read them?
