The country administrator of Faith Comes By Hearing, Apolinaire Ambasa, reports that the Word of God is stirring up the church in the Koonzime area. He writes:
"After 2 quarters of activities, the program is impacting the Koonzime land. The attendance in many churches is increasing and some people now understand deeply what Christian life is. In Malen, the group leader – he comes from 6 km away - succeeded to create a church. At the beginning, he set up a listening group and when the group grew, the listeners decided to get in touch with the Parish Pastor. They expressed their desire to transform their group into a church. The day of the inauguration of the church, the participants offered a piece of land for the building in presence of their chief and the listening group leader was appointed the Catechist of the new church.
"Some Koonzime pastors testified that since their church started the program, there are many conversions of adults and young people. The attendance in church services is increasing; the number of adults who are requesting baptism has increased. There is a great improvement in the lives of Christians.
"The program helped the Achip Catholic Church (Koonzime) to restart functioning again. This church was closed because of spiritual crisis which discouraged the Christians to continue attending church services.
"In Ngoulmakong in Koonzime land, two sisters reconciled after listening to Mathieu 5. They spent 10 years without talking to each other."
7/30/2009
How Long to Create a Draft of a New Testament?
I've been adapting the Nzime New Testament into Njyem, and 92.35% of the New Testament remains to be adapted. The last time I was able to work on this was in March. I had about 2 days' worth of time with Jean Bart KUL and Etienne AMFANGNSO', and we completed Mark 1-6 and Luke 22-24. The program we used was "Adapt-It", which worked like a gem.
In my experience, 1.9% of the New Testament can be done every day. This means that the remainder of the Njyem New Testament should require only 48 more days of work.
In my experience, 1.9% of the New Testament can be done every day. This means that the remainder of the Njyem New Testament should require only 48 more days of work.
7/28/2009
Njyem Hearing God's Word... in Nzime(!)
The Nzime received the New Testament in 1998 as a result of the support of CABTAL and other funders. Then they received generous support from Faith Comes By Hearing, which orchestrated the recording of their New Testament and the distribution of "Proclaimers", digital players that are powered by the sun. They saw the Nzime at first responding little to the printed New Testament, but then responding with joy and excitement at the arrival of the Proclaimers. They gather together in listening groups and let the translated and recorded Word of God pour into their ears and hearts. Lives are changed, relationships restored, and people given new hope. One of the readers, Bolakam Severin, died recently in total peace, asking for nothing but the Proclaimer that he could play at all times.
ASTRADHE is the literacy and Scripture-Impact organization that is providing the supervision for this far-flung program.
The Njyem, meanwhile, were seeing little progress on their side of the river. Life was not bad, but it wasn't quite what it should be, either. They asked for a New Testament to be translated, but the resources were not forthcoming. They waited some more and then they did something uncharacteristic... they asked and asked again for the Proclaimers to be brought south across the river for use in their villages. They knew that this was going to mean that the Nzime language would gain more of a foothold in their midst, but they could not let that distasteful aspect come between them and their deeper exposure to the Word of God.
After all, the proverb says "a drowning man will even grab a snake that is swimming by if will help him to survive".
They still want the word of God in their language, but until that happens, they know they need the Proclaimer and the Nzime language that it brings.
The Presbyterian pastor of Ngoyla is Reverend Bengene Mebere Innocent. He wrote:
"We ask you to esctend the praiseworthy project into our sector, that of the Njyem. This program you initiated faacilitates the evangelization of a people group through the hearing of the Word of God in the local language.
"We have met in August 2008 in Ngoyla to study how to better evangelize this area and it was found that the main handicap was that the majority of the population was illiterate, and for this reason very few read the Bible.
"Having heard a member of ASTRADHE speak of the FCBH program, we expressed our appreciation for the program and are asking that in the days to come seven listening centers should be opened as a preliminary step. ...I will supervise the listening centers so that peoplle are blessed by the Word of God."
In the days to come, however, the Roman Catholic curé based in Ngoyla also said that he would supervise listening centers for his own parishioners. As a result, twenty listening centers have been started in the Njyem area, half under the supervision of each of the major Christian communions.
Recently, Rufine Adjowa returned from her Njyem village and said that the Proclaimer is used in church where the reading of the Word of God is called for. She said lives are being touched by God and they are finding a sure basis for their faith in God.
ASTRADHE is the literacy and Scripture-Impact organization that is providing the supervision for this far-flung program.
The Njyem, meanwhile, were seeing little progress on their side of the river. Life was not bad, but it wasn't quite what it should be, either. They asked for a New Testament to be translated, but the resources were not forthcoming. They waited some more and then they did something uncharacteristic... they asked and asked again for the Proclaimers to be brought south across the river for use in their villages. They knew that this was going to mean that the Nzime language would gain more of a foothold in their midst, but they could not let that distasteful aspect come between them and their deeper exposure to the Word of God.
After all, the proverb says "a drowning man will even grab a snake that is swimming by if will help him to survive".
They still want the word of God in their language, but until that happens, they know they need the Proclaimer and the Nzime language that it brings.
The Presbyterian pastor of Ngoyla is Reverend Bengene Mebere Innocent. He wrote:
"We ask you to esctend the praiseworthy project into our sector, that of the Njyem. This program you initiated faacilitates the evangelization of a people group through the hearing of the Word of God in the local language.
"We have met in August 2008 in Ngoyla to study how to better evangelize this area and it was found that the main handicap was that the majority of the population was illiterate, and for this reason very few read the Bible.
"Having heard a member of ASTRADHE speak of the FCBH program, we expressed our appreciation for the program and are asking that in the days to come seven listening centers should be opened as a preliminary step. ...I will supervise the listening centers so that peoplle are blessed by the Word of God."
In the days to come, however, the Roman Catholic curé based in Ngoyla also said that he would supervise listening centers for his own parishioners. As a result, twenty listening centers have been started in the Njyem area, half under the supervision of each of the major Christian communions.
Recently, Rufine Adjowa returned from her Njyem village and said that the Proclaimer is used in church where the reading of the Word of God is called for. She said lives are being touched by God and they are finding a sure basis for their faith in God.
"Janvier" Ekoalea Recording the book of Genesis
Since 1998, when we finished typesetting and publishing the Nzime (Koonzime) New Testament, we began training "Janvier" Ekoalea as a Bible translator for the Badwe'e. He was the choice of Samuel Mpiale, who was retiring. Over the years Janvier, whose real name is Ekoalea Mvolo Maurice, has blossomed and developed as a song-writer and translator of the Bible in his language.
He is shown standing in the recording studio he built in the translation and literacy office of Somalomo. That was where they recorded the Gospel of Mark that is now being heard throughout the Badwe'e area by means of the Megavoice player.
He is shown standing in the recording studio he built in the translation and literacy office of Somalomo. That was where they recorded the Gospel of Mark that is now being heard throughout the Badwe'e area by means of the Megavoice player.
Proverbs for the Badwe'e
The Badwe'e love their proverbs, and we have been privileged to live among them and hear them. We saw how impressive it was to people to hear an exhortation and then hear it followed by a proverb. It was a way of saying, "See? This point I am arguing for is in full agreement with everything that the Fathers have left us with! You should believe it as do I, because of my filial devotion to those who taught this to me."
I am doing honor to the memory of people like our host, Azabur Joseph "The Tall One" (Ajaajaa), by producing a volume of proverbs that were taught me. I know that my revision team will feast on the "delectible meal" that they find set before them and correct any errors I make, so earnest is their interest in their proverbs. Anyone wanting to participate in this process by email should contact me.
This publication, like every other one, is produced at the expense of someone of a charitable mindset. We are doing this one as a result of the successful "US government charitable giving campaign".
I am doing honor to the memory of people like our host, Azabur Joseph "The Tall One" (Ajaajaa), by producing a volume of proverbs that were taught me. I know that my revision team will feast on the "delectible meal" that they find set before them and correct any errors I make, so earnest is their interest in their proverbs. Anyone wanting to participate in this process by email should contact me.
This publication, like every other one, is produced at the expense of someone of a charitable mindset. We are doing this one as a result of the successful "US government charitable giving campaign".
7/27/2009
Megavoices Bringing the Light of God's Word to Many
Megavoice (http://www.megavoice.com) is a great tool for bringing people under the powerful influence of God's Word! It is solar-powered, as is seen in the first picture. The Badwe'e people talk about "drying it in the sun" as they address the reality of exposing it to sunlight.
It is also simple to use and people find it infectious. They want to take it to the field with them or anywhere they happen to go.
They have found the truth and the life in Jesus as they hear the story of Mark's Gospel.
Two colleagues leaving today for literacy training
Francois Medjo (http://www.francoismedardmedjo.blogspot.com/) and Ferdinand Elanga (http://www.codylko.blogspot.com/) left today on their third (and final?) trip to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, where they will complete a training program that shapes them into colleagues and peers of those in SIL who are doing literacy consultation.
They are leaving with documents in hand that will be examined and evaluated by Cathy Davison, the coordinator of the program ("la Pratique et Théorie de l'Alphabétisation"). This time, they should return with certificates from UNESCO that they will proudly show to one and all who wonder if they can help them with their literacy materials and literacy programs.
Pray for them to succeed in their training and come back recharged for more adventures.
They are leaving with documents in hand that will be examined and evaluated by Cathy Davison, the coordinator of the program ("la Pratique et Théorie de l'Alphabétisation"). This time, they should return with certificates from UNESCO that they will proudly show to one and all who wonder if they can help them with their literacy materials and literacy programs.
Pray for them to succeed in their training and come back recharged for more adventures.
Ferdinand was telling me today that his work as a literacy organizer in Mindourou has had some unforeseen impact outside the scope of his plans: 1.) Speakers of Mpubyeng, a dialect of Mpumpung, have indicated their interest in receiving his counsel and help as they learn to read and write in their mother tongue. 2.) There are two more new believers in Christ Jesus in Djaposten as a result of hearing the recording of MARK in the Badwe'e dialect. The Megavoice units are a big source of church growth! They
are making impact far beyond our expectations!
are making impact far beyond our expectations! The picture at the left shows some of the Badwe'e who contributed their voices to the recording of the Gospel of Mark. It took place in Somalomo, under the supervision of our SIL coworker, Duane Troyer.
7/23/2009
Publishing goals
This past Thursday we printed 25 copies of Badwe'e GENESIS for reviewers to study. The publisher of this document is CABTAL. They are one of the many members of Wycliffe Bible Translators International.
Another publication in circulation recently is the oral version of the KANDE Story. This is distributed by means of the "Sabre" player.
Soon we will begin printing a collection of works written by new Nzime authors that Francois Medjo trained last week in Lomié. A fund internal to SIL-Cameroon Branch is extending to them the needed money for publication.
We also have funding for the Nzime transition primer, used among Nzimes literate in French. That should go to press in August.
We are still hoping to find sponsors for the following books:
Another publication in circulation recently is the oral version of the KANDE Story. This is distributed by means of the "Sabre" player.
Soon we will begin printing a collection of works written by new Nzime authors that Francois Medjo trained last week in Lomié. A fund internal to SIL-Cameroon Branch is extending to them the needed money for publication.
We also have funding for the Nzime transition primer, used among Nzimes literate in French. That should go to press in August.
We are still hoping to find sponsors for the following books:
- The Badwe'e transition primer (for Badwe'es literate in French already)
- 300 copies of the Nzime "KANDE Story", which teaches the facts of AIDS and the way communities can survive it.)
- 300 copies of the Badwe'e "KANDE Story".
7/22/2009
Francois MEDJO busy in Lomie
Francois is our partner in the work, based with his family in Lomie. He oversees everthing there: literacy program development, training, capacity-building, ... you name it! His website is http://www.francoismedardmedjo.blogspot.com/.
He says that young and old Nzime are coming to his door at all times to be involved in the acquisition of reading and writing skills. The Njyem are becoming more and more earnest about the use of their language in nontraditional ways.
Visit his site see how you can help him and his team.
Most recently, he created a team of people to read a story in Nzime that recounts a typical AIDS tragedy. This story is called "Kande's Story" in English, and it is being used powerfully in various translated forms throughout Africa. It is his goal to add the sound to the PowerPoint presentation and then project it throughout the Nzime area.
As he said, "Ignorance kills; people die because they don't know what they are supposed to do. The Kande story will help them avoid this outcome."
Francois leads a nongovernmental organization, ASTRADHE, that is a member of a consortium of NGOs. They have asked his organization to take the lead role in AIDS education.
He says that young and old Nzime are coming to his door at all times to be involved in the acquisition of reading and writing skills. The Njyem are becoming more and more earnest about the use of their language in nontraditional ways.
Visit his site see how you can help him and his team.
Most recently, he created a team of people to read a story in Nzime that recounts a typical AIDS tragedy. This story is called "Kande's Story" in English, and it is being used powerfully in various translated forms throughout Africa. It is his goal to add the sound to the PowerPoint presentation and then project it throughout the Nzime area.
As he said, "Ignorance kills; people die because they don't know what they are supposed to do. The Kande story will help them avoid this outcome."
Francois leads a nongovernmental organization, ASTRADHE, that is a member of a consortium of NGOs. They have asked his organization to take the lead role in AIDS education.
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