Bringing Hope and Transformation: LBT’s Partnership in Tanzania
Lutheran Bible Translators (LBT) actively partners with communities worldwide, empowering them to access Scripture in their own languages. When churches identify a need for Scripture in a specific language, they often collaborate with LBT to make it happen. One such partnership is transforming lives in Tanzania, where the Southeast of Lake Victoria Diocese (SELVD) recognized a critical need for Scripture within the Taturu language community.
From right: Dr. Mono, Tiffany Smith (LBT Community Engagement Specialist), and Rev. Frank Mdindi (3rd from left) visiting with the Datoga Taturu language community.
A Vision to Reach Every Village
Driven by their vision to reach all villages with the Word of God by 2030, SELVD realized the importance of providing the Gospel in the Taturu language.
“We have a vision of reaching all villages with the word of God by 2030… We came to found that they need to hear the Gospel in their vernacular languages. And then we started talking with LBT how we can work together to translate the Bible to the Taturu language.”
This realization led to a powerful collaboration with LBT to translate the Bible into the Taturu language, fostering a deeper connection with God’s message.
Rev. Frank Mdindi’s role as Community Facilitator is vital in developing trusting relationships with the Datoga Taturu community.
Transforming Lives Through Translation
The partnership between LBT and SELVD has already yielded significant results. To date, several books of the Bible have been translated into Taturu, including:
- The Gospels
- Romans
- Jude
- Jonah
This translation work is more than just words on a page; it’s a means of bringing people closer to God and transforming their lives. As one local leader shared:
“Having Bible in the UR language, it is bringing the people to the Word of God and changing their life.”
Lutheran Bible Translators work in Tanzania
Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability
LBT is committed to working hand-in-hand with local churches and communities to ensure the long-term success of translation projects. This includes helping the church develop the necessary infrastructure to support the work for decades to come. It’s a collaborative process, carefully considering the community’s unique needs and merging them with LBT’s 60 years of experience in Bible translation and Scripture engagement.
A Global Network of Support
Ultimately, this ministry is a testament to the power of partnership. It represents a global network of partners, local communities, and devoted supporters who believe in the transformative power of God’s Word. Together, they are empowering more people to fully engage with Scripture and experience its life-changing impact. Join us in supporting this vital work!
Click here to watch a video of LBT’s translation work in Tanzania
Help support the translation projects at LBT!
Visit lbt.org
