Translation work in Madagascar is divided into four regional clusters, with 5-6 language varieties in each. Local mother tongue speakers are the core of every translation team. The work is done through formal workshops (led by international consultants), with teams then returning home for team checking and community testing.

Translations typically run in three-year phases, but Covid has disrupted the regular processes. International consultants needed to return home and many moths were ‘lost’ for the vital consultant checks to be done.

Southern Madagascar is also experiencing the most severe famine in living memory (see this video), and groups of thieving bandits have been terrorizing villages.

All of the southern teams have been severely affected, but the experienced teams simply continued to translate. Amazingly, they reached all their project goals, and although unable to meet with their consultants to finalise their translations, they just continued to draft and check their work.

The Tanôsy team, led by Pastor Celestin Mosa, were expected to complete just under 40% of the New Testament by September 2021, but have no already draft translated the entire New Testament, and have team checked more than half of it. Additionally, they went on to draft all of the Old Testament portions for the Protestant lectionary.

Filipo, a farmer and Lutheran catechist, says “I am amazed and grateful that God chose me to be a translator, and I sense God’s love and blessings over me.” Fideline, a Catholic housewife, is delighted that she is now being asked to explain God’s Word when the catechist isn’t there, which is often.

Instead of becoming disheartened, the overwhelmed attitude of the teams is gratitude, joy, faith, and a commitment to see God’s Word made available for all. What a joy for Wycliffe South Africa to witness God blessing these people in continuing against the odds!