In South Africa more than 600,000 Deaf people use South African Sign Language. Although specific numbers are difficult to identify, by the best accounts there are hundreds of sign languages around the world, used by as many as 70 million people. However, only one sign language has a New Testament, and no Scriptures exist in the vast majority of these languages. In 2013 a team formed to begin work on a Bible translation for this community.
The geographic region of Southern Africa includes 10 countries with more than 100 language communities that have no available Scripture in their heart language. Bible translation organisations across the region are working toward a common goal: helping local communities translate God’s Word into their own languages.
Steve Pillinger, who coordinates scripture typesetting for SIL's Africa Area, shares what typesetting is, why it's important, and how you can be praying for this critical Bible translation role.
On 21 March 2015, the "Sena" people from Mozambique received the New Testament in their own language! An estimated 1,7mil people speak Sena. Three choirs sang jubalent praises and speakers from all over marvelled at the final product after completion of 20 years of hard work. At long last, the Word fully came to life and their hearts rejoiced as they connected with the words of Jesus in their own language.
