On 4th April 2010 the Konkomba people of Ghana celebrated the dedication of the second edition of the Konkomba Bible (about 1 million speakers). A whole truckload arrived! This was the first complete Bible that Steve typeset: he completed it early in 2009, working with British Wycliffe member Mary Steele. (For more details, see our November–December 2008 newsletter.)
A Konkomba Catholic priest has now asked Steve if he can also typeset a Catholic edition: they are basing this on the existing version but will be adding the deuterocanonical sections (known to Protestants as the Apocrypha). Steve expects to work on this in the autumn.
As a result of Bible Translation and literacy work, written and linguistic materials in the language are now well established. The language is used on the local radio, and the work in Konkomba is contributing towards local development. An official request has now been made to to the Ghanaian government to use the Konkomba language in schools.
This is the beauty of translating what our great and loving God is saying into the language that people actually use. It affects not only individual lives, but also the local community. It gives people the tools they need to improve their lives by improving their relationship with God, each other and their environment—all within their local culture.
Have a look here for more images.
Dame Mary Steele is a veteran translator, who has said she will “die in harness”. Several years ago she was recognised in the Queen’s Honours List for her lifelong service to Bible translation and literacy in Africa. At the age of 80 her eyes are still bright and her heart still longs to bring God’s Word to people who have never had it before in their own heart-language.
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