How do you spell J-E-S-U-S?

a group of Jita people discussing God's Word in their own language

Our "cluster project" in Musoma, Tanzania, is working on translating God's Word into 8 different languages: Ikizu, Ikoma, Jita, Kabwa, Kwaya, Simbiti, Zanaki, Zinza.

Look how each language group has chosen to write the name "Jesus Christ." Just so you know, in Swahili, the national language, it is spelled Yesu Kristo.

Ikoma - Yesu Kirisito

Jita - Yeesu Kirisito

Zanaki - Yeesu Krisito

Simbiti - Yëësu Kiristo

Kabwa - Yeesu Kiristu

Kwaya - Yeesu Kiriisitu

Ikizu - Yɨɨsu Kiriisitʉ

Zinza - Yeézu Kristu

Each language has slight variations. Can you see the differences in each one? Each language has unique rules about spelling, vowel length, and consonants occurring next to each other. It's fascinating!

Now let's pray that people from each language group would not only read the name of Jesus but believe in his name.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. --John 1:12