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| Magesa, Neema and Ben checking 1-2 Timothy in Jita |
Jita: Nyamuwanga niwe omukama unu atari na obhuteero,atakufwa na atakubhonekana, atari-wo owundi rwa omwene.Omwene ayaanwe echibharo na rikusyo akajaanende koone. Aamina.
Translation: To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God,be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.--1 Timothy 1:17
That's what we said when we finished the books of 1+2 Timothy in the Jita language! We followed all the steps: drafting, spell checking, editorial checking, advisor checking (that's me!), community checking, and consultant checking.
After we finished, we were discussing the value of these Pastoral letters with Magesa (Jita translator) and he shared that these letters are very important for Jita pastors because many Jita pastors don't understand Swahili (the national language) very well. Therefore, how will they lead the church of God if they can't read how to refute false teachers (1:3-11), how men and women should conduct themselves in church (2:8-15), how to appoint elders and deacons (3:1-13), how to handle widows in the church (5:3-16), etc. Magesa was delighted that now Jita pastors can read about God's church in their own language.
We also rejoice that Jita people can now enjoy wonderful gospel truth like 2 Timothy 1:9
But this translation did not come easily. During the entire process, we were bombarded by spiritual attacks. When we scheduled a day to sit together to check the translation, Magesa would be sick or have to attend a funeral for a relative. On another day I would be home sick with sick kids. On another day, Neema was so exhausted because she spent the previous evening praying with other Christians against sorcery in her neighborhood. After she finished praying, she went home and spent the rest of the night actively resisting demonic attacks in her home.
It was spiritual warfare, but we're praising God because he is the King of kings and Lord of lords and he has an unstoppable plan to bring his gospel to the Jita people!
After we finished, we were discussing the value of these Pastoral letters with Magesa (Jita translator) and he shared that these letters are very important for Jita pastors because many Jita pastors don't understand Swahili (the national language) very well. Therefore, how will they lead the church of God if they can't read how to refute false teachers (1:3-11), how men and women should conduct themselves in church (2:8-15), how to appoint elders and deacons (3:1-13), how to handle widows in the church (5:3-16), etc. Magesa was delighted that now Jita pastors can read about God's church in their own language.
We also rejoice that Jita people can now enjoy wonderful gospel truth like 2 Timothy 1:9
Omwene :aachichunguuye, ^naachibhirikira chibhe abhaanu bhaaye abheeru. :Ataakorere kutyo kwa okubha ati ebhikorwa bhyeswe ni ebhya ekisi, tari :aakorere kutyo kwa okwenda kwaye na obhwitiriranya bhwaye. :Achiyaaye obhwitiriranya obhwo inguru eya Kirisito Yeesu, nooro achaari okubhumba echaaro.
God saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.
But this translation did not come easily. During the entire process, we were bombarded by spiritual attacks. When we scheduled a day to sit together to check the translation, Magesa would be sick or have to attend a funeral for a relative. On another day I would be home sick with sick kids. On another day, Neema was so exhausted because she spent the previous evening praying with other Christians against sorcery in her neighborhood. After she finished praying, she went home and spent the rest of the night actively resisting demonic attacks in her home.
It was spiritual warfare, but we're praising God because he is the King of kings and Lord of lords and he has an unstoppable plan to bring his gospel to the Jita people!
