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

It's not ONLY about translating verses

Our work here in Tanzania is not ONLY about translating words and sentences. One of the core values of our organization is "building capacity" which means we focus on equipping Tanzanians to continue the work of Bible translation. For example...

This is my friend and co-worker Magesa. Magesa is a Jita translator who has a passion to see God's Word in his heart language of Jita. Magesa expressed a desire to receive further education in principles of Bible translation so we enabled him to attend modular-type classes at a college in Nairobi, Kenya. This picture was taken on the day we celebrated his graduation, after three years of studying.

Another way we build capacity is through in-house training courses.

Last year, I had the great privilege and joy of helping organize and teach an Exegesis course for some of the translators in our office. We had seven translators attend our 16 week course. I loved teaching topics like the historical and religious background of the New Testament, chronology of the New Testament, how to study key terms, and challenges facing the early church. But the most important topic was the spiritual preparation necessary to study and understand God's Word. We discussed the importance of prayer and the centrality of the Holy Spirit.

I had so much fun teaching and learning!

Then, a few months later, the students became the teachers. Three of the students from the class taught their own Exegesis course to the rest of the translators in the office. How exciting! Our goal is to see Tanzanians equipped to become Translation Advisors or even Consultants, helping other language groups receive God's Word in their language.

If you didn't get the email...

Here's our latest email BLAST! We sent this update to everyone who signed up on our email list. If you didn't receive the update and would like to receive them in the future, please send us your email address.

Happy New Year!

We hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas season with friends and family. We were blessed to be able to celebrate Christmas with family who visited from America and friends here in Tanzania.

We're so thankful to God that in 2014 Ben was able to help the Jita team translate the books of Acts and 1, 2 and 3 John into the Jita language. They also translated and recorded the JESUS film into Jita. One of Ben's highlights was traveling to Jita villages and seeing Jita people excited about reading and hearing God's Word in their heart language. Jeannette was a huge help to the teacher at the missionary-kid school last semester and she organized the school library. One of Jeannette's highlights was throwing a birthday party for Neema, the lady who helps Jeannette around the house. Neema had never experienced a birthday party before. Jeannette gave her a Bible and told her she loved her. Neema had never experienced that either.

In 2015, we're praying for God's wisdom for Ben as he takes on extra work responsibility. Because some missionaries have left for furlough, Ben will be supervising another translation team. He also oversees the budget and compiles progress reports for the entire translation department. But he's most excited about helping the Jita team translate Titus, Thessalonians, Timothy and Philemon. Jeannette will continue to help at the missionary-kid school, homeschool Jenna and experiment with cooking Indian food.

Please pray for God's grace:

as we train our kids to love Jesus and serve others
as we plan to begin furlough around August of this year
as we endure many health challenges

Thank you for your love, prayers and encouragement.

Love,
Ben and Jeannette

South of Scorpion Pass

In our family Bible time we're reading the book of Joshua. Last night we came to Joshua 15 about Joshua dividing the land of Canaan for the tribes of Israel. Did you know that the southern border of the tribe of Judah goes past the Ascent of Akrabbim, or in other translations: Scorpion Pass?

We all thought, "Hmmm. That's an interesting name." And we moved on.

Later that night, I stepped out into the garage and saw this:

In two and a half years we have never seen a scorpion. And now suddenly... That's just weird!

Chrysalis or Cocoon?

Look what fell out of our mango trees!!!

Our kids are studying BUGS at the missionary-kid learning center. Actually, they correct me and say, "Not bugs, Dad. Insects!"

Exactly... bugs:)

Here are some more examples of backyard bug science...

Kara: "This is a beetle because the outer shell is divided and it has membranous wings underneath."

Luke: "This insect is camouflaging and it folds its antennae when we get close."

Ben: "The little spiky thingys really do hurt!"

Recording the JESUS film

Now it's time to record the script of the JESUS film in the Jita language.

  You can see the other posts about Jita Jesus film here:
  http://www.gerthfamilytanzania.blogspot.com/2014/11/next-big-project-jesus-film.html
  http://www.gerthfamilytanzania.blogspot.com/2014/11/scripting-jesus-film.html

Guess what it is?

This is our sound-proof recording studio!

This Jita man played the part of the narrator in the film.

The temperature inside "The Box" felt like 150 degrees but the Jita "actors" were such good sports. They endured the heat and the claustrophobia and repeating their lines over and over again until it was perfect.

Magesa and one of our friends from the Jesus Film Project

Our friends from the Jesus Film Project came to do the actual recording. They travel all around the world doing this exact job.

My friend Jeff (far right) organized the whole recording process. He coordinated with the Jesus Film Project, handled all the logistics, organized the actors and the traveling and the location and so much more. Good work, Jeff!

After two weeks of recording for 6 days/week and 27 Jita "actors," it was time for a final review.

After a few minor revisions, the JESUS film is now finished in the Jita language! Praise the Lord! We're looking forward to a big celebration showing of the film maybe early next year. Thank you for all your prayers!

King Jesus is With Us

Join us on our Advent journey through God's Word. This year again we will go from Genesis to Revelation looking at God's promises to dwell "WITH" his people. These promises are ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.

You can follow our daily reading schedule here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1XCekGacO5fRFduakRtVDJKZ3M/view?usp=sharing

Enjoy!