Cultural preservation paves way for Bible translation

Nigeria: April 28, 2010, (PCTV Newsdesk)

Nigeria's Alago people are working to preserve their mother-tongue. Translators now have a written language, and literacy programs are underway. The literacy rate is estimated at 2.5%.

The Seed Company says a third of the population are believers and are excited about getting God's Word in Alago. There are roughy 35,000 speakers in Nigeria. According to the ethnologue, part of the Bible was published for the first time in 1929, and the complete Bible has not yet been published.

Alago translators also plan to complete the New Testament and portions of the Old Testament by 2013, after starting in 2008. The "JESUS" film is also top priority.

Believers need Scripture in the mother tongue in order to better share the hope of Christ in their culture. Some Christians would like to reach out to their friends and neighbors. Many remain bound with the legalism of another area religion or trapped by animism.

Continue to pray that God will call two more translators and a skilled typist willing to join the team. Praise God that an Alago alphabet and spelling system are now in place, forming a solid foundation for translation work.

For further information visit www.mnnonline.org