At the website of the American Bible Society (http://record.americanbible.org/content/around-world/celebration-generation?page=0,1) an article explains the
painstaking work of developing audio scriptures for obscure languages of African tribes. The Datooga people, including the Barabaig sub-tribe (in the Mbulu and Manyara Regions where AIM is working in Tanzania) did not even have a written language! The ABS article states the challenge well:
“The work of the Datooga Bible
translation began at the very beginning — with the invention of a written
Datooga alphabet. In 1985, the process of creating letters and words for what
had only been spoken began. Working with Datooga locals, two missionaries from
the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania began the process. Later, in
partnership with the Summer Institute of Linguistics and the United Bible
Societies, a couple of translation consultants, trained in Hebrew and Greek,
went to work. In all, some 20 Datooga men and women were
involved in translating and testing the Datooga New Testament over the 24 years
it took to complete.”
“One who lasted the whole stretch is the
perpetually smiling Pastor Joseph Maho, 59. The day before the launch, sitting
outdoors at a round wooden table under a thatched roof, Joseph, in a quiet but
excited voice, spoke about his experience. “Being in the Word every day has
been very powerful — to see the power of God at work,” he said. The beginning work took place in a tiny, one
room building on the grounds of Lake Basotu. That building was used until 2007,
when the effects of El Niño caused a flood, rendering the building unusable. Joseph picked up the work in another office
in the village of Basuto.”
In
November 2012, AIM traveled to Lake Basotu. We witnessed the changed landscape, as the lakeshore has intruded on the higher ground, tree stumps still litter the shallows, and abandoned buildings like the translation house now sit on a small island.
It was a humbling experience to walk among
the buildings where the bulk of the translation work was done for the Datooga
Bible. In 2010 we discovered that the
work of translation was progressing, and we began to pray for the resource to be
made available. Finally in 2012 we discovered that not only was the translation
work completed, but audio-Scriptures were now available! 
AIM was delighted to
be able to purchase 12 solar-powered units with the Gospels and Acts recorded
in Datooga to deliver to Pastors and indigenous missionaries to share among the
Barabaig tribe.
Those
units are being put to good use among an illiterate tribe, allowing them to
learn and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Barabaig people are coming to Christ, and churches are being planted
among one of the most Christian-resistant tribes in the region. God is at work, and we intend to continue partnering
with Him in taking the message of salvation and discipleship to every nation,
tribe, tongue, and people to the glory of His Name!
