More than a billion people today don’t have the complete Bible translated into their heart language. But through the support of our financial partners, American Bible Society is working to get the Bible to every person on earth, no matter where they live or what language they prefer.

That commitment recently paid off in Mali when Boomu-speaking Christians in Mali and Burkina Faso celebrated the official launch of the very first Bible in their language.

For Josué Dembele, 67, it was a dream come true. His father was one of the very first Boomu-speakers (also known as Buwa people) to become a Christian, and he sent Josué to a missionary school where he learned to read the Bible in Bambara. He loved reading the Bible, which he describes as “a good counselor and educator,” but he wished that he could read it in his own language. Now, thanks to generous financial partners of America Bible Society, he can!

“I feel immense joy at having the Bible in my mother tongue!” he smiles. “It’s going to be such a powerful tool in the hands of evangelists as it will help them communicate the Bible better and will really animate the hearts of the Buwa people.”

Josué‘s wife, Sewessé Thera, 52, is equally thrilled to have the Bible in her heart language: “I used to be a very bitter person, but that changed when I got to know the Bible,” she reflects. “Now I’m able to read the Bible in Boomu. I’m so happy. It will bring light and understanding to our people.”

This is the life-transforming difference financial partners are making in hearts and souls through American Bible Society. So many more around the world are crying out for God’s Word in their own heart language, and this vital work must continue to make dreams come true.