You open your Bible to 1 Peter 3:15. You read to yourself, “But have asking for Christ in your hearts.” Asking in your hearts? You’re confused. You know you’re missing something.

One pastor in Malawi had this exact experience. He kept reading the word kupemba in the Chichewa Scriptures and translating it as asking. It didn’t make sense. And he didn’t know how to explain the verse to his congregation.

Only when the Bible was put into this pastor’s mother tongue of Elhomwe did he catch the verse’s meaning. It wasn’t asking. It was reverence. God’s Word was telling him to show deep respect for Christ. For the first time, he understood.

God’s Love for a Sidelined People

For almost 30 years, church leaders in Malawi have been seeking a way to translate the Bible into Elhomwe, the language of the Lomwe people group. The Lomwe originally migrated to Malawi as laborers and refugees and still struggle with their societal status.

Although over 70 percent of Malawians are followers of Jesus, God’s Word has not yet been fully translated in the Lomwe’s heart language. This keeps over 1.5 million people from knowing the fullness of Christ’s promises.

Elhomwe Translation Will Soon Cross the Finish Line

The New Testament was translated into Elhomwe in 2014. Praise God! The complete Elhomwe Bible is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2018. Approximately $50,000 is required to complete the translation of the full Bible into Elhomwe. Elhomwe speakers are so close to hearing the fullness of God’s Word.

The completed Elhomwe Bible will be used in worship services, church liturgy, and evangelism. In addition—because the Malawian government wants to use vernacular languages in primary schools—students in Elhomwe-speaking areas will study the completed Bible in school.

Please Pray With Us

• Pray that the Bible Society of Malawi, with the support of prayer and financial partners like you, will have the funds needed to complete the full Elhomwe Bible on schedule and in excellence.
• Pray for wisdom, safety, and endurance of the three translators working fervently to complete the full Elhomwe Bible by the end of 2018.
• Pray for the Lomwe people to grow in their faith as they expectantly wait for a Bible that has been more than 30 years in the making.