The Nyaneka-Mwila people live in Angola’s southwestern highlands. They are a semi-nomadic people who farm, raise animals, and then move when there’s a need for better grazing and hunting. The predominant beliefs of the Nyaneka-Mwila people are animism and ancestor worship with a heavy reliance on spells, rituals, dark magic, and witchcraft.

But today there is a growing population of Christians! More than 10,000 Nyaneka-Mwila people have decided to follow Jesus. Now they long to have God’s Word in their language.

First Bibles for the Nyaneka-Mwila People

The Nyaneka-Mwila church is growing. And they need Scripture to share with their congregants. They know that the Bible in their language will be a source of hope. They know God’s Word will help rehabilitate those struggling with alcoholism and healing from abuse. They believe the light of the gospel will dispel the darkness of black magic and witchcraft.

To address the spiritual needs of the Nyaneka-Mwila church and Christian community, God’s Word is being translated in their language. The books of Genesis, Matthew, Mark and Philippians were presented to the Nyaneka-Mwila community in 2018 and received with warm appreciation.

The translation team consists of only three translators. They translated nine books during 2018 and 2019. In 2020 they will translate 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, and Jonah. Prayerfully, a Nyaneka-Mwila Bible dedication will take place in Lubando in 2021.

One church leader, Mr. Kalute, shared these words of encouragement, “The four books launched in 2018 [Genesis, Matthew, Mark, and Philippians] created a desire in the community to read the Word of God in their own language.”

The Nyaneka-Mwila people want to know what God has to say. They want his divine Word for themselves, in their own language. This is where you come in. Your prayers can help complete the New Testament and two Old Testament books for the Nyaneka-Mwila people. Will you pray?

Let’s Pray Together

Father, thank you that your Word is reaching the Nyaneka-Mwila people. We pray that you will accelerate this translation project so that many more people can know your love and grow in their knowledge of your kingdom.