It was 1967 during the Vietnam War. Amid the chaos and suffering in this war-torn nation, God spoke to an indigenous people through his Word.

When missionaries brought the New Testament to the Koho people in their native language, God’s Word began to work powerfully. They learned about his love, comfort, and peace. Many gave their life to Jesus and Christianity spread.

But after the war ended, Scripture became scarce. Koho Christians were forced to copy portions of the New Testament by hand to share God’s Word. Work to translate the Old Testament was halted.

Then, 30 years later, copies of the Koho New Testament were brought from overseas to the Koho people in Vietnam. They were overjoyed to have access to God’s Word once again. Excitement and hunger for Scripture grew in the Koho community—and so did the desire to have the full Bible in their language.

Koho Christians Hunger for All of God’s Word

In 2007, at the request of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam, work to translate the Old Testament into Koho resumed. And finally, in August 2018, the full translation was completed!

This past August, hundreds of Christians and government officials gathered in Vietnam’s Central Highlands to celebrate the publication of the very first full Koho Bible! It was a joyous occasion as Koho Christians worshipped God for the blessing of the entire Bible in their native language.

“God’s Word brings not only spiritual transformation, but also improves the lifestyle of our people,” says one translator. “Over and over again, we see that when God transforms a Koho person or family, there is a strong impact on the rest of their village.”

Let’s thank God for the gracious gift of his Word as it spreads to reach every tribe and nation.

Let’s Pray Together:

God, thank you that the Koho people now have access to your complete Word in their own language. We pray that as they read Scripture, your love will take root in their hearts. We also pray that you would draw them to yourself—the one, true living God.