Johnny and Ellen Walker work with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Musoma, Mara Region, Tanzania helping to bring God’s Word into eight minority languages. They are part of a multi-national team there, paid staff and missionaries, all working together toward this common goal. Johnny works in the area of dictionary development and Ellen in literacy.
Johnny has been heading up the dictionary development efforts for our team. He’s been working hard cleaning up some of the language databases and is also helping write small grammar sketches for several languages. Hopefully these sketches can later be used in local language dictionaries. In one of the languages, there are plans to make a small dictionary giving names for local plants and trees. People LOVE having dictionaries of their language; it validates that their language is important and valuable.
Ellen has been heading up the Literacy Department this year, and exciting things have been going on. One of our key efforts has been to establish reading groups in various communities. These small groups are trained in how to read their language and in principles of language development. They are challenged to consider the value of their language and culture and what they can do to advocate for themselves. So far, these groups exist in 3 languages and we hope to start groups in 5 other languages this coming year.
Lots more has been going on in our broader translation project as well. All eight languages we work with now have the Gospel of Luke published. Several also have Ruth and Jonah and translation work continues with many different New Testament books. We also helped record the JESUS film in 2 languages and it was premiered in April. We’ve heard amazing reports of people’s response to the film. We’ve also helped out with several pastors’ workshops, trained Sunday School teachers, and do various outreach activities in the communities. We are excited to see all the ways God is at work in Mara Region.
On a personal level, we are having a great year! We have been blessed to find a local congregation to worship with regularly. We are both involved in Bible studies which have been a blessing and encouragement. And best of all, on June 9 we welcomed our daughter, Hannah Abigail, into the world. It is a fun and exciting time for our family. Thanks so much for your prayers for us and for the work going on in Tanzania. Please have no doubt that your prayers on our behalf are powerful and effective.