Where We Serve / Yekora Bible Translation
Yekora Bible Translation
The Yekora New Testament project experienced a long pause. Today, a new generation of Yekora translators is carrying the work forward. The team is rebuilding skills and capacity as translation and checking resume.
Bible Translation
Country
- Papua New Guinea
Region
- South Pacific
Language Population
1,050
Supporting the Yekora Team on Their Journey
After years of limited activity, the Yekora project in Papua New Guinea has resumed with local leaders participating in training and translation work. Progress is steady and dependent on continued training, checking, and coordination with consultants.
Accessing training remains difficult. Translators travel long distances to attend workshops and consultant checks. These trips require coordination, time away from home, and reliable funding. Partner support helps sustain training, checking, and consultant engagement as the work continues.
The team is drafting, checking, and reviewing New Testament books and Genesis as part of the long‑term translation process.
Empower Local Leaders to Bring God’s Word to Life
Every community deserves to experience the Bible in the language they understand best. Your prayers and financial support empower leaders in Papua New Guinea to translate Scripture into the Yekora language.
Program Goals
- Refine and test drafted Scripture portions
- Strengthen translator skills in Paratext and Rev79
- Continue back translation and consultant preparation
- Support team health through reconciliation and trauma‑healing efforts
Yekora Bible Translation Plan
Step 1
Translation and Refinement
- Facilitate team and community-level checks for Acts, Corinthians, and new drafts of epistles.
- Conduct consultant checks for Genesis, Esther, Jonah, and New Testament books like Matthew and John.
Step 2
Training and Skill Development
- Host advanced back translation workshops to refine methodologies and promote high-quality translations.
- Equip Yekora translators through Rev79 and Paratext workshops. Proficiency in ensures accurate reporting, streamlines workflows, and ultimately accelerates the translation of the Bible into the Yekora language.
Step 3
Community Engagement and Healing
- Conduct trauma healing workshops to address emotional wounds and advance spiritual health among translators and their families.
- Plan community testing sessions to gather feedback on translations.
Meet the Local Team
Team Members
• Bethuel Karau – Lead Translator & Waria MLP Coordinator
• Ambeu Waraga – Coordinator
• Oregena Wanu – Translator Rep
• Bayupe Wanu – Checker & Prayer Leader
• Babase Beu – Translator & CheckerTeam Members
• Teho Aingtari – Translator
• Mangiri Pei – Translation Team Member
• Ania Omboe – Assist Translator
• Hebore Tingiri – Assist Translator
• Martha Bethuel – Assist Translator
• Rose Jerry – Assist TranslatorTeam Members
• Albert Saubo – Back Translator
• Dianne Saubo – Back Translator
• Doreen Zawia – Back Translator
• Robert Sorewe – Back TranslatorTeam Members
• Giou Wanu – Checker
• Kewai Waraga – Checker
• Matawi Waraga – Checker
• Worase Ambeu – Checker
• Wozama Pei – Checker
Partner Organizations
Honoring the Language
Yekora is a Papuan language spoken in the Morobe Province.
Yekora only allows for open syllables and does not allow final consonant-vowel-consonant syllables.
Yekora is reconstructed as part of the Greater Binanderean languages.
Program Progress
Help Bring Scripture to Life
Your donation helps translate God’s Word into the Yekora language. Every gift lets someone know that God speaks their language.