Where We Serve / Zia Bible Translation
Zia Bible Translation
Travel to work on translation is long and costly, but your support brings God’s Word to the Zia people.
Bible Translation
Country
- Papua New Guinea
Region
- South Pacific
Language Population
6,550
The Zia are Committed Despite Travel Challenges
Travel for translation work is long and costly. Local translators often walk for days and travel by boat to gather for training and checking sessions.
The Zia people received the New Testament in 1980, with revisions completed in the 1990s. Today, churches are working toward a full Bible so Scripture can be read and taught across the whole canon.
A local team is translating the Old Testament, working book by book through drafting, checking, and community testing.
Empower Zia Leaders For the Road Ahead
Every community deserves the opportunity to encounter God’s Word in the language they understand best. Your prayers and financial gifts empower leaders in Papua New Guinea to translate the Old Testament into the Zia language, helping bring the life-changing message of Scripture to the Zia people – letting them know that God speaks Zia.
Program Goals
- Translate Old Testament Scripture
- Check and verify drafted Scripture
- Train translators in translation and checking skills
- Use approved tools for drafting, checking, and reporting
- Support the well-being of the translation team
Zia Bible Translation Plan
Step 1
Advance Old Testament Translation
- Collaborate with consultants to verify translations and prepare them for distribution.
- Draft, review, and refine translations of Deuteronomy and Leviticus.
- Conduct group checks and back translations for Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy to ensure accuracy.
Step 2
Equip Translators with Skills and Tools
- Provide phones for communication and reporting within the translation team.
- Train leaders in Rev 79 for effective reporting and translation management.
- Host Paratext #2 workshops to improve technical translation proficiency.
- Conduct workshops to enhance the back translation skills of translators.
Step 3
Foster Wellbeing and Spiritual Growth
- Expand local meeting spaces to reduce travel burdens for translators.
- Hold trauma healing workshops to address emotional and spiritual challenges.
- Provide support for spiritual growth and professional development.
Meet the Local Team
Team Members
• Dick Ninio – Chairman
• Sou Una – Coordinator
• Giria Zia – Secretary
• Ian Emozai – Treasurer
• Agnes Zamunu – Translation Team LeaderTeam Members
• Bego Keriso – Translator
• Ezekiel Maino – Translator
• Giria Zorugo – Translator
• Job Guguwa – Translator
• Bakewe Zia – Translator
• Bou Una – Co Translator
• Gira Mawae – Co TranslatorTeam Members
• Diah Woi – Back Translator
• Gore Amos – Back Translator
• Ham Sou – Back Translator
• Kepas Sam – Back Translator
• Wahan Zamunu – Back Translator
• Zingwong Poiwo – Back TranslatorTeam Members
• Ismael Sasa – Co Translator
• Jane Benny – Co Translator
• Mathew Abel – Co Translator
• Mato Ewa – Co Translator
• Robert Duna – Co Translator
• Robin Begura – Co TranslatorTeam Members
• Bewaro Niwo – Checker
• Eware Binago – Checker
• Honeo Siki – Checker
• Kasai Kumis – Checker
• Kokosa Kokosa – Checker
• Tetu Dumi – Checker
• Titus Sowegi – Checker
Partner Organizations
Program Progress
Help Bring Scripture to Life
God Speaks Zia. Your gift helps translate God’s Word into the Zia language.