“Always we are thinking of going to reach the unreached,” says Rev. Andrew Petro Gulle, bishop of the East of Lake Victoria Diocese (ELVD) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT). But decades of outreach to the Kerewe people of Ukerewe Island had little effect. Church attendance was sparse because worship was held in Swahili, which was not well understood. 

The ELVD, in partnership with Lutheran Bible Translators, began translation work in 2018. Preliminary drafts of Scripture portions have been well-received in the community. Scripture apps allow people to read and listen to God’s Word on their phones. Church attendance is increasing as people anticipate the day when worship will be conducted entirely in Kerewe. 

GOALS

Complete the translation of the books of Matthew, Mark and John.

Complete the recording of Audio Bible for books currently translated. 

IMPACT

The Kerewe people are committed to supporting the translation project.

People are excited to see and hear Scripture in their language.

FIELD NOTES

Pray for the team as they strengthen their translation abilities through further training.

Pray that outreach to the Kerewe people will result in larger church attendance.

The Kerewe people are proud of their heritage and eager to have Scripture in their own language. Your gifts in support of the Kerewe translation will help build a firm foundation for the new project.

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