Shona Bible
Steven (Fanie) Loots, Bibles for Believers.
In 2006 the International Bible Society released its translation in Harare. Over 3,000 church and community leaders welcomed this contemporary translation. Since then it has become the translation of choice for the Shona speaking people of Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Unfortunately the economies of both countries have severely impacted its distribution. Zimbabwe has not been able to reprint – leaving a severe shortage, and Bibles in Mozambique can cost up to a year’s income –making them impossibly expensive. An estimated 4 million Zimbabweans find themselves in South Africa – many of them Shona speakers. Very few Shona Bibles have been available for resale in South Africa and there is a huge demand for Shona Bibles.
In 2009 Bibles for Believers was able to print 20,000 Shona. Most of these have been delivered free of charge to churches in Zimbabwe by B4B and other mission agencies and churches; and some were swapped for other needed translations.
The Bibles4Zim project was launched in 2009. This project is a joint venture between Bibles for Believers (B4B), Harvesters International Ministries (HIM) and the Harvesters Bible School (HBS). The project aims to plant at least 1,600 new churches in Zimbabwe, train a pastor for each (within walking distance from their home village) and provide Bibles for those in discipleship. Phase 1 includes appointing a project leader, having 30,000 Shona Bibles printed and purchasing a suitable vehicle. The cost of phase 1 is about R1.6 million ($210,000). More Bibles will be printed in phase 2, as well as the training material for the pastoral students.
The need is almost overwhelming in Zimbabwe. In a nation experiencing political upheaval and social crisis, the church needs to be strong. Many are coming to Christ, but few are being discipled. Whole churches, villages or even towns do not have a single copy of the Bible. B4B has encountered multiple cases of pastors who have never owned a Bible and even Bible Schools where students don’t have the Word of God. Often while delivering Bibles people come forward and tell how they have been Christians for 5 or 10 or 20 years and have never even held a Bible in their hands. “I have been praying for more than 10 years for this Bible”, a tearful believer said at one church.
Bibles for Believers needs your help so that Zimbabwe can be helped….
