Yewase is a Gur language spoken by approximately 14,000 people in West Africa. In 1986, a tiny group of Yewase Christians asked Wycliffe to send them a linguistics team to develop a writing system for their language and to translate the New Testament into it. Over the next three decades, a team worked with Yewase Christians on this project, and during that time, the church grew to nearly 1,000 believers meeting in 9 village churches. The Yewase New Testament was dedicated in March 2016.
The Wycliffe team’s job was done, but the three national translators agreed to continue the project independently, with periodic consultant input from Wycliffe. They have three main objectives: First, teach literacy, so more people can read the printed scripture; second, help people learn to use their new Scriptures for study and devotional reading; and third, continue translating parts of the Old Testament deemed essential for understanding the New Testament.
The project is now halfway through its third year. It is expected to be renewed for another three years, to finish in 2022.
Thank you for considering partnering in Bible translation with Wycliffe through your financial and prayer partnership of the Yewase Literacy, Scripture Use, & Old Testament project.