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Novemberber 2006

“Everyone was happy to be in a chum again!”

Support group for the Nenets Bible translation formed

In the middle of October, Lena Shatilova, coordinator of the Nenets project, went to Salekhard in northern Siberia for a meeting with the translation group. She returned very encouraged. “We met in a ‘chum’, which the Christian Nenets had built on the tundra outside the city just for this occasion,” she reported. (A chum is a tent of reindeer skins over a structure of birch trunks.) “The idea was to collect Nenets from churches and denominations all over the area and inform them about the Bible translation in progress. It proved to be a congenial meeting place - all Nenets have fond memories of chums from their childhood, and it was obvious that they felt much more comfortable in this atmosphere than if we had met in an ordinary office. Everyone was happy to be in a chum again!”

“The translation team asked the Nenets to be a support group for the Bible work,” Lena said. “The goal is that all Nenets will accept and use the translated Bible books, and it will be a great help if Nenets believers from different churches will take part in the project and support the translation group with constant prayer and with their advice on different questions so that it is clear that the translation does not belong to one special denomination.”

“About 20 persons participated, not only Christians from different churches but also other representatives from Nenets society,” Lena continued. “It was wonderful to see how interested people were, and how everyone actively engaged in the discussions, which were held mainly in Nenets. It was especially helpful to discuss some key terms. These questions were rather difficult, but people stayed until late in the evening, trying to find good solutions.”

“We also sang some new Christian songs in Nenets to traditional melodies,” Lena commented: “It was a special joy to sing these songs together.”

It was agreed that the group would meet at least once a year, or more often if necessary, and that more people would be invited to participate. This will be an important support to the translation team.

Project of the month

So far Luke’s Gospel and Stories about Jesus (also with audio cassettes) have been published in Nenets. The Gospel of Mark is partly translated, checked and tested. Next step is to translate John’s Gospel and 1 Thessalonians. The translation is done in cooperation with SIL. Please support the Nenets translation with your gift this month!

Here you can sign for the IBT Russia/CIS monthly English Newsletter

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