Ndruna Service for Mobilization

The Ndruna New Testament has been translated and is set to be published next year! In May, our colleague Dr. Bagamba led a service at a local church, using the Ndruna language and Scriptures, to help get people excited about receiving - and using - the New Testament. They also hope to continue with the Old Testament, which will require much support from the Ndruna people.

Veteran translator shows his true feelings for the Ndruna Scriptures, before breaking into song.

The service opened with Mr. Avuta Mboudhu, who has worked his whole life translating the New Testament and hymns into Ndruna, his mother tongue. He read a passage of the translated New Testament. You can see in the photo above how excited he was, and the congregation cheered. Then he started a Ndruna praise song, and the whole room jumped to their feet to sing along, clap and dance. (**See an update at the end.)     

What I didn't know is that the Ngiti people - those who speak the Ndruna language - are known for their music and enthusiastic dancing. I don't know when I've ever danced so much in church. And everyone, from the youngest children to the most elderly, dignified reverend-pastors, were all dancing, too.

Rev. Bahura, one of the Ndruna translators, reading another passage of Scripture

Part of Bagamba's goal in these services is to demonstrate the importance of the mother tongue. Below, he asked a teacher to come forward, and gave her instructions in English, "Go tell that American to come up here on the stage." The lady looked around, confused, and then admitted she didn't know what to do. So how do we expect Christians to fully understand Scripture if it isn't in a language they know well? How do we expect the church to grow and mature?

Bagamba with Ndruna-speaking teacher, showing the importance of using a language people understand

Another part of mobilization is showing the community that, as poor as they are, or think they are, they can do something. Bagamba pointed out that, if every adult in the Ngiti community contributed just $1 per year, they could fund the whole translation project. Below, a young girl raised her hand to speak up and say that the children could contribute, too! Don't leave them out.

Young girl tells Bagamba that children can contribute to the project, too, not just adults!

Then he asked people to raise their hands if they would be willing to contribute to the translation project (below).

Those ready to contribute to the translation project

A few more photos, to give you a taste of a typical Congolese church service.

Youth band

Kids playing marbles outside

One of the youth choirs... even the very young participate

More singing and dancing

The missionaries who came from Europe back in the day brought brass instruments. There are still brass bands in churches who play for special occasions.

Close-up of another youth choirs. These choirs function as youth groups for young people, giving them a community and an important role in the church.

** Update: In July, a typesetter came from Cameroon to typeset the Ndruna New Testament, preparing it to be published. Muzee Avuta came to the office to meet the typesetter, 3 days after his 75th birthday. He asked the typesetter, "Can I have the New Testament within six months? I don't want to die before I hold it in my hands and read it in church."