Getting the Word Into the Hands of Believers & Seekers

Tenin Name (lt) and Mario Mbana (ctr) examine the New Testament volumes in our local language, Upper Guinea Creole. Afriend, Alasan looks on. Tenin & Mario serve on the Church Council.

A few years back I set down some of my life principles- things that essentially make me tick. The second on that list is what I call the ‘Can-do principle’. The section concludes with: “if in your heart you have the confidence God is opening doors for you, walk boldly through them in spite of the detractors.” That’s a polite way of saying- don’t take no for an answer and always have ‘plan B’ waiting in the wings.


I could tell numerous stories of how that principle has positioned me well in forging ahead with God’s Kingdom here in West Africa, a part of our world where the Enemy has long held sway. He thought he could impede the expansion of God’s Kingdom into his territory by making it difficult to us to have Bibles for seekers and those desiring to leave the darkness and move into the light.

The most commonly used bible here is in a Portuguese-based Creole. Several of the tribal tongues have had or are having the Scriptures translated into their language but the most commonly used intertribal language is Creole. That is why missionaries translated the bible into Creole years ago, giving the majority of the Guinea Bissau population access to God’s Word.

When our work started in Guinea Bissau in 2005 we were able to buy copies of the Creole bible at various Christian bookstores in Gambia, Senegal and Guinea Bissau. But shortly thereafter it became increasingly difficult to find a supply of bibles until in recent years it has become impossible to procure them. I have shaken every possible bush trying to get to the source of Creole bibles, but to no avail. All we know is that the copyright is held by an unresponsive bible society located in a distant African country. We never succeeded in finding out why they had ceased publication of the bibles or if we would ever be able to get more copies even though I made inquiries at the highest levels in the world of Bible Societies.

We were faced with the stark reality of trying to evangelize a people group without a bible in a language they can read and understand. I’m sure it would be possible to carry on evangelizing but it is a serious handicap when you don’t have the printed Word for distribution.

Enter plan ‘B’: print bibles yourself. Ok, will do.

With the help of dedicated Guinea Bissau alumni and colleagues we have been able to get about ½ of the New Testament back into print and available for distribution to those thirsty to hold the printed Word in their hands and read for themselves the wonderful story of God’s love and salvation. Plans are to immediately transcribe the rest of the New Testament into a computer and hopefully before the end of this year we will have the entire New Testament available for distribution to hundreds of Creole speaking believers and seekers participating in our village fellowships in both Gambia and Guinea Bissau. bjf 2/11