THE Bisa Oral Bible Translation (OBT) project has finished its first translation of the Book of Luke from Greek to Bisa.
The program, launched in March this year in Lavushimanda, is being done with support from Bible and Literature Translation Association (BiLTA) project.
Pentecostal Assemblies of God Pastor Frank Sata, who is Bisa project site manager, says the initiative aims to ensure that the Word of God is translated in a native language for locals who are illiterate.
Pastor Sata said this in an interview during an ongoing community review session of Bisa OBT in Lavushimanda:
"This is an eye-opener for everyone including those that are not learned to have access and understand the Word of God in their native language, unlike before when the Word of God was just in English and was preserved for whites," he said.
Pastor Sata said the first book to be completed in Bisa is the Book of Luke and is currently being reviewed by members of the Bisa community, including those from Nabwalya chiefdom, to ensure that the translation principle is followed. The principle which is abbreviated as CANA and means Clear, Accurate, Natural, and Acceptable (CANA).
BiLTA deputy site manager Rev. Lewis Mwila said the project is catering for 26 Bisa chiefdoms, adding that the oral translation is in line with the change in technology.
Rev Mwila said the project supports Zambia's declaration as a Christian nation and is ensuring that every Christian has access to the Word of God in their mother tongue.
The clergyman asked for support from the Bisa traditional leadership in offering land for the construction of offices for the project:
"This project is a diamond gift for the people in the area as we celebrate 60 years of Zambia's independence and the project will be here forever. All we need is support, especially from the royal highnesses, because the Bible says 'go into the world and preach the Word', and this is the organization's mission," he said.
New Church of God bishop Theo Chanda said most Christians in the area are in support of the Bisa OBT project as it has brought families together as they sit and listen to the Word of God in their mother language.
"This is making families sit together to listen to the Word of God and most Christians now understand the meaning of the translated passages," Chanda Chiwenga, a member of the Bisa community, thanked BiLTA for embarking on the translation of the Bible to Bisa language as it will make it easy for people to understand the gospel.
