Steeves' Summary #40: Every Nation, Tribe, Language and People                                        February 2007

Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. Revelation 14:6

In what language do people want Bibles?  Most Kenyans who can read speak at least three languages.  Children usually grow up speaking one of 50 tribal languages in Kenya.  Once they start school they quickly learn English, the official language of Kenya as well as some Swahili, the national language.  Although the tribal language is widely spoken, there is very little written material and it is not a priority in the school system. 

Around Kijabe, Kikuyu is the "heart" language of the people.  With 5 million Kikuyu, most in central Kenya, the language is alive and active.  It is used in every aspect of life in the rural areas, from chatting with friends, to business in small shops, to preaching in churches.  What I have seen is that there is very little written in Kikuyu and people are not proficient at reading in Kikuyu.  Many educated people stumble over a passage of scripture in Kikuyu that they would read without any struggle in English. The leaders in the churches we are dealing with are encouraging people to use the Kikuyu Bibles, which is an encouragement to us.  They believe that with time and practice the people will become more comfortable reading Kikuyu, their first language and the language of their hearts.

Bible project status

The Kikuyu Bibles won't be available from the publisher until next month.  Once we receive them, we will give out most of the Bibles at Matathia and Escarpment churches. This will include those being helped by the "Feed my Lambs" Project.

We gave a box of Swahili Bibles to Mark Buhler, one of the RVA staff members who does a lot of outreach.  He met a Bible college student last week who had been visiting the police at the local police post. Mark asked if he needed any Bibles.  The student's eyes lit up, "I promised them last week that I would get them Bibles, but I had no idea where they would come from!"

 Mark and some High School guys from RVA have been leading Bible Studies with some local construction workers.  The Swahili Bibles have been useful tools in this, and some have been left behind for the workers to read on their own.  It is great to see RVA students reaching out like this. The workers are responding positively, wanting to learn more.

We gave another batch to the Ladies Bible Study group that Sarah, our worker, attends.  They were pleased to have consistent Bibles for all of them, and they asked if they could have others to take home.  Millie, the leader, writes, "We, the ladies of the Wednesday afternoon Bible Study, want to thank you for your generosity in giving us the Word of God. What a wonderful gift to show your love for us. God Bless you! PS- The Bibles are also used for a Bible Study with the single Kenyan nurses."

There is so much desire for God's word.  Thanks again for your donations. Pray that the Bibles that are given out will be read, and that people can have a steady growth in their knowledge and relationship with God.

Update on Leah and Kimani

We mentioned last time that we had helped pay part of the school fees for two orphans who were starting high school.  Both Leah and Kimani were able to start school in January.  Praise God that they were able to raise finances for their education.


"Ȕhoro o wothe wandikĩtwo Maandĩko-inĩ niwekĩrirũo nĩ Ngai ngoro-inĩ ya muwandiki, na wĩ na kĩguni ũhoro-inĩ wa kũrutana, na wa kũmenyithia andũ ũũru wao, na wa kũmakaania, o na wa kũmamenyeria mĩtũũrire ĩrĩa ĩringaine na ũthingu; nĩ getha mũndũ wa Ngai atuĩke mũkinyanĩru o gũkinyanira, na aikarage athagathagĩtwo kũna, nĩguo arutage wĩra ũrĩa wothe mwega."  2 Timotheo 3:16-17


Blessings,

Michael, Bernadine, Julianne and Evan

You can see our previous newsletters on our website at www.kijabe.org/mission2005
Michael and Bernadine Steeves
P.O. Box 80
Kijabe, Kenya 00220
phone: 011-254-20-3246-101
cell phone: 011-254-735-317094
steeves@kijabe.org 
www.kijabe.org
Africa Inland Mission
1641 Victoria Park Ave.
Scarborough, ON
M1R 1P8
(877) 407-6077 (Toll Free)
www.aimcanada.org