A Community United in Joy: The Buamu Laa New Testament Dedication
Something powerful happens when we are surrounded by familiar words in our own language. Whether it’s a lullaby, a blessing or a heartfelt conversation, language connects us — not just to one another but to who we are and our culture.
For communities around the world, Scripture in their language brings that same sense of connection — offering clarity, comfort and the opportunity to engage deeply with God’s Word. It’s a milestone worth celebrating when a people group finally receives the Bible in a language that directly impacts their hearts.
A Day of Celebration in the Buamu Laa Community
On Dec. 14, 2024, the Buamu Laa community gathered in Bagassi, which is in southern Burkina Faso, for a long-anticipated celebration. The dedication of the New Testament in their own language was the culmination of years of faithful work and deep longing.
More than 2,000 people came together for the occasion. The ceremony brought together a wide cross section of the community — pastors, church leaders, political figures, traditional authorities and everyday people, both Christians and non-Christians. But the heart of the event wasn’t in the dignitaries who attended or even the speeches: It was in the unity of the Buamu Laa people. Their shared joy and realization that they could now read and listen to the Word of God in a language they fully understand was evident and powerful.
“The Word of God written in a foreign language and correctly interpreted for a people brings salvation to [the Buamu Laa],” shared Deacon Gnoumou. “ … [To] have the Word of God written in the native language of [the Buamu Laa] is extraordinary.”
Another woman expressed her delight simply and clearly:
15 Years of Faithful Work: How a Bible Translation Comes to Life
Bible translation doesn’t happen overnight. It’s not the work of one person or even just a small team. Much like building a house or composing a symphony, it requires a variety of people with different skills, all working together toward a common goal — to bring God’s Word to life in a new language.
That process officially began for the Buamu Laa New Testament in 2007. Over the next 15 years, the project unfolded little by little. A dedicated core team — made up of a project leader and two translators — worked full-time throughout the life of the project. But they weren’t alone. Around 20 additional people served as revisers and proofreaders, ensuring that the translation was both accurate and natural.
Translating Scripture is more than just substituting words from one language into another. It takes a deep understanding — of theology, culture and grammar — to faithfully convey the meaning of each verse. That’s why community involvement is so vital in the translation project. Local Buamu Laa speakers, pastors and church members provided feedback along the way, reviewing the drafts, asking questions and offering insights that helped shape the final text.
Each person involved played a unique and important role — from translators and revisers to community reviewers and partners. Scripture reminds us that the body of Christ is made up of many parts working together (1 Corinthians 12). The Buamu Laa New Testament translation project is an example of this, as many people with different skill sets and contributions faithfully came together to help bring God’s Word to their community.
The final typesetting session for the New Testament was completed in June 2022. When the first printed copies arrived, they represented far more than just pages and ink: They were the fruit of prayer, persistence and partnership — a testament to what God can do when His people work together.
A Lasting Legacy for the Buamu Laa People
The dedication wasn’t the end of a translation project — it was the beginning of a new chapter for the Buamu Laa people. With the New Testament now in their hands, they can engage with God’s Word more personally and deeply than ever before. Rev. Pastor Henri Ye shared:
As the community reads and listens to the New Testament, deepening their faith, the desire for a complete Bible continues to grow. This is the impact of Bible translation — and it continues to accelerate around the world today.
We celebrate this milestone with the Buamu Laa people with gratitude, knowing this celebration reflects years of faithful service, prayer and partnership from people around the world. And we look ahead with hope, trusting that God will continue the good work He has begun:
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6, NLT).
May we be people who not only rejoice in what God has already done but who continue to pray, give and advocate so that more communities around the world can experience the life-changing power of Scripture in their language.
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