Imagine waiting over 10 years for something special — a long-anticipated gift, a long-awaited holiday or a dream fulfilled. For the Chonyi people in Kilifi, Kenya, that dream came true on Aug. 17, 2024, when they celebrated the arrival of the New Testament in their own language.

The event overflowed with joy: People praised God and released confetti cannons as they celebrated their New Testament. The years that the Chonyi spent praying and persevering as they translated the Scripture made holding God’s Word in their hands even sweeter.

Though the confetti has settled, the Chonyi New Testament will continue impacting the Chonyi people — deepening and renewing their faith — for years to come.

The Journey of the Chonyi Bible Translation

The Chonyi Bible translation began in 2011, when leaders recognized the need for Scripture in the community’s language. By 2015, the team completed the Gospel of Matthew, giving the Chonyi people their first access to God’s Word. Momentum in the community grew when the team launched the “JESUS” film, allowing the Chonyi people to experience Christ’s life through Scripture and visual storytelling.

After years of perseverance, the translators completed the New Testament. In 2024, the Chonyi people celebrated the arrival of the full New Testament in their language — a transformative moment that has already begun to impact lives.

A Celebration of Faith and Joy

The dedication ceremony drew a vibrant crowd, including many of the nearly 200,000 Chonyi speakers. This predominantly Christian community had been eagerly awaiting the New Testament copies, and the event was filled with prayer, praise and joyful celebrations.

A local pastor prayed over the newly printed Bibles, and these Scriptures will play a significant role in the spiritual lives of the Chonyi people. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (NLT).

People eagerly lined up to purchase their own copies of the New Testament, excited to finally hold God’s Word in their hands. More than 3,000 copies were printed, and many were sold in the first few days.

The Impact of the New Testament on Women and the Community

The celebration also highlighted the New Testament’s potential to transform the Chonyi community. Eunice Jumbale, a pastor with Redeemed Gospel Church, shared how she believed that Chonyi Scripture would specifically impact women in the community:

“In the past, the women have been involved in some cultural practices that are not good — even those that professed Christianity. But now that the Scripture is in our language, I believe there will be transformation. Women will arise and hold on to God and leave such practices.”

Her words express a broader hope: that the New Testament will deepen people’s faith and help the community align their lives with biblical principles.

Scripture changes us from the inside out: “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires” (Hebrews 4:12, NLT). As people engage with God’s Word in their own language, they are transformed and leave behind cultural practices that contradict the gospel.

The Chonyi New Testament serves as a tool for spiritual renewal, helping the Chonyi people grow in their walk with God.

All Scripture for All People

Celebrate with us as the Chonyi community experiences the life-changing impact of Scripture in their own language!

God is on the move around the world today. When people receive the Bible in a language that resonates deeply in their heart, their lives transform. Families and communities change too: People experience the hope of the gospel, and relationships strengthen. Praise God that the Chonyi finally have access to the New Testament in their language and that God is already at work in their community!

But the work doesn't stop here — the translation team already has plans to start translating the Old Testament in 2025 so that the Chonyi can have the full counsel of God’s Word in their language.

At Wycliffe, we want every community to be able to experience the transforming power of Scripture in their language, which is what Vision 2025 is all about. This is a God-sized goal: to see a Bible translation program start for every language that still needs it. Vision 2025 ensures no community is left without access to God’s Word.

As more people engage with God’s Word, the vision of Revelation 7:9 — that people from every nation and language will worship together around God’s throne — becomes closer to reality.

Continue the Journey

Thank you for supporting Bible translation. Your partnership — whether through praying, giving, serving or advocating — helps make dedications like the Chonyi New Testament happen. Today people around the world are joining together as the global Church to support God’s work and participate in these incredible stories of transformation.

Please continue to pray for the Chonyi community as they engage with the New Testament and work on the Old Testament translation. Ask God to use His Word to bring continuous hope and renewal to their lives. By being part of the Bible translation movement, you can play a vital role in bringing God’s Word to more communities like the Chonyi.

As the Holy Spirit guides local churches, communities and translators, your prayers, encouragement and sharing stories like these allow people to experience Jesus in their language — transforming their lives and uniting their communities.