The Dedications of the Jita, Zanaki and Tabo New Testaments
God’s Word for all people and all generations.
For the Jita and Zanaki people of Tanzania and the Tabo people of Papua New Guinea, the eternal words of Jesus in the Book of Matthew now resonate because they have access to them in their own language. After decades of waiting, these communities can finally read and hear God’s Word!
These recent New Testament dedications in both Tanzania and Papua New Guinea are examples of how God is transforming lives, preserving cultural identity and equipping the next generation to grow in their faith. Each dedication reflects years of collaboration and prayer and is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit working through Scripture to bring life, hope and transformation to people everywhere.
Celebrate these milestones with us as the New Testament comes to life for the Jita, Zanaki and Tabo communities, equipping them to grow in their faith and share the gospel with others!
The Jita People: Joy and Transformation in Tanzania
The Jita New Testament was dedicated in the small fishing village of Busekera, Tanzania, on July 31, 2024! The Jita people celebrated with singing, dancing, feasting, prayers and speeches.
One memorable moment was when a man performed a worship song that he had written in the Jita language, showcasing the community’s pride and connection to their heritage. Throughout the celebration, people repeatedly exclaimed:
People are excited to have Scripture in their language because it's a way of preserving their cultural identity for future generations. Sometimes even when people are resistant to the gospel message, if they receive a copy of Scripture in their language, they immediately value it because it preserves their language. Then they start reading it, and they come to faith in Jesus.
A big moment of the dedication was when a community leader held up the first copy of the Jita New Testament for everyone to see. The crowd erupted in cheers, applause and celebration because now they know that God truly speaks their language.
During the dedication, an elderly man using a cane and walking slowly struggled to walk up to the front. He signaled with his hand that he wanted to talk to somebody in charge. The man — who is blind — had been sitting in town, heard the loud celebration and wondered what was going on. Then he heard people reading the Bible in his own language.
He was so overwhelmed with joy and gratitude that he made his way to the dedication just so that he could shake the hands of the people who translated God's Word into his language. That's the power of God's Word: It compels people, draws people in and transforms them!
Samamba, a pastor in the area, had tried to preach in Jita — but since there was no Bible in Jita, he always had to translate verses from Swahili. He was so thankful when he received the New Testament.
Celebrations in Tanzania did not stop in Busekera — in another part of the country, the Zanaki people also recently celebrated a similar milestone.
The Zanaki People: Music, Memories and Feasting
Just days after the Jita celebration, on Aug. 2, 2024, the Zanaki people gathered in the town of Butiama to celebrate the arrival of their New Testament. Hundreds of people gathered on a soccer field to celebrate!
During the celebration, people used traditional instruments to accompany their singing and dancing. There were drums made out of animal skins, a wooden flute, gourds full of beans to use as shakers and a stringed instrument that resembled a fiddle and was made out of a gourd, some wood and strings.
The guest of honor at this celebration was the chief of the Zanaki tribe. He ended his speech by saying:
When it came time for the ceremonial first reading of Scripture, the reader chose Hebrews 4:12:
“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” (NLT).
The celebration ended with a huge feast that featured ugali — a cornmeal dough that is a staple in Tanzanian meals — as well as rice, beans, plantains, fish, chicken and watermelon.
Praise God that His Word and salvation have come to the Zanaki community! Thousands of miles away in September 2024, the Tabo people also rejoiced because their revised New Testament had arrived.
The Tabo People: Faith and Fellowship in Papua New Guinea
From Sept. 27-28, 2024, the Tabo people celebrated their revised New Testament in both the Aramia and Fly River dialects of Papua New Guinea! Tabo is spoken by 10,000 people who live along two river systems in a remote part of the country.
The dedication was a beautiful and moving time of celebration for the Tabo people who praised God for the gift of His Word and the transformation that has happened in the community. Over 900 copies of the New Testament were distributed.
A planeload of people from partner organizations commemorated this latest milestone alongside the Tabo people. Countless people all over the world encouraged the Tabo people throughout the years of work — whether through training courses, workshops, flights, consultant checks, teaching kids, grammar, literacy, typesetting and more.
Now, with their revised New Testaments in their hands, the Tabo people plan to deepen their engagement with Scripture and continue worshipping God in their own dialects, ensuring the gospel is central to their lives and culture. A new generation of passionate advocates for God’s Word is rising up to lead within the community too.
God is truly at work among communities all around the world today!
A Greater Story: All of God’s People
The dedications of the Jita, Zanaki and Tabo New Testaments showcase God’s faithfulness to His people. Each celebration highlights the unique ways Scripture transforms lives, strengthens communities and equips future generations to know and follow Christ.
But the work is not done yet: There are still people around the world who are waiting to access the hope of Scripture in their own language. God’s Church is growing, and one day it will include people from every nation and language (Revelation 7:9).
You have the opportunity to be part of seeing the Bible — the greatest story ever told — go out to all people around the world through your prayers, your gifts, your service and even through getting your church involved. Every person deserves access to all of God’s Word in their own language, empowering them to fully know His truth and live in His hope.
Join us as we look forward to the day when all people will rejoice with celebrations like these because they have God’s Word in their language!
Related Stories
