Mara Cluster

Lake Victoria is Mara Region's western border.
(Tanzania)

The Place

The Mara Region lies in the Northwest of Tanzania, and is the northernmost area of the country. Lake Victoria creates Mara’s western edge, the Kenyan border is the northern boundary, and Serengeti National Park wraps around the southern and eastern sides.

The Need

Around 1.4 million people live in Mara Region, which makes it the most densely populated area of Tanzania with the fewest churches. A wide variety of denominations comprise the churches which are present, and a majority of people call themselves Christians. But without the Word in the heart languages of these people, it is still traditional religion which claims people’s loyalties.

The Cluster

Mara Cluster language work began in 2005 with developing partnership with local churches. The local church leaders responded very positively when they first heard of the plan to do language survey in order to better understand the situation in the region, with the intent of Scripture translation in the future. The survey, which was done in 2005-2006, found that there are at least 14 languages in the Mara Region. Twelve of these languages are of the Bantu language family, and so are similar to one another. The two non-Bantu languages both have at least the New Testament already translated. The survey showed that several of the Bantu languages are very closely related and will likely be able to use one translation, and that another language already has a good New Testament translation.

The Project

Linguistic work was began in earnest in 2006. The Mara Cluster team has worked with Tanzanians from eight languages to develop alphabets and writing systems for their languages. Bible translation begins in 2008 with the Gospel of Luke. Literacy work will be necessary, in order to teach people to read and write their own languages using the newly developed writing systems, and it is hoped that it will begin in 2009. Meanwhile, the cluster team is still busy building partnerships with local churches and doing further research about the sounds and grammar of these eight languages and testing the proposed writing systems.

Take a look at what is happening in this exciting work:

• Mara Cluster Team

For more information visit the following pages:

• Learn more about Tanzania
• Learn more about Bantu Language Clusters

   

Mar 23, 2009 Itagusa Moyo “It will Touch the Heart” Written by Tim R. "Recently a Tanzanian neighbor came for a visit and we got to talking about the work of Bible translation here in Mara. He has education in theology and missions, so he wanted to see the Mara Cluster Project office. He was fascinated that we were working with so many mother-tongue languages. He came and we met with Pastor Kateti to discuss the ministry. Near the end of our time he praised the work we've been doing because, in his words, "The Bible in Swahili haifiki moyoni (does not arrive in the heart), but the Scriptures in these mother-tongue languages itagusa moyo (will touch the heart)."

Mar 23, 2009 The Gift of Space Written by Misha S. A turning point has been marked here in the Mara Cluster Project. Up to now, more than twenty of us have been working in an office that was formerly a three-bedroom house (see photo at right). When the project started, there were five of us, and we all fit very nicely. We have steadily grown in numbers, however, and we recently doubled our numbers when 18 mother-tongue translators were hired for the nine Bible translation projects. Read more...

Nov 7, 2008 Same burden, new desire Written by Alison C. I've come to realize that God "wired" me for this work! In my two years here on the field, I have realized the work that delights me the most is working directly with the people of Tanzania. Read more...

Sep 22, 2008 Never late and worth the wait Written by Alison C When I heard about the extensive linguistic foundation that must be laid before Bible translation can really take off, I realized this is going to be a long process.  I felt disappointed that my people would have to wait before the Scriptures are fully translated and available.  But then I remembered that God is never late.  When I read the account of Lazarus, I see Mary and Martha's sorrow over Jesus' delay to heal Lazarus.  But there's more to the story.  Jesus delayed his coming because of His love for them (John 11:5-6).  When He finally did come, a far greater glory resulted when He raised Lazarus from the dead.  So it is with Bible translation.  It might seem like God has delayed His coming because the process is so long.  But He is never late, and when the Scriptures finally emerge in the Simbiti language, it will be God's timing and the glory will be far greater."  -from a Simbiti pastor's (pictured at right) testimony at the 2008 Writer's Awareness Workshop (freely translated)

Feb 28, 2008 The key that unlocked scripture Written by Alison C. Like having a locked treasure chest with no key, an evangelist from the Kuria language group in Tanzania had scripture in his language for years, but he never knew how to get into it. It turns out the key was easily found, he needed to be shown where to look. Read more...