God's Peace Medal...

In 1804 Meriwether Lewis and William Clark started exploring the Northwest Territory, seeking a waterway to the Pacific. They took with them an interpreter and a supply of Peace Medals. The medals were to be given to the various people groups they would meet to signify that there would be peace between them and the United States.

On October 18, 2008, in the village of Nano in northern Togo, West Africa, the Moba speaking people received a different sort of peace medal from God – the New Testament in their own language. With singing, dancing, worship and feasting, the nearly 1,500 people celebrated and thanked the Lord for this precious gift. They celebrated because they no longer need an interpreter. They have the "sweet news" of Jesus in their own language.

Almost 22 years ago, Rev. Kombat Bigbi, Rev. Joiniim Lanbon and Mr. Saka Kombien, with Rev. Walt DeMoss as their advisor, started this translation…finding the best Moba ways to express God's Word…touching the people's hearts and bringing glory to God.

At the beginning of this translation process, a group of young Moba men gathered to study for the ministry using materials written in French. At that time, only portions of Scripture were available in Moba. The ministry students would refer to the Moba Scriptures to understand what the French translation was saying; proof that their mother tongue spoke to their hearts and heads…better than the French Bible!

The translation work continued over the years. Translation consultants from the United Bible Societies checked the work and suggested revisions when necessary. Introductions to each book of the New Testament were written and a glossary prepared. After the manuscript was typeset in Nairobi, the translators did a meticulous read through to check for any errors. They wanted to be able to say with confidence to the Moba people that "This is the Word of God!" Once the checking work was complete, the manuscript was sent to South Korea for printing, with much praise and thanksgiving.

There was more thanksgiving when the Bible Society of Togo learned that the printed New Testaments were being shipped to Togo. Excitement began to build as a tentative dedication date of October 18 was set. Planning began in earnest: a list of invitees was developed; a Nano schoolyard was chosen as the site for the dedication; the celebratory meal following the dedication was arranged; emails and cell phone calls increased dramatically. A sigh of relief arose from many corners when word came from Lomé, the capital of Togo, that the New Testaments had been cleared from port. October 18 was shaping up to be a big day.

Last minute dedication details were dealt with on October 17 at a meeting between Rev. Amegah Wolanyo, Director of the Bible Society, his colleagues, and the Moba translation team. Culture required that there had to be time for all invited dignitaries to speak, even if they could not attend. The final program was printed, while changes were still being made!

October 18…dedication day…dawned. The appointed starting time was 8:00 a.m., but as is typical in African culture, the service did not begin until after 10:00 a.m., when the crowd had greatly increased.

Once the service began, it did not stop. The animation and enthusiasm kept building until finally Rev. Amegah unveiled a stack of Moba New Testaments. Now there was no doubt, the sweet news of Jesus Christ, Yiesu Labamann Mual Ni, had arrived. The people could see and touch God's Peace Medal.

In his sermon, Rev. Kombat Bigbi, the president of the Lutheran Church of Togo and the head translator, read from Acts 2 where the events of Pentecost Day are related. Two thousand years ago the people gathered at Jerusalem heard the believers declaring the wonders of God in their own language. So also the Moba speaking people heard these same wonders in the language of their hearts. "We no longer needed an interpreter," Rev. Kombat said. "We can now read and hear the Good News of free salvation through faith in Jesus Christ directly in our own language."

From the beginning of the project 22 years ago until the dedication in 2008, there was one hope, "To God be the glory!"

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