Together with Together in Bible Translation (TiBT), we have been supporting the translation work on the New Testament into various dialects since 2024. This helps members of these language groups to read and listen to biblical texts in an understandable way—whether in church services, home groups, or everyday life.

In addition, our partner TiBT has found that people are only truly able to understand matters of faith when they read the Bible in their mother tongue. According to their observations, it also promotes literacy, a sense of community, and personal responsibility.

Leonie Bouwer reports how the Christian faith brings about concrete changes in people’s lives. ‘In a very dry region in southern Madagascar, it was considered taboo to eat Voanjobory—a nutritious and easy-to-grow legume. Even though people suffered from hunger year after year, they adhered to this prohibition. However, a village elder who had become a Christian decided not to follow the taboo any longer. He planted Voanjobory to protect his children from hunger. Despite opposition, he remained steadfast—and experienced how faith in Christ freed him to take new paths and feed his children.

At the time of the reformer Martin Luther (1483–1546), the Bible was used almost exclusively in Latin—a language the people did not speak. With Luther’s Bible translation in 1534, the Bible suddenly became understandable and accessible to everyone. At the same time, it had a significant impact on the development of the German language.

In Madagascar, it is not much different. There are ethnic groups who know nothing of the Christian teaching because the Bible is not available in their language. Many pastors also have not fully understood the message of the Bible and preach based on hearsay. Leonie Bouwer is convinced: “We expect a reformation in Madagascar as well. When people truly understand God’s Word and receive it in their own language, the impact will not go unnoticed.”