HARARE, Zimbabwe — With one of the worst HIV infection rates in Africa, Zimbabwe is struggling to find ways of dealing with a disease that is decimating the population and orphaning millions of children.
|
|
In an effort to help educate people about the disease and bring hope to infected people, the Bible Society of Zimbabwe (BSZ) has been providing Scriptures for use in church-run AIDS/HIV prevention projects.
Earlier this month, the BSZ presented 2,000 Scripture Portions, entitled Nothing Can Separate Us From the Love of God and Living in Hope, to two churches who, according to Gaylord Kambarami, BSZ General Secretary, have “pioneered” AIDS/HIV projects in the country. The United Methodist Churches and St Luke’s Church of the Anglican Diocese of Harare each received 1,000 copies.
Matilda Jambga, Director of the United Methodist Churches’ AIDS/HIV project – The Churches’ Challenge for the New Millennium – will use the Scriptures as she travels around the country holding seminars and workshops on living with AIDS, and AIDS prevention.
Ms Jambga expressed her gratitude for the Scripture Portions, which, she said, will be a real blessing in her work, giving people wisdom and encouragement.
“These Portions will restore hope to the hopeless,” said Ms Jambga. “People are beginning to see that the Word of God gives answers on how to avoid the AIDS crisis.”
Theophilus Matsikira, Director of Youth Ministry in St Luke’s Church, was also grateful for the Scripture gifts. These will help him to share the Bible’s perspective on the crisis with young people attending church-run camps and workshops.
Both churches employ people infected with AIDS to work on the projects and share their testimonies with those attending seminars and camps.
Recent figures indicate that about one in three people in Zimbabwe is HIV-positive, making it one of the worst-affected countries in Africa. Thirteen million people in Africa have already died of AIDS-related illnesses, and 10 million more are expected to die in the next five years. In total, there are about 24 million people in sub-Saharan Africa who are HIV-positive – 70 per cent of the world total.
In Zimbabwe, like other African countries, the effects of this crisis are becoming more and more visible in the country’s economy and social structure.
“All over the country there is an increasing number of AIDS orphans, and the situation is worsening because of the harsh economic hardships we are facing,” said Mr Kambarami. “We pray that God will hear our prayers about the AIDS crisis and the devastating effect it is having on our people.” (WR 355/11 - 11.00) e-114
HARARE, Zimbabwe — “There is no doubt that this New Testament
has given Ndau speakers hope, pride and self-confidence as an ethnic group
in Zimbabwe.” These are the words of Gaylord Kambarami, General Secretary
of the Bible Society of Zimbabwe (BSZ), who
recently witnessed the joy of the Ndau people at the launch of the revised
Ndau New Testament.
|
|
Although the Ndau Bible has been available since 1957, the decision was made in 1984 to begin work on a new translation to make the language more contemporary. This coincided with a government initiative to encourage the teaching and use of Ndau in schools in Ndau-speaking areas.
The celebration was opened by Cornelius Watyoka, BSZ Board Chairman. After a reading of John 3:1-21 from the revised New Testament, a history of Ndau Scripture translation was given by the Rev Dr Joshua Dube, Bishop of the United Baptist Church (UBC). The UBC is one of only two churches operating in the eastern region of the country.
Dr Dube highlighted the co-operation between the UBC and the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ) in Ndau Scripture translation work since 1910. As well as having been instrumental in the publication of the first Ndau Bible, these two churches provided translators and reviewers for the revised New Testament. In his message, Dr Dube emphasised the importance of reading and using this book in order to transform people’s lives.
Chief Mutema, one of the local chiefs who is also on the review panel of the Ndau Bible translation project, expressed his joy at the new publication.
“I am glad to have witnessed such an occasion in my lifetime,” he said. “May future generations of Ndau-speakers remember that the launch of this New Testament has given them a rich heritage.”
Apart from Zimbabwe’s Ndau population, there are more than 100,000 speakers in neighbouring countries such as Mozambique who will also benefit from the new translation.
Mr Kambarami presented the New Testament to representatives of the UBC and UCCZ for prayer and dedication. Specially inscribed copies were then given to church representatives, translators and reviewers in recognition of their contribution to the project.
After the ceremony, more than 1,260 copies of the New Testament were sold. Work continues on the Ndau Old Testament, which is due to be launched in December 2002. (WR 355/12 - 11.00)