In August 2019, sixty delegates attended a three-day Translation Principles Workshop in Louisville, Kentucky. At that point, visionary Victor Mikebanyi had dreamed of and planned for a Bible in his language for over 35 years. During his ministry service in Nairobi, Mikebenayi connected with religious and community leaders in Kenya, Rwanda, and Congo, where everyone agreed with the need for a Kinyamulenge Bible. In 2016, the project had been approved by the Nehemiah Pastors Association, and this was the time to expand ownership to even more members of the Banyamulenge community. The purpose of this workshop was to clarify what it takes to translate the Bible as well as to authorize a Kinyamulenge translation.

 

Workshop attendees included Peter Mutima, the first Munyamulenge to arrive in the USA; Dr. Norbert Runyambo, the first Munyamulenge medical doctor; Pastor Noa Mudagiri, the eldest pastor at the time; Ntonia Mikebanyi, Victor’s wife and primary supporter; and Debora Mikebanyi Ingabire, the youngest delegate. Valuable information on Bible translation was provided in Swahili by John Schirle and Tim MacSaveny, missionaries with Pioneer Bible Translators.

 

The panel of Banyamulenge pastors, elders, doctors, and other community leaders from different areas unanimously agreed: “It is time! We need a Kinyamulenge Bible.” With this approval, a committee was formed, and plans moved forward for the Kinyamulenge Bible translation and language development to become a reality.