The Historic Dedication of the Gospel of Luke in Kinyamulenge
On January 27, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky, six hundred Banyamulenge came together to celebrate a momentous occasion—the dedication of the Gospel of Luke in Kinyamulenge. This event marked a groundbreaking achievement for the Kinyamulenge Bible Translation (KBT) project, symbolizing years of dedication, perseverance, and unity in the mission to make God's Word accessible to the Banyamulenge community.
For decades, the Banyamulenge people faced the challenge of understanding existing Bible translations in languages such as Swahili, French, and Kinyarwanda. This often required studying foreign languages just to grasp the Word of God. The KB&L project aimed to change this reality, and the publication of the Gospel of Luke was a significant step toward achieving that goal.
The event highlighted the collective effort behind the translation. Translators read verses from the newly published gospel, emphasizing the care and accuracy that went into preserving the original meaning of the Scriptures. Community members shared emotional testimonies about how this translation would impact their spiritual growth and identity as a people deeply rooted in their faith. It concluded with watching parts of the Jesus Film dubbed into Kinyamulenge, a distribution of free books to everyone in attendance, and singing and dancing.
The dedication of the Gospel of Luke in Kinyamulenge marked an extraordinary milestone for the Banyamulenge people—a foundational step in a new journey of civilization rooted in the teachings of the Bible. They took a significant step toward preserving their language and heritage as well.
The publication of Luke serves as both a spiritual guide and an intellectual resource, setting the stage for the community to grow stronger in their faith while embracing educational and moral principles drawn directly from the Word of God. In this light, the dedication event was not merely a religious ceremony; it was a defining moment that positioned the Banyamulenge to embark on a transformative journey of growth, rooted in the timeless wisdom of the Bible.
