Translating since 2019
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.
REVELATION 7:9
Our Mission
To provide the Bible in the Toka-Leya mother tongue and to ensure its use and entrance into the hearts of the Toka-Leya people through translation and literacy programs, that God would be glorified in every aspect of Toka-Leya culture, social interactions, and Christian discipleship.
The Toka-Leya Bible Translation Project
In 2013, Partners in Bible Translation (PIBT) conducted a linguistic survey in several Toka-Leya chiefdoms: Mukuni, Musokotwane, Sekute, and Sipatunyana. The results of the survey showed that the Toka-Leya language is a viable and distinct language, different from Tonga, Lozi or other languages. Key people in Livingstone formed the Toka-Leya Bible Translation Association (TLBTA) and registered the organization in 2018. An MOU with PIBT was also signed in 2018.
The TLBTA’s role is to promote the translation work and encourage the maximum involvement and support of all the Toka-Leya people regardless of denominational affiliation. Their task includes encouraging local support of the translation and literacy efforts. In order for the project to succeed both rural and urban areas need to be involved in all aspects of the project. Candidates began training in 2019 but because the work is done very carefully the first publication, the Gospel of Mark was not completed until 2023. During this time many other books of the Bible have been drafted so it is hoped that the New Testament will be printed soon.