Basketo (pop. 57,800) Ethiopia
2016-01-29
The BasÂketo New TesÂtaÂment was completed a couÂple of years ago but suffered nuÂmerÂous setÂbacks durÂing the printÂing stage. Praise God the books finally arÂrived in Ethiopia in July 2015! TransÂportÂing them to the reÂmote, difficult-to-reach BasÂketo area had to wait unÂtil roads dried afÂter the rainy season, but once dry, the preÂcious shipment of 10,000 books was fiÂnally driven there in cargo trucks. A celebration serÂvice was held in December 2015. HalÂleluÂjah! It was a long road, in more ways than one, but God was faithÂful and used the prayers of many peoÂple. Pray for a great harÂvest for God’s kingÂdom among the BasÂketo through God’s Word. Pray that they will tesÂtify with the prophet JeÂreÂmiah, "When I disÂcovÂered your words, I deÂvoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight … ” (JeÂreÂmiah 15:16, NLT).
The Bible translation team spent more than 20 years working on the Basketo New Testament. Though the translation and printing processes proved to be long and arduous, abundant spiritual fruit was evident. Praise God that in early 2016 ten thousand completed Basketo New Testaments arrived in Ethiopia! Today more than 94% of the Basketo community identify as followers of Jesus, and they have even begun sending people to minister to other language communities.