Based in Abidjan, the Bible Society in Côte d’Ivoire began ministry as far back as 1903. Of great importance is the focus on translation work, as there are currently only 2 languages out of 60 that have Bibles. Only recently completed, the Cebaara and Tabgana Bibles will hopefully be printed soon. Despite serious disruption in recent years, the staff continues to serve the Lord faithfully in their work to make the Bible available for Ivorians.

Margaret Bohoussou (nee Linton) has lived and worked in Côte d’Ivoire for many years as a vital part of the translation team. Originally from the Frosses near Ballymena, Margaret has entered into life in West Africa, attending a large Methodist Church and working tirelessly with the Bible Society to make God’s Word available to the people of Côte d’Ivoire in their mother tongue.

A large language group in Côte d’Ivoire is that of the Didas, who live in a forest region along the coast of the country. With approximately 195,400 speakers, the Dida language is a very active one among the population of Côte d’Ivoire. Evangelized in the late 1800’s and the beginning of the 1900’s, the Didas were one of the first groups to receive a Christian witness. It was in 1913 that a Liberian itinerant preacher, named Prophet Harris, arrived and preached the Good News. Carrying a cross, a Bible, and a gourd for baptizing, he told the Didas that they should wait for white people who would come and explain the Word of God.

Despite various efforts at the translation of the Bible into Dida, these people are still waiting for the Word of God in their own language.

Translation work began in the 1970’s by the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), but due to numerous problems the New Testament was never completed. In 2002, when the civil war broke out, all SIL expatriate personnel had to leave the country and the draft of the New Testament was brought to the Bible Society of Côte d’Ivoire (ABCI) for safe keeping.

Finally in 2008 the translation project of the Bible into Dida restarted.

So far the revisions of the Gospels of Mark and Matthew have been completed and they are now working on Luke. In the short period of 8 months, 9% of the New Testament has been completed.

This translation work, along with an associated literacy programme, needs prayer and support. Working in stressful, dangerous and sad situations, Margaret and this team of people are devoted to making God’s Word available to the Didas. To do this, however, ABCI needs your help