"BSNI funds Amharic translation of the Bible in Ethiopia" ETHIOPIA: July 2004 The Bible Society in Northern Ireland has entered into a three-year commitment to fund on-going work on the Amharic translation of the Bible in partnership with the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia. The Church has more than 40 million members and Church leaders are anxious that this Bible translation is completed as soon as possible so that the Bible message can be readily understood by everyone in their mother tongue. Both the clergy and laity are watching progress with great anticipation.  So far the New Testament and more than half of the Old Testament have been completed.  It is hoped to finish the translation within the next three years. Once the bible is completed and published, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church will commend it to the people for their use.  Up to now, the people have struggled to use the Geez bible which a majority of them do not understand.   We therefore hope and believe that this new translation will change the lives of millions of Ethiopians once they are able to read the Word of God with the confidence that comes from seeing the text in a language that they recognise as their own. The work is being co-ordinated from the United Bible Societies Regional Office in Nairobi and began in April 2000. One of those who provided the training then is now acting as Translation Consultant to the project. It is hoped that the work will be completed by 2007. Ethiopia is a desperately poor country and without support from countries like Northern Ireland, this work would simply not be undertaken. BSNI has committed up to £45,000 to this project. It is encouraging that, as Christians, we can have an impact on the spiritual life of millions of people, thousands of miles away. We will bring news of the progress of this special translation project from time to time. Up to date news can be obtained from Bible House in Belfast. 30 July 2004 Back to World News