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May 2003 The Olonets Karelians have received their first New Testament!
"This is a great day for us - we have received the Book of books in our own language. We will be enriched through this book - there will be a renaissance for spiritual life in our republic and for the Karelian language." "Today the Karelian language is taught in our schools, and with the language we can regain our culture and our traditions. The publication of the New Testament in Karelian will help us to preserve and develop our language - we are so grateful!" "We have been without guidance for so long, but now God has given us his word - now he speaks to us in the language we understand!" These are just a few of the many remarks heard when the New Testament in Olonets-Karelian was presented in three locations in Karelia on 4 and 5 May. Great crowds had gathered - representatives of the authorities and churches were joined by young and elderly people. It was an amazing experience to be present and to see the joy and gratitude when the Karelians received their first New Testament! Olonets-Karelian is spoken by approximately 40,000 people. Karelia borders on Finland, and for the last ten years the IBT office in Helsinki has co-ordinated the work of translation, which has also been financially supported by Finnish congregations and organisations.
Project of the Month With the Olonets-Karelian translation five New Testaments have been completed of the fifteen that IBT is expecting to be able to print by 2005! Work on the remaining ten is continuing, and five of these will soon be ready for printing. Support the continuing translation work with your gift to the project of the month! |
"Only the people who have a language remain a people, and only the people who have the Word of God in their language can develop. We Karelians are a fortunate people because today we have the Word of God in our own language."