The Bosmun people have a long history of interest in Bible Translation. Back in the early 90s they visited with David Parrish and with his help developed a tentative alphabet. They then sent some people for training and established several vernacular pre-schools. They have been waiting for someone to come and help them with the translation. While the interest has been long term, we sense that it is confined mainly to the village leaders. Most of the Bosmun have yet to gain a vision or desire for Bible translation.

This may be changing as more people have recently become involved in the work through the alphabet design workshop that was held in September 2002. The five participants from Bosmun are eager to continue with literacy and translation.

Twenty people participated in the first writers workshop in Bosmun in April 2003. Later three men from the village of Daiden attended the first translation workshop and translated the book of Jonah into the Bosmun language. This is the first time any scriptures have been produced in this language.

At this point the motivation for a translation program seems to be centered on literacy and the benefits of vernacular literacy for their young people. We are praying that the Lord will expand that motivation to include a real desire for God's word in their language.

Prayer Points

• Pray for the key Bosmun leaders Mel, Bill, and Peter. Pray that the Lord will use them to cast a vision for Bible translation among the rest of the Bosmun people.
• Pray that the vision for Bible translation can grow among the Bosmun. We were disappointed that only three men came to the first translation workshop after twenty had participated in the writers workshop. While the people see a definite need for vernacular literacy, they still do not understand fully the benefits of having God's word in their language.
• Pray for the Lord to raise up complete literacy and translation teams. Also pray that the Bosmun would select a good board of management to oversee the program.
• Adam Sangam is highly motivated to participate in the translation work. He has been working on a dictionary and on editing the Jonah translation and the literacy materials. Pray that the Lord will continue to encourage him and that he will be able to find others to help in the work.