The Mende Old Testament Project began in 2008, after the New Testament was published in 2002. There are three Mende translators, two fulltime and one part time - Kamanda George, Pastor Tommy Henkins, and Mr. Vandi. We recently lost one of our part-time translators, Pa Tucker. They translate from English Bible translations into Mende, their heart language. 

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There are also many other team members in Bible translation. There is a keyboardist Eunice Samba who types up the translations of the translator who is still in computer training, the people who work in literacy teaching people to read in their own language, the Bible Society of Sierra Leone, and Mende pastors and leaders. Bible translation is no small task. It takes a community.

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Although my title is translation advisor, I am still learning as much or more than I am teaching. But I do bring certain skills to the team: translation theory, background in Biblical languages, and some computer skills. On the other hand, I am constantly finding words I don't know, learning how the translation project is working, learning the translation software, learning how to live in a different country, and leaning on God for everything. It is always an adventure!