Arew

The Arew people live on the southeastern tip of Tanzania. Most of them tend small farms to provide adequate food for their families. Some people also grow cash crops. The Arew people highly value education, but there are not enough schools to meet all the needs of children in the remote areas. Rural schools have difficulty attracting teachers; many educated people prefer to live in urban areas.

Just under one-third of the Arew people group professes faith in Christ. However, believers in a neighboring language group have been praying diligently for the Arew people. Christians still participate in the rituals of African traditional religion, fearing the power of curses. They have little understanding of what Scripture actually teaches. They need to understand the power of God, the authority of Christ and the personal availability of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives.

Several years ago, Benjamin, an African missionary, wrote, “When are you going to come and translate for the people groups among whom I’m working?” Even before The Seed Company partnered in this project, three eager Arew volunteers—without funding— started initial efforts with an old computer and great enthusiasm. When some regional government officials attended the dedication of John’s Gospel for a neighboring language, one of them commented, “[Speakers of that language] should be very proud, but not too proud, because I have been informed that we [the Arew] are getting Scripture in our language too!”