When outsiders visit the Makua, they see large gardens and fields of cash crops, indicating a settled community living off the land that straddles the border of two East African nations. Many visitors don’t realize this group was originally an immigrant group from South Africa, or that life among the Makua may not be as tranquil as it seems.

It’s true the Makua highly value balance with nature and within the social order, but keeping the peace can be violent business. Someone is always to blame. Even a natural disaster might require a scapegoat.

While more than half the Makua speakers (55 percent) consider themselves Christians, most still fear witchcraft and participate in a variety of animistic rituals. Some statistics list the Makua as the largest animistic people group in Africa. Because there is no Scripture in the Makua heart language, Makua Christians lack a foundation in God’s Word to help them mature in their faith.

The translation team plans to publish the New Testament in smaller portions as they are completed to make Scripture available more quickly. They also want to translate the Old Testament. Understandable Scripture will dramatically impact the Makua culture as Christians apply biblical principles to their individual lives and their family interactions.