Burkina Faso is a country in West Africa with a population of over 21 million people. The country is populated with people from more than 27 ethnic groups. 

In 2016, Clear and Simple Media began working with the national church in Burkina Faso to translate, print, and distribute our evangelical catechism, Simple Truths for the New Believer, in several languages in the country. 

We began with French and Mooré, the two official languages in the country. Mooré is spoken by the Mossi people group, which makes up over 40% of the country’s population. Then, with encouragement and help from a team in the country, Clear and Simple Media began projects to start other languages in Burkina Faso. To date, we have completed translations of the book in Dagaara, Jula(Dyula), Bwaba, Cerma, Gourmanchéma, and Pougouli. 

One of the ten largest ethnic groups in the country is the Lobi people. The Lobi make up just under 5% of the population of Burkina Faso. The Lobi people live primarily in the West Central part of the country. But, over a number of years, for a number of reasons, the Lobi people now populate portions of Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast).

The language of the Lobi people is called Lobiri. Although most Lobi are Muslim and/or animists, the gospel has made a significant impact among them. The New Testament has been available in Lobiri for many years and Wycliffe Bible Translators are close to completing the Old Testament.

Our connections in Burkina Faso have used the French translation of Simple Truths with Lobiri speakers. But while most Burkinabe who read can read French, it does not ‘connect’ like it does in one’s heart language. 

At the urging of our friend Dieudonné Somé, we are putting the structure in place to begin the Lobiri translation of Simple Truths for the New Believer March 1, 2021. 

Please pray for Dieudonné as he works with the translators in country and works through the processes that will lead to translating, checking, field-testing, book design, printing, and final publication and distribution of the books. And pray that God will continue to use the more than 25,000 Clear and Simple Media books already in distribution there to encourage God’s people and build his church.