Nebié Badiou has been a faithful friend of ours for many years. I first met Nebié on a Story Development trip to Burkina Faso with CRU. I went as an observer, and due to a health crisis that sent two of the most experienced leaders home, I became the US Team Coordinator and linguistic consultant. Thankfully, we were able to complete a translated and recorded story set in the Jula (Dyula) language in the six weeks we were in country. But none of that could have happened without Nebié’s oversight (and occasional babysitting).

Since that time, Nebié has been a passionate champion for Clear & Simple Media, not only in Burkina Faso but across West Africa. He is in the process of working on projects to put books in five (5) new languages. Here is a brief report about one of those projects.

The Léla or Lélé are a population of Burkina Faso (Centre-Ouest region) belonging to the Gourounsi cultural and linguistic family.

The language is Lyélé, and it is codified and equipped with its own writing system.

The complete Bible and the New Testament have been translated into Lyélé (in print format, mobile applications, and audio/video media) by linguistic organizations and the Bible Society.

There have been many literacy initiatives in this language aimed at making the spiritual message accessible in the “heart language,” preserving the language against the risk of decline, strengthening cultural identity, and promoting literacy. When we presented “Simple Truths” in French to certain pastors who speak this language (located in the Centre-Ouest of Burkina Faso), they expressed the need to have it in their language. This will allow them to conduct Bible studies to edify the faith of believers. They can also use it for baptism class candidates. Thus, a pastor volunteered to translate the document into Lyélé. We then printed 3,000 copies, which will be distributed to pastors in various communities for the edification of their members.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Clear & Simple Media story is how God, again and again, has brought people into our lives who love God, are passionate evangelists/church planters, and who value the resources we have developed – and want everyone to have them.

Please keep all of those “champions” in your prayers. Many of whom work in places that can be hostile to the gospel.