The Day the Word of God Came to the Bughotu People

Bughotu New Testament Dedication - Solomon Islands

Bible dedication procession at Sigana, on Isabel, Solomon Islands on 10-11 October, 2009. (Photos courtesy of John Bruner)

Bible Society Translation Consultant, Dr Carl Gross, reports: “On the weekend before I arrived in the Solomons (i.e., 10-11 October), the Bughotu NT was dedicated at Sigana, on Isabel. The Bible Society had supported this project for some years, and I checked a number of their books (Matthew, Romans, 1 Corinthians, among others). Various family and friends from the USA came out to celebrate, but unfortunately I was not able to come out to Honiara in time to join them. The Bishop who spoke at the ceremony claimed that the day was like Christmas for the people—it was the day the Word of God came to their people!

The Bughotu NT was published by Wycliffe USA (or International), and they acknowledged the assistance of the Bible Society of the South Pacific in its production. They had printed 1000 copies and had 700 on hand for the dedication, leaving the rest in Honiara for sale in town. However, all 700 copies were sold out in 15 minutes, and when the other copies were sent out to Sigana, they were sold out quickly too. With no available copies they are already planning a reprint.”