The Phimbi language originated in Maravia District, in the Tete Province of Mozambique. This language is spoken in a number of villages including Chipera, Nhenda, Mazaze, and Thingwe. But Phimbi has become overlooked and rejected, which likely goes back to the civil war in Mozambique between Frelimo and Renamo from 1976 to 1992. When the Phimbi families fled for their safety to the nearest countries, such as Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, they needed to learn new languages. After sixteen years of war, some Phimbi speakers remained where they’d fled and established homes and families there. Others went back to their original homes. This might be one reason why, up until today, the Phimbi language does not have the Bible.

Before the Phimbi project even started, an unprecedented number of pastors and church leaders from many denominations gathered in support of the idea. One pastor said, “I have never seen this happen.” They said: “This project is coming not only to translate the Bible into Phimbi, but also to unite us.” The next day, group went to a nearby mountain to pray together—for the project, for their churches and for their lives.

That also had not happened before.

“This project is coming not only to translate the Bible into Phimbi, but also to unite us.”

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The Phimbi team had their first translation workshop in August 2024, and a second one in October. The project is off to a good start, with the team already recording their first translated Scriptures.