The very popular evangelistic book by John Blanchard, Ultimate Questions has now been published in its 36th language. Swahili, or more correctly Kiswahili, is the lingua franca of East Africa. As well as the main East African countries of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, which have a combined population of over 81 million, Kiswahili is also spoken in Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, (formally Zaire) and parts of Mozambique and Zambia. There are even groups of Kiswahili speakers in the USA. Like all languages, there are regional differences, but pure Swahili is spoken in the coastal region of Tanzania and in the Island of Zanzibar.

The Swahili version of Ultimate Questions, is called Maswali ya Msingi, which means Foundational Questions (Lit. ‘Questions of Foundation’), and was translated in Dar-es-Salaam by native speakers. Robert Armstrong, a missionary with Christian Missions in Many Lands, who coordinated the project, said, ‘We are delighted to get such a book that is quality both in production and content. In Tanzania, the gospel is often presented in a superficial manner. Trusting Christ is offered as remedy for all troubles and the way to a good life with material blessings. Little is ever mentioned about the claims of a Holy God, the gravity of sin and the need for repentance.

Mr Blanchard’s book presents clearly the seriousness of sin, (translated in Swahili as ‘a weighty matter’), the horror of hell and the uselessness of religion. This is something that may be new to many pastors and preachers in East Africa.’

The Swahili version of Ultimate Questions will be used by believers in Dar-es-Salaam to follow up personal contacts. Each copy has an invitation to apply to the Emmaus Correspondence Bible School in Dar-es-Salaam where there are over 30 Bibles courses in Swahili available.