The journey to the development of Marakwet language began as a result of the visit of Ken Greenly and his wife Judy who were from Wycliffe Bible Translators. Their report is as follows as per their letter dated 21/8/1982 which reads:
Report on the Trip to
Kerio Valley
On Saturday , August 7, 1982 Judy and I and our family began our trip to Kerio Valley to visit among the Endo. Wetravelled 1068 kilometres , using 419litres of petrol, costing $355.20.
We visited all of the towns from Chesegon to Chesongoch on the valley floor,and from Chesoi to Chebiemit on the escarpment. We visited and toured all five clinics /hospitals in the area. We met with District officer, Mr.E .K.Kimari, with the chief of Endo Location, Chief James Chelang'a, the former chief, chief Kisang' Kirop, and the Asst. Education officer of Basic Education for Tot Division , Mr. Joram Chemeitoi. In addition, we talked with the head master of Tot Secondary School , Mr. Samuel Kipkeu, the head master of Tot Primary School, Mr. Benjamin Cheserek , and the head master of Chesegon primary School , Mr .Andrew Karikow. We met with Father Benedict and Father Lucas at Chesongoch and Chesoi respectively, and with Elija Kanda, directorof Catholic hospital at Chesoi.
In the Valley , we met with pastors Samuel of Liter, William of Chebilil, Joseph of Tot, and Job of Kamogo. I spoke at the church camp which was bieng held for over 100 Endo young people, and talked individually with a number of participants. On the escarpment, I addressed a conference of church leaders from the 16 churches of the area, giving greetings and briefly explaining our proposed project of Bible Translation into Kiendo. I then talked at length with the following representatives of those churches, answering questions about our possible role in translation of the scriptures:
1 Mzee Job kibor , A.I.C Kapsowar( Endo)
2 Mzee Joseph Kibor, A.I.C Kapsowar ( Endo)
3 Mzee Ezekiel Chebor, A.I.C Chebara ( Kew)
4 Mzee Herman Yano, A.I.C Chebara (Kew)
5 Mr David Cheserek, A.I.C Chorwo ( Chesoi)
6 Mr David Chelimo , A.I.C Kapsowar ( Talai)
7 Mr James Rotich , A.I.C Kapsowar ( Talai)
8 Mr Edwin Suter, A.I.C Kapsowar (Endo)
9 Pr. Edward Cheboi , A.I.C Kapsowar ( Talai)
10 Rev Samuel Cheserek, A.I.C Kamasia ( Talai)
11 Mr Richard Kibiwott A.I.C Suwerwo ( Talai). click here to see more of the work done by Bible Translation and Literacy
Our Marakwet language development and Translation journey has been a very long one, but imagine at the moment we have completed 28 books of the old Testament, we are left with 11 books in order for us to complete the old Testament which later usher the whole Bible into the community. Kindly pray that God will continue to strengthen us and protect our families.
