Babur used to beat his wife, until he listened to a Talking Bible.
There was no one that stopped Babur. Many Murle men beat their wives. Ever since they got married this was a normal way of life for Babur and his wife. The men didn’t know any better.
Babur, a 51 year old Murle, kept his family in control by beating his children and his wife. That all changed slowly as Babur and his wife began listening to the Talking Bible.
The Murle have a tradition in which men can only marry when they pay a bride price of several dozen cows. The most prized possession to a Murle man is his cows. A Murle man will give several dozen cows for a wife. He believes this gives him the right to dominate her and beat her into submission if necessary.
The Murle social and cultural life is centered around their cattle. They breed them, use them for their bride’s dowry, eat their meat, drink their blood and milk, and sleep on their hides.
The Murle compose songs full of references to the herds captured in battle or raids from their neighbors. Raiding and stealing of cattle is a question of honor and valor. Every young man is given an ox by his father or uncle when he reaches the age of manhood. He spends hours singing to his special ox from which he takes his bull’s name.
Last year in July, Babur’s village was attacked by a neighboring tribe. Babur and his family ran from their burning house, grabbing only a few valuables, including their Talking Bible. He is thankful that all of his family escaped safely. Over 3,000 Murle were killed that day in Pibor. Many were women and children. Now Babur and his family are living as refugees.
Even so, Babur has joy and peace because he now knows God and is doing his best to live in His ways. He listens to his Talking Bible every evening with his family and neighbors. Each night he has to tell his neighbors to leave and go home because they are so eager to listen and discuss God’s Word they want to stay in his home until late at night.
Babur was so excited about the Murle Talking Bible he received. He could not wait to tell us about how his life has changed since he began listening to the Bible.
He started out by telling us, “Before, when I had a misunderstanding with my wife, I would simply beat her. Now I have discovered how God wants me to live with my wife and children. I have learned much about respecting others.”
The Murle people have been accused for centuries of stealing children from the other tribes in the area, but the Murle say when the Dinka and Nuer tribes are facing hunger or drought they sell their children to them in exchange for cattle. These children, as do the wives bought for cattle, become the Murle men’s possessions and are treated as slaves.
Though Babur never bought any children from other tribes, the wife he bought with many cows has borne him 5 children. Babur used to treat his children the same way he treated his wife—he used to beat them, too! Now he has put off his violent old self!
After listening to the Talking Bible, Babur changed, and so did his wife. They came to believe and put their faith and trust in Jesus. Now that Babur and his wife are new believers they treat their children differently.
Babur says they just started listening. As they listened, they “began to receive faith.” He declares, “Now we believe.” They believe in God, Jesus Christ His Son, and what the Bible says. They believe because they heard God’s spoken Word in their own language through the Talking Bible. Your gift makes a real difference!
Babur often refers to his life “before” and “after” hearing God’s Word. He is a different person now. His whole family has become believers in Christ. By listening to the Talking Bible, many Murle, like Babur and his wife, to a fuller understanding of who God is and the depth of His love for them.
Many Murle families have received Talking Bibles. But there are still many waiting. Because of seasonal flooding that isolates them and their involvement in cattle raiding and violence with other pastoral tribes in South Sudan, it has been hard to get Talking Bibles to the Murle.
In most of the places where the Talking Bibles are being used, there is only one, maybe two Christians. Many who will listen to the Talking Bibles you provide will believe. Many times it is a family or even a whole village that gets to hear the Talking Bible you send. This will be their first time to hear the Good News about Jesus in their own language in a meaningful way.
More Changed Life Stories
March 1, 2025
Bharathamma’s family is growing in faith and sharing God’s love with others. “ I can learn the Word of God from the Talking Bible,” says Bharathamma. “Personally, I’m getting encouraged every time I listen. ” Bharathamma’s story is one of transformation and hope. Living in a small farming village in India, she never had the opportunity to go to school. Like many women in her community, she spent her life raising children and working in the fields. Fourteen years ago, when she became a follower of Jesus, she longed to read the Bible. But unable to read, she relied on her pastor’s Sunday sermons, memorizing scripture as best as she could. Her pastor often repeated Bible stories just so she could retain every word. A year ago, everything changed. Bharathamma’s pastor gave her a Talking Bible. For the first time, she could hear the scriptures in her own home, not just on Sundays. She began listening to God’s Word for an hour every day with her son and daughter-in-law. The results have been life-changing. Her daughter-in-law, who had previously professed faith but stopped attending church, and her son, who had been distant from the faith, started listening with her. Over the course of a year, the scriptures began to work in their hearts. Now, the entire family attends church together every week. “ Easily I can understand now,” Bharathamma says. “It’s really good to have the Talking Bible in my family. I keep it safe so that I can use it for a long time. ” Stories like Bharathamma’s are happening across India, where millions of people cannot read but long to know God’s Word. A Talking Bible opens the door for individuals and families to experience the life-changing power of scripture —bringing hope, faith, and renewal. With your help, stories like Bharathamma’s are possible. Your generosity brings the Word of God into homes where it can inspire transformation and hope. Will you join us in placing a Talking Bible in the hands of someone like Bharathamma? For just $50 , you can help provide a Talking Bible to someone in need. Your gift will help transform not only an individual’s life but their entire family and community. The need is urgent. There are millions of non-readers in India who, like Bharathamma, are eager to hear God’s Word and share it with their loved ones. Together, we can equip them with Talking Bibles— a tool that helps them grow in faith and bring others to Jesus. Your gift will make an eternal impact , allowing families like Bharathamma’s to grow in faith and share God’s love with others. Thank you for helping bring God’s Word to those who need it most.
December 27, 2024
Sengerema needed something to truly reach her students. As believers, we know the profound importance of introducing children to the love and teachings of Jesus Christ . Yet, countless children worldwide are still eagerly waiting for this life-changing encounter. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (NIV). These words inspire our mission in Tanzania’s public school classrooms, where God is at work in incredible ways. This fall, we have been working tirelessly to provide Talking Bibles for Tanzanian public school classrooms. Why? Because God has opened a doo r, and the results have been remarkable! Pictures and stories show children sitting and listening intently to God’s Word. They hear about Jesus, and their lives are being transformed. Sengerema , a dedicated teacher, has been teaching religious education classes in five different schools—one each day, Monday through Friday. Initially, she used a print Bible and struggled to engage her students . Tanzania is deeply rooted in an oral culture, where learning and sharing knowledge are passed down through listening and storytelling. The children weren’t interested in reading quietly, and she struggled to project her voice loud enough for them to follow. Sengerema needed something to truly reach her students. When she received her first Talking Bible, everything changed . She immediately began using it for all her classes, and something miraculous happened: the children started to truly understand the Gospel! They began supporting one another and growing in ways they’d never known before and her class sizes grew significantly as the other students became curious. “The Talking Bible makes our work of teaching very easy in different ways,” Sengerema says. The Talking Bible is much louder than her voice, and the children respond better to hearing stories. Over the years, as Sengerema continued teaching, she developed personal connections with many of her students and witnessed remarkable transformations in their lives. Children who were once disruptive and unruly have become attentive and respectful in her classes. These changes have not gone unnoticed, as other teachers have also observed significant behavioral improvements. With heartfelt conviction, Sengerema declares, “We need the Talking Bible for children!” Through Talking Bible listening, committed volunteers and teachers like Sengerema can easily share the Gospel message of Jesus Christ right in public school classrooms. These classes give students the opportunity to hear about Jesus and provide them with a new community of believers. The Talking Bibles are kept and cared for by the local churches, giving the church and the entire community access to God’s Word. Each Talking Bible distributed not only reaches students but impacts families and communities as God’s Word spreads.
November 21, 2024
Elimu is Bring God's Word into Tanzania's Public Schools! In Tanzania, many young people face overwhelming challenges —without guidance and without Jesus in their lives. Elimu, a passionate volunteer, had a powerful vision that shaped his mission. Twice, he dreamed of standing before a group of students, trying to share God’s Word, but something vital was missing. The students had no shepherd to guide them. Compelled by this vision, Elimu knew that God was calling him to share the Gospel and introduce them to their true Shepherd—Jesus Christ. Today, he answers this call by ministering to Tanzania’s youth through Religious Education Classes in public schools. While Tanzania’s schools are allowed to offer religious classes and students are eager to attend, fewer than 20% of schools are currently providing this crucial opportunity to hear God's Word. The majority of students—those who desperately need the guidance of the Gospel—are being left behind. Elimu is determined to change this. Every day, he travels three to four hours across the city to teach the Bible. Yet, when he finally reaches the schools, the challenge remains—how to capture the hearts of these students and help them encounter Jesus? Despite long hours and limited resources, Elimu and his small team pressed on . He teaches at three high schools and five elementary schools each week, but they were only reaching a fraction of the students who needed guidance. “We are prayer warriors,” Elimu says. “We leave a lot of room for the Holy Spirit.” Even with their prayers and passion, they knew the task was too great for just a few volunteers to meet. Then something incredible happened —God provided the resources they needed when they received Kiswahili Talking Bibles. For the first time, the students were fully engaged. The audio Bibles captured their attention in a way nothing else had . At first, they only caught bits and pieces, but soon they were drawn in, truly listening. After just one month, the transformation was undeniable! The students became respectful and eager to hear more. They stopped playing around and even started encouraging their classmates to listen. The entire class atmosphere changed as students were captivated by God's Word. Attendance in Elimu’s classes has now grown to between 70 and 150 students . "In Tanzania, people prefer to listen rather than read," Elimu explains. "The Talking Bible is very helpful." These young people, many of whom would never have opened a Bible, are now actively retelling Bible stories and applying its lessons in their daily lives . They’re not just hearing the Gospel—they’re living it out! But there’s a challenge. Elimu and his team have only a few Talking Bibles, which they must carry from school to school. His new dream is to leave these Bibles behind , so students can continue their discipleship journey even outside of class. And we have a way to make this dream a reality! With the Tanzania School Initiative, we have the opportunity to place Talking Bibles into the hands of thousands of volunteers, like Elimu , who can guide students during Religious Education classes. Your support can help these students hear God’s Word and find their Shepherd. Will you sponsor a school for just $150? This will equip a public school with three Talking Bibles of its own, giving volunteers and teachers like Elimu an easy way to share the life-changing message of God’s Word with hundreds of students every day!
More Changed Life Stories
March 1, 2025
Bharathamma’s family is growing in faith and sharing God’s love with others. “ I can learn the Word of God from the Talking Bible,” says Bharathamma. “Personally, I’m getting encouraged every time I listen. ” Bharathamma’s story is one of transformation and hope. Living in a small farming village in India, she never had the opportunity to go to school. Like many women in her community, she spent her life raising children and working in the fields. Fourteen years ago, when she became a follower of Jesus, she longed to read the Bible. But unable to read, she relied on her pastor’s Sunday sermons, memorizing scripture as best as she could. Her pastor often repeated Bible stories just so she could retain every word. A year ago, everything changed. Bharathamma’s pastor gave her a Talking Bible. For the first time, she could hear the scriptures in her own home, not just on Sundays. She began listening to God’s Word for an hour every day with her son and daughter-in-law. The results have been life-changing. Her daughter-in-law, who had previously professed faith but stopped attending church, and her son, who had been distant from the faith, started listening with her. Over the course of a year, the scriptures began to work in their hearts. Now, the entire family attends church together every week. “ Easily I can understand now,” Bharathamma says. “It’s really good to have the Talking Bible in my family. I keep it safe so that I can use it for a long time. ” Stories like Bharathamma’s are happening across India, where millions of people cannot read but long to know God’s Word. A Talking Bible opens the door for individuals and families to experience the life-changing power of scripture —bringing hope, faith, and renewal. With your help, stories like Bharathamma’s are possible. Your generosity brings the Word of God into homes where it can inspire transformation and hope. Will you join us in placing a Talking Bible in the hands of someone like Bharathamma? For just $50 , you can help provide a Talking Bible to someone in need. Your gift will help transform not only an individual’s life but their entire family and community. The need is urgent. There are millions of non-readers in India who, like Bharathamma, are eager to hear God’s Word and share it with their loved ones. Together, we can equip them with Talking Bibles— a tool that helps them grow in faith and bring others to Jesus. Your gift will make an eternal impact , allowing families like Bharathamma’s to grow in faith and share God’s love with others. Thank you for helping bring God’s Word to those who need it most.
December 27, 2024
Sengerema needed something to truly reach her students. As believers, we know the profound importance of introducing children to the love and teachings of Jesus Christ . Yet, countless children worldwide are still eagerly waiting for this life-changing encounter. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (NIV). These words inspire our mission in Tanzania’s public school classrooms, where God is at work in incredible ways. This fall, we have been working tirelessly to provide Talking Bibles for Tanzanian public school classrooms. Why? Because God has opened a doo r, and the results have been remarkable! Pictures and stories show children sitting and listening intently to God’s Word. They hear about Jesus, and their lives are being transformed. Sengerema , a dedicated teacher, has been teaching religious education classes in five different schools—one each day, Monday through Friday. Initially, she used a print Bible and struggled to engage her students . Tanzania is deeply rooted in an oral culture, where learning and sharing knowledge are passed down through listening and storytelling. The children weren’t interested in reading quietly, and she struggled to project her voice loud enough for them to follow. Sengerema needed something to truly reach her students. When she received her first Talking Bible, everything changed . She immediately began using it for all her classes, and something miraculous happened: the children started to truly understand the Gospel! They began supporting one another and growing in ways they’d never known before and her class sizes grew significantly as the other students became curious. “The Talking Bible makes our work of teaching very easy in different ways,” Sengerema says. The Talking Bible is much louder than her voice, and the children respond better to hearing stories. Over the years, as Sengerema continued teaching, she developed personal connections with many of her students and witnessed remarkable transformations in their lives. Children who were once disruptive and unruly have become attentive and respectful in her classes. These changes have not gone unnoticed, as other teachers have also observed significant behavioral improvements. With heartfelt conviction, Sengerema declares, “We need the Talking Bible for children!” Through Talking Bible listening, committed volunteers and teachers like Sengerema can easily share the Gospel message of Jesus Christ right in public school classrooms. These classes give students the opportunity to hear about Jesus and provide them with a new community of believers. The Talking Bibles are kept and cared for by the local churches, giving the church and the entire community access to God’s Word. Each Talking Bible distributed not only reaches students but impacts families and communities as God’s Word spreads.
November 21, 2024
Elimu is Bring God's Word into Tanzania's Public Schools! In Tanzania, many young people face overwhelming challenges —without guidance and without Jesus in their lives. Elimu, a passionate volunteer, had a powerful vision that shaped his mission. Twice, he dreamed of standing before a group of students, trying to share God’s Word, but something vital was missing. The students had no shepherd to guide them. Compelled by this vision, Elimu knew that God was calling him to share the Gospel and introduce them to their true Shepherd—Jesus Christ. Today, he answers this call by ministering to Tanzania’s youth through Religious Education Classes in public schools. While Tanzania’s schools are allowed to offer religious classes and students are eager to attend, fewer than 20% of schools are currently providing this crucial opportunity to hear God's Word. The majority of students—those who desperately need the guidance of the Gospel—are being left behind. Elimu is determined to change this. Every day, he travels three to four hours across the city to teach the Bible. Yet, when he finally reaches the schools, the challenge remains—how to capture the hearts of these students and help them encounter Jesus? Despite long hours and limited resources, Elimu and his small team pressed on . He teaches at three high schools and five elementary schools each week, but they were only reaching a fraction of the students who needed guidance. “We are prayer warriors,” Elimu says. “We leave a lot of room for the Holy Spirit.” Even with their prayers and passion, they knew the task was too great for just a few volunteers to meet. Then something incredible happened —God provided the resources they needed when they received Kiswahili Talking Bibles. For the first time, the students were fully engaged. The audio Bibles captured their attention in a way nothing else had . At first, they only caught bits and pieces, but soon they were drawn in, truly listening. After just one month, the transformation was undeniable! The students became respectful and eager to hear more. They stopped playing around and even started encouraging their classmates to listen. The entire class atmosphere changed as students were captivated by God's Word. Attendance in Elimu’s classes has now grown to between 70 and 150 students . "In Tanzania, people prefer to listen rather than read," Elimu explains. "The Talking Bible is very helpful." These young people, many of whom would never have opened a Bible, are now actively retelling Bible stories and applying its lessons in their daily lives . They’re not just hearing the Gospel—they’re living it out! But there’s a challenge. Elimu and his team have only a few Talking Bibles, which they must carry from school to school. His new dream is to leave these Bibles behind , so students can continue their discipleship journey even outside of class. And we have a way to make this dream a reality! With the Tanzania School Initiative, we have the opportunity to place Talking Bibles into the hands of thousands of volunteers, like Elimu , who can guide students during Religious Education classes. Your support can help these students hear God’s Word and find their Shepherd. Will you sponsor a school for just $150? This will equip a public school with three Talking Bibles of its own, giving volunteers and teachers like Elimu an easy way to share the life-changing message of God’s Word with hundreds of students every day!
More Changed Life Stories
March 1, 2025
Bharathamma’s family is growing in faith and sharing God’s love with others. “ I can learn the Word of God from the Talking Bible,” says Bharathamma. “Personally, I’m getting encouraged every time I listen. ” Bharathamma’s story is one of transformation and hope. Living in a small farming village in India, she never had the opportunity to go to school. Like many women in her community, she spent her life raising children and working in the fields. Fourteen years ago, when she became a follower of Jesus, she longed to read the Bible. But unable to read, she relied on her pastor’s Sunday sermons, memorizing scripture as best as she could. Her pastor often repeated Bible stories just so she could retain every word. A year ago, everything changed. Bharathamma’s pastor gave her a Talking Bible. For the first time, she could hear the scriptures in her own home, not just on Sundays. She began listening to God’s Word for an hour every day with her son and daughter-in-law. The results have been life-changing. Her daughter-in-law, who had previously professed faith but stopped attending church, and her son, who had been distant from the faith, started listening with her. Over the course of a year, the scriptures began to work in their hearts. Now, the entire family attends church together every week. “ Easily I can understand now,” Bharathamma says. “It’s really good to have the Talking Bible in my family. I keep it safe so that I can use it for a long time. ” Stories like Bharathamma’s are happening across India, where millions of people cannot read but long to know God’s Word. A Talking Bible opens the door for individuals and families to experience the life-changing power of scripture —bringing hope, faith, and renewal. With your help, stories like Bharathamma’s are possible. Your generosity brings the Word of God into homes where it can inspire transformation and hope. Will you join us in placing a Talking Bible in the hands of someone like Bharathamma? For just $50 , you can help provide a Talking Bible to someone in need. Your gift will help transform not only an individual’s life but their entire family and community. The need is urgent. There are millions of non-readers in India who, like Bharathamma, are eager to hear God’s Word and share it with their loved ones. Together, we can equip them with Talking Bibles— a tool that helps them grow in faith and bring others to Jesus. Your gift will make an eternal impact , allowing families like Bharathamma’s to grow in faith and share God’s love with others. Thank you for helping bring God’s Word to those who need it most.
December 27, 2024
Sengerema needed something to truly reach her students. As believers, we know the profound importance of introducing children to the love and teachings of Jesus Christ . Yet, countless children worldwide are still eagerly waiting for this life-changing encounter. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (NIV). These words inspire our mission in Tanzania’s public school classrooms, where God is at work in incredible ways. This fall, we have been working tirelessly to provide Talking Bibles for Tanzanian public school classrooms. Why? Because God has opened a doo r, and the results have been remarkable! Pictures and stories show children sitting and listening intently to God’s Word. They hear about Jesus, and their lives are being transformed. Sengerema , a dedicated teacher, has been teaching religious education classes in five different schools—one each day, Monday through Friday. Initially, she used a print Bible and struggled to engage her students . Tanzania is deeply rooted in an oral culture, where learning and sharing knowledge are passed down through listening and storytelling. The children weren’t interested in reading quietly, and she struggled to project her voice loud enough for them to follow. Sengerema needed something to truly reach her students. When she received her first Talking Bible, everything changed . She immediately began using it for all her classes, and something miraculous happened: the children started to truly understand the Gospel! They began supporting one another and growing in ways they’d never known before and her class sizes grew significantly as the other students became curious. “The Talking Bible makes our work of teaching very easy in different ways,” Sengerema says. The Talking Bible is much louder than her voice, and the children respond better to hearing stories. Over the years, as Sengerema continued teaching, she developed personal connections with many of her students and witnessed remarkable transformations in their lives. Children who were once disruptive and unruly have become attentive and respectful in her classes. These changes have not gone unnoticed, as other teachers have also observed significant behavioral improvements. With heartfelt conviction, Sengerema declares, “We need the Talking Bible for children!” Through Talking Bible listening, committed volunteers and teachers like Sengerema can easily share the Gospel message of Jesus Christ right in public school classrooms. These classes give students the opportunity to hear about Jesus and provide them with a new community of believers. The Talking Bibles are kept and cared for by the local churches, giving the church and the entire community access to God’s Word. Each Talking Bible distributed not only reaches students but impacts families and communities as God’s Word spreads.
November 21, 2024
Elimu is Bring God's Word into Tanzania's Public Schools! In Tanzania, many young people face overwhelming challenges —without guidance and without Jesus in their lives. Elimu, a passionate volunteer, had a powerful vision that shaped his mission. Twice, he dreamed of standing before a group of students, trying to share God’s Word, but something vital was missing. The students had no shepherd to guide them. Compelled by this vision, Elimu knew that God was calling him to share the Gospel and introduce them to their true Shepherd—Jesus Christ. Today, he answers this call by ministering to Tanzania’s youth through Religious Education Classes in public schools. While Tanzania’s schools are allowed to offer religious classes and students are eager to attend, fewer than 20% of schools are currently providing this crucial opportunity to hear God's Word. The majority of students—those who desperately need the guidance of the Gospel—are being left behind. Elimu is determined to change this. Every day, he travels three to four hours across the city to teach the Bible. Yet, when he finally reaches the schools, the challenge remains—how to capture the hearts of these students and help them encounter Jesus? Despite long hours and limited resources, Elimu and his small team pressed on . He teaches at three high schools and five elementary schools each week, but they were only reaching a fraction of the students who needed guidance. “We are prayer warriors,” Elimu says. “We leave a lot of room for the Holy Spirit.” Even with their prayers and passion, they knew the task was too great for just a few volunteers to meet. Then something incredible happened —God provided the resources they needed when they received Kiswahili Talking Bibles. For the first time, the students were fully engaged. The audio Bibles captured their attention in a way nothing else had . At first, they only caught bits and pieces, but soon they were drawn in, truly listening. After just one month, the transformation was undeniable! The students became respectful and eager to hear more. They stopped playing around and even started encouraging their classmates to listen. The entire class atmosphere changed as students were captivated by God's Word. Attendance in Elimu’s classes has now grown to between 70 and 150 students . "In Tanzania, people prefer to listen rather than read," Elimu explains. "The Talking Bible is very helpful." These young people, many of whom would never have opened a Bible, are now actively retelling Bible stories and applying its lessons in their daily lives . They’re not just hearing the Gospel—they’re living it out! But there’s a challenge. Elimu and his team have only a few Talking Bibles, which they must carry from school to school. His new dream is to leave these Bibles behind , so students can continue their discipleship journey even outside of class. And we have a way to make this dream a reality! With the Tanzania School Initiative, we have the opportunity to place Talking Bibles into the hands of thousands of volunteers, like Elimu , who can guide students during Religious Education classes. Your support can help these students hear God’s Word and find their Shepherd. Will you sponsor a school for just $150? This will equip a public school with three Talking Bibles of its own, giving volunteers and teachers like Elimu an easy way to share the life-changing message of God’s Word with hundreds of students every day!
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