Finding hope in God’s Word when all seemed lost!
In South Sudan, civil war has forced hundreds of thousands of refugees to flee for their lives. Many of these people lost their belongings, their loved ones, and sometimes, their hope.
Fleeing with only the clothes on their backs, Pastor John, his wife, three children, and his 70 year old mother left because of deadly tribal attacks in their community of Nasir in the Upper Nile region of South Sudan.
They joined thousands of other refugees seeking the safety of nearby Ethiopia. It was there they heard of the atrocities that killed many people in their community.
Pastor John knew that though they had lost all material things, they were blessed of God to be together.
Eventually he, his family, and other refugees from Nasir ended up in a refugee camp. There Pastor John received two Talking Bibles to help minister to his hurting community.
“Before we finally settled into the camp, we relied on the verses we had memorized and prayer, but as soon as we received these Talking Bibles they became our own Bibles,” the pastor says.
Describing the refugees, Pastor John estimates 90 percent of Jewi Camp is women and children because so many men died in the conflicts.
He says, “These people had experienced great tragedies, and it was easy for them to lose hope for life and fall away.” The pastor adds, “I knew I needed to show them the love of God—it would give them hope—and the Talking Bible was the way to tell them.”
From the beginning, the refugees would gather and simply listen to Scripture for two or more hours. Pastor John particularly liked to use the well-known parables of the Sower and the Soils from Matthew 13 to help people. He says the seed falling on stony ground is a warning and encouragement for the people to not only receive the Word of God with joy, but to continue with God in their present time of tribulation and persecution.
Those comforting gatherings developed into formal Talking Bible listening groups where Pastor John taught leaders to study through the New Testament chapter by chapter. Soon, the two Talking Bibles were each being used several times each week by these listening groups.
The Talking Bibles were not only instrumental in helping gather the scattered and hurting sheep that had once been a church in Nasir, but also in reaching new people. The Talking Bible listening groups continue, but there are now ten Presbyterian churches in Jewi Camp, some with more than 800 people attending on Sundays!
The refugee pastor says he has learned how to depend on God by having everything removed. He sums up his experience by saying,
“We are a displaced people, refugees, but we’ve learned to pray in the open, worship without shelters, and through it all God is with us in His Talking Bible.”
More Changed Life Stories
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!
By Market America WebCenters
•
October 1, 2024
Jharana is Breaking Down Barriers! The Talking Bible provides a non-threatening way for everyone to engage with God’s Word! Sharing the Gospel in places where cultural barriers are a challenge can seem impossible, but with God, nothing is impossible. Jharana has always loved helping others and wanted to share the Good News of Jesus. Although she doesn’t have formal theological training, her deep care for people and her experience in teaching more than make up for her lack of education. Understanding the importance of building trust, Jharana started a tailoring class for 13 women in her village. Through these classes, she formed strong connections with the women but faced cultural barriers and resistance to her sharing about Jesus. In her village, Christians are often viewed with suspicion, making it hard for her to talk openly about Jesus. A few months ago, Jharana received a Talking Bible and saw a new opportunity to reach the women in her community. When she played it for the first time, the women were willing to listen. Slowly, their interest grew, and they began discussing what they heard. The Talking Bible spoke to their hearts, providing a safe way to hear and engage with the Gospel. Now, the women are asking questions about the Bible and making prayer requests—something they never did before. Before the Talking Bible, the women had little interest in learning about Jesus due to their cultural beliefs. But with a Talking Bible, they began to experience Scripture in a direct and personal way, sparking a desire to know more. Jharana understands that spiritual growth takes time. She now plays the Talking Bible three times a week, offering a consistent and private way for the women to explore Christianity at their own pace . "Listening to the Word of God is more important than reading," Jharana says, grateful that the Talking Bible has opened doors that were once closed. She also notes that seven of the 13 women in her class cannot read, making the Talking Bible even more valuable for them. What once seemed impossible is now a reality with the Talking Bible, bringing the Word of God into homes and communities where traditional literacy is low and skepticism is high, making the Gospel accessible to all.
More Changed Life Stories
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
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!
By Market America WebCenters
•
October 1, 2024
Jharana is Breaking Down Barriers! The Talking Bible provides a non-threatening way for everyone to engage with God’s Word! Sharing the Gospel in places where cultural barriers are a challenge can seem impossible, but with God, nothing is impossible. Jharana has always loved helping others and wanted to share the Good News of Jesus. Although she doesn’t have formal theological training, her deep care for people and her experience in teaching more than make up for her lack of education. Understanding the importance of building trust, Jharana started a tailoring class for 13 women in her village. Through these classes, she formed strong connections with the women but faced cultural barriers and resistance to her sharing about Jesus. In her village, Christians are often viewed with suspicion, making it hard for her to talk openly about Jesus. A few months ago, Jharana received a Talking Bible and saw a new opportunity to reach the women in her community. When she played it for the first time, the women were willing to listen. Slowly, their interest grew, and they began discussing what they heard. The Talking Bible spoke to their hearts, providing a safe way to hear and engage with the Gospel. Now, the women are asking questions about the Bible and making prayer requests—something they never did before. Before the Talking Bible, the women had little interest in learning about Jesus due to their cultural beliefs. But with a Talking Bible, they began to experience Scripture in a direct and personal way, sparking a desire to know more. Jharana understands that spiritual growth takes time. She now plays the Talking Bible three times a week, offering a consistent and private way for the women to explore Christianity at their own pace . "Listening to the Word of God is more important than reading," Jharana says, grateful that the Talking Bible has opened doors that were once closed. She also notes that seven of the 13 women in her class cannot read, making the Talking Bible even more valuable for them. What once seemed impossible is now a reality with the Talking Bible, bringing the Word of God into homes and communities where traditional literacy is low and skepticism is high, making the Gospel accessible to all.
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