An unexpectedly fun stop on the way

Storytime with Zach

Princeton was supposed to share about Scripture Engagement in a seminary on the way to Abuja for some planning meetings we had there.  They were observing an International Day by celebrating their own ethnos (nations) within Nigeria and the nations around the world.  I briefly sat in the chapel sanctuary and watched Princeton’s presentation, and some of the songs and dance that followed.  I even got to taste a special traditional bean dish with black sesame seeds.  Delicious!

But I quickly slipped outside to our display at the entrance.  Several people were looking at our banner with all the languages that have some portion of Scripture translated already.  I wanted to engage them in discussion so they could learn more about the importance of Bible translation.

I asked one man, “Do you see your language?”  We found his language, Tyap, quickly on the banner.  “Did you know there are audio Scripture available in your language?”  I asked.  He didn’t.  “Do you have a phone that plays songs?  Shall it put it on there for you?”  He was quite thrilled to accept.

Sadly, he didn’t have space on his memory card, but I soon found myself putting audio Scriptures on many others’ phones in their languages.  It “just happened” that we had a stack of papers along with us with questions for leading an audio Bible study on them.  I had more than enough to give one to each person who collected the Scriptures. 

Two or three hours passed so quickly I hardly noticed.  For this one, I sent Scriptures through an app on my phone.  For that one, I explained that Bible translation is just starting and they should try hard to find out who is doing it and encourage them.   For the next one, I demonstrated how to use a solar-powered audio Bible device.  For the yet another one, I made a call to find out the price of a Bible we had brought for display, but decided to sell instead. I felt surprised.  I had just come to watch a short presentation, but here I was surrounded by a crowd of people, helping them all to access Bibles in their own languages.

Samson

Once again, the great joy of giving someone Scripture in their mother tongue put praise in my heart.

Samson

He waited for 2 hours while we discussed final issues at the end of the first three days of training, and then as I found the cord I needed to transfer the Scriptures to him.  That didn’t work, so we tried two other things before finally, the Xender app had it moving from my phone to his. 

When finally it was downloaded onto his phone, I said, “Let’s just listen to make sure it’s there.”  This is really just to give me the pleasure of seeing the face of the one to whom God’s word comes in his heart language. This time was no exception.  The first words, “Oh my God.”  He said in reverent amazement. “This is wonderful. I’m so happy to have this,” dancing in his chair, his feet jumping on the ground.

Praise God for the joy of sharing his Scripture.  Praise him for how powerfully and effectively His Word works in each of us who has the immense privilege of hearing it in our heart language and understanding it.

5 Hours Later

We came out of the office to go home because we were not feeling well (Zach has recently found out he has malaria again) and we caught this priceless picture

Yes...these are the two guards still listening, side by side, to God's word in two different languages...their own...5 hours after Zach loaded it up for them.  Cool!

Pray with us: 

That Zach is well soon!

That these men continue to enjoy God's precious Word in their languages and are transformed by it.

That God continues to give creativity, resources, and workers to produce audio materials.  There are still hundreds of people groups that would benefit from having audio Scripture in their language in Nigeria alone! (Note: For some of these languages it's just a matter of recording.  For many, however, they need a translation first.)

Morning Sharing

We walk in the gate of our office compound with Zach carrying his computer slung over one shoulder and a diaper bag over the other.   We were greeting the guard when Zach remembered that we promised him Scripture in his language a few days ago. Out came the computer as I asked the othe guard what his language was. "Tiv," he said.  "Oh we have that too! Do you speak your language?"  "Yes, very well," he replied.  "Great!  Husband, he needs the NT in Tiv."  Unpacking his computer and setting it on the handy table he replied hurredly, "Ok!"

10 minute later, Zach came in the office where I sat drinking tea.  Did they get it?  "Yes, and you should have seen his smile as he held it up to his ear listening, not even putting it down when I said bye." And the other one?  "Yep, no problem!"

What a joy...when it seems that things aren't going as we planned, we remember that God is the one that prepares hearts to hear his Word, and we can trust he's going ahead of us. That hope in His faithfulness is what keeps us going...and glimpses of how he's working, like this morning!