Saturday, August 30, 2008

Expanded article; Audio Bible Answers for Challenges

By Sulad Jhun Cardeinte

I have one thing to share, the SULADS missionaries and others assign in the verbally base mission field, are really in need of some audio tools. All of the old folks and most adult do not know how to read. I'm sure the solution is not literacy program when it comes to reaching the old illiterate villagers. Aside from the long process of learning the local language, our young missionaries are too young to be listened to by the illiterate but respected Datus (village’s head) and all other older folks in the village.

Second, our missionaries are not working for a long term bases. This means their short term is not enough to learn the language. But if they could carry the portable digital audio Bible with them then they will be more effective not only in the humanitarian work but in witnessing for God.

Now is the time! I guess the solution is to take advantage of the new powerful invention- the audio Bible. We have been doing the same here since I'm working with the verbal and isolated Mien tribe. My Mien language is not yet perfect but witnessing becomes possible and not too stressful. A portable digital audio Bible player is proven useful and effective for sharing God's word.

Here in Asia alone, thousands of hilltribe villages are completely illiterate. They do not read simply because they couldn’t. These people have been heavily dependent to oral form of communication. You can’t teach them all to read and write. Besides, this is a very difficult and time-consuming process and not all of them could ever learn how to read. The chances to hear the word of God are very slim with that old-slow way of reaching the illiterate villages. The solution is audio Bible! So God's word can be made quickly available to them.

Even in the lowland literate community here in Asia, still portable audio Bible is needed. Yes, they can read but they don’t have interest to read, while others simply have eye-sight defects. This is true to our elderly people whose health and strength started failing. They are one of the most challenging to reach but don’t be discourage, audio Bible player is the answer!

My church members shared their stories on how they listened to God's word through the audio Bible player when I'm away for the other church. This means they still have access to the word of God even their missionaries are away.
I highly recommend the one of the excellent producer- the Megavoice Company. Please follow this link to learn http://www.megavoice.com/bible.php.
These tools could be given free if the missionary organizations reaching the hilltribe people will work hand-in-hand with them. Contact the Megavoice Company for more particular.
Let me end this article with very important cautions. This audio Bible tools are not effective if the Holy Spirit is not working. The audio tools are not the substitute of our devotion and prayer. Second, this may not be heard by them if our personal relationship with them is not truly valued. Gift is only valuable and will be treasured if the person itself who gave it is loved by someone else. They may already have radio and TV to entertain them. And so what is the difference with the audio-gospel? Those are boring and couldn’t entertain them.
To make the difference is your responsibility and it can only be answered by you! They would love it if they loved you! They will treasure these effective audio tools forever if you have a real place in their heart.

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