Changed Life Stories

Esther

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 13:51:02 GMT

How does a mother who cannot read
share God’s Word with her children?

Some Families Gather Around God's Word by Reading.

Others Gather by Listening.

For millions of people around the world, hearing God's Word isn't simply another way to experience Scripture.

It's the only way.

One of those people is Esther.

As a child, Esther never had the opportunity to attend school. Although she came to know Christ, she could only hear Scripture when someone else read it aloud at church or over a loudspeaker.

Then her pastor placed a Talking Bible into her hands.

Everything changed.

Every evening, Esther gathers her children.

Around God's Word.

Through a Talking Bible.

Together, they listen to Scripture, pray, and talk about what they've heard. Stories like Abraham, Zacchaeus, and the prodigal son have become lessons Esther now shares with her children.

Even her husband—who rarely has the opportunity to attend church—has begun listening while he works.

God's Word is quietly transforming an entire family...

…one day at a time.

Just as many of us grow in our faith by reading God's Word, Esther's family is growing by hearing it—day after day.

Every gift to Talking Bibles helps place God's Word into the hands of people who are waiting to hear it, and monthly ministry partners provide dependable support that helps ensure families like Esther's can continue hearing God's Word month after month.

That's why I'd like to invite you to become a monthly ministry partner .

Your recurring gift helps place Talking Bibles into the hands of people who cannot read, are visually impaired, or learn best by listening. Together, we can help more people hear God's Word, grow in their faith, and share it with their families and communities.

Will you prayerfully consider becoming one of our monthly ministry partners today ?

Together, we can help more families gather around God's Word...

...one day at a time.

Prasad

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 04:00:14 GMT

Prasad Can Finally Hear God's Word!

Prasad often sits quietly in the darkness of his small home in India, listening as the voice of Scripture fills the room.

Through the Talking Bible, he can finally hear God's Word for himself.

Blind since birth, Prasad is now 55 years old and lives with his brother and sister-in-law in a farming community where life depends on hard physical labor. While others spend their days working in the fields, Prasad often remains at home with little freedom to travel on his own.

As a boy, he loved going to church and listening carefully to the sermons. But once the service ended, the rest of the week was spent longing to hear more of the Bible—something that always remained beyond his reach.

Although Prasad learned Braille as a student, he never had access to a Braille Bible. For decades, the only Scripture available to him came through a short Christian radio program each evening. Every day he waited for those precious thirty minutes, knowing they would soon end.

Then the radio program stopped.

Prasad's sister-in-law had watched his longing for God's Word for years. When she learned about the Talking Bible, she knew it would change his life.

For the first time, Prasad could listen whenever he wanted.

"I cannot read the Bible," he says simply. "I cannot read."

Now he returns to God's Word again and again. If he wants to hear a passage another time, he simply presses play. Scripture is no longer limited to a brief radio broadcast—it is always within reach.

One Bible story has especially touched his heart: the story of Job.

Prasad sees his own life reflected in Job's suffering, loneliness, and perseverance. Because of his blindness, he explains that no one would marry him. Yet Job's faith reminds him to continue trusting God despite hardship.

"Job's life shows me that I should not go away from Christ."

Though Prasad has never been able to see the words of Scripture on a page, he now hears them clearly for himself.

In the quiet darkness of his home, God's Word has become a light—bringing comfort in loneliness, strength in hardship, and the assurance that God knows him, loves him, and speaks to him through His Word.

Today, millions of people around the world are just like Prasad. They are blind, cannot read, or have no access to the Bible in a format they can understand.

The Talking Bible is changing that—one listener, one family, and one community at a time.

Give a Talking Bible>>

Ashura

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 04:00:11 GMT

“My Heart Was Beating to Know God”

Ashura didn’t know what her heart was searching for.

One day while walking through the market, she noticed a group of people singing together. She didn’t recognize the songs or understand the words, but something about their joy stirred her deeply.

Quietly, she joined them.

Only later did she realize they were a church choir praising God—and among them was someone she recognized: her neighbor.

A few days later, Ashura saw that same neighbor sitting beneath a tree with a small group gathered around a Talking Bible. Curious and still thinking about what she had experienced in the market, Ashura sat down to listen.

That day, they were listening to John 3.

As the words were spoken aloud, Ashura leaned in. And when they reached verse 16, something happened she could not explain.

“My heart was beating to know God,” she says.

Wanting to understand more, Ashura later bought a printed New Testament and tried reading the same passage for herself. But even though she had completed 9th grade, the words were difficult to fully grasp.

She could read the words—but she could not truly understand them.

Then she heard the passage again through the Talking Bible.

This time, everything became clear .

The meaning reached her heart in a way printed words never had.

Because someone provided a Talking Bible, Ashura was finally able to hear and understand God’s Word in a way she could fully grasp.

She continued listening with the group, learning more about Jesus each week. Before long, Ashura gave her life to Christ.

Today, she is growing in her faith through a Talking Bible listening group that meets twice each week beneath a large tree outside Kigoma. Together, the group listens to God’s Word, asks questions, and learns in community.

Ashura’s story is one of many lives being transformed through the power of God’s Word in audio form. For millions of oral learners around the world, hearing the Bible is the key to understanding it.

And when people hear and understand God’s Word, lives are changed forever.

Devi

Fri, 01 May 2026 04:00:08 GMT

HELP! She Had No Way to Read the Bible—Until Now

No one in Devi's family can read—not her, not her husband, not her children.

“We never knew the Lord… but when we started hearing this Talking Bible, we came to know our God.”

For years, the Bible was completely out of reach.

No way to read it… no way to understand it… no way to truly know God.

Right now, hundreds of millions of people are still living in that same reality—unable to read and without access to the Bible.

Then everything changed.

Someone placed a Talking Bible in Devi’s hands.

Now, each day, she presses play—and the Bible fills their home.

For the first time, her family is hearing the Bible together.

Before receiving the Talking Bible, Devi’s life was filled with hardship, sickness, and constant worry. The religion she knew was centered on rituals—things done out of obligation, not relationship.

She did not know Jesus.

She had never heard the Gospel in a way she could understand.

There was no personal connection with God—only traditions followed without truly knowing Him.

But as she listened to the Talking Bible, everything began to change.

She discovered that God is not distant or unknown—He is a loving Father who speaks, who listens, and who desires a relationship with His children.

She began to pray:

“Thank you, Father… thank you for making us Your children… thank you for healing us…”

Now, Devi prays for her husband working far from home.

She prays for her children as they go into the fields.

Even while working long days for a small wage, she carries a new joy in her heart.

She is a child of God.

Though others mock and oppose her, she continues to listen—because now she knows the truth.

Everything has changed.

This is what happens when someone who cannot read is given access to the Bible.

One Talking Bible can reach an entire family—bringing hope, truth, and the opportunity to know God.

There are still hundreds of millions of people like Devi—waiting for the chance to hear the Bible for the very first time.

You can help place a Talking Bible into the hands of someone still waiting.

Tataya

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:45:49 GMT

Tataya explains it simply:

“Where I live, many people cannot read. The Talking Bible helps them understand.”

Tataya is a Maasai evangelist in Tanzania. Like many Maasai men, he never learned to read because he grew up herding livestock and attended school only occasionally.

This creates a heartbreaking barrier. Even when printed Bibles are available, many Maasai cannot read God’s Word—it remains out of reach.

As Tataya explains, “In this world, it’s better if we have both a printed Bible and a Talking Bible. But where I live, many people cannot read. The Talking Bible helps them understand.”

Six months ago, Tataya received a Talking Bible. For the first time, Scripture could be heard clearly in the local language—first at Friday and Sunday gatherings.

But the listening didn’t stop there. People hungered for more. Tataya began sending the Talking Bible home with different believers each week so families could listen longer—even while tending their livestock or working in the fields.

God’s Word was no longer distant or locked away. It could be heard—personal, alive—and people were eager to listen.

Because of the Talking Bible, God’s Word now reaches people in Tataya’s community who cannot read. Families gather at home, neighbors stop to listen, and even elders—who often resist printed Bibles—hear Scripture aloud. One small device is shared again and again, boldly spreading God’s Word throughout the community.

“When Scripture is spoken aloud,” Tataya explains, “people can meditate on God’s Word day and night—just as Joshua 1:8 describes.”

“I love seeing my people’s faces light up when they hear God’s Word,” he adds. “It reminds me why I keep sharing.”

One Talking Bible now reaches entire families —and sparks conversations throughout the community.

The Talking Bible Tataya uses today is part of a legacy that began over 40 years ago . In 1983, president, Paul D. Hoesktrat, recorded the Maasai New Testament in a small mud hut on the Serengeti—a project that took three months! Today, updated recordings continue to bring God’s Word to thousands who cannot read.

Tataya’s story is just one of many. Across Tanzania and beyond, millions of people cannot read—and right now, they are waiting to hear God’s Word . For them, the Talking Bible is not a replacement. It is a lifeline.

David and Esther

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 18:20:32 GMT

David and Esther Bringing Hope to Persecuted Christians

In many villages, Christians face relentless persecution . Social rules prevent them from carrying a Bible, attending church, or responding openly to Jesus.

Families may reject them. They can lose their jobs, be expelled from their communities, or even face physical abuse. Women are often beaten by their husbands simply for following Christ. They need hope, courage, and a way to grow closer to God.

Esther walks courageously through these villages , seeking persecuted Christians, carrying hope — and a small but powerful tool: the Talking Bible.

This device allows women and men to listen privately, reflect, and engage directly with God’s Word .

For many, it is the first time they can experience God speaking into their lives without fear of shame or rejection.

Her husband, Pastor David, reaches persecuted Christians who cannot read.

Through the Talking Bible, those who cannot read hear God’s Word and can experience life-changing transformation .

Over the past year, Esther and David have quietly distributed more than 200 Talking Bibles — not only within their church but also to other pastors and evangelists who serve the most vulnerable and persecuted communities.

Each Talking Bible equips a believer to listen, grow in faith, and be strengthened in Christ.

Stories of Transformation

“Tears streamed down my face as I listened. God’s Word spoke directly to my heart.” — Jaime

Jaime, a persecuted woman in India, was losing hope . Beaten down by the world around her and rejected by her own family, she didn’t know where to turn. When she received a Talking Bible, she went home, found a quiet place, and listened for hours. Her life began to change. She started praying, confessing, and following Jesus — and eventually shared His love with her family.

Women like Jaime, who had never been able to hear the hope of God’s Word , are now experiencing real life change. Stories like hers show the extraordinary power of God’s Word when it reaches those who have been persecuted and kept from it for years.

Rina

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 04:00:07 GMT

Facing Persecution, Rina Finds Strength in God’s Word

For many Christians in India, following Jesus comes with a cost. Families are torn apart. Jobs are lost. Believers are harassed, beaten, or even threatened with death.

But even in the middle of fear and rejection, God’s Word gives them courage.

Let me tell you about Rina.

Rina’s life has not been easy. More than ten years ago, her husband was sent to prison and she lost her job as a bank teller. Overnight, she had no income and no way to provide for her three sons and her mother-in-law. Family members and neighbors gossiped and spread cruel stories, leaving her reputation in shambles and making it nearly impossible to find work.

A few years later, Rina heard the Good News of Jesus for the first time at a local church. She believed quickly—but her relatives were outraged.

They mocked her faith and treated her with contempt, especially because her church welcomed believers from every caste. To them, it was scandalous for a woman from a high-caste family to worship alongside those from “lower” castes.

The opposition was so severe that for six months Rina could not even live at home. She slept on the floor of the church , just to escape the constant ridicule and abuse.

While there, she received a Talking Bible in her own language of Odia . For the first time, she could listen to the Scriptures from beginning to end. She started in Genesis and has already made her way through the book of Daniel—where she found herself deeply encouraged.

The story of Daniel in the lions’ den spoke directly to her heart. Just as Daniel faced enemies who tried to destroy him, Rina has often been surrounded by people who insult and attack her faith. But she testifies that, just as God shut the lions’ mouths, He has softened the hearts of her enemies. Today, many who once cursed her now speak kindly.

Through her Talking Bible, Rina also heard the words of Jesus from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). She took those words as if they were spoken directly to her— and God gave her the strength to forgive her own family members who continue to persecute her.

Friend, this is the power of God’s Word.

Rina is still surrounded by challenges, but she now has peace. She has started a small baking business to provide for her family. She has been reunited with her husband after years of separation. And she continues to boldly share Jesus with others in her community.

“When I listen to the Talking Bible,” Rina says, “I feel the strength to keep going. God’s Word reminds me that I am not alone.”

Rocks

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 04:00:07 GMT

From Rocks to Redemption: A Family Transformed by a Talking Bible

In a rural village, a well-respected judge and his wife were known for opposing Christians. When a pastor walked past their home, his wife would shout—and sometimes even throw rocks—to drive them away.

Everything changed the day the judge overheard a Talking Bible playing in Gamo, his own language. Curious, he asked to borrow it. Weeks later, the pastor returned to find him still listening intently.

“The Talking Bible opened his heart before I ever spoke a word,” the pastor recalled.

At first, the judge feared that following Jesus meant isolating himself from his community. But with patient guidance, he learned it meant turning from sin and walking in truth and freedom.

Two months later, he stood in front of the church and gave his life to Christ.

Even his wife, who had once shouted and avoided all contact, had been secretly listening—and she too came to faith.

“Listening to the Talking Bible led me to Christ. He changed everything—the fear, the sickness, the darkness—it’s all gone. Now our home is filled with peace,” she said.

Even people who may never step inside a church can experience the life-changing truth of Jesus through a Talking Bible.

Vinay

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 04:00:04 GMT

He’s a Mechanic. Now He’s Learning the Bible Like One.

In the heart of a bustling city in India, Vinay runs a full-service mechanic shop—a family business started by his father back in the 1950s. His father valued education, making sure Vinay could read and write so he could one day manage the garage well.

That education helped him succeed in business. But when it came to understanding the Bible, Vinay still felt lost.

“Every Sunday I go to church and hear the words from my pastor, but there are many distractions,” Vinay shared.

Then everything changed.

His pastor—knowing his struggles—gave him a Talking Bible. An audio Bible designed for those who cannot easily engage with Scripture on the page, it opened a whole new way for Vinay to connect with God’s Word.

“After returning home and alone, I can listen and learn more that way with a focused mind,” he said.

Now, while tuning engines and fixing cars, Vinay listens to the Bible for one to two hours every day. Stories he has known since childhood—Peter, Zacchaeus, Paul—are coming alive with new depth and clarity.

“I’ve spent decades learning how cars work—every part, every sound,” Vinay said. “Now, with the Talking Bible, I’m starting to understand the Bible the same way—deeply, piece by piece.”

And Vinay isn’t the only one listening.

He has ten employees—most of whom do not yet know Jesus. But as they work beside him, the Word of God fills the garage. Scripture is quietly working its way into their hearts… just like it did with Vinay.

Each Tuesday night, Vinay and his wife reopen the shop—not for repairs, but for neighbors to gather and listen to the Talking Bible together. About twenty people come—many uneducated, spiritually hungry, and searching for a way to grow.

Vinay understands their struggle. He remembers what it felt like to hear Scripture on Sunday and forget it by Monday. But now, as God’s Word plays in his garage and in his home, he sees transformation happening—piece by piece, heart by heart.

Evelina

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 04:00:41 GMT

What happened after Evelina gave up her brewing business?

Evelina always called herself a Christian—it was part of her culture.
But her life told a different story.

She brewed pombe, a homemade millet beer, and sold it out of her home. Every night, intoxicated customers came and went. Drunken fights broke out. Evelina’s children watched as chaos filled their house. And her heart broke as the conflict spread beyond her home and into her entire community.

Then one night, God spoke to her.

She had a dream. In it, she saw herself reading Ephesians 6—the passage about the armor of God. The next morning, she tried to read the passage. But Evelina struggles to read. She couldn’t understand it.

So she turned to a young man in her village who knew the Scriptures. As he explained it, Evelina saw something she had never seen before: Jesus is her warrior, fighting for her. And in that moment, she understood her need for salvation.

That day, Evelina chose to follow Christ—not just in word, but in action.

She gave up her brewing business, even though it made her husband furious. She walked away from the income—because she had found something greater: hope in Jesus.

And as Evelina grew in her faith, everything began to change.

Peace replaced chaos. Her home, once filled with drunkenness and shouting, became a place of safety and prayer. She began to attend church every week.

But Evelina’s story didn’t end there.

She had a deep desire to grow closer to God—and she longed for others in her church, especially those who couldn’t read, to hear God’s Word like she had. So she prayed. And God answered.

Her church received a Talking Bible in the Chikogo language.

Now, every Sunday, Evelina and her church family gather around it. They listen. They learn. They grow in Christ—together.

“I thank God that the Talking Bible is in the Chikogo language,” Evelina says. “It is a blessing to hear the Bible in our own tongue.”

Evelina’s transformation—from cultural Christianity to a life fully surrendered to Jesus—was made possible because she heard God’s Word.

But there are still many like her...People who can’t read the Bible—but are desperate to hear it.

Will you help us reach them with God’s Word?

Your gift will help place Talking Bibles into the hands of non-readers—people like Evelina—so they can finally hear about the hope of Jesus in a way they understand.

Eesha

Thu, 29 May 2025 04:00:11 GMT

From Hopelessness to Healing – One Talking Bible Changed a Family—and a Village

Walking for days . . . desperate to find peace—only to discover the gods she served could not answer. This was Eesha’s life.

She and her husband, Ananda, poured their hearts into rituals, visiting temples, and seeking favor from gods they sought. But when Ananda's kidneys failed and he was on the brink of death, Eesha reached the end of herself. And then something miraculous happened.

In that dark moment, Eesha encountered the true and living God . He revealed to her that she and Ananda were sinners in need of repentance—and He promised to never leave them if they chose to follow Him.

By God’s mercy, through prayer and by faith, Ananda was healed. He and Eesha were baptized and began their walk with Jesus.

Our Father works in many ways to reach His children. People who cannot read must hear His Word.

For Eesha and Ananda, God’s way came through a Talking Bible.

Though Eesha could not read, the Talking Bible allowed them to listen to God's Word together twice a day. It brought them closer to Jesus and deepened their understanding of His love.

This gift didn’t stop with them. Eesha was excited about her new faith. She invited others to listen to the Talking Bible too. Today, six neighbors regularly gather to hear God’s Word.

What began as a story of healing has become a story of transformation—a family, a village, changed through the power of God's Word.

Sylvester

Thu, 01 May 2025 04:00:04 GMT

Music Drew Sylvester to Church—God’s Word Changed His Life

Sylvester loves to sing! His journey to faith began with a love for music, not Scripture.

As a child, he was forced to attend church by his parents, but he had no real interest in Christianity. It wasn’t the sermons that captured his heart—it was the choir.

Singing with others was the only part of church that resonated with him. Years later, after getting married, that same love for music drew him back to church, and he rejoined the choir.

Spending time in church and among believers, his faith began to grow. His wife noticed the change, and soon she followed him. Sylvester admits that before returning, he lived a worldly life, but as his faith deepened, he left many of his old ways behind.

Yet, despite his love for worship, Scripture still felt distant. Reading had never come easily to him, and during sermons, he often felt lost.

But just as music stirred his soul, so did God’s Word —once he had the chance to hear it.

Everything changed when Sylvester received a Talking Bible.

“When I first heard the Gospel on the Talking Bible, it opened my heart in a way I never imagined. The words that were once just words on a page now came alive to me. That’s when my life truly began to change.”

For the first time, Scripture spoke to him personally . The Gospel wasn’t just something he heard in church—it became part of his daily life.

Naturally, Sylvester wanted to share his gift with others. He started a small listening group at his church, where 15 people gather every Friday to hear Scripture together.

The group, which includes both literate and illiterate members, benefits from the Talking Bible’s inclusivity— everyone, regardless of their ability to read, can listen and grow in faith together.

Through these weekly gatherings, lives are changing. Some members, who once rarely attended church, are now active members. Others have found strength to overcome harmful habits.

Now, Sylvester sings for the Lord with a heart transformed by faith . His love for music led him back to church, but it was hearing God’s Word through the Talking Bible that changed his life forever.

Now, he dreams of every member of his group having their own Talking Bible so they can continue growing in faith beyond their weekly meetings.

Will you help make this dream a reality?

P.S. Your gift is more than a donation—it’s equipping someone with the life-changing power of God’s Word.

Bharathamma

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT

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.

Sengerema

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 05:00:03 GMT

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.

Elimu

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 05:00:02 GMT

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!

Simon

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Simon is Bring God's Word into Tanzania's Public Schools!

Tanzania’s children desperately need Jesus. Every day, they wake up to lives overshadowed by fear, violence, and a lack of moral guidance, leading many down heartbreaking paths. But there is hope— and that hope is found in Jesus.

The Tanzanian government, witnessing the devastating toll of moral decay on its youth, has taken action. In response to rising crime and the growing number of teenage pregnancies, they’ve introduced Religious Education Classes in all public schools across the nation. This is an incredible opportunity—a door opened wide to bring the Gospel of Jesus into the classroom.

At Talking Bibles International, we have the chance to make a difference like never before. By placing Talking Bibles in each of Tanzania’s 23,000 public schools, we can bring God’s Word to over 3 million students in a way they can truly hear, understand, and embrace. This is our moment to share the hope and love of Jesus with an entire generation—and we can’t do it without you.

By partnering with local churches and teachers, Talking Bibles are being introduced into these classrooms. These audio Bibles provide students with the opportunity to hear God’s Word in their own language, in a way that captivates and transforms them. The results are extraordinary!

Simon’s Story: A Witness to Transformation

Simon, a volunteer with Scripture Union of Tanzania (SUT), has seen firsthand how Talking Bibles are making an impact. He has distributed over 140 Talking Bibles to public schools, and the results have moved teachers to tears.

Although the teachers can read aloud to the students, they say the Talking Bible engages the children in ways they cannot. “When the children hear the Talking Bible, something changes,” Simon says. “They truly hear the Word of God, and it stays with them.” Teachers are noticing incredible differences—students are paying attention in class, showing kindness and respect, and their lives are being transformed!

Simon has also observed something remarkable: students can choose from various Religious Education classes, yet an astounding 150 to 200 students, including Muslim students, are choosing the Christian class with the Talking Bible. They are captivated by the spoken Word, exploring the life-changing message of Jesus with curiosity and openness.

From the Classroom to the Community the impact of the Talking Bible doesn’t stop at the classroom door. As these children return home, they share what they’ve heard with their parents and siblings. Families and even entire communities are being transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

These extraordinary results have led to a movement that is reaching an entire generation for Christ. Thanks to Simon and other volunteers, over 2,000 teachers are now using Talking Bibles in their classrooms, and thousands more are eager to receive one. We are witnessing the power of God’s Word in action, and it’s changing lives—one student, one family, and one community at a time.

Together, we can reach the next generation of Tanzanian children for Christ!

Jharana

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT

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.

RAO

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Sun, 01 Sep 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Rao loves to share the Gospel!

Rao's love for Jesus shines in everything he does. With health issues keeping him at home, the Talking Bible has allowed him to continue learning and sharing Bible.

Rao’s journey with faith took a profound turn after a life-changing accident. Though he began following Jesus as a middle-aged man, it was only after losing his foot in a railway accident that his devotion deepened. Now, at 76 years old, Rao’s dedication to sharing the Gospel remains unwavering, despite facing physical challenges.

For many years, Rao diligently served as a watchman at a Christian boarding school, ensuring the care and safety of children and seizing every opportunity to teach Bible stories and lead worship.

But today, retired and with deteriorating eyesight, Rao finds it increasingly difficult to read the Bible . It takes him two hours to read just a few chapters, and smaller text is nearly impossible for him to decipher.

Then, a year ago, Rao received a precious gift from his pastor: a Talking Bible.

This life-changing device allows him to immerse himself in the Word of God daily without the strain of reading.

“If there were no Talking Bible, I would not be able to go deep into the Word of God,” Rao shares.

“Daily I’m having spiritual food. This one-year journey with the Talking Bible has brought a lot of changes in me. I can stick with the Word of God and I’m never apart from it.”

Now, as Rao is homebound and unable to travel, he still has a deep desire to share the Gospel. He misses telling children and others about Jesus, but thanks to his Talking Bible, he has found a way to evangelize.

Every day, Rao sits in the doorway of his home, listening to his Talking Bible. The sound of the Talking Bible draws passers-by, leading to meaningful conversations and prayers. God has provided a way for him to continue evangelizing!

“God gave me a gift to be able to pray for anyone that comes. God is using me in that way,” Rao says. With the Talking Bible, his ministry continues to flourish, reaching many who might otherwise never hear the Gospel.

Your support can provide Talking Bibles to many more like Rao, enabling them to remain connected to God’s Word despite physical limitations.

Help us share this incredible gift and keep the light of the Gospel shining in every corner. Donate Now!

Nirmula

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 04:00:00 GMT

From Storm Survivor to Faithful Follower: Nirmula's Story

Imagine being a young child, facing the fury of a massive cyclone with nothing but your faith in God to shield you. This was Nirmula's reality in 1977 when a devastating storm hit her seaside village in India.

As she fled with her family, her mother placed a Bible over Nirmula’s head, hoping it would protect her from the flying debris. Miraculously, Nirmula was one of only six survivors out of the 25 who fled her village that day.

Nirmula, now in her 50s, shares this story as if it happened yesterday. “Without God, I am nothing,” Nirmula reflects.

This event forged a deep faith in her and shaped her life; she experienced God’s power and became known as the girl who was protected by the Bible.

This strong faith has guided her through countless challenges, but in a different way than we might expect.

Despite holding the Bible over her head to protect her from the storm as a young child, Nirmula cannot read it, even now as an adult.

Like many women her age in India, Nirmula never had the opportunity to attend school or learn to read. She knows the power of God; she has seen it and has told others about Him. Yet, she could only hold the Bible, not read its words.

Nirmula prayed fervently for a church where she could learn the scriptures. God answered her prayers, leading her to a congregation pastored by David and his son. They understood the struggles of the illiterate and the overwhelming impact the Scriptures would be in their lives if they could understand it. To aid her spiritual growth, David gave Nirmula a Talking Bible.

What a joyous day! Nirmula turned on the Talking Bible and could hear the sweet words of the Gospel!

Through this precious gift, she can now understand and study the scriptures in ways she never could before. “When I hear the words, the Holy Spirit teaches me wonderful power in my inner heart.”

Finally, being able to share the Scripture through her Talking Bible, she inspired her husband to abandon his idols and embrace Christ. Her influence extended beyond her family, by leading several others to faith in Jesus.

“The Talking Bible is more useful to change our views according to the Bible’s teachings,” Nirmula says.

With her unwavering devotion to Jesus and finally being able to hold a Bible she can understand, the true protective power of the Bible has been unleashed in her life.

Currently, Nirmula faces a new challenge. As a cleaner, she works tirelessly to support herself, but a few weeks ago, she suffered a severe fall and fractured her spine. Confined to bed rest for three months, her Talking Bible has been a beacon of hope and strength. She listens to the scriptures, drawing comfort and fortitude from God’s Word.

Nirmula’s story is a testament to the transformative power of the Bible and the resilience of faith. However, many like her still yearn for the chance to engage with the scriptures.

There is an entire generation of people in India who were never taught to read.

We urgently need your help.

By donating to the Talking Bibles ministry today, you can provide these life-changing devices to those who cannot read. Your contribution will enable individuals like Nirmula to finally hear and understand the Word of God!

Maria

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Sat, 01 Jun 2024 04:00:00 GMT

What happens when light shines in the darkness?

It wasn’t until the pastor gave Maria’s Bible study group a Talking Bible that a real change took place in her group.

Suddenly, they had a way to engage with Scripture… They could hear the sweet Words of the Gospel... They could listen to the stories of God’s power ...

A few months ago, Maria was in darkness. She didn’t understand the power of God or what He was capable of doing in her life.

But now the darkness was lifting, and she could see the Light in Christ.

What happens when light shines in the darkness?

Maria now has access to what the Bible says and has a beautiful understanding of the Gospel and a growing relationship with Christ!

That wasn’t true a few months ago!

Much of Maria’s village in Tanzania was stuck in the same spiritual darkness. Abuse and addiction ran rampant with little hope of escape.

Maria wanted something different and was led to her local church. She saw a small flicker of light in the sermons she could only hear on Sundays, still, she wanted more. So, Maria started occasionally gathering with a small group on Saturday mornings to study Scripture.

Yet, the group struggled to understand the written Bible as most of the members could not read, including Maria.

Her brother would occasionally join the group looking for help as he struggled with drug addiction. Another member who struggled with alcoholism would sometimes join.

They were all in need and had darkness in their lives. The members tried their best, but they were stuck.

The Word of God in the Talking Bible shone a light into their lives, profoundly transforming each member of the Saturday morning group.

For Maria, the Talking Bible gave her a new desire and a way to learn. Through hearing about the miracles that Jesus did in the Bible, Maria came to believe that Jesus was capable of much more in her own life. "The Talking Bible has helped me much. It has moved me from darkness. Now I understand many things."

Maria’s brother stopped using drugs, and the man once ruled by alcohol was now free from addiction. Their hearts and minds have been opened through the Word of God, and they are all encouraged to stand firm and proclaim the Gospel to others.

Today, our goal is to place Talking Bibles with new believers eager to grow in their faith but need audio Bibles.

Without audio Bibles, small groups like Maria’s cannot access God’s Word! How can they see in the darkness without access to the Bible?

You can provide that light! Donate now and give Talking Bibles to people like Maria!

Das

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Das would not give up sharing the rest found in Jesus with her neighbors…

Finding Rest in the Lord…

Das’s life is heavy-laden and burdened by hard work. She is a 31-year-old farm laborer, goat herder, and mother of two.

After laboring all day and sometimes into the late hours, Das finds rest by listening to the Scriptures on her Talking Bible.

“It helps me to understand the word of God about Jesus’ death and life. … It is easy to understand and remember…” Das says.

With God’s Word, Das has found rest not from her physical work but from sin and death, creating rest in her whole life.

Das was excited to share her newfound rest with her neighbors , because, in her village, no one else knew about Jesus outside of her household.

She decided to put together a prayer meeting and invited her neighbors to her house. However, No one showed up.

Because the walls of the houses in her village are made of thin materials, she knew her neighbors could hear her praying for them… Still, no one showed up.

Das refused to give up and held another prayer meeting, she prayed for her neighbors and still, they didn’t show up. Das then decided to play her Talking Bible… as the scriptures played, she heard a knock at her door… a neighbor showed up!

Since then, three other families from the village have joined her each week for her prayer meeting, to hear the Scriptures and ask her questions about Jesus.

When the Talking Bible is played, God’s Word is heard by all those around ; making it an extremely effective tool to reach others with the Gospel... giving peace to those who are heavy-laden and burdened by sin.

Help us place Talking Bibles into the hands of heavy-laden and burdened souls worldwide. Share the peace and rest that only Jesus can provide.

Your donation of $50 will provide a Talking Bible to someone just like Das, reaching them, their neighbors, family, and friends with God's precious Word.

Give Now!

Amos

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 19:21:58 GMT

Amos is asking for more Talking Bibles so more lives can be changed…

God’s Word Changes Lives!

I want to introduce you to Amos, a farmer born into a Christian family, but despite his mother’s continual advice, he simply refused to believe As a young man, Amos was terrified of death. In his mind, he would constantly see the moment of people throwing dirt over a fresh grave. It took over his thoughts and hindered his living.

With nowhere to hide from his fears and desperate for answers, God provided His Word to reach Amos. This is where Enoch enters his life. Enoch, an evangelist armed with the Word of God, taught Amos about the eternal life offered by Jesus.

The words penetrated deep into his heart; he knew he could abandon his fears and rest in Jesus, and he finally believed.

To this day, Amos has followed Jesus and says, “Now, I do not fear death because I realized that when I die, I’ll have a new life.”

Amos now has a wife and three children and provides as many opportunities for them to know Jesus as he can. Amos found it hard to fully reach his children, just like himself, at a young age, but for different reasons.

They are all loyal members of their local church in Tanzania and meet for a Bible study three times a week, but their Bibles are in Kiswahili and English. Amos and his family speak Kiiraqw, causing many Biblical truths to be lost in translation.

Then God’s Word once again changed everything; Amos’ Bible study received a Talking Bible with the New Testament in Kiiraqw.

This was Amos and his family’s first experience hearing the scriptures in their heart language. “I am so happy to hear that even our language is recognized in the world! My Children didn’t know that they could learn scripture in Kiiraqw. They only know about studying in Kiswahili and English.” Says Amos.

Now Amos’ children can be fully reached with the Gospel and grow in their knowledge.

“The Talking Bible changed our [Bible study] group because when we get it at home, we can continue to listen while in the field or while taking care of animals.” Each family in the Bible study takes turns bringing the Talking Bible back to their own home between meetings so that they can listen to more of the scriptures.

Amos also says, “It will help us to teach non-believers by using the scriptures.” In order to do that, they need more Talking Bibles.

Will you answer the cry for access to God’s Word? Give now and provide Talking Bibles for people just like Amos!

P.S. Thank you for being a part of Amos’ life-changing gift of the Scriptures! God bless!

Elizabeth

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

"God delivered me from bad situations."

Elizabeth’s parents passed away early in her childhood, forcing her to leave school around the 3rd grade. Then, at 14, she was married off to a cruel husband. He would abuse and beat her, eventually marrying a second wife.

As the years passed, Elizabeth felt she was only an object to be abused; she found no worth in her life.

One night, as hopeless tears poured down her face, she heard someone calling her . It was a voice she had never heard, but it kept calling to her.

“Eliza, Eliza! I am God talking to you. I have cleansed you. Stand firm to serve me now,” the voice told her.

Before that night, no one had ever told Elizabeth about Jesus or our creator God. She only knew of Ngai, a god who lived on a far-off mountain and would never speak directly to anyone, especially a woman. From that night on, Elizabeth knew the true, loving God.

Immediately after encountering Him, Elizabeth found a local church where God gave her a spiritual father to mentor and teach her more about Jesus.

“My spiritual father, a servant of God, was helpful because I was new to the faith. [Through him,] God trained me in the ministry, and I began to pray for people. God began to use me to do many things that I could not explain,” Elizabeth recounts.

Miraculously, Elizabeth’s husband began to notice the significant changes occurring in his first wife’s life, and soon, he, too, decided to follow Jesus.

As his life began to transform, his abuse of Elizabeth stopped. His second wife refused to join him and Elizabeth in worshipping Jesus and finally returned to her family home.

“God delivered me from bad situations,” Elizabeth says. She relates her life and experience of God with the story of the Samaritan woman who encountered Jesus at a well in John 4. “What I like about that story is how that woman went and told other people, ‘Come and see this man, he has told me all about my own story.’”

She had heard the story before, but a popular interpretation of the passage she had heard from others cast Jesus in a poor light.

Due to leaving school so young, Elizabeth never felt confident enough to study the passage herself, so her spiritual father gave her a Talking Bible.

With her Talking Bible, she could finally listen deeply to John 4 and confidently know that the story does not support the cruel interpretations others told her.

Elizabeth also started using her Talking Bible to teach the children at her church.

Elizabeth says she felt God calling her to teach children and help rescue them from their difficulties because God had once saved her from a difficult life.

Previously, she would meet with the children once a week and struggled to teach them. Since introducing the Talking Bible to the children, more kids are coming, even some from outside the church, and she is now meeting with them three times a week. She says now the children understand much and are excited to learn about Jesus.

What an amazing testimony! God turned Elizabeth’s life of tragedy into a life of redemption. And just like the Samaritan woman at the well, Elizabeth is not keeping it to herself.

P.S. When you support Talking Bibles, you change lives like Elizabeth and impact everyone around them. Give Now!

Shanti

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 07:00:01 GMT

While in the hospital, Shanti heard about Jesus

When Shanti was pregnant with her first child, she became deathly ill and was admitted to the hospital. Something was wrong with her pregnancy. The doctors told her that only she or her unborn child would survive.

During that time, a Christian pastor regularly visited the hospital to pray with patients.

Where Shanti is from, most people have never heard the Good News about Jesus.

So, for Shanti, the visiting pastor’s message was her first exposure to the True Creator, God. At the time, she was unsure she could trust this new God.

After lying in the same hospital bed for 20 days, awaiting inevitable tragedy, she finally prayed and cried out to God. The next day, she gave birth to a healthy daughter without complications.

Since that day, she and her whole family have followed Jesus and found great peace through Him.

After becoming a disciple of Jesus, Shanti wanted to study the Bible . However, both she and her husband cannot read. She could hear the Bible read during church gatherings once or twice a week, but otherwise, she would have to find someone educated to read to her on other days.

Then, Shanti’s pastor gave her a Talking Bible. Since then, she has been playing the scriptures three times a day.

She felt like someone was with her when she listened to the audio Bible. S he could feel God's presence with her, watching over her.

After experiencing such a miracle and growing in her faith, Shanti naturally began sharing her Talking Bible with anyone who wanted to listen.

While her niece, Lakshmi, was visiting, Shanti played the Talking Bible for her. Lakshmi instantly knew the power of the Talking Bible and wanted to share it with her coworkers.

So, Shanti lent her the Talking Bible. Now, 13 seamstresses gather in Lakshmi’s home daily to listen to the scriptures while they sew.

Shanti is overjoyed that so many people are learning about Jesus through her Talking Bible.

When you provide Bibles to people like Shanti, the Good News of the Gospel spreads to everyone around them! And because there are over a billion non-readers globally, providing audio Bibles is crucial in their growth. Give now!

Lesiker is leading a Bible study, and he cannot read!

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 07:00:01 GMT

When Lesiker discovered Jesus, everything changed.

Here is an uplifting story that illustrates the incredible power of the Scriptures that your generous support in providing Talking Bibles helped make possible.

Over ten years ago, Lesikar's life experienced a profound transformation when he learned about Jesus' life and sacrifice for the first time.

Lesiker grew up in a culture where men mainly associated with other men and rarely spent time with their families . Women raised the children alone, and marriages were typically arranged based on beauty and family connections rather than love or friendship.

But when Lesikar discovered Jesus, everything changed.

He realized the need for positive changes in his life and started devoting more time to his family. The time spent supporting his wife and children brought newfound peace to their household.

Although Lesikar couldn't attend school or learn to read himself, he cherished the value of education. He was fortunate to send most of his children and all of his grandchildren to school, providing them with opportunities he didn't have.

Lesiker and his family attended church. However, without the ability to read the Bible , Lesiker could not learn at home or share these teachings with others.

Then a visiting evangelist changed their lives by introducing Lesikar and his wife to an amazing tool - the Talking Bible . He easily taught them how to use it and inspired them to create a group where they could listen to the Scriptures together.

Thanks to the Talking Bible, Lesiker, a man who cannot read, is leading a Bible Study at his home every Friday night!

This diverse group includes church members and neighbors who had never attended church.

They all eagerly listen to the Scriptures being read aloud , and this shared experience has brought them together like a tight-knit family.

The impact of this Bible listening group extends beyond their gatherings. They are now reaching out to younger families in the village, facing conflicts and hurt, just like Lesikar's family once did.

By offering guidance and reconciliation based on the Scriptures, they have witnessed a beautiful transformation : some individuals who were unfamiliar with Jesus have now embraced Him as their Savior.

Lesikar humbly acknowledges how listening to the Talking Bible has deepened his faith as a Christian and enriched his relationship with his family. Because he cannot read, he would not have had access to God’s Word without an audio Bible.

He hopes the Talking Bible will touch countless lives, helping many more people know Jesus and guiding them toward a path of love, compassion, and understanding.

As we reflect on Lesikar's inspiring journey, I appeal to your generous heart to support the mission of providing audio Talking Bibles to those who hunger for spiritual guidance and transformation .

Your contribution will help us continue this vital work and bring audio Bibles to families and communities worldwide.

P.S. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of individuals like Lesikar, offering them the gift of hope, faith, and a brighter future through the Talking Bible. Give Today!

The world no longer has a hold of Durga.

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT

The world no longer has a hold of her; Christ does.

“Whenever we go to church, whenever we listen to [worship] songs, whenever we hear from the pastor, then only we could fear God,” says Durga. “But after leaving church, all the worldly things come to mind.”

Growing up, Durga could only hear about Jesus at church ; getting there was difficult, and so was leaving. Durga’s family would have to travel by canal boats to another village to attend church.

There she worshipped, learned about Jesus, and felt peace. The problem was after leaving church . That's when the world's cares would come, and she would soon forget what she heard on Sunday. Durga felt like she constantly failed to be a Christian outside the church walls.

Durga does not know how to read, so when her church offered a printed Bible, it added more frustration to her situation. She held the Bible in her hand but could not read it.

As Durga grew older and started her own family, the journey was too challenging to make with her small children, and feeling like a failure at home, she drifted from the church, her only access to the Word of God.

Then tragedy struck. One of Durga's daughters died. She was distraught and confused with God.

Reaching rock bottom, Durga began to pray and asked God for an explanation. God reminded her of the story of Job. She began to understand the exact truth Job experienced when tragedy befell him: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” She soon remembered that the only time she felt peace was at church.

Durga returned to God and His church . While she felt at peace at church, Durga still hated leaving; she wanted to hear God’s Word when temptations or grief would strike her.

Then God provided a miracle. Durga’s pastor was able to give her a Talking Bible because of support like yours. Now Durga can listen to God’s Word anytime. She no longer has to wait to go to church . She now has a weapon to fight against worldly temptations. Durga says she plays her Talking Bible continuously and tries to memorize as much as possible.

Durga can now meditate on God’s Word day and night. The world no longer has a hold of her; Christ does.

God's Word is Spreading Like Wildfire!

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Thu, 18 May 2023 20:07:31 GMT

God’s Word is spreading like wildfire!

Vienna said, “When I listen to the Talking Bible, I understand! The more I listen, the more I get bold enough to share with others.”

A little spark can set the African grasslands on fire with a massive thunderstorm created by a giant cloud of smoke that can be seen for miles.

Like a wildfire that starts with a little spark, each Talking Bible can set a whole community on fire for God.

Like a wildfire roaring up a hill in southern California, consuming everything in its path, so it is with a Talking Bible in Africa. Everyone gets to hear it as it works its way through the community.

A Talking Bible used in a small listening group in a home or under a tree works its way into a hospital, retirement home, prison, school, or leprosarium before returning to the group for their weekly Bible study.

We hear stories of hope, redemption, and healing from listening to God’s Word in a Talking Bible. This word-for-word reading of the Bible in the language spoken by the locals is a precious gift for those who cannot read.

When people hear a Bari speaking Talking Bible in the Bidi Bidi refugee camp, they come running with white chairs. There is nowhere to sit in the refugee camp except on the swelter-hot ground, so the UN provides white plastic chairs to sit on. A circle of white chairs usually means a group has gathered to listen to a Talking Bible.

We could share statics and numbers with you, but we want the people of Africa to tell you what they’ve experienced with a Talking Bible.

“This Word in the Talking Bible has been life to me. When I am going through challenges, I know I am an overcomer. Previously I used to live in fear when I encountered a stumbling block in life, but now, I have been transformed . Day and night, I enjoy listening to this Bible.” Esther

“The first time I received a Talking Bible, I used it to do Bible Study with my fellow students! I am a blind student, and this was such a miracle! I have always relied on others to read so that we could engage with God’s Word, but this Talking Bible is such a miracle! Bible study has been made possible. ” Jane

“Since I started listening to the Pokot Talking Bible, I have become the salt of my family . God has helped me be a peaceful husband and a father. We are more united than before the Talking Bible came into the picture.” Joshua

“I do not know the Word of God, but today I have gotten something that will enable me to know God. I have been waiting for such a miracle.” Esther

These are your stories of how your gifts make a difference.

You become a part of someone’s testimony! By donating, you share God’s Word and make an impact by fueling the fire for God. Thank you!

Sia

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Mon, 01 May 2023 20:04:52 GMT

Sia is using Talking Bibles to share the Gospel with students.

In Tanzania, public schools are allowed to offer weekly religious classes. With overcrowded schools and teacher shortages, Sia’s help as a volunteer is welcomed!

In many schools, she oversees a wide age range of students. Keeping that many students engaged and focused was a challenging task.

Sia found the solution by using Talking Bibles. She separated the children into different age groups, allowing them to interact with God’s Word and discuss it with their peers.

With the success of using Talking Bibles’, she now volunteers at eight different schools during the week, reaching hundreds of students!

Sia has seen changes in the students! They are excited to hear the Word of God and willing to change some of their behaviors.

Many students with mixed Christian and Muslim parents who previously attended Muslim religious classes have since switched to Sia's Christian class because they want to listen to the Talking Bibles.

Sia is especially encouraged by the testimony of Adla (name changed for anonymity), a student in one of her classes.

Adla was at the top of his class at school, but then everything changed.

At home, his parents began to fight with each other constantly. Those fights soon became physical, with his father beating his mother. Sometimes the boy’s mother would sleep in the locked washroom to avoid his father.

With no peace at home, the emotionally and physically exhausted boy began falling asleep at school, one of his last places of safety. That led to Adla’s teachers punishing him and his grades slipping.

With no safe place and failing grades, Adla felt he had no choice but to take his own life.

The boy narrowly survived his first attempt on his own life but never got a second try! Because around the same time, Sia began teaching the religious class at his school.

Sia always starts the kids off in the book of Matthew, listening to a couple of chapters each week.

Alba started weeping when they reached the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6. With all the turmoil in his life, Adla heard that he had a Father in heaven who loved him, who did not want to beat him but instead wanted to deliver him from evil.

God's Word was what Alba needed to hear!

Having access to God’s Word changed everything for Adla! He would have otherwise never heard of the Father’s love for him.

Although there are still problems at home, Adla now knows his Father in Heaven. In the Lord, he is equipped not only to survive but thrive. His grades improved; he has hope!

We never know whom God’s Word will reach, but what a difference it makes in the lives of the lost and struggling! Praise God for His amazing Word!

Rama

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Sat, 01 Apr 2023 23:35:38 GMT

When the One True God Shows Up!

There are 33 million Hindu gods. The people in India who go to those gods for help do not know they are powerless. They go to their gods in desperation and need and leave empty-handed.

What happens when the One True God shows up for them?

Rama’s Story

Rama would regularly visit her nearby temple. There she would offer her hair to the local Hindu god and request healing from her chronic migraines, but she never experienced healing.

After six long years of visiting the temple, she heard a voice inside her telling her that the gods she sought were not real. Rama had always been a devout Hindu, so she did not understand where this voice came from or why it was saying this.

Nonetheless, she listened to the words and returned home without worshipping or giving an offering.

When Rama returned home, she became even more ill ; she was so weak she could not stand, yet so uncomfortable she could not sleep.

One day while lying in her bed, she heard a loudspeaker from the local church proclaiming that Jesus is the one true God, and He alone has the power to save.

Rama knew nothing about Jesus. However, that day she decided to pray to Him and asked Him to heal her. At that moment, she felt a coolness spreading over her head, and finally, she could sleep.

The following morning Rama awoke completely healed from her chronic migraines.

She immediately went to the church and met the pastor’s wife. There she was welcomed, and they celebrated her healing.

Rama says her heart has been filled with joy since she was healed and realized who the true God is. “Before we did everything - prayers and offerings and shaving our heads to other gods – because everyone else did those things. We didn’t know why. Now, with Jesus, everything is clear. We know why.”

“Jesus is our creator. We are sinners, so God sent his only Son to die for our sins. That is the truth I explain to others.”

Since her conversion 15 years ago, Rama has loved the scriptures. She has a large print Bible in her mother tongue, Telugu, that she has read through many times.

However, as Rama has gotten older, her eyesight has failed. She can no longer study her Bible like she used to. That is why her pastor recently gave her a Talking Bible.

She says that she is learning new things from listening to the scriptures. She has listened through the entire New Testament twice in the 15 days since she received her Talking Bible.

“Many people here, like me, suffer from bad vision or illiteracy. So, the Talking Bible is not a want but a need for us.”

What an amazing story!

God shows up and welcomes everyone to follow Him. God is showing up for people all over India, welcoming them into his family and giving them His Word! When Rama could no longer read her Bible, God provided her with a Talking Bible.

Praise be to God!

P.S. God uses the Talking Bible for His glory. He shows up! He brings His Word to His people; He provides for those who cannot read or see. Will you help bring God’s Word to the lost in India? Give Today!

Isak

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 00:56:56 GMT

Isak had no desire to change. He drank, chewed Khat (a stimulant drug), and hadn’t been to church in years; his life seemed fine to him.

As Isak walked one afternoon, he heard a recording of a man speaking in his language.

He was immediately drawn to the words.

He saw a group of people who were gathered to listen.

He stopped to listen with the crowd.

His attention and those around him were all on the words coming from a Talking Bible.

When the group stopped the Talking Bible, they asked questions about what they had heard and discussed the verses.

Then they turned to Isak and asked if he wanted to join their group. They explained that they regularly gather to hear the Talking Bible.

“I do not know why, but I wanted to join the listening group when they asked me to listen with them,” Isak explained.

Isak joined the group and continued to hear God’s Word and discuss what they had heard. After a short time, he started to change. He stopped drinking and chewing khat.

He previously had no desire for church or to stop drinking, and now he says, “ These Words were making me want this. I still do not know why. When I heard that those people who believe in Jesus, those who believe in His name will be saved, I became happy.”

Now Isak’s wife and five children attend church. “We sing songs about Jesus together every day.”

“Every day I was rejoicing and hearing this Talking Bible… I am not able to read, and this is my chance.”

Isak is so thankful for the two Talking Bibles in his village. He only asks for more people to have the same life-changing experience as he did.

“We only lack more Talking Bibles so that everyone can hear it. We have only two in our village. We are sharing, and some people cannot hear it often.”

They want more opportunities to access God's Word and to share it with others!

We pause to thank God for his wonderful Word, His church across the globe, and His loving care in providing what we need.

P.S. Please support Talking Bibles so people like Isak can hear God’s Word and experience the life-changing results of the Gospel!

Vijaya

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 00:34:26 GMT

We are finding people all over India waiting for God's precious Word. Some, like Vijaya, have waited fourteen years for access to a Bible.

For fourteen years, Vijaya learned about Jesus by going to church every Sunday. She couldn't always understand, but she learned some things over many years. She wanted a Bible, but she cannot read. Then, her pastor gave her a Talking Bible. Now she can easily understand.

"It is a good way," Vijaya says about the Talking Bible. "I am explaining to many people [about Jesus]. To unbelievers, to neighbors. Usually, they are blessed."

Some of her neighbors will come to listen to the scriptures with her throughout the week. Other times she takes her Talking Bible with her as she visits friends and talks with them about Jesus. "Before the Talking Bible, I didn't know how to live as a good person in this society. But now my relations are better."

Will you help end the wait for God's Word by giving people like Vijaya a Talking Bible?

Jyothi

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 18:17:35 GMT

The Talking Bibles at Jyothi’s church are reaching unbelievers!

When Pastor Jyothi visited a friend’s church, he saw a Talking Bible for the first time. He knew that his church needed Talking Bibles too.

The majority of the members of Jyothi’s church cannot read. Typically, this is not a problem, since most of them work in rice fields or at the local brick factory. They don’t need to read to do their jobs.

But when Jyothi tries to teach and disciple his congregation through Scripture, the barrier of illiteracy becomes a problem.

Just a few months ago, Jyothi’s church received Telugu Talking Bibles, and they’re already making a difference! Pastor Jyothi noticed that, before the Talking Bible, the most uneducated members of his church were usually the most discouraged.

Since they couldn’t read and study the Bible, they felt like they could never fully participate in church. They didn’t see themselves as qualified for ministry or sharing the gospel with others.

Now, all of that has changed. Those same people who were once discouraged are now feeling encouraged and empowered by their new access to the Bible. They no longer feel like outsiders at church. What an excited and long-awaited gift! Finally, they too can know God’s Word.

The Talking Bibles at Jyothi’s church are reaching unbelievers in the area too!

Those who work in the rice fields and at the brick factories bring their Talking Bibles with them. They slip the Talking Bible right into their shirt pocket and let it play the Scriptures aloud while they work.

Many are hearing the gospel because of the multitudes of non-readers at Jyothi’s church. Unbelievers who hear God’s Word are curious to know more. They are even asking for their own Talking Bibles!

Pastor Jyothi has always had a burden to strengthen those believers who have strayed from God. Without being able to read the Bible, it is too easy for believers to grow discouraged and walk away. Jyothi knows that Talking Bibles are essential for believers who cannot read. He’s seen the difference they make.

Pastor Jyothi hopes that everyone who listens to their Talking Bible will become sturdy in their faith, standing firm in their beliefs, and encouraging others to join them. He’s already seeing this happen in the lives of his congregants.

When you partner with Talking Bibles International, you are supporting churches like Jyothi’s in India. His church was full of non-readers, aching to know God’s Word. They wanted to share the good news of Jesus, but they didn’t know how.

Now that they have Talking Bibles, their faith is strengthened. They can study and know God’s promises and commands. They are sharing the gospel with their neighbors. This is what happens when the people of God have access to His Word.

You can encourage fellow believers by giving the gift of a Talking Bible. They so desperately want to know God’s Word. You can help. Will you give the gift of God’s Word to non-reading believers today?

Krupa

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 16:57:15 GMT

Krupa lives amongst the forested hills of the Odisha state in India. He is a farmer who travels between different villages, selling his cultivated vegetables.

It was not uncommon for him to hear people talking about the gods in the different village marketplaces he visited.

Yet one day, about nine years ago, Krupa heard about a different God and His Son, Jesus, who had somehow risen from the dead after being killed.

As he began hearing more and more about this Jesus in different villages, Krupa began to believe more and more.

Soon Krupa decided to follow Jesus. Krupa was the only person in his village to make such a decision.

Many people in his village were offended when he stopped following their gods. They made life difficult for Krupa, but he did not care.

Krupa was baptized and began to tell his whole family about the Gospel; they also all chose to believe in Jesus; since then, they have all been blessed.

Before long, a visiting Pastor came to Krupa's family. With those few believers, a small church was formed! The Pastor would teach on Sundays, and they would tell others what they had learned.

Over the years, the small church grew… Still, there was the struggle of being a Christian without access to the Bible.

Krupa prayed for access to God's Word for nine years and stayed faithful.

Then, God blessed that church by providing Talking Bibles to their Pastor.

The Pastor was able to distribute those Talking Bibles to the families in that small, faithful church!

Now, Krupa listens daily, his faith is increasing, and he shares his Talking Bible with others. He shares God's Word with anyone who wants to hear it.

Please join us in putting 5,000 Talking Bibles among new believers in Odisha, India. Every $50 gift will place a Talking Bible. A $5000 donation will put God's Word in 100 different villages! People in Odisha will hear the God News about Jesus because you cared and made it happen.

John

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 16:45:27 GMT

John thought becoming an adult was having the freedom to drink, smoke, and gamble. These are all things he saw his father doing while growing up.

John tells us how his habit started; "I started smoking at the age of 13, a habit I emulated from my late father, who was a cattle keeper."

"To learn how to puff a cigarette is not an easy practice at the start, but my desire to act tough and mature drove me deeper into the habit," John thought that enduring the coughs and the bitter taste of tobacco was a sign of bravery, but the addiction was setting in and growing. In time, John also began drinking.

John's habits became addictions which in turn enslaved him. John says he found little freedom in his life "due to more and more cravings and each time I had to nurse the urge."

Now at 83, he lives at an elderly care facility in Uganda. He talked candidly about his experience and what freed him from his addictions.

"On many occasions, I suffered the consequences of the vice; I lost my sense of 'self-respect' I started abusing anyone and anything that closed my way, including my caregivers…, yet felt powerless to overcome this vice."

John said he had attacked his caretakers one night but could not remember anything; "I hated myself for it and longed for a way to help me quit the vice."

"I was at my worst and lowest in life, and it was such an opportune time that one of my caretakers introduced me to the Talking Bible," John continued.

"I took interest in it, and now, I must say, I am a new being because of the influence of God's Word. I am constantly studying the Word by listening and sharing."

John is finally experiencing true freedom! No longer enslaved by his addictions, John can now live in freedom with Christ.

Because John and most of the elderlies in his facility cannot read or travel to church, receiving a Talking Bible is the best option for them.

You can help by providing Talking Bibles to people just like John.

"When I remember what my life was like and what I went through, my advice to the youth is, "You better not start" because if you do, it's difficult to break off." John goes on to thank his caregivers for not giving up on him.

It's never too late to experience or share Christ's freedom.

Will you help free people like John from a life of bondage? Give a Talking Bible - Give freedom; give today!

Jerioth

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 19:49:57 GMT

The Talking Bible is an excellent tool in the garden!

Sounds strange, right? What does gardening have to do with a Talking Bible?

Read on to find out!

Jerioth is an 81 years old Christian who loves the Lord and spends time in her garden. She lives in Kenya with her husband and their five children.

When Jerioth’s eyesight began to fail, she was gifted with a Talking Bible. She could no longer read, but she could listen.

Jerioth is a believer, and she knows what a powerful tool God’s Word is.

In 2020, Jerioth lost her son. During this tragedy, she would carry her Talking Bible with her as she worked in her garden.

The Talking Bible helped Jerioth focus on God and reminded her that God was with her.

“When I lost my son to Covid in 2020, God used the Talking Bible to comfort me,” says Jerioth.

Listening to scripture was such an encouragement to Jerioth. She could keep her thoughts on Christ as the word encouraged her.

There’s more!

While playing the scriptures out loud in her garden, Jerioth’s neighbors became curious.

People passing by would stop to listen to Jerioth’s Talking Bible. Often they would end up staying and asking questions. Jerioth’s Talking Bible is once again used as a powerful tool.

Jerioth loves to witness, and the Talking Bible makes it easy for her to do so!

Jeritoth loves Luke 10 and is ready to labor for the Lord’s harvest: “Then He said to them, ‘The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Luke 10:2

Just as Jesus sent out the 72, Jerioth knows that He also calls her to go and share the good news of His love and grace.

Jerioth is a beautiful testament to the impact a single Talking Bible can have!

Listening nourishes her soul. And when she goes out, she can share the gift of scripture with others. She could hear Christ’s promises of peace in her grief and mourning.

Jerioth’s story is one of many. When reading is a barrier to receiving God’s Word, your gift makes it possible for people to access the Bible through audio. Will you help more people like Jerioth receive a Talking Bible? One Talking Bible will bless many.

Pastor Chetan

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 17:46:21 GMT

Pastor Chetan has a servant’s heart!

He manages an orphanage and pastors several small house churches in rural India.

Most of the villages in his area do not have schools.

As you can see in his picture, paved roads, electricity, and housing are lacking. Because most of the villages in his area do not have schools, most of the believers Chetan disciples cannot read.

And if they can, they still can’t read well enough to understand the Bible. The villagers lack the opportunity to grow and often feel downcast.

How can you grow in your knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ without access to the Bible? Can you imagine not having access to God’s Word? Not being able to grow in your knowledge of our Lord and Savior?

When Pastor Chetan received Talking Bibles, he was very excited! (Talking Bibles, he received because of donors like YOU!)

The people to whom he loves and ministers could now hear the Gospel anytime; they can grow as Christians! They can listen to God’s hope and resurrection!

They no longer had to wait for him to visit; they could listen to the Bible and grow in their faith on their own every day.

Along with their new growth in Jesus, something else changed...

Having access to the Bible made the people more courageous!

Pastor Chetan noticed that many believers weren’t afraid to speak out about their faith in Christ anymore!

With a Talking Bible, a believer can learn about Jesus and more deeply understand what they believe in. They can share the Gospel with others and explain their love for Christ with this knowledge.

They are devoted to listening to God’s Word every day, and it is changing their hearts. They now can understand God’s Word and share what they know with others. They are growing!

Seeing the boldness and power the Bible gave these believers, Chetan also has a new boldness for spreading God’s Word! Chetan connected with other leaders in his area and has a plan to distribute Talking Bibles and teach believers how to use them. Talking Bibles that you and other donors can help provide.

There are men and women just like Pastor Chetan all over India. They love Jesus, are connected to the local church and are eager to get Talking Bibles into the hands of believers who can’t read.

You can be a part of this movement! The movement of reaching India; giving boldness to believers, and spreading God’s Word to every village in India!

When you partner with Talking Bibles, you provide boldness, growth, and change in Christ!

There is a new boldness rising up in the hearts of non-reading believers! Will you join them?

Pastor Yonus

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Sun, 01 May 2022 18:22:59 GMT

They are pleading for more!

More Talking Bibles are needed in Yonus' village.

“Everyone is asking to play it in their homes.” says Yonus.

Yonus is a pastor in Ethiopia. He has just one Talking Bible. "Who should I give it to?" Is his big question.

Yonus has found many ways to share his Talking Bible, but the question remains. Who should hear it next?

Yonus has been trying to bless his whole community with just one Talking Bible in the Dirayta language.

New mothers are high on his list. Where Yonus lives, it's common for people to visit new mothers after giving birth. Yonus lets these new mothers borrow his Talking Bible for just one week so they can play it for their visitors.

"So, people are coming to visit and stay and listen to the Talking Bible."

At the local store, you can hear the Talking Bible. A member of Yonus' church owns a small shop. When the mothers don’t have the Talking Bible, he is able to play the Talking Bible for people coming to his shop.

The people who visit the store say, "What is this?" They will often stay to listen and want to know more.

At the Reconciliation Gatherings, people hear the Talking Bible. When the elders in the village meet with groups of people in conflict to discuss problems, they play the Word of God out loud for all to hear. "At these Reconciliation Gatherings, the Talking Bible is played. They do not argue or fight with each other anymore." Yonus says.

Yonus wants everyone to hear the Talking Bible. But how? One way is to play the Talking Bible for the neighbors around his church by holding a microphone to the Talking Bible. He can broadcast God's Words using a small speaker. Hearing God’s Word draws his neighbors out, and they ask to hear more. But there are still others who need to hear.

More than half of Yonus' church cannot read. They need more Talking Bibles!

"We have a shortage – and if we had more, we could also share it with teachers and community leaders who are asking for it to play with their neighbors," Yonus explained.

Pastor Raju

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 17:56:25 GMT

For over 20 years Pastor Raju has been in the same place, amongst the same people, reaching them for Christ. His church is full of people who have believed the good news about Jesus.

Pastor Raju has a heart and a passion to teach the people about God , but how can he teach them; he has no discipleship material for the illiterate village folks that he has brought to Christ?

Your gift can change that!

Many of the people in Pastor Raju’s church are day laborers. They often are exhausted at the end of a long day. So, the Talking Bible allows them to listen to the scriptures while finally being able to rest.

“The Talking Bible is the best way!” Pastor Raju says.

Through Pastor Raju's years of experience, he has seen the hunger in the new believers to know what the Bible says. Over time, Pastor Raju says, this hunger to know what the Bible says grows and grows!

The people in Pastor Raju’s church who cannot read want to know what the Bible says but they cannot read it for themselves.

Your gift will change that! Pastor Raju needs 50 more Talking Bibles; one for each family.

With a Talking Bible, everyone in the home will have access to the precious Words of the Bible in their own language.

They can’t read, but they can listen. You can be a real blessing to someone who wants to know what the Bible says!

For a single $50.00 gift from you, we can give Pastor Raju one Talking Bible. He will place your Talking Bible into the home of someone living near Kotha Majeru, a remote village in India.

The villages around Pastor Raju’s church are full of people who want to know more about Jesus and what His Word says. You can help them with your gift of just one Talking Bible.

These people, with the help of the Talking Bible you give them, will share the Good News about Jesus with people who have yet to hear about Jesus.

See what Pastor Raju says about the Talking Bible. “These Bibles are a wonderful tool for my ministry and believers. And during this time of COVID, when regular gathering isn’t always allowed, it’s good for people to be able to listen in their houses.” Pastor Raju says.

“My great desire and hope are that many people would know Jesus and come to church due to these Talking Bibles.” Says Pastor Raju.

Thank you for providing Talking Bibles to God’s faithful people all over the world. Because of people like you, God’s Word is spreading all over India. What a blessing to be a part of His wonderful plan to reach the nation of India.

Your gift will give pastors like Raju the chance to bless God’s people. Please, give the gift of a Talking Bible today!

Agnes

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 18:13:35 GMT

Agnes has been attending church for many years. She considers herself a Christian. She’s a wife and a mother. And she’s a refugee from South Sudan, now living in a camp in Uganda.

Many people living in the camp do not have access to banks or other financial services. Out of need, many people will join or form savings and credit groups in their community. Group members can borrow and loan money to one another.

Agnes joined a financial group for women. The leader of the group loves Jesus. And she lets everyone know. She is always praying, sharing the gospel, and playing the scriptures on her Talking Bible. As Agnes listened to the scriptures, she realized that she wasn’t actually a believer like she thought she was.

Even though she had been attending church for many years, something in Agnes’ heart was still hard toward God. “When I realized that my heart was too hard, I knew my heart needed to be softened by the Word of God,” she says.

Listening to God’s Word ministered to Agnes’ spirit– and convicted her. Agnes decided to accept Jesus and really follow Him. She became closer friends with her group leader, who became like a mentor to her. As they talked about Jesus, Agnes learned that she was lacking a lot. “‘So,’ I thought, ‘Let me change!’” she shares.

And she did. Agnes’ new openness to God’s Word led to great changes in her life. And these changes were rippling into the people around her. Agnes’ husband began to notice the difference in her, and she recognized changes in him because of it.

Once a home full of shouting and unrest, they now experience a peace in their house that never existed before. Although Agnes’ husband and oldest son don’t know Christ as their savior, they are learning more about Him through her and the Talking Bible. She is praying that they will someday soon give themselves to Jesus.

Agnes’ story reminds us that God is always present, even in community banking groups! Because Agnes’ leader was eagerly sharing the gospel and playing her Talking Bible, Agnes was exposed to scripture on more than just Sundays. She could hear God’s Word and be moved by His Spirit outside of church.

When you support Talking Bibles, you are reaching more than just the recipient. Each Talking Bible is given to an individual, but each individual belongs to a family and a community– or a banking group! The

Word of God is alive and well, and many will be blessed by one Talking Bible.

Will you bless a non-reader with their own Talking Bible today?

Priya

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 20:27:08 GMT

YOUR GIFTS ARE WORKING!

What a great year 2015 was! God blessed us with many changed lives. In story after story from all around the world, the message is the same: God’s Word is powerful and life-changing. By listening to the Talking Bible, people found out for the first time that there is a God who loves them. The Holy Spirit is working through His Word to reach the hearts of the lost. You helped make it happen! Thank you!

GOD ANSWERED MY PRAYERS!

Priya slowly entered the church. Sometimes she would come to the church when she was feeling the need to pray. She did not go to regular services.This time the pastor saw her come in. Striking up a conversation he asked her if she was interested in receiving a Bible. He said she could learn more about Jesus from the Bible. Priya didn’t understand why he would ask her. The pastor knew that most of the women in her village have never been to school and cannot read for themselves. Even so, he gave her a Bible.This Bible, however, was different. This Bible spoke to her. It was a Talking Bible in her language of Telugu.Priya listened every day. She was very interested in what the Talking Bible had to say, and her heart was softening. She was also concerned about her husband’s salvation. She started playing the Talking Bible when he was around so he could hear it too. He became interested and involved in listening. Her husband continued to listen and learn and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. They were baptized together on the seashore.Now her husband takes the Talking Bible with him when he drives his truck for work. Every evening they listen together to the Word of God. She says, “The Lord has fulfilled my desires and answered my prayers. I wanted my husband’s salvation, and God did it using this Talking Bible.”God answers prayers every day with Talking Bibles. His Word heals wounded souls, brings families together, and changes lives.

MANY ARE STILL WAITING!

We continually need your help. Many are still waiting. Many have still not heard God’s Word. Your gift of a Talking Bible, put into the hands of someone like Priya, makes you a missionary! You can have a direct impact without going to India or going on a mission trip. A Talking Bible will go on your behalf, and God’s Word will reach new souls. Only you can make that happen. Bring the Bible into homes where no one can read.

Priayanka

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 16:20:19 GMT

As a young girl, Priayanka questioned the gods she was taught to worship.

Priayanka’s story reminds us that there are followers of Christ in hard-to-reach places, who are ready and able to share God’s Word when they have the right tools.

Unlike many in her area, Priayanka attended school. She can read, but the rest of her family cannot. She knows that being able to read is an advantage, especially when it comes to the Bible.

When she was given a Talking Bible, she quickly realized how easily she can use it to share the Gospel with others. She immediately started playing her Talking Bible for friends and family. Now, many are learning about Jesus!

In Priayanka’s culture, it is difficult for a young woman to go against the beliefs of her family. But with the Talking Bible, Priayanka doesn’t have to say anything. She just has to press play, and the Holy Spirit does the work while her family listens.

As a young girl, Priayanka questioned the gods she was taught to worship. They were confusing. She began to wonder who the real God is, and she wasn’t satisfied by her religion. Then she heard about Jesus.

Priayanka knows that Jesus is the true God. And she wants all of her friends and family to know that too! Because of her faithfulness and boldness, her whole family now worships Jesus with her.

Priayanka is always listening to God’s Word on her Talking Bible. She can’t get enough of it! While doing housework, and even in her free time, she plays her Talking Bible. The best part is that anyone around her can listen too! She often invites neighbors to join her.

There, in Priayanka’s home, while sweeping floors or making dinner, her neighbors hear the story of God’s saving grace.

Through gentle discipleship, Priayanka is seeing her friends and family come to know Jesus. Day by day, they hear more of the Gospel while she faithfully plays her Talking Bible.

“He is my Father, my Savior, my Creator,” says Priayanka with a smile. Learning about Jesus changed Priayanka’s life. She knows the power of the Gospel. And she knows that the Talking Bible will share the Gospel with others who can’t read it for themselves.

P riayanka believes that the Talking Bible is invaluable to other new believers like her—or even non-believers like her neighbors. “When reading, we understand and imagine,” she explains. “But when listening, it’s like speaking with someone face-to-face.”

Because Priayanka has a Talking Bible, everyone around her is blessed. And Priayanka is blessed too! The Talking Bible allows her to grow in understanding and boldness as she shares her faith with others.

Though Priayanka can read, many cannot. How will they learn about the true God if they cannot access a Bible?

By partnering with Talking Bibles, you are making a way for all people to have the advantage of hearing the Gospel. Readers and non-readers alike will know about God’s love and salvation. Please, give the gift of God’s Word today.

Achan

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 18:44:25 GMT

Achan wants to thank you!

“Bless those who help us get Talking Bibles!” she says.

Achan has lived a hard life-- harder than most of us can imagine. She lives in Ethiopia now, but she and her family used to live far away. They were forced to leave their home due to ethnic violence and conflict.

She faced a lot of pain and loss, but she knows God never left her.

Being far from home, Achan finds comfort in listening to God’s Word on her Talking Bible. She shares that hope and comfort with others.

Several women in the village walk to Achan’s house. It’s early in the day, and she invited them to a coffee ceremony. Everyone gathers around her while she roasts the fresh coffee beans.

They usually talk about their families or discuss community happenings, but today is different. Today Achan is playing a story from her Talking Bible. Everyone is quiet as they listen.

The coffee ceremony is seen as a spiritual ritual. The host and guests believe their spirits go through a transformation during each round of coffee. But again, today is different.

Today, hearing the story about Jesus transforms the spirits of those listening in a new way.

“I would only hear the Talking Bible at church on Sundays,” says Achan. “Once I received [a Talking Bible], I would listen and share it at our coffee ceremony.”

A traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony can last over two hours. It’s a time for community members to gather and fellowship. Playing the Talking Bible at a coffee ceremony is like hosting a Bible study.

“I have a group of six to ten that listen to the Talking Bible together while we drink coffee. All we do is listen to it and talk about what we heard,” Achan explains. “The older ones just listen. Some who can read follow along.”

Achan’s listening group started with the Gospel of Matthew and listened all the way through the New Testament. For several hours at a time, several days a week, these women listen and discuss God’s Word. What a powerful gathering!

“Bless those who produce the Talking Bible. God bless them and their supporters. We want to have one always, especially because many have eyesight problems.” Out of immense gratitude, Achan sheds a tear.

By supporting Talking Bibles, you are helping to create opportunities for non-readers to be transformed by listening to God’s Word. The women who gather to listen to Scripture at Achan’s coffee ceremonies are going home to their families with renewed spirits.

Having God’s Word in her heart language is so important to Achan and her family. When Achan first received her own Talking Bible, she was so excited that she listened to it until she fell asleep! Now she shares God’s Word with others with the same excitement. Your support helps to give the gift of God’s Word to her village. Thank you!

Will you help provide more Talking Bibles to non-readers? One Talking Bible will transform a life! Give today!

Raj

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 18:03:41 GMT

We are so thankful for you and for all that you do to give non-readers the chance to hear God’s Word on a Talking Bible.

Thank you! Thank you for your partnership, your generosity, and your prayers.

Have you ever wondered how the Talking Bibles are distributed? How do they get to those remote villages? Today, I want you to meet Raj. He is a very important part of the Talking Bible ministry.

Raj is a District Coordinator. They do the actual work of giving out Talking Bibles to non-readers in India.

India has 739 districts. Talking Bibles International has hundreds of District Coordinators like Raj all over India! These are men and women who are dedicated to sharing the gospel with the people in their regions.

Raj lives in a coastal, eastern state in India. He was born into a Christian home, but it was a long time before he really decided to follow Christ. Raj wanted to be a police officer; however, God had a different plan for him.

“She is a very prayerful woman,” Raj says of his mother. His mom prayed faithfully for Raj to follow Jesus and for God to call him to mission work.

Raj answered the call.

For the last 20 years, Raj has been working to share the gospel. He has been beaten for his faith. He has been imprisoned for sharing the Good News about Jesus. Yet, he still has a deep desire to bring people to know Jesus.

Raj is the pastor of two healthy congregations. There, the sick find healing. The lost are saved, and lives are turned upside-down by the Good News of Jesus.

When Raj was first introduced to the Talking Bible, he immediately started using them to minister to the blind. He says the audio Bibles have proven to be very useful for the blind.

He also uses them to witness to the non-believers in his community. To these people, attending church is taboo, and many will not go even if they are curious. Instead, they’ll listen to the Talking Bible in the privacy of their own home.

Even though they will not attend Raj’s church, they will go to his house to discuss what they heard on the Talking Bible.

Hungry for more information about what they have heard, they will talk with Raj. Many times, they will even pray with Raj.

Raj’s hope is that Talking Bibles will be used in every village in his district. He plans to saturate his area with Talking Bibles. Will you help?

Talking Bibles International is on a mission to place 1 Talking Bible in every village of India by 2033. This will only be possible with your partnership!

There are over 700 District Coordinators, like Raj, who are currently placing Talking Bibles into the homes of non-readers all over India. They’re ready for more Talking Bibles!

Join our Reaching a Nation campaign! Together we can reach the nation of India with the power of God’s spoken Word available in the heart language of non-readers.

When you give today, you are giving the gift of God’s Word to those who are desperate to hear it!

Mongalsing

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 18:37:11 GMT

“Some people are coming again and again to listen.”

In a simple act of faith, Mongalsing the shopkeeper plays his Talking Bible for everyone to hear.

“The whole village is illiterate,” says Mongalsing.

Mongalsing lives in an area famous for its temples and palaces. His own store may not be extravagant or even beautiful, but it is holy ground. It’s a place where God’s Word is played from a Talking Bible.

The Gospel changed Mongalsing’s life, and he wants others to experience it too! So, he plays the Talking Bible out loud for all who pass by to hear.

The bustle of city life is distracting—crowds walking, bikes passing, cars honking. But Mongalsing is determined to play a message that will rise above the noise.

From inside a shop, you’ll hear an unfamiliar voice, speaking a familiar language, telling a story of a God who loves people. And it’s coming from a small, black book on the counter.

When Mongalsing’s pastor was giving out Talking Bibles, he knew his family needed one. The non-readers in his village aren’t the only ones who need to hear the Bible. Mongalsing personally needed to as well.

Mongalsing and his wife never had a Bible before. They can’t read, so they’ve never really had a use for a Bible—even though they are Christians. When Mongalsing and his wife got a Talking Bible, that all changed. Now they have a Bible they can listen to.

He and his wife started listening to the Talking Bible at home, and they both noticed a difference in their marriage. “Before, we didn’t have good relations or good talking in the family,” says Mongalsing.

“But now we are getting better at loving each other. By listening to the Word and praying, through God, our relation is better. Even our relationship with others!”

Mongalsing wants everyone to experience this. That’s why he plays the Talking Bible in his store. He usually chooses to play the Gospel of John, mostly because it’s his favorite. “It shows us that Jesus can do anything!” exclaims Mongalsing. “Whatever happens, Jesus will provide.”

While his guests listen, he encourages them to ask questions. And he does his best to answer them, sharing his own story of what God has done for him.

Not only is the Talking Bible the first Bible Mongalsing has of his own, it’s likely the only Bible the guests who visit his store will have access to. Human hearts long to hear the Word of God. When it’s available, they will listen. When they listen, their lives will be changed. Will you give a gift that will change a life?

When you support Talking Bibles, you are giving believers and non-readers the gift of the Word of God. That is priceless. By partnering with us today, Christians will have access to the Bible, non-readers will hear the promises of God, and unbelievers will learn that Jesus is their Savior. Please, give a gift today!

Norman

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 20:34:22 GMT

Norman can’t read. No one in his family can read. In fact, only a few people in the entire village are able to read. Reading just isn’t part of their culture. Typically, this is not an issue for the community, but not having access to the Bible was an issue for the believers in Norman’s church.

Before the Talking Bible came to Norman’s village, the believers in his community did not know what was true and what was not. Printed Bibles are available in Norman’s language, but they’re not much help because only those who can read can use them, so when Norman received a Talking Bible, it made quite a difference.

Norman’s church struggles with division over doctrinal issues. People who cannot read don’t trust the teachings of the few readers in the church.

The readers are the only ones who have access to the Bible, and a lack of trust had arisen in the church. Since they cannot read the Bible for themselves, the few believers that were in the church could never be sure that what the readers were teaching is true. That all changed with a single Talking Bible.

Now a church that once struggled to get people to attend has small groups listening to the Talking Bible all around the area. Now, just like the readers get to read the truth right from their Bibles, non-readers in Norman’s village get to hear the truth from the Talking Bible.

Norman is now one of the teachers! Norman is teaching God’s Word, even though he has never read it.

“I am learning so much about God, and it is very humbling for me to be teaching others about the Word of God,” Norman shares. “Who would have thought that I would be teaching others? But I have learned so much from God’s Word by this Talking Bible.”

As he watches his community fall in love with God all over again, Norman is immensely grateful for the Talking Bible.

“This Talking Bible is a wonderful blessing to us. It is easy to listen to it, and we understand it in our own language very easily,” he explains. “We do not have a culture of a reading, so it fits our community to listen.”

A pallet full of Talking Bibles is heading to South Sudan to be placed in refugee camps! Your gifts did that.

Thank you for helping our non-reading brothers and sisters around the world hear God’s Word spoken in their own language.

By supporting Talking Bibles, you are equipping followers of Christ, like Norman, so that they can share God’s truths and promises with others. Right from the Bible!

Taban

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 20:38:37 GMT

Taban lost both of his parents because of ethnic conflict in his home country. Now he and his siblings are on their own in a refugee camp far from their home.

There are many others in the camp who have lost loved ones just like Taban. Anger is not uncommon. “Being alone in the camp is so painful,” he says. “You have to forgive.”

Taban learned about the power of forgiveness from listening to his Talking Bible. He is sure to pass along this message whenever he has the chance. He will listen to the Talking Bible with his peers at school. He’ll listen with his siblings at home. He’ll even lend it to his neighbors. “I learned from the Bible that there are no tribes,” he says.

The Talking Bible teaches Taban to embrace community. Even though his parents are gone, Taban is learning to find comfort in his spiritual family. Having a Bible of his own, Taban finally feels like he understands what he believes. He’s no longer a Christian just because everyone else is. The Talking Bible gives him the opportunity to have his own relationship with Christ. And it strengthens his relationships with others. “I was going to church before just because other people were going to church,” he explains. “But now I know why I go to church: because I am a believer and we build relationships at church.”

Taban was broken by the loss of his parents and the loss of his home. He was angry and resentful. But listening to the Talking Bible allowed God’s Word to soften Taban’s heart.

Instead of hardening his heart toward others, Taban is sharing the hope of forgiveness. He is telling others about the newness found in Jesus. He is teaching his siblings to put their trust in the Lord.

Taban knows that he doesn’t have to go through life’s trials alone anymore. He has God’s Spirit with him. And he has a family of believers to support him.

Thank you for giving non-readers the hope of God’s Word. Because of your partnership, Taban has a Bible of his own that he can understand! Taban’s Talking Bible taught him what following Jesus truly means.

With a Talking Bible, non-readers are encouraged in their own hearts and are moved to share the love of Christ with others.

Mary

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 21:34:19 GMT

But Jesus answered, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' " (Matthew 4:4)

These are some of the first words that Mary Aluk remembers hearing from the Talking Bible she received about a year ago. Jesus’ quoting of Deuteronomy 8 comes at a moment of strong testing and temptation in his story.

Mary knows that story in a very personal way; “When I memorized that verse, I realized we have a lot of temptations. When we came from South Sudan, it was like that story in chapter four. Many of my family were killed, so we had to come here. I pray only to Jesus. When someone comes attacking me, I can know they are just like Satan [in this story]. So, I can have self-control.”

After fleeing South Sudan with some of her family members, Mary settled in a refugee camp in northern Uganda. There, she cares for over a dozen young family members who have been orphaned by the war in their home country. Twenty people in her family, most of whom cannot read, regularly listen to the Talking Bible. “Those children are not so much fighting as before,” she says. “They get the love from the Bible.”

Mary cannot herself read, which is why she uses the Talking Bible so much. She has listened through most of the New Testament so far; she is currently working through John’s Revelation before restarting. “I’ve changed my life from listening. From doing bad to people to doing good for another person.”

There are thousands of Christians in the refugee camps in and around South Sudan where people are starving spiritually.

They cannot read so they do not have access to the Word.

They need direct contact with the Word, spoken to them in their own language. That is why a Talking Bible is so powerful when it gets in these areas. That’s what these Talking Bibles that are going to the refugee camps in and around South Sudan are doing. They are going to these broken people and reassuring them that despite the trauma that’s going on, there is a God that loves them very much, and there is a hope for a better tomorrow and a better future.

Your gift today will give God’s Word to non-readers like Mary. Give the gift of a Talking Bible and help a non-reader hear God’s Word and learn of His love and forgiveness.

Samson

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Sat, 01 May 2021 20:46:17 GMT

Angry. Empty. Alone. Samson was tired of being a refugee. He was tired of not having stability in his life. He suffered an injury that prevented him from working, and he turned to alcohol for comfort. No one wanted to be around him. He constantly fought with others.

While going through hardship with his family, Samson finally broke. There had to be more to this life. He couldn’t live this way any longer. He couldn’t do it alone. So, Samson sought help from the local pastor. There, he learned about Jesus.

God changed Samson’s life, but Samson had no way of reading the Bible.

Thankfully, Samson’s church has a Talking Bible. He borrows it and listens whenever he has the chance. “I can always hear it as an encouragement,” Samson explains. “It is helping me see forward.”

Before following Christ, Samson would get into fights and conflicts with his neighbors. But he’s changed since he started listening to the Talking Bible. “I heard Jesus say, ‘Forgive and you will be forgiven.’ So now I don’t fight,” says Samson. “I have gotten a spirit of perseverance and tolerance.”

What a transformation! Listening to the scriptures on the Talking Bible has taught Samson about the power of forgiveness. Now, instead of quarreling with others, Samson knows that forgiveness is the answer. Because forgiveness is the way of Christ.

Though Samson’s life has changed, he sees his son following the same destructive path he once did. He fights. He drinks. He steals. Samson knows that there is a better way of life now—life with Jesus. He wants his son to know it too.

When Samson is troubled by his son’s choices, he finds comfort in listening to Jesus’ parables with the Talking Bible. Because Jesus has forgiven him for his past mistakes, Samson can be merciful and forgiving toward his own son. Instead of getting angry, he remains calm and makes peace with his family. “The Talking Bible is giving me encouragement to humble myself and tolerate and pray for my son,” Samson shares.

When Samson first started following Jesus, he didn’t have access to the Bible. He couldn’t grow in his faith or take comfort in God’s promises during struggles. The Talking Bible gave Samson access to the precious words of God.

Comforted. Fulfilled. Loved. Samson has a home in God’s Kingdom. His neighbors notice his new attitude. His family is blessed by his devotion to the Lord. He knows his life has purpose.

Samson’s life has been transformed by the Word of God through the Talking Bible! Even though his life isn’t perfect, Samson now has hope because of Jesus. And his entire community sees the difference God has made in his life. What a testimony!

New believers like Samson need access to God’s Word. Many will only have access if it is through a Talking Bible. They need to hear God’s promises. They need to hear His commandments. They need to hear about His love for them. Only then will they be able to grow in their faith and share it with others.

Will you give new believers around the world access to God’s Word through a Talking Bible? Your gift will give people like Samson the chance to grow in intimacy with God. Please, give the gift of a Talking Bible today!

Jacob

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 21:01:10 GMT

The vast majority of Jacob’s village has never heard the Gospel before. Jacob knows they need to hear about Jesus, so with just two Talking Bibles, he’s attempting to change that. Jacob rarely meets people who can read, so they are surprised to find that he has an audio book— and that it speaks their language!

Jacob is an evangelist in India. Every day, he goes from house to house, telling people about the love of God. The people Jacob meets are intrigued by the Talking Bible, and they are curious about the message it tells.

Traditionally, the people in Jacob’s community believe in many gods. While they listen to the Talking Bible, they learn for the first time that there is only one God. The Talking Bible is viewed as a holy book, so people believe its words are true. This is life-changing!

Because they come from a religious culture of distant, angry gods, to hear that there is only one God and that He loves them unconditionally is amazing! It’s good news! In fact, it’s the Good News! They want to know more about God, so Jacob is almost always asked to return to the homes he visits. And, of course, they ask him to bring the Talking Bible.

“A pastor cannot live with someone and read Scripture to them every day. But the Talking Bible is always ready to be played, and it always speaks truth that will change lives,” Jacob says.

Families are able to keep the Talking Bible in their home for a week. There they listen to the scriptures in their own language. Because the Talking Bible tells the story of a God who is so different from the gods they worship, these families invite friends and neighbors to listen with them.

When Jacob returns, he finds a house full of hopeful people with a lot of questions. They are curious about Jesus and want to know what it takes to follow him. So, Jacob tells them about Jesus. He plays more scriptures for them from the Talking Bible. He answers their questions as best as he can. And many realize Jesus is their Savior!

The Talking Bible is life-changing because the Gospel message it carries is true and full of love. It offers hope to people endlessly trying to please gods and idols. Every soul longs to know the One, True God, but how will they ever know Him if they never hear about Him?

Jacob wants more Talking Bibles! He says that “all people change when they hear God’s Word, so both unbelievers and Christians will benefit from hearing Talking Bibles.” Because of this, he wants every family to have a Talking Bible to listen to whenever they want, wherever they are.

Will you send more Talking Bibles to the families in Jacob’s village and others like them around the world?

Right now, Jacob only has two Talking Bibles. He’s already seeing people come to Christ, but imagine what could happen in his village if every family had a Talking Bible of their own? From experience, we’ve seen time and again, that when new believers are given a Talking Bible, they are eager to share the Gospel message with those who have not yet heard the Good News. The Talking Bible reads for them, and lives are changed because of what it says.

Please, give a gift that speaks truth, a gift that will always change lives. Give the gift of God’s Word today, to those who may never know God unless they hear.

Bishop Joshua

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 21:05:06 GMT

Bishop Joshua is a Maasai.

He’s not a warrior like his ancestors. He doesn’t herd cattle like other Maasai. He probably doesn’t even drink raw blood like some Maasai herdsmen do. But he does lead his church, and he uses the Talking Bible to do so.

Though Joshua can read, most of his family and friends cannot. That’s why he’s the storyteller. Right from the Bible, Bishop Joshua tells his congregation the stories of God. And they listen. They love to listen! In fact, the Maasai love speaking and listening to their own language so much that they barely write anything down.

“Even as a bishop, it is hard to read so much,” says Joshua. That’s why he is so happy to get Talking Bibles. “They make it easy. Just listen!” he exclaims.

With his Talking Bible, Bishop Joshua started a small listening group that regularly gathers to listen to God’s Word. He guesses only four or five members have a physical Bible, but he’s doubtful any of them can actually read.

For the Maasai, the Talking Bibles offer a different way to approach scriptures. A better way. The way the Maasai have always done things. And the Talking Bibles have changed the way Bishop Joshua can approach ministry. Now, Joshua doesn’t always have to be reading the Bible to others. He is able to join his congregants in listening and discussing what they hear.

With the Talking Bible, not only is Bishop Joshua’s listening group able to hear scripture in their own language, they get to hear more of it. They get to hear to whole thing! Nothing gets skipped over, not even the genealogies.

“When I ask my people, ‘What have you learned?’” they can answer easily because it is in the Maasai language,” Joshua states.

Because of the Talking Bible, Bishop Joshua and his community are able to hear the Word of God in their own language—a language that they love and are proud of. He hopes that everyone in his listening group can someday have their own Talking Bible to listen to at home with their families. You can help!

Thanks to you, Bishop Joshua and the 19 other Maasai pastors he works with have Talking Bibles. They are ready and equipped to share the Gospel with others using God’s spoken Word. But they need more.

You can help equip more church leaders like Bishop Joshua! Will you be the one to send Talking Bibles to those who are hungry for more? Your gift today will supply church leaders around the world with the powerful tool of a Talking Bible to engage the non-readers in their communities. Please, donate today!

Abigail

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 21:11:29 GMT

Abigail also thanks you. She is overjoyed to have access to God’s Word all the time.

“Your God is good,” say Abigail’s neighbors. “He is wonderful!”

Since receiving her Talking Bible three months ago, Abigail and her neighbors listen to God’s Word as they work around their homes. They are learning and growing in their faith every day!

A bigail has made a habit of listening to the Talking Bible with some of her unbelieving friends. They are always interested in listening with her.

She also listens in the evenings with family and neighbors. “Without the Talking Bible we always just watched the television [after finishing house work],” Abigail recounts. “Now we always listen to the Bible together.”

In the short span that she has had the Talking Bible, Abigail has already listened through the entire New Testament. Now she is listening to specific books and passages as she chooses.

In particular, she enjoys the story of Jesus coming to the house of Mary and Martha. As Luke tells it, Martha was anxious about dinner preparations and grew frustrated that her sister, Mary, was listening to Jesus instead of helping. However, by Jesus’ perspective Mary was actually the one concerned with the more worthy pursuit. “We should be busy with the Word of God,” says Abigail, “not work.”

In addition to listening with her friends and neighbors, Abigail also uses her Talking Bible with her family. Her children often use it as they learn to read, following along in a printed Bible as the Talking Bible plays aloud.

“God gives us a lot of grace. Every time I listen to His Word, He gives me peace of mind,” Abigail says.

Bishop Manyok

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 21:08:58 GMT

God’s Word is the best Christmas gift you can give. God’s Word on a Talking Bible allows non-readers to listen in their heart language and hear God speaking to them directly. And what a difference that can make in their lives!

“This Bible has changed us! We are very happy,“ says Bishop Manyok.

God’s Word changes hearts and minds. It brings peace and hope into the lives of the refugees who have fled the fighting in South Sudan.

Five years ago, Bishop David Manyok was forced to leave his country of South Sudan when fresh fighting broke out.

A leader in the Anglican Church of South Sudan, Bishop Manyok continues his ministry in the Nyumanzi Refugee Camp. For the last two years he has been pastoring a congregation in the camp. He has also had the opportunity to distribute 50 Talking Bibles into his community.

In the 7th block of the camp, where Bishop Manyok and most of his congregants live, most people are uneducated and unable to read . But they are eager and enthusiastic listeners of the Talking Bible.

Much of the violence in South Sudan that has driven away people like Bishop Manyok stems from tribal tensions between the Nuer and Dinka people groups.

Bishop Manyok thinks the Talking Bible can bring real change to those same people, “This war in our country, the Bible will change hearts. Nuer and Dinka cannot fit well [together]. They are killing each other. But the people who listen to the Word of the Lord cannot kill each other. The blood of Jesus changes people’s hearts!” In Bishop Manyok’s church there are both Nuer and Dinka people, as well as congregants from other minority groups which have historically been caught in the middle when violence breaks out. They are all gathering together, listening to the scriptures, and learning to love one another.

“Some are not having peace, but this Bible brings them peace,” says Bishop Manyok.

A Talking Bible can bring peace and hope into the lives of refugees who have already suffered so much. Thank you for helping us bring God’s Word into their lives and hearts so they can learn to forgive and live together peacefully.

Khushbu

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 21:19:44 GMT

Can you imagine living in a place where you can’t safely practice your faith? We are so fortunate and blessed to live where we can openly be Christians. It is not illegal to share our faith with others and attend church. But it is not like that in many parts of India. Where Khushbu lives, it is very different.

She was beaten by her father for going to church. But Khushbu didn’t give up on him.

Khushbu’s father hated that she was a Christian. It dishonored the family. And in her culture, anything that dishonors the family, like marrying outside the caste or denouncing Hinduism and becoming a Christian, requires punishment.

Khushbu tried to tell her father about her faith but he would not listen. Nothing his daughter said or did made any difference in this man’s life. The entrance to his heart was closed and sealed off by anger. He hated anything that threatened his family or his religious and spiritual needs as a Hindu.

She continued to pray for her father.

Pastor Kumar had led the church in her area for 11 years. He had tried to reach out to Khushbu’s father but was met with hatred and threats. When Pastor Kumar was given Talking Bibles to use in his area, he knew that Khushbu needed one. Receiving the Talking Bible, she prayed again for her father. She prayed that God’s Word would speak to him.

She took the Talking Bible home and started listening. When her father came home, he was curious and started listening too. Eventually, he asked if he could keep it overnight to listen more.

Khushbu told her pastor, “For the first time, he was able to listen directly to the words of God. When I returned, he accepted Jesus was God and wanted to be baptized.” God had a plan for Khushbu’s father.

God used the pastor, the man’s daughter, and the time needed to create the right moment when the father was ready to hear from the Holy Spirit. God used the Talking Bible to bring all things together at the right time.

And in the privacy of his own home where he was alone and felt secure, God was able to reach into the man’s heart and change him using the Talking Bible.

India is a country filled with superstition and hatred for Christianity. Some of the provinces in India even have anti-conversion laws making it illegal to convert to Christianity or even tell others about your faith.

You can’t tell someone about God or you risk a beating or jail, but you can give them a Talking Bible. And God’s powerful spoken Word can open closed hearts and minds. It can reach past fear and hatred. It can break the barriers of superstition and illiteracy. It can give the hope and promise of salvation to the lost and hurting all over India.

Please, give a gift today and help give God’s Word on a Talking Bible.

Mogusu

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 21:16:59 GMT

"Sometimes trials come for us to know God more,” Fredrick Mogusu testifies. “Without trials, you might not know.”

Fredrick Mogusu was 23 years old when he first noticed problems with his eyesight. His vision gradually worsened over time, until two years ago he finally went for a remedial surgery. The procedure failed, and the two surgeries following it only made his eyesight worse.

In that dark time, Madam Priscilla came into Mogusu’s life. She had been searching for a way to serve her neighborhood of Kibera, in Kenya, in a more personal way when a friend introduced her to Mogusu. She began coming to his house to read the scriptures and pray twice a week, and through that ministry, Mogusu and his whole family became believers. “That is when I learned that God is able,” says Mogusu.

Due to Mogusu’s poor eyesight, Priscilla began searching for an audio Bible for him. She knew that he wouldn’t be able to afford the price of data to stream an audio Bible over the internet, so she went to the Bible Society of Kenya to find a better solution. That is how she discovered the Talking Bible.

“The Talking Bible has changed my life,” says Mogusu. “It has become like a tutor to me.” He likes learning about the prophecies of Yeshua and the stories of Jesus doing miracles and teaching his disciples about faith. Now the whole family is listening and many of the neighbors are asking to borrow the Bible.

“My father has changed a lot,” says Christine Moraa, Mogusu’s eldest daughter. Mogusu himself testifies that coming to know Jesus has taught him to be forgiving and humble.

Priscilla says that she has learned a lot from their relationship as well; now she sees that God has work for her here in her own neighborhood.

Mogusu’s story is not uncommon. Eyesight issues are common where he lives, mostly attributed to poverty and lack of health services. Being unable to see is very isolating. Just as Mogusu found, a Talking Bible gives the encouragement of God’s Word speaking to the blind and non-readers directly. And it brings others around who want to hear too!

Help us provide Talking Bibles for the blind and other non-readers in Africa so they can listen to God’s Word. Your gift will open up the world of God’s love and the promise of eternal life for them. Please, make a gift today.

Rebecca

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 21:25:49 GMT

When the war came into Rebecca’s life in South Sudan, she lost her faith. People were killing each other; friends and family were dying. Though she had always considered herself a Christian, she couldn’t believe the words the pastors would say. She couldn’t understand the benefit of God.

The civil war in her homeland emotionally devastated Rebecca, and more than that, it forced her and her family to flee to a refugee camp in northern Uganda.

It was there that she was given a Talking Bible by a pastor ministering in the camps. “When I got the Talking Bible, I could trust those words. It is like reading the whole chapter, not just the verse,” Rebecca says.

She particularly remembers listening to Jesus' words in Matthew 5, “‘God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.’”

Rebecca added, “God tells us, ‘when you change and come to do good, I will forgive you.’ So, when we forgive one another and make peace, then God forgives us,” Rebecca explains. “So now I come to church in the morning and then greet all my neighbors because that is how to build peace. God told me to go to church from the [Talking] Bible. ‘Love one another,’ he said. It means to go to church also.”

Many of the people in the refugee camps are Christians. Their lives have been disrupted, their families torn apart, and their faith challenged. When God’s Word on a Talking Bible comes into their lives, they can feel His presence, hear His teachings, and know they are loved.

Having a Talking Bible to listen to and learn from has helped Rebecca renew her faith and trust in God.

The Talking Bibles in the refugee camps allow the refugees to hear God’s Word and the promise of eternal life. And a steady diet of God’s Word helps to comfort the hurting, heal broken hearts and relationships, renew faith, encourage forgiveness, and promote peace.

You can help! Your partnership with Talking Bibles will help place Talking Bibles into the refugee camps in and around South Sudan.

You can give the gift of God's Word to the Christians who fled their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs!

For those who have never heard of God, a Talking Bible can give them the opportunity to hear the Good News so they can respond to God’s call.

Your gift today can change a life, a family, a community. Thank you!

Pastor Kumar

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 21:29:24 GMT

As things in our world slowly start to reopen, we want to thank you for your prayers and financial support. We have been praying for you and trust you have felt God’s love and comfort the last several months.

Pastor Kumar’s church in Northern India has felt the impact of God’s Word in some amazing ways!

“It’s like there was the time before the Talking Bible and there is the time after we received the Talking Bibles,” Pastor Kumar says.

Laughing, he says all the listening has created a lot of questions for him to answer, but access to Scripture has also changed the church for the better.

“For 11 years we have labored and God has blessed our church, but since we received Talking Bibles not long ago, it is like everything has changed — the believers are encouraged and new people are coming to follow Jesus like never before,” Pastor Kumar says.

Most of the 250 million people living in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India where Pastor Kumar works have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor Kumar explains that though his district is largely illiterate and less than 0.2 percent of people follow Christ, Talking Bibles are received as holy words from God.

This allows people to listen to the Word of God and learn directly from what the Bible teaches. The pastor says many who get Talking Bibles form listening groups which include family and friends, most of whom have never heard about Jesus.

With these Talking Bibles, they are empowered to bring God’s Word to those who otherwise would never hear it. “They are now equipped to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and make disciples of others,” the pastor explains.

Holding a Talking Bible, the pastor explains how he gave one to a woman named Khushbu. She had been praying for her father who was hostile towards the things of Jesus Christ and had previously beaten her for going to church.

As she played the Talking Bible for her father, he asked if he could keep it overnight to listen more. Khushbu told her pastor, “For the first time he was able to listen directly to the words of God and when I returned, he accepted Jesus was God and wanted to be baptized.”

Pastor Kumar says that placing Talking Bibles in the villages has allowed many illiterate people to share their faith and teach others about Jesus Christ.

He says many times people play the section of Scripture they heard from the previous church service and then discuss it with one another. From those discussions, he adds that many are now coming to him asking to be baptized and become followers of Christ. “There are so many in some of the villages that we will need to establish some new churches,” the pastor says.

The pastor explains that since getting the Talking Bibles, many people in the church have listened through the New Testament multiple times in their native language of Hindi.

God’s children in India are crying out to God for Talking Bibles so they can share effectively the Good News about Jesus with their friends and family.

Please, give the gift of God’s Word today. Let us give a Talking Bible, for you, to someone who can’t read.

Mary

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 20:42:30 GMT

Thirty years ago, Mary was a refugee. Forced to leave her war-torn homeland, Mary and many others arrived in Ethiopia to start a fresh life. The refugee camp became her home, and she’s still there.

Today, decades later, their community is being flooded with new refugees.

Even though Mary herself knows the trial and pain of having to leave her home, she found it difficult to care about the new members of her community. Her heart was hard. She did not want to help them.

“Not long ago, I did not care about these refugees or anyone,” Mary explains. The only thing she cared about was that they would buy the alcohol and tobacco that she sells at the market.

Then she heard the Talking Bible. God’s Word softened Mary’s heart and changed the lives of those around her. Now, Mary and her neighbors are sympathetic toward the new refugees. They help those who were displaced to feel like they belong in their new home. Mary comforts those who are troubled and distressed. “Because I heard this Talking Bible, everything is changed for me,” says Mary. And everyone around her can see it.

Before the Talking Bible, Mary was a drunkard and constantly fought with her neighbors. She even practiced witchcraft, wanting to please the spirits worshiped in her culture. She took advantage of people, and no one wanted to be around her.

The Word of God changed Mary. Now she loves people and worships God. Mary says that hearing God’s Word through Jesus renewed her mind. She is a completely different person now.

“Now I have a new life! My neighbors and I love each other, and I am serving in the church and help the refugees,” Mary exclaims. “I am very happy!”

God’s Word gave Mary a second chance, a new life. Mary’s heart is filled with compassion, and her mind is filled with peace. She worships God with her life. Her neighbors, who she used to treat like enemies, are now her friends. By listening to the Talking Bible, Mary now knows that God uses the trials of her life to build His kingdom.

The Talking Bibles sent to refugee camps reach people like Mary, who have lived long, hard lives of pain and suffering. Yet they welcome the message of hope that Jesus brings.

Mary’s entire life was transformed through hearing the Word of God on a Talking Bible. She is a beacon of God’s love in her community. Will you send more Talking Bibles to those who need to hear the story of God’s great love for them?

The gospel changes everything! The Talking Bible comforts those who are hurting. It offers the message of new life in Jesus. People who live in darkness will come to know the light of Christ through a Talking Bible. Your gift will spread the hope of life in Jesus Christ!

Share the good news of God’s love, and give a Talking Bible today!

Opse Bdane

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 21:37:52 GMT

It has been one year since Opse Bdane became a believer.

She first learned about Christ on television. Soon after, she moved to a small village and joined the local church.

Opse received a Talking Bible and began to listen. She shared it with her family. Her husband and four children became believers after listening to the Talking Bible.

Since she cannot read, she listens to the Talking Bible as often as she can. She says, “I now understand how Jesus is LORD. He is alive and is the ONE WAY.”

When asked what has changed after hearing the Talking Bible, her excitement grew. Bouncing her folded hands up and down in her lap, she says, “After hearing the Bible, I love Christ Jesus and God more and more. I have love in my heart to live forever with HIM."

She also wants to draw others to Christ. Her bright smile lights up the room as she says, “I am hoping and believing many will come to Christ through listening to God’s Word.” Her love and enthusiasm are contagious!

Your gift will allow new believers like Opse share God’s love and teachings with those around them. What an incredible blessing!

Here is a picture of Opse’s church . She and other church members regularly use the Talking Bible to reach out to their neighbors and are eager to share the Gospel with them.

Will you help us place Talking Bibles into the hands and hearts of non-readers who need to hear God’s Word?

Ruth

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 21:40:39 GMT

Ruth dreams of sharing her faith with others.

She has been a Christian for 20 years, but she can’t read. She only hears God’s Word when the pastor reads it at church. Ruth doesn’t feel like she can share the love of Jesus with others.

A basic labor job in a thread factory is a blessing for this married mother of three. It is also a burden, because Ruth is surrounded by 40 coworkers who have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. She prayed desperately for almost 10 years for a way to share the love of Jesus with them.

Three months ago, her prayers were answered when her pastor presented her with a Talking Bible in her native language of Hindi.

Taking a break from her work, Ruth explains how she uses the Talking Bible to reach the women she has been praying for. She says, “My coworkers ask me to play the Talking Bible instead of the radio while we work and often ask me questions about what they hear.”

In three months, Ruth and her coworkers have listened through the whole Talking Bible at least five times. All her coworkers are women, and they particularly enjoy listening to the story of Jesus with the woman of Samaria (John 4). They have heard the story so many times, Ruth feels she can repeat it perfectly. She adds, “Every time we listen to the story, we continue to speak about it and so many questions are asked.”

Ruth says, “Many people are becoming Christians because they hear the Talking Bible.” In the three months she has had the Talking Bible, she has shared the good news of Jesus more than she ever had before.

The power of the Word of God has not only been seen in Ruth’s place of work, but also in her home. She listens with her family every night. Her husband has responded by rededicating his life to the Lord. She says they had been having problems, but hearing God’s Word regularly has strengthened him to have victory over bad habits.

“Many of our neighbors have seen the change in my husband, and they are asking what is different? We tell them we are listening to the words of Jesus Christ in our home, and those words have power to change us ,” she explains confidently.

Ruth’s extended family and community know nothing of Christianity. When they hear God speak from her Talking Bible, she can share with them what she believes. She smiles and adds, “The Talking Bible allows someone like me to be able to explain who Jesus Christ is to others like me.”

Help us place Talking Bibles with non-readers like Ruth who want to share the love of God with their community but feel unequipped.

Pastor John

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 21:44:16 GMT

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.”

Annuj and Shakruntla

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 21:47:51 GMT

An arranged marriage. A drunken man filled with hate. God’s love and a woman’s faithfulness.

From a difficult start to their marriage to a strong evangelism ministry, Annuj and Shakruntla have grown in their love for each other and their faith in Jesus Christ. And they have an excitement and passion to share their faith with their family, friends, and community.

In the weeks before their pre-arranged marriage, Annuj planned to kill his fiancée Shakruntla to run away and begin a new life. He says he despised that she was always praying to Jesus and thought she would get in the way of his drinking.

Now, almost 25 years later, Annuj and Shakruntla not only have two grown daughters, but also a marriage like very few people in their area of Punjab, India have. With less than 1.3 percent Christians in Punjab, Annuj and Shakruntla’s marriage stands out because it testifies of Jesus Christ and draws others to Him.

Shakruntla says though her family was Christian, they were also very traditional. She was very disappointed to learn who her parents were arranging for her to marry. Before they were married, Annuj was known as a drunkard who became violent. He says while it initially angered him, it was the witness of Shakruntla praying for him and their marriage that interested him in Christianity. After visiting with his future wife’s pastor, Annuj left his family tradition and began following Christ with his new wife.

The young couple grew in faith not only by attending church, but because they were literate and able to read their Bible. As they grew in faith they desired to share what they were learning, but were not able. Shakruntla explains, “Many of our family and friends felt emptiness, but we couldn’t ask them to read a Bible because they are illiterate.”

Three months ago the couple received a Talking Bible from their church to help them share the Good News of Jesus Christ in their community. Annuj says it helps that the Talking Bible looks like a traditional Bible, so it is received as scripture. The couple says they like to begin by sharing their testimony, and that opens the door for groups to gather and listen to the Talking Bible.

Sitting close together, Shakruntla says they have now become evangelists with their church. She and her husband like to play sections of their Talking Bible which speak of the love of Christ and shows that He died for all.

Annuj adds they particularly like to play the chapters from the Book of Romans for people to learn from. He paraphrased Romans 6:6 by saying, “Our old ways are crucified with Jesus and now removed so they no longer control us.”

The happily married couple says their Talking Bible has completely changed their evangelism ministry. Shakruntla explains the device has opened doors for ministry to the blind, to their illiterate neighbors, and to a nearby orphanage they often visit.

Annuj comments that besides using the Talking Bible for evangelism, even as a reader, he is growing with the spoken Word. He says listening to large portions of Scripture at a time has reminded him of the love of Christ that leads to the cross, His death and resurrection. He adds, “It has been a good reminder that He is coming back soon.”

What an incredible testimony of faithfulness, God’s power, and His working through his servants, Annuj and Shakruntla, to reach those who may never otherwise hear God’s Word.

Tadesse

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 21:57:40 GMT

What would life be like if you had a Bible but couldn’t read it?

Maybe you can’t read, and the words are just scribbles on a page.

Maybe you’re blind, and you can’t see the words.

For you, the Bible is so close, yet the precious Word is out of reach.Though Tadesse is educated and can read Braille, there was no complete Braille Bible in his language. He depended on someone to read to him.

Blind since birth, 29-year-old Tadesse describes listening to his Talking Bible for the last month as, “being afloat in Scripture." He continues to go deeper in those waters by listening every morning for at least an hour, often reinforcing what he has learned by listening to the same section in the evening.When he can afford classes, Tadesse is a student at a teacher’s college in his hometown, Sebeta, about 30 kilometers outside of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His love for learning, and sharing what he has learned has deepened since he began serving as a Bible teacher at the Bartimaeus Blind Association and preaching in his local church.Before he received a Talking Bible, Tadesse was discouraged and frustrated. He desired to know more about the Bible, but he had to wait until someone could read it to him. Tadesse adds even his ability to read Braille could not help him. He wanted to compare different books of the Bible, especially the Gospels, but there was not a complete Braille Bible available. His Talking Bible finally made it possible for him to have a personal Bible study. The new Bible teacher emphasizes the importance of the Talking Bible, saying, “Until I received the Talking Bible, I was completely dependent on sighted people to read the Bible for me, and it was very hard to hear the scriptures at a time that was convenient.” Holding up his Talking Bible, Tadesse says the discouragement has now changed to hope, “ I finally have the Bible in my hand, to use at any time—this is something I never thought I could have.” As a Bible teacher, Tadesse says listening to the Talking Bible over the last month has helped him grow spiritually, but hearing the Word of God for up to two hours a day has also increased his burden for others to learn from the Bible for themselves.He goes on to explain that Bartimaeus Blind Association is training Tadesse and other Bible teachers to foster Talking Bible listening groups.

Each group is led by a visually impaired leader reaching out to people like themselves.The leadership training equips the Bible teachers to listen systematically to Scripture with their group. The teacher then asks guiding questions about what the group heard and learned.The ministry estimates there are 1.2 million blind people, and up to 3 million partially blind people in Ethiopia. Forming Talking Bible listening groups has become part of their plan to reach people with impaired vision.Tadesse recalls when he was eight years old and a friend shared the good news of Jesus Christ with him. He realized he needed Jesus and surrendered his life to Him.

For the last 21 years he has prayed to know more about the Word of God, but never expected to have access like he has now with the Talking Bible. With a smile Tadesse says, “This is why I thank God for making His Talking Bible available for the blind community and for the people that have made it possible. ”Your support sends God’s Word to the blind so that they can learn and grow, transforming their experience from frustration to freedom! Your support gives non-readers the same access to the Word of God that you enjoy.

Mariama

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 22:00:56 GMT

God’s Word is shining light in the darkness, piercing through oppression, suspicion, prejudice, and lack of education.All over India people bow down to stone gods and worship at altars. They are slaves to religious rituals and live in spiritual darkness. Only God’s Word can penetrate this darkness.

People feel overwhelmed with joy and happiness when they listen to a Talking Bible and learn about Jesus! The heaviness lifts and the darkness is gone. Praise God for his goodness!

Mariama received a Talking Bible several months ago. I had the chance to meet with her a few weeks ago. She spoke to me about her Talking Bible with a beautiful smile on her face and the Talking Bible held tightly in her hands. Joyfully she expresses how happy she is with her Talking Bible. “We listen every day. Every day!” she repeats.

Mariama cannot read. Nor can anyone in her family. She says not having an education is like darkness. But the Talking Bible has transformed that darkness to light. “This Bible has taken away my spiritual blindness and took me from darkness to light,” she explains. “It is light to my eyes.”

There are seven members in Mariama’s family. She is the only believer so far. Her two daughters and two sons listen to the Talking Bible with her. She is praying they will also come to believe as they listen and learn about God’s love for them.

Mariama’s pastor gave her the Talking Bible. Now she counts it as one of her most valuable possessions . She had never had access to a Bible like this before. Mariama feels fortunate to have it so she can listen and grow in her faith. She wants to share her Talking Bible with others so they can also learn of God’s love and feel His hand in the coming days.

The majority of people in India live in spiritual darkness. The animosity toward Christian missionaries makes it almost impossible to tell people about God’s love for them.

The Talking Bible is uniquely capable to help these missionaries. People are fascinated to hear words in their heart language coming out of this little device. They want to listen and hear what it is saying. Missionaries tell us that in villages where they may be beaten, a Talking Bible can be quietly brought in and played as people hear and gather to listen.

The Talking Bible is making inroads into some of the spiritually darkest areas and bringing the light of God’s love to the Indian people. Will you help us place Talking Bibles into these areas? Without your help, they may never hear of God’s love and saving Grace. You may not be able to travel to India but you can help spread God’s Word to places hostile to Christians where the people live in bondage and darkness.

Duba

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 22:14:32 GMT

Duba is a young evangelist in Ethiopia. Talking Bibles were recently placed in his village.

He is amazed at the results. “Before we had Talking Bibles, I would walk a long way to visit people and preach the gospel. Very few people would want to listen to me, and the response was small.

“Now we call these Talking Bibles ‘missionaries,’ because we send them out to these same people. The people hear it eagerly and many people will gather to listen to the message.”

In the five months since the village received the Talking Bibles, 23 people have believed in Jesus Christ. Those who were previously skeptical are now curious to hear God speaking to them.

Ariet

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 08:04:55 GMT

Duba is a young evangelist in Ethiopia. Talking Bibles were recently placed in his village.

He is amazed at the results. “Before we had Talking Bibles, I would walk a long way to visit people and preach the gospel. Very few people would want to listen to me, and the response was small.

“Now we call these Talking Bibles ‘missionaries,’ because we send them out to these same people. The people hear it eagerly and many people will gather to listen to the message.”

In the five months since the village received the Talking Bibles, 23 people have believed in Jesus Christ. Those who were previously skeptical are now curious to hear God speaking to them.

Pastor John and Pari

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 07:42:53 GMT

Pastor John and Pari are real people, but those aren’t their real names. The stories that we publish on our website are about real people, and the photos show some of the actual people in the story. Some of these people live in areas where it is unsafe to be a Christian. For this reason, we blur faces, change names, and do not specify exact locations for some of the Christians in our stories. Now enjoy the true story below!

Have you ever been beaten for sharing your faith? We hope not . Is sharing the Good News worth a beating? Yes it is!

Thank God most of us are not called to take a beating for being a Christian and wanting to share our faith. But there are some who are!

Pastor John has been beaten so others can hear about Jesus. He is one who has been called to suffer and be beaten for the Gospel’s sake.

John is a missionary. He did not grow up in the villages where he is working. He is a stranger who has come with the Good News, but not everyone thinks the message he brings is good news.

Four years ago, God called John to a task few would want to do. John packed up his wife and family and moved into a remote area in India where the name of Jesus was yet to be heard.

God blessed John with a small group of believers. Soon they built a church and started singing praises to God.

Then one day, 500 or more people rushed toward the church. They came with torches. They shouted to have the missionary killed. The mob went wild. Within minutes, the church was burned to the ground and John was being dragged down the street with a tire around his neck.

John was hauled down the street to the police station where he was beaten. There John stayed alone for four days before he was released.

Did John give up? Did he go back to where he came from? No. John sent his family back to safety, but he has been called to bring the Good News to people living in that area of India. That is where John wants to stay until he has accomplished the purpose for which God has sent him.

Now the new believers have no place to worship. How can John disciple them? Many are afraid to gather together for fear of the mob.

That is where the Talking Bible has been a real blessing for Pastor John. The new converts can each take a Talking Bible home and listen to it. Then when they are able to safely gather, they can discuss what they have heard.

One of the new converts, a woman named Pari, has difficulty gathering with the others. She had been beaten by her husband for believing the Good News. When she tried to go to church, her husband beat her. When she tried to meet with Pastor John, her husband beat her again and attacked the pastor. She cannot read or meet with other believers to grow in her faith, but she has a great longing to know more about God. The hostile environment in her home prevented this from happening until she got a Talking Bible.

Pastor John was able to give Pari a Talking Bible. For now, she hides it in her house. When her family is away, she listens to it in secret. God’s Word is a wonderful encouragement to her and her faith is growing. When he is able, Pastor John is continuing to disciple her in her faith and Pari is becoming a strong believer who can stand in the face of persecution by her own family.

This is common in many areas of India. Young Indian missionaries with the burning desire to reach their own people with the Good News are willing and ready to go into a remote area to share the Good News. They are willing to endure hardship and persecution to share their faith.

Not just India! In many areas of the world, people are routinely brutalized, jailed, and even killed for their faith in God. Being able to listen to God’s Word and receive comfort, strength, and hope is a huge encouragement to those who live in areas where persecution is common.

With the Talking Bible, these pastors and missionaries are able to teach non-readers right from the Bible what the truth is about God and His Son Jesus Christ. For the first time, they hear about a living God who loves them very much.

Your partnership with Talking Bibles International is helping to place Talking Bibles into the hands of people who have no other way to learn about God. They can’t read. They can’t meet regularly together. Without a Talking Bible, they are alone and have no way to learn about God’s love for them. A Talking Bible gives them knowledge, hope, and assurance of eternal salvation.

Please help us continue to place Talking Bibles in areas where Christians are persecuted. Together we can help Pastor John reach those who have no other way to learn about God and grow in their faith.

Anaya

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 07:45:34 GMT

Anaya, an Indian Christian woman, recently played her Talking Bible for a friend in the hospital who was very ill and had surgery planned for the next day. After several minutes, a strange voice came out of her friend, “Stop! Turn it off. I don’t want to hear that.” Anaya did not recognize the voice as the voice of her friend and was not sure what to do. The voice continued, “Take it away. I cannot bear this.”

Though she didn’t understand what was happening, Anaya trusted God. She arose, opened the window, and turned her Talking Bible louder. Soon the friend again spoke in a strange voice, “Please may I leave? Let me go, let me go!” After several minutes, Anaya’s friend awoke. She was confused, but herself again. By the next morning, the doctors could not find anything wrong with her, so they cancelled her surgery and sent her home.

The evil spirit that had possessed Anaya’s friend could not stand hearing the Word of the Lord. No one knew she had been possessed by a demon. No one prayed for her deliverance. Only the Talking Bible was played by a friend inside that hospital room. Now Anaya’s friend is baptized, and goes to church. God’s Word is powerful!

There are still many places where God’s light has not penetrated the darkness and countless people who have not heard of His love and forgiveness. Please support Talking Bibles and help us to share God’s Word through a Talking Bible with people who can’t read.

Worku

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Sun, 01 May 2016 07:58:53 GMT

Worku, a church worker in Ethiopia, is using Talking Bibles for ministry and people are listening!No one would listen to Worku when he preached. Because few of the 4,000 people in his rural community can read, they did not trust his word for what the Bible says. His ministry was suffering, while people stopped coming to church.

Then Worku received a Talking Bible and everything changed! When he played his Talking Bible in villages, people would stop to hear. Now when he goes out to meet with the people, everyone wants to listen. They are fascinated to hear God’s Word speaking to them in their language. Worku’s church is growing with many people becoming new believers.

Worku and his fellow evangelists are planting seeds in the villages through Talking Bible listening groups. They form groups of ten to twenty people and assign a leader to each group. The group listens to the Talking Bible and the leader leads discussion. If there are questions, Worku will come and help with the group.

The evangelists also invite people to a common meeting place where they have coffee and listen to the Talking Bible. Meeting and drinking coffee is a tradition, so it is easy to get people to come. It is a wonderful time to listen and discuss the Talking Bible.

Worku says many people are being blessed by the Talking Bible. He and his fellow evangelists are having great success in playing the Talking Bible for the non-reading people in their area. God is blessing their work and they are reaching many non-believers with His Word and His saving grace. Praise the Lord!

Your support, both by prayer and financially, helps place Talking Bibles in places where people may never have another way to hear God’s Word. Many more people need to hear. Many more church workers need the Talking Bible to reach non-readers. Your gifts will send Talking Bibles to places like rural Ethiopia with evangelists like Worku.

Johann

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 20:24:37 GMT

Johann and the people in his community grow up in a low caste with little expectation of receiving an education—or even learning to read—but that does not mean they are unintelligent. The fisherman says, “I was constantly aware this life is not permanent. Maybe I’ll see sixty, seventy, or even eighty years, but my Hindu background did not satisfy my question of what happens next. I needed to know where would we go.”

After receiving Jesus Christ as his Savior, Johannes shared the good news with his wife, who was at first reluctant. As she saw the change in her husband she soon followed him in faith and they both shared the good news with their four adult sons and two daughters, who all decided to follow Jesus Christ. After the family was baptized in the Bay of Bengal they were immediately ostracized by their extended family. Even his parents rebuked him and refused to come to their grandchildren’s weddings.

In that difficult time Johann received a Talking Bible, and he says it seldom left his pocket. Speaking to us after a day of fishing, and holding his Talking Bible, he remembers, “I had already heard of Jesus Christ and understood salvation, but we needed peace to be strong in the trial and hardship our family was going through. This Talking Bible allowed us to know how to behave in that hard time.”

Watching other boats full of the day’s catch come in through the waves near his village, Johann says the more he listened to his Talking Bible, the more he knew the power of Jesus and the more he understood the words he heard in 2 Timothy, “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

Since that time of struggling the illiterate fisherman has been through the New Testament several times. He particularly likes hearing the miracles of Jesus because it shows His power over all things. The raising of Lazarus, the feeding of the 5,000 and the healing of the centurion’s servant are among his favorites. Possibly because he spends so much time fishing on the Bay of Bengal, Johann says, “I play the story, and consider the time Jesus spoke to command the sea to be calm. It shows me His power.”

Johann explains that during the long hours spent fishing, he plays his Talking Bible not only for himself, but also as an outreach to his fellow fishermen. He laughs lightly as he says, “Though they are Hindu, they like to hear about Jesus Christ. They learn we are not dangerous as some have taught.”

Several of the fishermen have become followers of Jesus Christ through listening to the Talking Bible with him, but Johann says there is still great need. He watches as loads of fish are offloaded from the just returned boats, and remarks, “I know fishing and support my family by fishing, but I am now also a fisher of men.”

Will you pray about supporting the placement of Talking Bibles throughout the world with poor, non-readers like Johann’s fishing community? Every Talking Bible could be one that God uses to make pastors out of fishermen.

Sangam

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 20:18:00 GMT

Why is Sangam’s face blurred? The stories that we publish on our website are about real people, and the photos show the actual people in the story. Some of these people live in areas where it is unsafe to be a Christian. For this reason, we blur faces, change names, and do not specify exact locations for some of the Christians in our stories. Now enjoy the true story below!

Mumbai is one of the most populous cities of the world, but Sangam felt alone and isolated on the edge of its 19 million people. Now 33 years old, she recalls how she began to follow Jesus Christ ten years earlier, and the trials it brought in her marriage.

As an eager new believer, she wanted to share her faith and attend church. But this made her husband angry. He refused to have any talk of Christianity in their home. With a four-year-old son and another baby due soon, Sangam continued to pray. When she would not turn from worshiping God, she was beaten and threatened by her husband and his family.

She thought the situation could not get worse, but what she calls the darkest era of her life was about to begin. Sixteen days after giving birth to their daughter, “He just left and put the children in an orphanage so they would not be Christians, and I was left with nothing.” In the midst of millions, Sangam found herself alone and abandoned. She said the love of God helped her persevere in the hard time, but she was barely able to hang on.

Finding work in a tire factory helped with living expenses, but she felt her life was only to go to work, come home, and then do the same cycle again. As a Christian lady without a husband or children, she was ostracized in her community and had few friends. For eight years Sangam continued to trust God, but says it was a struggle. She admits her despair reached the point where “I wondered if life was worth continuing. There seemed to be little purpose.”

Holding her Talking Bible close to her, Sangam knew she needed to draw close to God and learn more, but adds, “I am totally illiterate and was completely dependent on what the pastor would teach on Sunday, but my job sometimes kept me from church.”

God answered Sangam’s prayer in 2012 when she was given a Talking Bible as part of a small distribution in Mumbai for Telugu language speakers. She says being able to listen to God’s word on her Talking Bible changed everything.

Sitting on the floor after a day of work the estranged mother of two said, “When I listen to the word of God, it brings me comfort, and I know I am not alone in my struggles.” She refers to the recording of the Gospel of Matthew, “I know Jesus Christ is with me, even to the end of the age.”

Sangam listens to her Talking Bible every evening. She has listened through the New Testament several times in the two years since receiving the Talking Bible. The illiterate Christian says having access to God’s word removed the desperation and loneliness that she once experienced. She adds, “I hope one day to be reunited with my children and introduce them to Jesus Christ through this Talking Bible.”

Will you pray about supporting the placement of more Talking Bibles throughout the world with poor, non-readers like Sangam? You can be part of the effort to give life to unreached people who have never heard the Word of the Lord. Please donate today.

Dabo

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 20:15:38 GMT

Dabo and the thirty other non-reading Christians in her village have been praying for and waiting for God to bless them with access to His Word for more than five years. The Talking Bible was an answer to their prayer.

In the small village in Ethiopia where she lives, there are strong cultural beliefs and practices. The people are very resistant to Christianity and evangelists. Dabo became a Christian seven years ago and her husband divorced her because of it. She is now raising her nine children by herself.

Recently, some ladies were travelling near her village. They had just received Talking Bibles and were travelling around the area sharing God’s Word with family and friends in other villages. They showed Dabo their Talking Bibles and they became friends. Dabo invited them to her house.

Dabo was overjoyed to hear God’s Word in her heart language. She asked the ladies how she could get a Talking Bible so she could share it with others in her village. With her friends’ help, Dabo was able to get her own Talking Bible.

Dabo and the other Christians in her village started inviting people to come and hear the Word of God. The people started coming and listening. Even those who had hated them and had been persecuting them wanted to listen. Over the next several months, many people heard God’s Word on the Talking Bible and began worshiping with them. The number of believers in Dabo’s village is now close to 300!

There are no evangelists or pastors in this area. Dabo and the other Christians have become the evangelists and are sharing God’s Word with anyone who will listen. Many are being converted.

In the Borana language, Dabo means bread. Who would ever have thought that the day Dabo was born, God had a plan. In His providence, this beautiful child was named, Dabo, because some day she would bring the Bread of Life to her people.

Dabo is joyfully sharing her faith. She traveled six hours on foot to share her testimony. Will you give today to share God’s Word with nonreaders in villages like Dabo’s? There are non-reading Christians around the world who are ready to become evangelists.

Tanzania Leprosy

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Fri, 01 May 2015 20:10:48 GMT

The Tanzania Leprosy Camp was full of joy after listening the Word of God.

Soon after Talking Bibles were given to them, the villagers could be heard giggling and laughing inside their huts. The women were missing limbs and fingers, but they now had the word of God in their language. They danced with glee on their dirt floors surrounded by mats for beds. The joy of knowing Jesus as Lord was within them and now it was unleashed!

Many of the new listeners had no fingers to operate the Talking Bible, but with great determination each person managed to turn them on. The Word of God in their heart language, Swahili, brought spiritual wholeness to all listening.

James

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 20:04:57 GMT

The Talking Bible has changed James’ life. And, James is not keeping that a secret! James has become a missionary.

He can now share the Good News about Jesus from the Bible even though he doesn’t read it. James is from the Nuer Tribe living in Ethiopia. He received a Talking Bible and loved to listen to it. The Talking Bible has changed his life. Being able to hear God’s spoken Word in his language has allowed him to grow and learn about the ways of God. Not only that, he is sharing the Good News by playing his Talking Bible for his friends and family. Because of the Talking Bible, James has become a new missionary to his own people. Before he received the Talking Bible, he only heard God’s Word when someone read it in church. He had a hard time understanding and growing in his faith. Now that has changed! And, James wants to share what he has learned from the Bible now that he has access to the Words inside. “These Talking Bibles have helped my people know the way of God. The nonbelievers know how to become believers and we all know how to live according to God. The Bibles tell us completely what God has to say,” said James.

New believers like James want to share the exciting news of God’s salvation but often are ill-equipped and don’t know what to say. Talking Bibles are helping them in amazing ways.

See what happened to James’ neighbor, Elizabeth. James said “Our neighbor Elizabeth was hearing the Talking Bible and she asked us, ‘What does this mean?’ ‘Just listen,’ we told her. After listening, she said, ‘I am one of those who have not loved God or my neighbor. Now, after listening to this I will come back to church.’ She is now very involved at church and her faith is strong!”

“We have observed that many people are eager to hear the Talking Bible. We noticed that they are seeing and understanding something they never understood before.” James shared. He added, “Talking Bibles help people become Christian and go to church and strengthen their faith in Christ. This is something that really helps us. This is the way the Gospel can spread.”

In this world of technology, people who cannot read can still have access to the words of the Bible by listening and understanding.

Will you help us share God’s Word with those around the world who can’t read?

Prayerfully, consider a gift of a Talking Bible for someone who can’t read to help them learn and understand God’s saving grace.

Posibabu and Subhadra

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 20:00:17 GMT

Spending their whole lives on a remote island in India’s state of Andhra Pradesh, Posibabu Koda, his wife Subhadra, and their two children were unlikely to ever know of Jesus Christ. They have never had electricity, education, or health care. Until recently, the 300 isolated people in their low caste fishing community had never heard of the Bible or the God of the Bible.

Posibabu and Subhadra grew up like their parents and all the people around them, worshiping idols and the false gods. Then in 2011, thirty Talking Bibles were distributed on their island. Posibabu remembers how many of the people immediately received them as revelation from God that would lead to freedom from the bondage of Hinduism. His wife recalls, “I heard the Talking Bible, and for the first time we heard of Jesus Christ. From that time, we know the love of God many of us became Christians."

Pasibabu leaves his family’s tarp covered shack before dawn every morning to earn a living fishing on the water. He often plays plays the Talking Bible in their language of Telugu for his Hindu fishing partners and while mending nets in the afternoon. The father says he enjoys sharing his faith with his fellow fishermen, but his greatest joy is that his daughter Anushka, 5, and son Yesuraju, 3, listen to the Talking Bible every evening. He says he and his wife thank God that their children will grow up with a knowledge of God they never had until receiving the Talking Bible.

“We have listened through the whole Bible more than two times, some parts we have listened to more times,” says Subhadra. Holding her son, the mother adds, “Before, we could never have known these things about Jesus Christ, but our children have something greater than we ever knew as children. ”

Pasibabu admits that before having the Talking Bible and learning about Jesus Christ, Hinduism offered no hope in difficult times. Since then, his family has learned that God is with them at all times. In the difficult times he likes to listen to the a account of Jesus arising from sleeping on the boat to calm the storm by saying, “Peace, be still.” Being familiar with boats and storms, the fisherman says of his favorite passage, “At the words of Jesus, the winds and the sea were at peace, so we know He can calm our storms.”

Like others on their island, Pasibabu and Subhadra have been transformed by hearing the Word of God on the Talking Bible. A year after receiving 30 Talking bibles, a core group of Christians continued growing in their knowledge and relationship with God to the point they formed a simple church. Pasibabu became an elder. From the initial few Christians, the church community has grown to about 100 people gathering for worship in a village that previously had never heard of Jesus and had no access to Scripture.

Babur

Thu, 01 May 2014 13:08:27 GMT

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.

Nagla

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 20:09:02 GMT

It takes just one! One spark to light a fire and one person to spark an interest in something new.That spark was lit for Nagla by her visiting aunt. Nagla listened eagerly, very curious about what her aunt was saying about Jesus Christ being the Son of God.Once that spark is lit it doesn’t go away. It creates a desire to learn and grow. Sadly, at the time, there was no way for Nagla to learn more. Nagla’s aunt was visiting from the city and when she returned to the city with her went the Good News. Nagla is now 14 years old. She lives on a remote island far from cities with no access to education. With little contact with the outside world Nagla had never heard about Jesus before her aunt visited from the city several years ago.That was when she heard the name of Jesus Christ for the first time. But that was it! No one on the island where Nagla lives ever heard the name of Jesus mentioned again after Nagla’s aunt left and went back to the city.Then came the Talking Bibles and Nagla finally had an opportunity to learn more about Jesus. Nagla’s family received one of the thirty that were distributed on Ant’s Island. As her parents listened, they encouraged Nagla and her older sister to listen, too. The teenager said, “I then learned who Jesus is and how He died to save us from our sin — it was by this Talking Bible that many of us learned of eternal life.”

Nagla and her sister began listening and sharing with their friends. By listening to the Talking Bible, she, her sister, and her friends have not only learned about Jesus, but how they can live as Christians. Just in from a day of fishing, the teenager explained, “Before we knew about Jesus, we did not always know what was right or wrong. Now, this Talking Bible gives us something good to obey.”

Nagla now takes every opportunity to listen to her family’s Talking Bible. Every evening before bed, she listens with her family. She says she often takes it to listen to while fishing or mending nets.

Standing beside the moving water of the Krishna River, named after a Hindu god, Nagla said she is currently listening to her third time through the New Testament. She also said listening with her teenage friends has allowed her to evangelize and share the Good News she has just learned. Laughing she added, “Sometimes we just listen, but we are girls, and we like to talk about what we heard.”

Nagla and her friends have only had access to Scripture for a short time, but she already has favorite portions on the Talking Bibles that she goes back to, “My favorite part is when Jesus speaks to the woman at the well and says ‘God is Spirit and we must worship Him in spirit and truth.’”

It may have been unlikely for the people of Ant’s Island to hear of Jesus Christ, but since the distribution of Talking Bibles there, over 100 of the 300 people living on the island have become Christians, been baptized in the Krishna River and have formed a church.

Looking out at the water that sustains all physical life for the inhabitants of the river island she calls home, Nagla said it was the receiving of the Talking Bibles that led her, and many of her low caste and illiterate community, to receive spiritual life.

Will you give a gift today to help more people like Nagla have access to the Word of God through a Talking Bible? Please help light the spark and keep it burning. Give today.

Susila

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 12:47:58 GMT

This true story purposefully uses only Susila’s first name and is ambiguous regarding her home area in order to protect her from further persecution and beatings.

This grandmother lives in an area of northern India known for persecution of followers of Jesus Christ, but the Talking Bible has become her source of encouragement to continue in her faith despite hardships.

As Susila gently unwraps her Talking Bible from an ornate cloth she explains how she must hide it from her husband and family, “If I go to church they beat me and if I talk about God they will beat me, but when I can find a way to listen to the Talking Bible I find peace and strength. ”

Like all the people in her area, Susila’s family were Hindu, so her earliest memories involve idol worship. She said she always thought there must be something more, but she continued in Hinduism because it was all she and the people around her knew.

Given in an arranged marriage at a young age, her new husband continued in the worship of idols, but later Susila met with a pastor who shared the truth with her. In 2011, she was given a Talking Bible and was secretly baptized with a group of Christians in her area.

Though she cannot attend church, Susila can now regularly listen to her Talking Bible in her mother tongue of Telugu, and occasionally meets with the pastor to ask questions.

As a Christian with a Hindu background, Susila says she completely understands how the people are trapped in the worship of idols and rejection of the true and living God, “Before meeting that pastor, and then receiving the Talking Bible, there were so many Hindu gods and goddesses in my heart, they had complete control.” Leaning forward to make her point she added, “They left, now there is peace and joy in my heart, even in the trials we face. ”

Meeting far from her home, but eager to return before she was missed, Susila said she has listened through the New Testament and hearing the words of God helps her get through the hard times and helps her understand the suffering of the people in the Bible, adding, “I can now know very well, the parts about the crucifixion and how it shows the love, kindness and mercy of Jesus Christ to remove our sins.”

According to Susila, she has become very adept at hiding her Talking Bible because she is watched by her husband and neighbors. They forbid her from meeting with other Christians, so she cherishes the time she can come to a church gathering or have fellowship. It is only when her husband is away at work that she can listen , but then she is careful that neighbors do not hear, or family members unexpectedly come and find her with the Talking Bible.

Carefully wrapping her Talking Bible in its cloth again, she tucks it into the folds of her sari. As she leaves Susila says, “We face so many problems, but we need to hear the word of God.”

Tume

Sat, 01 Mar 2014 12:40:58 GMT

Tume lives in an area of the world that has been devastated by drought. People have not had access to clean water since 2002. Many in her area suffer from malnutrition and AIDS. If someone in Tume’s village gets sick, they have to walk a day and night to get to the health clinic. For many, it is a wasted trip. There are no doctors, without electricity or running water and minimal medical supplies there is little hope of finding help, but people still walk to the clinic searching for help.

Tume is married and has three children. Her husband works in a government office. He is so busy with his job that he does not have time to spend with her and the children. Tume grew up not understanding the dangers of promiscuity. In fact, her tribe encouraged it. Tume was lucky—she didn’t get sick even though she “played around” with other men.

While listening to the Talking Bible she discovered that her relationship with her husband was wrong. Tume now knows flirting and having sexual relations with other men is not right, but how can she change that behavior when the whole tribe expects and encourages it?

Listening to the Talking Bible has helped to clarify appropriate boundaries within Tume’s marriage. Tume was happy to learn about forgiveness for her sins and is now living the life of a new child of God. She also understands that she and her husband are much safer following God’s law and having a monogamous relationship only with each other.

Soon Tume will want to share her new faith. Pray she will take the bold step of faith and play the Talking Bible for the women in her village who do not know Jesus. By starting a Talking Bible listening group, she will be able to spread the Good News to a circle of unreached women who will never hear the Good News without Tume and her Talking Bible.

The need for Talking Bibles continues to increase in areas where the message of the Gospel has not been presented. Literally millions of people have never heard the Good News that the Creator of all things wants to have a personal relationship with them. These people will not learn how to live rightly and serve the Lord unless you help.

Elema

WCAdmin@marketamerica.com (Market America WebCenters) — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 12:36:35 GMT

Elema practiced her tribe’s ancestral religion. And paid the price!

Elema is a 25 year old, married mother of four who lives in South Ethiopia. She had never heard the Gospel or the Good News about Jesus before she heard the Talking Bible.

Amazing! After listening for several weeks Elema repented of her sins. When she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, God healed her. She was finally set free.

With tears in her eyes, Elema remembers, “Since listening to the Talking Bible my life has been touched. I was sick, full of fear, and attacked by demons. Now when I am listening to the Word of God, I am healthy, happy, and feeling freedom from demonic oppression.”

Elema and her family listen together. They are part of a Talking Bible daily Bible study group. The group of 15 men and women listen every evening for 30 minutes. They sit and listen quietly and then talk about what they just heard.

Elema’s life has completely changed. Her whole focus on life has changed and her values have changed. “I have learned many things while listening, including respecting your parents and respecting your husband. Also I have learned to keep away from evil things, like idols and amulets, and to fear the Lord.” she says.

God’s Word changes lives. People like Elema who are suffering, hurting, and lost need to hear God’s precious Word.

When someone is saved by God’s grace, they don’t keep quiet. They tell everyone they can. They share the Good News. They will play a Talking Bible for anyone who will listen. They will start a daily Bible listening group, and more people will hear the Good News about Jesus.

We need to make more Talking Bibles. The pastors in the area where Elema lives are coming forward with requests for more Talking Bibles.

God is at work. People are ready and eager to listen. More people like Elema need Talking Bibles. Unless we can supply them now, this window of opportunity for hearing the Word of God may close. Your gift will make an impact!

Changed Life Stories

Esther

How does a mother who cannot read share God’s Word with her children?

Prasad

Prasad Can Finally Hear God's Word!

Ashura

“My Heart Was Beating to Know God”

Devi

No one in Devi's family can read—not her, not her husband, not her children.

Tataya

“Where I live, many people cannot read. The Talking Bible helps them understand.”

David and Esther

David and Esther Bringing Hope to Persecuted Christians

Rina

Facing Persecution, Rina Finds Strength in God’s Word

Rocks

From Rocks to Redemption: A Family Transformed by a Talking Bible

Vinay

He’s a Mechanic. Now He’s Learning the Bible Like One.

Evelina

What happened after Evelina gave up her brewing business?

Eesha

From Hopelessness to Healing – One Talking Bible Changed a Family—and a Village

Sylvester

Music Drew Sylvester to Church—God’s Word Changed His Life

Bharathamma

Bharathamma’s family is growing in faith and sharing God’s love with others.

Sengerema

Sengerema needed something to truly reach her students.

Elimu

Elimu is Bring God's Word into Tanzania's Public Schools!

Simon

Simon is Bring God's Word into Tanzania's Public Schools!

Jharana

Jharana is Breaking Down Barriers!

RAO

Rao loves to share the Gospel!

Nirmula

From Storm Survivor to Faithful Follower: Nirmula's Story

Maria

What happens when light shines in the darkness?

Das

Das would not give up sharing the rest found in Jesus with her neighbors…

Amos

Amos is asking for more Talking Bibles so more lives can be changed…

Elizabeth

"God delivered me from bad situations."

Shanti

While in the hospital, Shanti heard about Jesus

Lesiker is leading a Bible study, and he cannot read!

When Lesiker discovered Jesus, everything changed.

The world no longer has a hold of Durga.

The world no longer has a hold of her; Christ does.

God's Word is Spreading Like Wildfire!

God’s Word is spreading like wildfire!

Sia

Sia is using Talking Bibles to share the Gospel with students.

Rama

When the One True God Shows Up!

Isak

Vijaya

Jyothi

The Talking Bibles at Jyothi’s church are reaching unbelievers!

Krupa

John

Jerioth

Pastor Chetan

Pastor Yonus

Pastor Raju

Agnes

Priya

Priayanka

Achan

Raj

Mongalsing

Norman

Taban

Mary

Samson

Jacob

How does a mother who cannot read
share God’s Word with her children?