“In a strange way,” says Canadian Derryl Friesen, “we can give thanks for both Covid and the political turmoil in some parts of Southeast Asia. Together with Scripture, resources developed in recent years and translated into multiple languages have met the felt needs of the local church far beyond our expectations.
“This was especially seen in the distribution of Proclaimer Audio Bibles," adds Derryl, who serves as a field partner liaison for Wycliffe Canada in Southeast Asia. "As our national teams in Thailand faced increased lockdowns, they needed to cancel many workshops. Instead, they invested time recording newly translated Scripture on "Proclaimer" devices, then distributing them to 30 language communities and refugee camps. The impact has been astonishing! Below are some examples of the feedback we have received.”
“During the Covid-19 time we are not allowed to gather so we connected the audio Scripture player to a loudspeaker system and played it for everyone in the village to hear, one to two hours a day.”
“I have been in a refugee camp for nine years and we do not have a pastor in our camp. We use the audio Bible for Sunday service. There are 40-50 people who listen together. It is very helpful and beneficial for us.”
“I keep the audio player under my pillow and listen to it every night before I go to bed. I have more faith by listening to the Word of God. I don’t know how to read or write but I feel like someone is telling me the Bible when I listen to it. I am very thankful.”
“In the villages people can now listen to Scripture when they are doing their daily chores. Women listen to it while cooking in the kitchen. Men listen while working in the yard. Some families listen to it after dinner and groups listen as they sit around the fire.”
Wycliffe's partner, Faith Comes by Hearing, records and distributes audio Scripture for language groups around the world.
