The Word Speaks our Language!

Despite the rise of technology and advances in media ministries in some regions of Africa, for many people, tracts and tapes are still the sole means of communicating God’s word. One worker from another agency shares about this rewarding ministry:

"ReachAcross has been sharing the Good News in West Africa via the printed page for over three decades. During this time we have kept book stocks in several local languages: Pulaar, Khassonke, Soninke, Bambara, Hasaniya, as well as French, Arabic and English. Also there are Scripture portions in Songhai, Tamaceq, Wolof, and others. We also sell tapes: the book of Luke, the Way of Righteousness (chronological teaching) and the Seven Signs (verses in the Qur’an which point to Jesus). 

There has always been a steady stream of Fulani customers and a trickle of the other ethnic groups. The biggest encouragement in our work in the past three or four years concerns the Soninke people. We are now selling Soninke books (literacy, folk tales, and Scripture portions) and tapes at an average of eight books and two tapes per week. Before then we sold virtually no Soninke material at all for years. The best-seller is naturally the Soninke alphabet book along with the primers - it is great to see the rising demand for literacy materials. 

Other well-liked items are the tape series on the life of Moses, and the book of Genesis in two different dialects. I can’t describe the joy I feel when a dignified Soninke man sits on a stool next to the book table and listens to the Moses story for an hour at a time. Or, despite Soninke customers’ amusement at the way I read aloud the Soninke alphabet book, they end up buying it. The sales during the recent Soninke festival were phenomenal but, we think, of even greater impact was the exposure Soninke people had to the existence of literature and recordings in their own language. 

Workers who produced quality literature in the local languages through the years should be encouraged that their work lives on. 

Each morning as I interact with people, I realize that many of my customers are appreciative of the fact that some outsiders took the time to learn their language, write it down and then publish it. Every day we pray that each book and tape ends up in the hands of one whose heart God is drawing to Jesus. Be encouraged and please join us in praying for these people."

Our thanks to all who give and pray so that the Word of God can go out through the printed page!

U.S. Director