Radical change – Learning English in Rwanda
Jean Bosco Nsanzimana, a pastor at Nyarungenge International Chapel in Kigali, Rwanda, talks about why learning English is ‘more than necessary’ for a Rwandan pastor who wants to serve their church.
AIM Ministry : Language & Literacy
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” Hebrews 4:12. But what if God’s word hasn’t been translated into your language yet? Or if you simply have never been taught to read?
Hearing someone read and explain the word of God to you is powerful. But, the personal aspect of pouring over Scripture, reading and rereading passages, pondering over words and committing sections to memory allows us to immerse ourselves in the word and draw closer to God. For many in Africa, this experience can be limited. For many unreached people groups scripture just isn’t available in their heart language, or the education system in their remote location means that they don’t have the literacy skills to enjoy reading God’s word.
This is where missionaries can make a difference. Those with a passion for languages can be involved in Bible translation, those with teaching skills can serve Africans learning to read. But all are involved in making God’s word known and drawing his people into a deeper relationship with him.
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Literacy among the Laarim
One major challenge in sharing the gospel among the unreached Laarim is that less than 1% of people are literate – they simply haven’t been given the chance to learn.
Claudia Middendorf
I am based in Beira, Mozambique, and serve the local church in training leaders and making Christian literature available.
Andrew Wallace
Andrew served as part of a Focus team among the unreached Laarim people of South
Russ & Lyn Noble
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A muddled mix
Chris & Fiona Tyrrell went to Rwanda in 2009 to teach English in a Bible college. However, during 2010 they caught a vision to reach out to Rwanda’s ‘Historically Marginalised People’. Here they share how a new methodology is helping to reach this people group and others across Rwanda.
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