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.
‘Look up at the sky and count the stars…so shall your off-spring be’ (Genesis 15:5). Time and again in the long years that followed, Abraham would have been reminded every time he looked up at the night sky of this promise from God.
“Jesus speaks Turkana!” exclaimed a woman while watching the Jesus Film in a mostly Turkana
As Miriam Butcher looks back, she’s able to acknowledge God’s faithfulness, goodness and grace as she has celebrated AIM’s 75, 100 and now 125 anniversaries.
What has changed in 125 years? Missionaries from the early 1900s would not recognise much about the AIM of 2020. And today’s missionaries might not recognise the AIM of 2050. Or even 2030.
Historically, Christian missionary efforts in Sudan, like in other African countries, saw education in a dual role – to present the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ to those who have not heard and to facilitate personal and societal development.
In 1964 the newly independent government of Kenya allowed Earl and Esther Andersen to move to Marsabit to open ministry among the Rendille.
