Recently Stephen posted about Nthawi ya Baibulo, the Chichewa version of Bible Time. We were greatly encouraged to receive the first fully designed lessons! Though there remains a significant amount of work, we are excited about the potential of the curriculum.
Since translation and publishing work is a big part of what we do at SALT, I thought it might be helpful to give an idea of the steps that we have to take to get to the point of publishing translated material.
Brother Harold and sister Anna caught up with brother Yamikani Issa from Liwonde, who has been distributing literature since 2015. Below is what he had to say about what motivates him to distribute gospel literature. (Note: the answers have been lightly edited to improve clarity.)
Without exaggerating, this could prove to be the most significant step forward in the 20 years I’ve been involved in Malawi.
Earlier this week, we received the very first Nthawi ya Baibulo (Chichewa Bible Time) lessons from the designer for final checking. I confess that I teared up when I saw them!
We love when our literature distributors tell us how they appreciate the materials we supply to them.
Anna just shared this letter of thanks which she received from a volunteer in Machinga. He who works to bring the Gospel to Muslim youth. We have edited it very slightly to make it a little more readable.
As “L” is at the heart of “SALT” so Gospel Literature Ministry is at the heart of what SALT does in Malawi.
By the grace of God, over the past 10 years we have been able to publish and distribute around 14 Million items of Gospel Literature across the length and breadth of the country.
We are so thankful for the arrival and discharge of a large consignment of Gospel Literature – 1,000,000 Gospel Calendars and 1,5000,000 Gospel Tracts. A large portion of the Gospel Tracts are brand new designs for Malawi.
Now the real work begins with bulk distribution by commercial courier to our various Regional Storage Depots in Nsanje (seriously affected by Tropical Storm Ana), Mulanje, Lilongwe, Kasungu & Mzuzu, as well as our main hub at Saidi, Thondwe.
Please pray for a large consignment of calendars and Gospel Tracts which is due to arrive and be discharged shortly.
This will entail a lot of work for the local brothers and prayer is requested for journeying mercies and the stamina and other resources necessary, and that the the literature will be a real blessing to many souls.
Harold’s optimism and enthusiasm is infectious.
Hear more from Harold, Goodson and others during our live event on 3 January @ 7.30pm GMT
We had a great online meeting with the team in Malawi when we got first-hand accounts of the following areas of the work:
Goodson – Building project & local History outreach
Anna – Child-Headed Households & School visits
Work on roofing the container bay is so close to completion.
We expect to begin the conversion of the middle container next week. It will be fitted out for use as offices for translation work and Bible Time ministry.
Thanks again to everyone whose generosity has made this possible.
You can see a pictorial history of the project here.
