The right message in the right language
The Mwinika people in Mozambique are hearing the Word of God in their own language.
Missionaries Francois Hattingh and Phil Henderson are teaching evangelistic Bible lessons but have had to cancel several classes because of community events.
Because attendance at the literacy classes has also sharply declined, Francois took the opportunity to help the Mwinikas understand how important it is to be able to read their heart language.
“Francois opened the Old Testament written in Hebrew and told the group, “This is the Word of God as it was written in its original language,’” wrote his wife Nadia. “He explained this in terms used by the traditional religion most of our neighbors follow. Everyone was very interested and gathered around to see if they could read Hebrew.”
But no one could, not even the local leader of the traditional religion. Then Francois held up a copy of Genesis 5:3-5 in Arabic. The local leader took that text and was able to recite it in a singsong voice.
But no one understood the words, not even the one who recited them. He explained that while he has memorized the sounds, he has no idea what they mean. Everyone was in agreement; they did not understand the Hebrew or the Arabic language.
Then one of the Mwinikas, Salimo, picked up the Scriptures in Mwinika and began reading Genesis 5:3-5. Big smiles broke out among the crowd. “Yes, we understand this!”
People began to understand that God wanted to speak to them in their own language and that the missionaries had come to bring them God’s message.
Pray that the Mwinikas will attend both the literacy classes and the evangelistic teaching lessons. Pray that they will clearly understand God’s message of saving grace and will trust Jesus as their savior.