11,476 kilometers (7130 miles) from Albuquerque is the almost equal-size city of Akure, Nigeria. A little over five months ago Dorothy and I became aware of an amazing portable Bible audio device, called a Proclaimer, which is developed right here in Albuquerque by Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH).
Because we had developed a relationship several years ago with a young evangelist by the name of Peter Bamidele in Akure, located in southwest Nigeria, we reached out to him to inquire if this was something that he and his fellow workers could use as a tool to reach people in the hundreds of rural villages in their area who may be illiterate.
You see, a very large percentage (as high as 40%) of Nigerians learn primarily by oral presentation. In other words, they have difficulty reading and writing, so a printed Bible does not help very much. But an audible Bible does and because FCBH has already recorded the Bible in a multitude of the dialects of Nigeria, a Proclaimer in the right hands will allow people to hear God’s word in their own languages, some for the very first time!
We have now sent 11 Proclaimers into southwest Nigeria to the states of Ondo, Osun and Owo. We know that this is just a “tip of the iceberg” and a very small beginning. But this verse from Zechariah 4:10 has become our life verse for this season of our ministry lives:
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin . . .”
OUR GOAL: We serve a big God. We are praying to send 20 Proclaimers to Nigeria in the next ninety days. How? Only God knows but He is all we need. When prayers go up, blessings come down! Thank you for joining us with your prayers. Maranatha!
