In my previous life, our churches relied on modern methods of communication like mail, radio or email to get messages out. Here in the bush, we are learning that God has a lot of other ways to share His word.

Recently, at a Kotale community feast, we met Richard. After introductions, he said, “My audio Bible fell into the water, and it’s not working.” Richard (not an Adventist) was given an MP3 player (known as a Godpod) a few months ago and eagerly started listening to the Bible and Adventist World Radio programs loaded on it. He enjoyed what he heard, so he started loaning his Godpod to friends and neighbors, and soon, there was a long line of people interested. His audio player was passed from one person to another until somehow it fell into the river and quit working. Now, Richard was asking me if I could help him get a replacement unit because several more people wanted to listen to the Bible and the messages. Fortunately, I did have a few extra units, and two days later, Richard was the proud owner of a new Godpod.

I met Richard again at the end of a prophecy seminar. He had attended each evening and said he enjoyed the sermons. Three weeks later, I returned to the village for follow-up meetings and was introduced to a group of Sabbath keepers from Paputa Village, three hours up the river from us. They told me that Richard had traveled to their village because of his family connections there and told them about our seminar. When they heard a follow-up meeting was scheduled, they decided to attend it themselves. They gave me a handwritten letter from their village leaders requesting us to come to Paputa and hold a series of meetings for them. I am amazed to see how God uses Richard and his family network to spread God’s word, and I am excited to see what will happen next.

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