The Chuka language project in Kenya exemplifies how new technology combined with passion for spreading God’s Word is reaching Bibleless people at accelerated rates.
Justus Mugambi excitedly held up his cell phone. “Look at this! Look at this!”
He swiped his index finger through screens filled with messages.
I want more of this!
You’re my hero!
Why has it taken so long to get Chuka Scriptures?
In only two days, Mugambi—a project coordinator for the Chuka language community in Kenya—had learned how to deliver the Gospel of Luke in a combined audio and text format to members of his community who had never possessed Scripture in audio or text.
On the first day of a Scripture Media Workshop, Mugambi learned how to build an app for the Gospel of Luke in Chuka, his mother tongue. The next day’s training focused on recording Scripture with HearThis software, an app that allows communities to record and distribute their translated scripture for themselves.
Mugambi used the app to highlight the text phrase by phrase as the audio played. Then he placed the first chapter on Google Drive and sent the link to members of his community through the popular WhatsApp messenger.
His phone soon started lighting up with feedback.
One message came from his pastor at 10 o’clock that night:
“I won’t sleep until I read the whole book of Luke.”
Mugambi wondered, Does he realize that Luke has 24 chapters?
“Why didn’t you record more?” the pastor asked.
The pastor will have to wait a little longer for the rest of the audio for Luke. Mugambi’s distribution of the first chapter is a new method for completing a community review, also known as comprehension testing. And thanks to increasing technology and Mugambi’s creativity, Scripture will be available in a new language much sooner.
