Jorge:

This month we were able to improve some sections of the WP website with the help of some users who were so kind to send us improved translations in their respective languages. Thus, A. Roshdi, a native Persian speaker, improved our Persian page at

https://www.wordproject.org/bibles/verses/farsi/index.htm

Then, M. Paraliev, helped us to improve the Bulgarian text at

https://www.wordproject.org/bibles/verses/bulgarian/index.htm

We made huge changes to our Portuguese BR (Brazil) page as the Bible text was completely updated to the ACF 1995, which is the version used by the narrator. The previous version, also ACF (Almeida Corrigida Fiel), but older, had some discrepancies or mismatches with the audio. Notice that the changes in these versions are merely in choice of words or updating certain terms, and by no means affect doctrinal fundamentals.

https://www.wordproject.org/bibles/po-BR/40/1.htm

As already mentioned by Donna, this month we ordered new Audio Bibles in China. Our order will be large this time and we have already received the first delivery. Meanwhile we have received encouraging emails from the field. From Africa we received the following letter – it explains the impact of our ministry better than we ever could:

Dear Friends at Wordproject,

Thank you for your hard work, I am really enjoying reaping the benefits!  I am a missionary in Uganda, a country with poor education and over 40 dialects!  I have been a missionary for over 7 years, and I am training pastors that live in rural villages.  Of all the Bible study tools, curriculum, and programs to teach pastors, I have (not surprisingly) found that just using the Bible is the absolute BEST thing!

The pastors meet and we go through the Bible book by book, chapter by chapter, and I have seen a HUGE improvement in these men and church leaders!  One of my greatest struggles was how long it took them to read through each chapter, out loud.  I discovered that most of my pastors don’t read very well, even the most educated pastor struggles to read the Bible out loud.  For me, it has taken up so much time.  Although literacy is important, it’s not what I came to do, so I began to look for an audio Bible in Luganda or Lusoga.  Praise the Lord, I found Wordproject!

Thank you for your work, I now have been downloading each book of the Bible and taking it out on a little speaker and playing it out loud for them.  The understand it so much better!  As the reader fluently reads each chapter, the pastors are able to hear it all in one setting, and quickly enough that they can study, think, and meditate on what God might be saying, instead of struggling to properly pronounce each word, they follow with their eyes in their own Bible and learn how to better read at the same time!

Thank you again for your ministry, it is currently helping over 40 pastors!

One request:  Is it possible to get the whole Bible in one or two downloads so that I don’t have to download it chapter by chapter?  I’ve finished downloading the New Testament, but we’re about to start on the Old, and (gulp!), the thought of sitting in front of the computer and downloading it chapter by chapter is a bit daunting.

Thank you, and God bless!
Matt

Worship hall in Africa – sent by our friend in Mozambique –

Tamil pages have also been improved with several correction on the text made by Raj, our dear brother who is living in China. Besides working on an improved audio version of the Tamil Bible, already in the final phases, Raj is also helping us with audio devices production and contacts. He has a lot of experience in these fields. We are so thankful for his great help.

Expired Image!

From Donna:

April was a blessed month indeed, a celebration of life! It started off on April 1st with Christ’s resurrection and the new life He  has given us! What Good News and what a desire to spread that message to every corner of the earth! In answer to prayer, we received the first shipment of the new order of Audio Bibles!

First installment of new order of audio bibles

Another mega blessing received was the safe and sound delivery of little Aurora Gao Soares, the newest addition to Emanuel and Mandy’s growing family! Sweet mommy Mandy was at the point of bursting on Saturday, her expected delivery date.  Brainstorming new ways to collaborate with the labor process, she reflected on Mary’s donkey ride to Bethlehem. Surely that bouncing and juggling on the donkey could have contributed in the process of going into labor.:)  In turn, Sunday night Mandy went home and bounced on her exercise ball- since she happened to find herself lacking in the possession of a donkey.  It just so happens that early the next morning, her initial contractions began and by 6 am she was at the maternity. The staff wisely allowed her to ramble around the pre-delivery room, intermittently riding her donkey (aka big bouncing ball)!   Emanuel was prepared for the long haul in the solitary hospital corridor, but to his surprise, at 10:53 AM, April 9th, precious Aurora entered into her mama’s arms! She defied the previous diagnosis of having the umbilical cord wrapped twice around her neck, and came out as clean as a whistle. What a joy she is! Sleeping well and eating well, she is loved by all, especially big sister Isabel who loves her to bits!  It was much to Isabel’s   chagrin that baby sister doesn’t talk, walk or play yet, but she is so pleased to sing to her, read stories to her and LOVE her to bits!  She is already mommy’s big-little helper!

Expired Image!

Aurora just 1 day old

Mandy, Bel Bel and baby Aurora. Happy trio.

Daddy Emanuel and Bel Bel, getting mountain water

On April 25^th, we  celebrated another life, that of Benjamim Soares,  as a matter of fact,  22 years of his life! Ben is finishing up his 3^rd year of uni and is organizing an internship during the summer break. With all of his talents he has many options, so we are praying that the Lord will guide him to the best internship opportunity available.

Benjamim’s birthday celebration at home

Julie Soares also celebrated her birthday at the end of March, and let everyone know that she was really happy! Then, alas, on April 21^st we received news from Philip and Julie in Seattle that they will be welcoming another addition to their precious family! We are overjoyed for them as they have been praying for a sibling for little Zachary.  Another  celebration of life and love! May the Lord grant peace and wisdom to these young parents who are welcoming  new lives into their family. It is an overwhelming task, but they have all of God’s promises on their side. And the rewards are just as amazing as the challenges are!   Children ARE a heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb IS His reward.  Psalm 127:3

Philip, Julie and Zach