"I am doing a new thing..."

God is making a way amidst suffering
"Behold, I am doing a new thing...I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19

God speaks powerfully in Isaiah 43. Most of the folks we met on this trip would identify with this passage. They have "passed through the waters". Many though are looking for "a new way in the wilderness" and ask if God or anyone is with them.

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Finishing distribution in the current region
This last Bible distribution is reason to praise God. He clearly went ahead of us to prepare the way where He is working. But we have only scratched the surface.
Still most lack a Bible in this region. BUT churches, which did received a few Bibles, are now seeing people sacrificing to buy a Bible…PRAISE GOD! We will distribute 10,000 or so more Bibles here and then be done for a total of about 40,000 Bibles. 
The new region is challenging
Joseph Kony’s 20 year reign of terror affected most in this region as he brutally tried to purify the Acholi people through genocide. 66,000 were abducted as child soldiers. 2 million people were displaced between 1986 and 2009. 
"Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes...!" Isaiah 43:8 The people here have lost many productive years of their lives. They are looking for answers and many trusting that somehow God will provide...despite their experiencing brutality that I cannot describe here. Their stories leave me weeping. Yet, they trust that God is here still.
Bible distribution here will be different as most pastors are untrained and uneducated. Yet they are committed to doing the work of the Gospel. 
Here, we will distribute a mix of traditional Bibles in the Acholi language along with the Talking Bible in Acholi and English. Additionally, we are testing a study Bible for untrained pastors. This Bible will help many of these pastors prepare lessons that are scripturally sound and culturally appropriate. 

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​God is making a way where there was no way
This is our 4th year of distributing Bibles. Here and in Africa, our partners are becoming confident that we are in this for the long haul. We have delivered what we promised ONLY with God’s help and provision. 
We look forward to what 2021 will hold.   ​​