http://wycliffeusa.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/no-longer-a-barrier/
By Melissa Chesnut
It was a Friday afternoon. Many of the Krachi villagers—men and women, young and old—were gathered around a tape recorder.
To those who know the Krachi people of Ghana, this would be an
unusual scene to observe. As peasant farmers, the Krachi people spend
most of their days working in the fields. The days they do not go to the
fields are rare: Sundays for the Christians, and special or taboo days
that happen once a week. On those days, no one is allowed to work in the
fields.
But on this occasion, it was neither a Sunday nor a special or taboo
day. The Krachi people had left their fields for something more
important—listening to God’s Word.
The tape recorder was playing the Gospel of Mark, an audio version
that had recently been completed and distributed among the Krachi
people. Setting aside the normal schedule of their daily lives, this
group of people had gathered to listen to God’s Word in their language.
As the tape played, a familiar voice was heard. One of their own
people had read and voiced the recording of Mark! This was not just some
stranger speaking their language for the recording—it was one of them!
Moses Danso was one of the elderly men listening to Mark that
afternoon. His life—along with many others—was touched through the use
of tape recorders to communicate Scripture.
“I have never been to formal school,” he said. “But I can listen to
the Word of God in my own language. Illiteracy can no longer be a
barrier to my salvation.”
For those who are unable to read or write their language, these audio
recordings are perfect. But many Krachi people are now getting the
opportunity to learn how to read and write their own language as well.
Before, the Krachi alphabet had not been developed, so there was no
written document for the language. Then, a team from SIL International,
Wycliffe’s primary strategic partner, helped develop the Krachi
alphabet. The team is now providing literacy programs for the Krachi
people while they work on the Krachi New Testament translation and
additional audio Scripture recordings. So far, they’ve drafted 90
percent of the New Testament, which will soon be checked by translation
consultants!
