Quick! How many Bibles do you own? Most
of us have several in different translations and formats – paperbacks, hard
cover, leather cover, study Bibles, devotional Bibles, pocket sized and large
print. And now with digital versions available, we may have several Bibles on
our phones, tablets, and computers.
Do we
take the availability of God’s Word for granted? For many in Angola and around
the world, it is a luxury. Recently, Phil was preaching in a Sunday morning
worship service. As he announced the scripture reading for his sermon, he
noticed that there weren’t many in the congregation who seemed to be turning to
the passage he announced. So he stopped and asked how many had Bibles. Out of
approximately 70 people, there were only 2 Bibles!
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| Phil selling Bibles at District Assembly |
Scenarios like this have motivated Phil to have a
Bible ministry. Before he heads out on a trip to preach or teach, he purchases
Bibles (usually in more than one language) to have them available for purchase.
Here in Angola books are very expensive, so in order to offer Bibles at an
accessible price, he sells them at a loss. Recently a young person came to Phil
with 900 kwanza (US$9.00), 100 kwanza less than the price of 1000 kwanza
(US$10). Phil sensed that the young person had sacrificed to come up with that
much and that it really was all he had. So he sold the Bible for 900 kwanza.
That same trip, another church member came with a rooster that Phil accepted as
fair payment for a Bible!
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| Wrapping Bibles in plastic wrap to keep them clean. |
Pray with us that
as our Angolan brothers and sisters realize the importance of having a Bible to
read and study, and sacrifice to obtain one, we will be able to continue to
make them accessible.
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| Students in the "Introduction to the Bible" class |
If you are interested in knowing more about this ministry, please contact us: MisNazTroutman@gmail.com
