Stories from Togo

LOMÉ, Togo — The following testimonials to the value of the Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH) program being run by churches in partnership with the Bible Society of Togo show the broad range of benefits which the Bible readings, read in local languages, dramatised and enhanced with appropriate music, bring. Among the blessings of listening regularly to the tapes are increased Scriptural understanding, personal spiritual growth, spiritual revival in the church, increased participation in church activities, conversions, the valuable sense that ‘Christ speaks my language’, integration between different ethnic groups and a growth in literacy. The quotations were gathered by the UBS Francophone Africa Regional Service Center in Lomé.

In the past, in order to allow everybody to understand the message of the preacher, we used to translate the passage being read into Kabyè. This was not at all easy because often we could not find the appropriate terms. So the translation was not generally satisfactory and those who could not read the Bible were not able to understand the passage being given. You cannot imagine our joy when we received the FCBH album of cassettes in Kabyè. It proves to us that God understands and responds to our prayers. Because of these cassettes everybody can understand the Bible passages. We have also noticed that people seem increasingly motivated to take part in church activities. We continue to pray for those who took the initiative of producing the cassettes. — Church leader Santchi Yao

This program [FCBH] has helped us a lot. In the past it was a case of having some people to translate the Bible in church for the benefit of the older men and women. Now that we have the cassettes, everybody can hear the Word of God and it has an impact on their lives. In fact, it has brought about something of a spiritual revival in our church because, by hearing the Word of God, people have been more filled with the Holy Spirit and their lives have been changed. Most of the time, we invite [non-Christian] friends along to the listening sections and some of them have given their lives to Jesus and are now very much part of the Church. — Pastor Abiou T Abalo, leader of an Assemblies of God Church in Abouda

When we received the cassettes in Kabyè people were surprised to know that Jesus speaks Kabyè and they said that as Jesus speaks Kabyè, it means that he knows them. When listening to these cassettes, we feel like Jesus is talking to us directly and in our own language. Since the beginning of the listening sessions, we pray more and we have always answers to our prayers. It is increasing our faith. — Pako Essossinam, teacher in a Presbyterian Church

I am illiterate and I can read neither the Old nor the New Testament. I cannot understand the Word of God as I am not able to read myself. The time I listen to the Word of God is during church services when the interpreter translates into Kabyè the passage that the Pastor is reading in French. But these cassettes allow me to listen very often to the Word of God in my own language, and I decided to save up money to buy the set to play in my house. The cassettes enlighten me a lot and I am more engaged in the work of the Lord. — Mrs Nyalé, worshipper at a Presbyterian Church in Kara

Faith really comes by hearing because since I have begun to listen to the cassettes, I have changed a lot. Every time I am faced with a difficult situation, I remember some passage I have heard and this fortifies me a lot. For instance, I used to quarrel with people and refuse to talk to them. But since I began to listen to the cassettes I have changed. When I am angry I remember immediately the words of the cassettes and I forgive those who offended me, and if I am the one who offended somebody I go to him and ask for forgiveness. The cassettes have helped me to grow spiritually. — Mrs Nyamssou Yema, member of a Presbyterian Church in Ketao

This album of FCBH cassettes joined together people from several ethnic groups within the church. It also helps us to understand the Word of God. We like this program and thank God for his goodness.
                 — Assemblies of God Pastor, Bohou