Davar Travels to Uganda to Understand Impact of Audio Bibles
Trip Overview
Members of the Davar team traveled to Uganda to build upon our partner relationship with the Bible Society of Uganda (BSU), distribute solar players to those identified by the BSU, and see firsthand the impact the audio recordings are having on those who receive them. We currently have recordings in nine Ugandan languages, including six full bibles and three Old Testaments, and six more Old Testaments planned for 2022.
During our week in Uganda, we visited Kampala and Mbarara, where we had opportunities to engage with many members of the BSU, church and community leaders, and recipients of audio bibles.
We so appreciate the BSU team for hosting us so well and want to recognize the great work they are doing across their country. We are also thankful for our partnership with the Digital Bible Society who assisted us in providing 160 solar players with multiple audio bibles on each player.
Mbarara
We traveled five hours outside of Kampala to attend the annual meeting of the Bible Society of Uganda Ankole District, to meet church and community leaders and interview those impacted by their access to an audio Bible. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the work of the BSU and to meet two individuals, Sister Immaculate Bandonda, who now has difficulty reading, and Mr. Robert Gumisiriza, who lost his sight at a very young age. We look forward to sharing their stories with you soon.
Kampala
On our return to Kampala we were hosted by a local church where we were able to enjoy a lively and passionate service. The next day we traveled with the Bible Society of Uganda to an area called Acholi Quarters, which is a slum area of more than 15,000. Here we met with Reverend Julius Ouko, who has been living and serving in this area to specifically reach out to the “slum kids” who had been causing trouble. We were so impressed with his sacrifice and his passion for these young men. While the stories we heard during our interviews were heartbreaking, we also heard about a new hope in Jesus.
These verses came to mind after our time in the slums and the ministry of the Pastors of the church there who have chosen to leave their home and live in the slums to reach this community…
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:36-38
It was a very humbling experience. It was also a great joy to be able to provide each of the young men and the Reverend with their own solar player, loaded with the full Bible in their language as well as English, so they could have access to God’s Word beyond the Saturday session. We think you’ll be moved when you hear more about our time there in the coming months.
Partner Studio / Kampala
The next day was spent visiting our largest studio partner, who operates four studios all recording Davar projects full time. It is quite an impressive operation! We greatly appreciate the studio leader, Chris Caruthers, for his amazing leadership and passion to serve God. The entire team was professional and passionate. We also spoke with narrators from South Sudan and Tanzania and heard about the impact that narrating the audio bibles has had on them. More great stories to share with you at a future time.
What’s Next
The Bible Society of Uganda will distribute the remainder of the solar players as needed and will follow-up with the young men in Acholi Quarters and report on their progress. We continue to praise God for how he allows us to be a part of His story in Uganda and around the world. We will seek additional financial support to complete the five additional Old Testaments in Ugandan languages on our 2022 recording schedule and pray for continued blessings on our partners in Uganda.