A five-shillings pledge helped
|
|
“I wanted
to ‘write’ the Bible for the Turkana speakers. However, I did
not have an education, or anything else except my five Shillings.”
|
NAIROBI, Kenya — One woman’s gift of five Kenya Shillings (US$0.06) each month for more than 20 years helped take the Bible to the Turkana people of Northern Kenya – and inspired the launch of a successful Bible Society fundraising challenge.
It was in the 1970s that Mrs Muchembe first heard of the plight of the Turkana people who, at that time, did not have the Bible in their language. Details of a translation project were outlined when the Bible Society of Kenya (BSK) visited her church at Kericho – about 350km west of Nairobi – and appealed to the congregation for help.
Mrs Muchembe – now in her seventies – was among those who immediately responded, and faithfully sent 5 Shillings to Bible House every month.
“I wanted to ‘write’ the Bible for the Turkana speakers,” she later explained. “However, I did not have an education, or anything else except my five Shillings. I then decided that I would contribute this to support the work on the Turkana Bible.”
When she heard that the Turkana Bible translation was complete, Mrs Muchembe held her hands high, praised the Lord, and could hardly contain her excitement. “Now the Turkana people can know my God because of the 5 Shillings I gave,” she declared. “Thank you God, for using me!”
Mrs Muchembe’s joy at what she had helped accomplish, sparked an idea for the “Five Shillings Challenge”. This highly effective initiative by the BSK encourages Christians to support Bible work with at least five Kenya Shillings every year. (WR 360/19 - 06.01)