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Bible work ‘will really make a difference’
TOGO — “Make me happy as you did when you saved me; make me want to obey! I will teach sinners your Law, and they will return to you” (Psalm 51, v12-13, CEV). These are the verses that the Rev Wolanyo Amegah, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Togo, has adopted as his personal mission statement. “I want to teach people and help them turn away from their wicked ways,” he says. “The Bible Society is involved in several projects which will
really make a difference in people’s lives. For example, we have
developed primers to accompany our five translation projects [see
also]. We have developed this material using models from Literacy
and Evangelism International. In some rural parts of the country, up
to 85 per cent of people cannot read or write. Even in Lomé,
the capital, the literacy rate is less than 50 per cent. It is vital
that we undertake this development to boost literacy among our people.
“Another very important program for us is Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH). We have more than 1,000 active Scripture listening groups covering at least four major languages. The staff running this program are dedicated. We are also looking forward to receiving the Proclaimer audio Scripture unit, which will overcome some of the difficulties we have experienced with the listening program. We will also need to look at other audio Scripture solutions, as the need is large and diverse.” The Bible Society now has a thriving HIV/AIDS program using the Where is the Good Samaritan Today? outreach package, too, although it suffered a rather slow start. “It took a couple of years to get funding for our HIV/AIDS program,” Mr Amegah recalls. “Eventually we changed the scope of the program on the advice of [UBS HIV/AIDS Consultant] Konstanse Raen and it received funding. I’m very excited about this program because we constantly hear how people find it helpful and informative. We as a Bible Society have a role to play in changing perceptions and challenging the stigmatisation associated with HIV/AIDS. Our credibility stems from the fact that we are working interconfesionally. Churches are looking to us for guidance and I’m glad that we can provide leadership.” Another issue close to Mr Amegah’s heart is the many children who live on the streets of Lomé. “We have too many street children,” he says. “If we don’t do anything, they will face a very bleak future as adults. As a Bible Society we have to take the initiative. We will have to put programs in place to help the Church reach these children. If we take the lead, I’m sure the Churches will follow. We are making a difference. We will continue to do so as long as we stay close to God and obey his Word prayerfully.” A series of reports on the FCBH program in Togo can be found in World Report 406. (WR 407/7 - 12.06) [2 photos] |
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