Welcome to the latest edition of TWR E-Snapshots! This edition includes:
- Engaging with Oral Communicators
- TWR Announces Antenna Upgrade to North Africa
- Stamps for God
- Finding Light in the Darkness
Engaging with Oral Communicators
 Even as the world becomes increasingly dependent upon modern communication technologies, the majority of cultures remain connected only through the spoken word. Some are illiterate because of a lack of education, while others belong to the thousands of oral cultures of the globe. They communicate and learn through stories, narratives, songs and proverbs, not through books or written works. The power of the broadcast medium lies in the creative use of the spoken word. Together with strategic partner organizations, Trans World Radio (TWR) produces and broadcasts dramatic Scripture and Christian teachings in dozens of languages.
Read firsthand what TWR listeners have to say, and watch an inspiring video on China’s oral societies. Discover interesting facts and figures about orality, and don’t miss the informative Q & A with orality expert Avery Willis. Also, get involved by donating to the most critical needs concerning TWR’s orality-focused projects. Visit our homepage to see how God is using TWR so that lasting fruit is produced.
TWR Announces Antenna Upgrade to North Africa
 TWR is pleased to announce the successful completion of a major antenna upgrade to North Africa as of April 9, 2009. The upgrade greatly improves both coverage and signal strength, increasing the number of potential listeners in the region to 40 million people.
Prior to the antenna modification, TWR’s signal to many North African people groups, particularly those in the Northern Atlas mountains, was nearly indistinguishable above the interference caused by electromagnetic radiation from growing cities. Today, the reception is loud and clear.
Stamps for God
Not actual photo
Below you’ll find a letter from a listener in China whose life has been touched by TWR’s outreach:
I felt deeply forsaken by people, lost, lonesome, and suffering all sorts of pressure on all sides. Then I suddenly received your letter, signed by 73 pastors and teachers. My heart was so thrilled with excitement that tears involuntarily ran down from my eyes. I never thought I could receive a letter representing such true friendship in my most lonesome days. It gives me tremendous comfort and care within the Lord. I am extending to you my heartfelt thanks for so many pastors and teachers of your noble seminary who are encouraging, caring and comforting me in my most lost moments. I also thank God, since the Holy Spirit is using your mouth and hands to console my mourning heart.
Finding Light in the Darkness
This incredible story comes from a TWR listener in the Middle East.
 During my early adolescent years, I was confronted with two unshakable realities: Blindness is inevitable—and God is enough! As I gradually lost my sight and entered a world of darkness, I was convinced that I had no future and that life was completely over for me. I gave up hope and couldn’t see any reasons to live. My parents enrolled me in the School for the Blind, and it was there that my journey towards the gift of sight and life started!
At the school, I met new people who were also blind but had eyes that were far better than any “normal,” full-sighted person. The reason was that the Light of the World was shining through their eyes, enabling them to perceive what many other healthy people cannot! That Light was Jesus Christ, who died and rose again to make the sinner righteous, to restore his spiritual sight, and to give him brand new eyes of faith. When I believed and asked the Lord to save me, my vision of life changed forever!
As I grew spiritually, I was blessed to find a Christian Arabic radio station in the Middle East; Trans World Radio. I became a loyal listener, and day by day, I realized how much this network is playing an effective role in my spiritual growth. TWR became my soul mate! I corresponded with their Arabic follow-up team and asked for discipleship lessons. They faithfully sent me written lessons, but I was faced with another challenge: how could I read the written texts?
After many trials and errors, I was finally able, by God’s grace and help, to invent software that can convert the text into audio format, thus enabling me and my friends to listen to the lessons. Sharing the Good News with others is also a responsibility that God has entrusted me with. Therefore, I shared this software with my blind peers, and the circle of listeners soon grew to include the entire school!
God has indeed taught me many lessons in the dark that I would have not learned in “daylight!” These lessons have illuminated my path to freedom and fulfillment. I learned not to be the victim because of my disability, but, rather, use my blindness to become all that God has created me to be! I learned to take that which God has given me—good or bad—and make the best of it, rather than feeling sorry for myself. I thank the Lord for giving me the eyes of faith that I would never trade!
*Adapted from TWR-Europe’s Ministry Moments weekly e-mail. To subscribe, click [here].
Quick Links
|
Connecting to Facebook