Last month Michael flew to Johannesburg, took a connecting flight to Dar es Salaam, followed by a dusty 7-hour bus ride to Morogoro, Tanzania, to share in a historical celebration.
Celebration Under the Tanzanian Sky
For the first time, as far as we know, the New Testament was released simultaneously in both print and audio on one day. While the local soccer stadium had been reserved months in advance, it was commandeered the day before the celebration for a political rally on the next day. Local leaders suggested that the politicians wanted to hijack not only the meeting venue, but the huge crowd that was coming to celebrate the release of the Bible in six languages spoken by a total of 3.9 million people.
Tanzanian Believers Dance for Joy
The local believers quickly recovered and set up on a neighboring school ground for the approximately 1,000+ people who attended the celebration. God received glory and the people joyfully received His Word! On that day the people lined up from all corners of Tanzania to receive their audio or printed copy of the Word of God in Lughuru, Pogoro, Kwere, Nguu, Vidunda, and Makua languages. I have no ability to dance. But that day I lifted my tear-filled eyes to the sky and shouted praises with my brothers and sisters for this long-awaited treasure in their hands.