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Audio scriptures in local dialects help in spreading God's word

A bible sits open in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament where people came to pray for Pope John Paul II at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, Massachusetts April 1, 2005. | REUTERS / Brian Snyder

The Audio Scripture Ministries is spreading the Gospel by distributing recorded Biblical text to those who cannot read, translated in their own language. In Mexico, the project is bearing fruit.

In a blog post, ASM executive director Jim Loker wrote, as quoted by Mission Network News, "What a joy it is to see evidence of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection among the Mixtecos now that they finally have access to God's Word in their own language. ... After the many years of painstaking translation work, the months of recording the Scriptures, and the days of distributing audio Bibles, the culmination is watching the fruit burst open and pour forth seeds."

According to the ASM website, Oaxaca, an area located in southwest Mexico, is home to many indigenous people, most of whom are unable to read; thus, even with many written translated Scriptures, the local folk are unlikely able to peruse them. There are also about 120 local dialects spoken in the area.

"In many parts of the world, oral learners outnumber readers," the ASM website says. "Often, these non-literate people groups have not been reached by the Gospel in a form they can understand."

In order to spread the Gospel, ASM records scriptures in the local language of areas in Africa, Asia, and Central America, then distributes them through their missionaries and partners. They also provide players when needed, and they train technicians for the same purpose.

In March last year, Loker said that they had recorded 61 whole New Testaments in eight Mexican states, primarily in Oaxaca, and dubbed Jesus movies in 44 different languages, among other things.

More recently, Loker's blog reported on a new app developed by Wycliffe Bible Translators. This app is mainly useful for those who can read but are dealing with a dialect that is rather difficult. It lets users listen to the Bible and, at the same time, read the text. The text is highlighted in sync with the audio version.