The Satisfied Smile of the Sena! June 26
On the one hand, the "Sinai for Sena" project has now reached its conclusion; the mountain was climbed, funds were raised, Bibles were bought and delivered, with 3000 distributed so far. On the other hand, the effects of that project are only just being felt, and will rumble on into eternity as the distribution continues! Why? Because God’s Word is living and active, and “is able to make people wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 3:15).
A few weeks ago, I was able to visit the south of Malawi to help distribute some of those Sena Bibles – and what a joy it was! It was so good to see the Sena smiles as they received God’s Word in their heart language, especially as many copies had been destroyed in a cyclone back in 2023. The wait for more copies was finally over! People gathered in mud-bricked churches, under trees, and out in the open waiting to receive their own copy. They waited, they laughed, they sang, they danced, they queued, they smiled, and they eagerly “reached out” for God’s Word (Psalm 119:48). Once again, it was such a blessing to witness, and humbling to see how much it meant to them.
I could ramble on for a few pages – but I’ll spare you! They say that a picture paints a thousand words, so if you click on the link to our website, you’ll find a gallery of 20 photos from the trip – which I guess saves me writing 20,000 words! To those who gave to this project back in the Autumn – thank you once again. Be encouraged that, because of your generosity and support, the Sena are smiling! https://www.twftw.org.uk/news/sena-bible-distribution-may-26
A short video of the distribution has also just been released, taken by one of TWFTW's videographers. He’s done an awesome job, so if you want to see more of those smiles, click on this link, and enjoy!
https://www.twftw.org.uk/news/video-restored-the-word-returns-sena-bible-distribution-may-26
God's provision in Malawi: The Smiling Spanish Angel!
On arrival at Blantyre airport (Malawi not Scotland!), the form-filling for an entry visa was straightforward. However, I'd forgotten to bring the visa fee of $50…in cash! And so I stood there in the queue wondering how I was going to pay for my entry into Malawi. Just in front of me was a young Spanish lady, and we began to talk about why we were visiting Malawi. I mentioned not having any dollars to pay for a visa, but also told her about the "Sinai for Sena" project - and she seemed genuinely interested! As she then turned to approach the immigration counter, she beckoned me to come with her, and proceeded to grab my passport! Before I knew what was happening, she placed my passport and visa form on the counter, and took out an extra $50 from her purse to pay for it!
I just had enough time to say 'thank you' before we both went our separate ways, but it certainly left a big smile on my face. In His sovereignty God had gone before me and provided this smiling 'angel' at just the right time. Amazingly, six days later, I happened to bump into her again just outside of Blantyre! What are the chances?! I got to say a bigger 'thank you' to her, and was able to report back on how well the Sena Bible distribution had gone! So, she wasn't an angel after all - but in my book, she certainly was!
It did get me thinking! I couldnt have got into Malawi without paying $50. This Spanish 'angel' stepped up to pay for me so that I could gain entry. Isn't that the same with entrance into God's kingdom? As a sinner I’m unable to pay the entry price; in fact there is nothing I can do to gain entry. I'm stood at the 'counter' with nothing to offer! And yet, through his sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus reached ‘into his purse' and decided to pay the price - and that is what enables me to enter 'His Country'. What an incredible blessing!
Just Produced: TWFTW Global Impact Report 2025
“I am pleased to share our Global Impact Report for 2025. I hope you’ll see the results are significant and progress is evident. From an individual grandmother treasuring a completed Bible for the first time, to massive crowds who gather for the dedication of Scripture in their language, God’s Word is rising in bibleless places” (Kobus van Aswegen - President & CEO TWFTW Int).
If you’d like to receive a copy in the post, or via email, please get in touch, and we’ll send one out – admin-uk@twftw.org - otherwise, click on the link below.
https://online.fliphtml5.com/TWFTWInternational/Global-Impact-Report-FY25-UK/
Tyndale/Monmouth/Bible Smuggling! Last month we produced an article on an unsung hero who enabled Tyndale to do his groundbreaking Bible translation work, and who smuggled copies of his New Testament back across the channel into England. Following on from that, this article looks at the evolution of Bible smuggling and the risks involved for translators.
"Remember Tyndale’s illegal New Testaments that were smuggled in from Germany, hidden inside Monmouth’s bolts of luxurious cloth? In sixteenth-century England, this was the only way to get Scripture into the hands of the working classes, despite both men facing the death penalty for their actions. It reads like fiction, but people are going to the same lengths today to get God’s Word into hostile countries around the world...................
To read the rest of the article, please head to our website (News), or click on this link: https://www.twftw.org.uk/news/from-tyndale-to-today-the-evolution-of-bible-smuggling
“OUT & ABOUT” DIARY DATES in JUNE 26:
31 May: Preaching at CBC Neston, Wiltshire
3rd June: Meeting in Bedford with Int President
5-7 June: Bible teaching at Oak Hall WORD Weekend, Otford, Ken
11 June: TWFTW UK Board meeting, Milton Ernest, Beds
14 June: Presenting at Elgin Baptist Church, Scotland (pm)
15-19 June: Annual Leave in Scotland
24 June: Presenting at North Bradley Baptist Church, Wiltshire
25 June: Presenting at Ladyfield Evangelical Church, Chippenham (pm)
PRAISE & PRAYER POINTS:
LIBERIA: Please pray that all logistics and arrangements for the Consultant Development Workshops happening in June will come together smoothly.
ETHIOPIA: Please pray that God would provide relief, provision, and stability for our teams who are affected by the challenge of rising costs, which threatens to hinder the progress of organisational activities.
ALBANIA The team have successfully finished the audio recording of the Aromanian New Testament, which is an historic milestone for the Aromanian Community, providing a powerful tool for evangelism. Please pray for the ongoing work of translating the Old Testament into the Aromanian language.
UK OFFICE: Much to be thankful for in the UK office. Our Finance Officer, Rachel, has now been with us for a year, and is doing an awesome job! We’re praising God for 10 new monthly donors so far this year, and for a ‘end’ to the Sinai for Sena project. Please pray those Bibles would be used well.
RESTRICTED COUNTRIES: Please continue to pray for the translation work, and the consultant checking taking place across the SEA (Southeast Asia) region; for health, strength, and protection over all translators and their families.
Quote of the month:
“Well, I do think someone might have arranged for us to have our meals”, said the girl. “I'm sure Aslan would have arranged it, if you'd asked him”, said the horse. “Wouldn't he know without being asked?”, said the girl. “I've no doubt he would”, said the horse, “but I think he likes to be asked” - C.S. Lewis, The Magician's Nephew.