In Mozambique it has been calculated that about 54% of the population is under the age of 20 years. So work among children to enable them to grow in God’s Word is very important, just as it is in all cultures.

The work of Project Mozambique - Plus of producing material to help children learn more of the Bible has grown considerably over a period of more than 20 years. There are now many churches using the material with the children in their Sunday schools; a large number of which are in the rural areas, while a  number of state schools use the material to help in the teaching of Christian morals to children.

The material produced for the Sunday schools is aimed at teaching children different themes from the Bible. The material is in the form of simple activity books that the children receive, while the teachers receive manuals that contain notes to give them guidance as they teach the lessons. The manuals also contain suggestions of further activities, such as games, songs and dramas, all of which is to back up what is being taught.

It is estimated that 8 million people are unable to read or write in Mozambique, while worldwide the number it is estimated that 758 million people are not able to read, write or do simple arithmitic. This illustrates the importance of recording Scriptures which enables more people to have access to God’s Word.

This work involves recording parts of the Bible in local languages for people who are unable to read; then distributing the recordings to rural churches with MP3 players that have no need for batteries, nor electricity, as they can be powered by solar panels. We are doing this work in partnership with Good News Media of South Africa who supply us with the materials.

The language we have mainly worked  with until now is the Sena language which is spoken in the centre of Mozambique. In the photo two larger MP3 players can be seen that we also distribute. One is being held by the pastor with the red shirt, while a second one can be seen on the table.  One of the good things about these players is that we can load new recordings from a laptop, such as seen on the table where a MP3 is connected to the laptop. This material is distributed to local churches by Inácio who is a member of Project Mozambique - Plus’ team in the city of Beira.

As well as the MP3 players we also distribute flip charts that illustrate what the people are hearing on the tapes, and so provide a very simple, but very effective visual aid. This is of great value in the rural churches where there is a high number of adults who are unable to read. It also provides an effective tool for both evangelism and teaching of the Bible for both young and old. Note the tape player that Inácio is  holding in this photo. These were hand driven and were used before new technology started arriving in the form of MP3 players.

In the rural areas this work is very important because the Word of God can inspire hope in people, and that hope enables people to face the many difficult challenges that they have to deal with. So for those people unable to read, the recordings help to open up the Bible and so provide them with greater access to God’s Word. That in turn will always inspire faith. As the apostle Paul wrote, and is quoted above: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. (Romans 10 v.17)