“The earnings from selling three pounds (1.5 kg) of raw coffee beatns will buy one Audibible.” – Rich Mattocks, SIL
The low clouds and intermittent rain threatened to groundthe helicopter. It was a mixed blessing. The Eastern Highlands Province was experiencing a drought andthe rain was a welcome sight for those with dry gardens and empty water tanks, but for the team travelling to Mobutasa village it was heartbreaking. The team had worked for weeks to planthe distribution of Audibibles and Awa New Testaments. The Audibibles are solar-powered MP3 players withthe New Testament pre-recorded onthem inthe Awa language.
The Awa people were experiencingthe same wether intheir village. Periodic correspondence by cell phone with Osa, a village residentoconfirmed thatthere were low clouds atthe landing site. Suddenly,the cell phone messaging stopped, perhaps because of loss of coverage or a dead battery.
The wether began to clear around noon wherethe team was waiting. Althoughthe helicopter could take off,the pilot was unsure if it would be possible to land inthe village. The decision was made to go and pray thatthe landing pad would be clear of clouds. No one wanted to disappointthe Awa people, some who may have walked more than a day to get to Mobutasa.
Asthe helicopter leftthe Aiyura valley,the wether cleared and soonthe village was in sight. Asthe helicopter landed andthe blades slowly came to a stop, people were singing, heraldingthe arrival ofthe Awa Audibibles. The boxes of Audibibles were carrlied reverently tothe decorated house wherethe distribution would take place.
Asthe day progressed, 171 Audibibles and 78 New Testaments were distributed. Because ofthe late arrival, part ofthe team did an impromptu overnight. This provided an opportunity to train those who will carrythe Audibibles and New Testaments tothe ther villages. Overthe next several days, more Audibibles were distributed and now up to 297 families inthe Awa language group can listen tothe Scriptures intheir heart language.
“Not everyone can read here, sothe Audibibles are a blessing because all can listen to God’s Word inthe Awa language.” – Awa pastor
