God’s Word Comes With Great Joy

By Mary Beth

Celebrating the Bughotu New Testament audio Bible app with a delicious cake

The Bughotu people of the Solomon Islands are rejoicing in the recent launch of the audio New Testament in the language that speaks—literally—to their hearts.

Earlier this year, Lauren and Connie Runia mentored students working in makeshift studios set up on the small island of Siasigara as they recorded the final books of the Bughotu New Testament. The readers, who paddled in by canoe every morning, “were excited to be a part of the recording,” Lauren reported. “Several of them shared how the Scripture in their language spoke to their hearts as they practiced for the recording.”

Lives were changed during recording sessions on Siasigara Island.

A celebration and distribution of the Bughotu New Testament Bible app was held this week in SiaSigara. The app is available for use on smartphones and simple cellphones without a touchscreen using micro SD cards which makes it easy for people to share the Scriptures with their friends and family. Three recording team members traveled back to Siasigara to help with the celebration and to demonstrate the app and help people with putting it on their phones.

Gao Bugotu, MP, Hon. Samuel Manetoali, program coordinator Catherine Gnochro, and a SITAG representative displaying the app.

A celebration and distribution was also held at the Anglican Cathedral in Honiara. “The members of parliament for both the province and the national assembly were in attendance and are so happy about the Bible app in their language,” says Cynthia Rollins, Scripture Use Specialist for the Solomon Islands Group. “We are grateful to you who make it possible to bring God’s Word in audio format to the peoples of Solomon Islands!”

This special event was even covered by the national press.

Your gifts made the training, travel, and equipment costs that brought God’s Word to ears and hearts in the Bughotu language possible. Thank you!