by Tara Chase, Communications Director
Have you ever wondered what gratitude truly looks like? Throughout the holiday season, we often hear ads, commentators and church leaders talking about how to be thankful or express gratitude, but to see joy and thankfulness made manifest with our own eyes is something else altogether. The below story highlights one such story of gratitude in action.
I’ll never forget the look on her face…
As a lifelong Christian raised in the church here in America, I’ve never not known the story of God. From an early age, Sunday school flannel boards taught me the stories of scripture—from Genesis, to Moses and Abraham, to “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so,” the Bible has always informed my faith. I am grateful for, and perhaps sometimes take for granted, the gift of scripture that has always been readily available to me in multiple translations, formats and styles.
But the day my friend and colleague, Taliilee Fiqruu, held up the newly-printed Arsi Oromo Bible for our staff to see…I’ll never forget the way her countenance lifted, and the joy that radiated from her bright eyes and wide smile. Taliilee, an Arsi Oromo woman, was born and raised in Ethiopia. Like me, she learned about God at an early age. However, unlike me, she had to navigate languages that were not her own (English and Amharic) in order to do so. You see, until just recently, a Bible did not exist in the language of the Arsi Oromo people.
Taliilee’s joy reminded me that God’s Word satisfies the soul like good food; it quenches every thirst. I’ll never know the depths of joy Taliilee and other Arsi Oromo people are celebrating in the weeks ahead as they dedicate this new translation, giving thanks and glory to God. An entire least-reached people group finally has access to God’s Word in their heart language, eager to embrace it’s written form. It is beautiful to witness, and motivates me and Frontier Fellowship to continue pursuing access for all peoples—that every nation, tribe, people and language will soon have an opportunity to know and learn about God’s love made incarnate through Jesus.
We will check back in soon with a report on the dedication celebrations in Ethiopia from our team members who are attending. Our Thanksgiving is richer today because of what God is doing on the frontier.
“We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.” —Psalm 75:1 (ESV)
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