Meet and Experience Tanzania

I want you to meet the Vidunda people.  Truly MEET them.  They live in Tanzania. 

You see, it is hard to motivate yourself to action when you are removed . . . in  your home (or at work). . . with your coffee (or chai, in my case). 

The Bible is in the family room, waiting to be opened.  And if you should linger at the computer before the kiddos wake up (not that this ever happens to me), your Bible might gather dust that day.  But no worries, there is another Bible beside your bed that you can read before you fall asleep tonight between your cozy flannel sheets.

I want you to imagine walking in the streets of Tanzania. 

Having lived in India, I can begin to understand the dynamics of this culture . . . yet, I am even struggling to grasp who these people are.  What their life is like . . . what brings them joy – and pain.

On Wikitravel this country of Tanzania is touted as a fabulous travel destination.  Climb Mount Kilimanjaro.  Enjoy snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, and viewing wildlife. 

Like India, you are warned to be street smart.  Suitcases and bags are a dead giveaway that you aren’t from these parts and the price just went up. 

Don’t expect to find a job.  Watch crossing the street.  And pray whenever you are a passenger in a local driver’s car.  It is advised that you NOT drive a car, unless you are used to driving conditions in Africa. 

If you subscribe to the belief that the earth is millions of years old (which I don’t), well Tanzania is the place for you.  It is considered the longest continuously inhabited place on earth, boasting of fossils that mankind evolved from that are millions of years old.

This is a people growing up in a culture that lacks purpose.  A people . . . a mom . . . a daughter . . . whose life lacks meaning.  If you evolve from a single celled organism instead of purposefully designed by a loving Creator, life has little value.

This was clearly demonstrated to this remote people back in WWII when “enemy soldiers massacred large numbers of Vidunda speakers who were hiding in a cave. In recent years, government officials have forbidden farming on top of the mountain. This history of exploitation and abuse has made the Vidunda people very wary of outsiders.”

More recent, sugar planters have gradually usurped the plains, forcing the Vidunda people into the mountains.

As I begin to piece together what the Vidunda people are like . . . their setting . . . the fact that  for so long they have been treated with disrespect. . . I feel great sadness.   To fight back, their weapon has been witchcraft.  They live in fear.  My heart aches for them. 

No one has valued them. 

Until now.

Join with me in helping the Vidunda people know that they are fearfully (terribly awesome) and wonderfully made (Psalm 139: 14). 

Each month, this blog gives $26 to be used towards sponsoring the translation of a Bible verse. 

The most recent verse that Granola Mom 4 God helped translate was Matthew 25: 33,

He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

Hmmm . . . not a very exciting verse out of context.  For this reason is it important that we who know and have experienced the power of God to transform our life through His Word, give others what we easily toss on the couch. 

What does it take to translate the Bible?  There are six steps.

1. First Draft: translators analyze what a passage says and produce a first draft.
2. Team Check: translators check each verse for accuracy and clarity.
3. Community Testing: translators share drafted Scripture with community members to test how well it communicates.
4. Back Translation: translators translate the draft “back” into a major language for a non-native consultant.
5. Consultant Check: a consultant checks the translation with the team to make sure expected standards are met.
6. Proofread: translators rigorously proofread the final draft for errors before publication.

All this for one verse.  Why?  Because the Word of God is important.  Capable of life.  We are warned not to change the Word of God.  Care, attention, and a relationship with the Vidunda people are priorities.

Let me ask you this. 

What is your favorite verse? 

What if . . . what if . . . the Bible had never been translated into English and you never knew that verse?

Join me in sponsoring Bible translation, one verse at a time. 

To help your family learn more about the Bible translation occurring in Tanzania, visit MakaziVille.

But more importantly, considering sponsoring a Bible Verse.

MakaziVille

If you haven’t allowed your child to play MakaziVille, I highly recommend this online game.

What is MakaziVille?

Even though MakaziVille is a fictitious village, the issues presented are very real to the Tanzanian people of Africa. The game teaches children how the following factors work together to build and improve individual and community life: Bible translation, church growth, medical care, education, family relationships, growing in faith, business management and the village at large.

My kids have been enjoying it . . . as have I!

You will journey to Tanzania, learn facts about the country and Bible translation. We are in the process of building a village.

The game is interactive.  There are times where it requires your child to step away from the computer, and wait for the parent to check his or her email.  That email contains something special for you to read and discuss with your child. 

I was also surprised to find that I received updates in my inbox regarding what the boys were doing in MakaziVille and what videos they had watched.  I was also provided with discussion topics related to these videos.

I have come to trust MakaziVille enough that yesterday, I allowed them to play while I worked out. 

And when I was done working out, I knew what they had done in Makazi-land.

MakaziVille is a great resource to understand who the Vidunda people are and how Bible translations works. 

Consider sponsoring the translation of a Bible verse each month for the Vidunda people living in Tanzania.

Bible Gluttony

The King James Bible has 788,280 words.  If I use that as my standard and multiply it by 46, I discover that I have a lot of eternal words floating around my house.

We have 46 Bibles.

46 x 788,280 = 36,260,880

Thirty-six million, two hundred sixty thousand, eight hundred eighty words.

Forty–six Bibles.

That seems excessive.  Gluttonous, if you will.

I have no idea how we achieved this number other than the Bibles date back to childhood, my childhood.  Six people live in our house.  Bibles were purchased as Christmas presents . . . Resurrection Day reminders.  Money was paid for Scripture that was on sale, but never given as a gift. 

I find it slightly embarrassing.  We have 46 Bibles . . . which doesn’t include the one on my Kindle and the Engineer’s phone.  And I just remembered . . . we have two more audio Bibles.

48 Bibles.

Sigh.

If each family member only kept one Bible, we would have 42 that we could give away.

Yet, when I suggested this to my children as I stared in disbelief at our Bible pile, they became mine-o-saurs.  All sorts of excuses were given from, “This has neat pictures,” or “But I read this last week and his stack is higher.”

With the force of the crash of this very stack of Bibles lacking support, I realized that I too horde God’s Word.  I don’t hide it like I should (in my heart) but I hoard my resources. 

How long did I know about Bible poverty but I did nothing about it?  How long did I sense God telling me to support Bible translation but kept my $26 in the bank . . . for a blog conference or an extra Starbucks?

A long time.

Too long.

So, I dare you. 

• Find all the Bibles in your house. 
• Take a picture. 
• Post it on the One Verse Facebook page or link up over at My Journey to Authenticity. 

A bunch of us are taking pictures of our Bible gluttony stacks. 

It doesn’t take 48 Bibles to transform a life. 

All it takes is having a verse, just one verse, translated into one person’s tongue.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  John 3:16

If you can’t see the video, head on over to the blog or watch on YouTube.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  (Romans 1:6)

Twenty-Six Dollars and a Bible Verse

Drum roll . . .

Bam bam, bang bang, whildlop, lop, lop . . .

And the Bible Verse you helped to translate this month through your usage of affiliate links on Granola Mom 4 God . . .

Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Matthew 25:1, brought back some memories for me.  I wrote a thesis paper on this very verse in college. 

Maybe I should publish it for you all to read.

No.  I would have to retype it.  I have it saved on one of those hard disks . . . and I lack a computer to read that kind of disk now. 

Instead, I’ll give you three ideas to do in lieu of reading my thesis paper:

1. give up Starbucks, your diet Cokes, or a meal out . . . and sponsor one Bible Verse Translation for this month for the Vidunda people group
2. commit to memorizing Colossians or the Sermon on the Mount this year
3. collect all the Bibles in your house and take a picture . . . you’ll find out why on Wednesday
4. Leave a comment and tell us what verse you helped to translate!
5. Read or re-read last month’s post on Bible poverty
6. watch this video from artist, Aaron Shust

A River. A Rock. And A Bible Verse.

I have embarked on a journey to read through the Bible in the King James Version.

Don’t groan.

I’m actually loving it.  I never realized how in the silence of my head, God’s Word could be a dramatic reading of yours truly.  In my cranium, I feel like . . . an actress in a amazing academy winning drama.

With an Old and New Testament Dictionary in hand, I enjoyed my first saunter through the NKJ Scriptures this week.  In fact, I would go so far as to say I  viewed God’s Word with a fresh perspective. 

As a student.

Anticipating. 

Curious. 

Thirsty for more.

It is not a coincidence that I began my journey into the King James Version of Scriptures the eve of this post.

I always thought that the King James Version of the Bible was rather . . . dated.  Antiquated.  Difficult.  Hard to understand.

And yet – tonight I became enraptured by its poetry. 

This struck me. 

The blinders were taken off of my eyes, and the Holy Spirit gave me understanding to search the Scriptures . . . regardless of the translation.  The simple fact was that I was reading God’s Word.

It is my heart for the Vidunda people to have the Bible translated into their own language.

I am using a vastly different reading plan than in previous years. 

• Sunday – Epistles
• Monday – the Law
• Tuesday – History
• Wednesday – Psalms/Proverbs
• Thursday – Poetry
• Friday – Prophecy
• Saturday – Gospels

Having JUST discovered my plan today (with the help of a Google search) I attacked my reading while the Engineer registered for his upcoming class.

I was actual reading to kill some time.  Avoid thinking about what need to be done . . . written. 

But like the lure of a babbling brook, the Words enveloped me, surrounding my heart like a luxurious bubble bath.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.  Romans 1:8

Sweet Jesus, what if . . . what if one day we hear of these people . . . of their faith . . . in some small-town America?

May it be so. 

Oh Vidunda people, without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.  (Romans 1:9b)  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established.  (Romans 1:11)  Though I don’t have to see you to give you a gift, may those working on my behalf impart to you the Words of Life.

Yet these are a people who sit near massive mountains.  Beauty that boasts of a creator because that which may be known of God is manifest (plain, apparent) in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.

But even though my Vidunda people are without excuse . . . even though God  caresses them with His majestic beauty daily . . . I can’t imagine what it will be like to pair that God given intuition . . . or experience . . . and put Words to it. 

The Word.  A Book that explains the things the Vidunda people see . . . hear . . . experience. 

So that they can then be like Joshua.  (Tuesday’s reading)  Bold.  Standing firm.  Courageous.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate (ponder) therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success (to be an expert). Joshua 1:8

In the book of Joshua, I was allowed to see the initial preparations for the Israelites re-entry into the Promised Land.  They were encouraged to gird themselves with the Good Book.  By doing so . . . then they would have good success. 

Lord, as the Vidunda people acquire more Bible verses . . . allow them to hunger and thirst for your righteousness.    Father, that this people may have good success. 

When the Israelites were about to enter the land, Joshua said, “Sanctify yourselves; for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”

Wonders. 

As I write it is Tuesday.  This post is scheduled for tomorrow – January 4th.  One Verse Bloggers Launch day.

Tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.

A promise.

Wednesday the Lord will do wonders among you.

Will you be a part of the wonders?

Today? 

Even tomorrow. 

What would happen if we partnered together to accelerate the translation of the Gospel to the Vidunda people group?  What if all of the verses could be fully funded by tomorrow?

Really . . . today. 

I’m not asking you to donate $1000.  I’m asking that each family represented in my readership pray about monthly sponsoring the Vidunda Bible translation project.

And the priest that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.  (Joshua 3:17)

Each of us, in Christ, is part of a royal priesthood.  (1 Peter 2:9)

I want to be a part of the priesthood that stands firm . . . that carries the weight . . . that supports the workers  . . . so that the Vidunda people may pass clean over the spiritual Jordan.

After the Israelites passed, a man from each of the 12 tribes was to pick up a stone

that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying What mean ye by these stones?

Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off; and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever. (Joshua 5:6b-7)

People – GOD stopped the Jordan river from flowing!

But as time passed, the vastness of this feat would fade in those Jewish eyes.  The magnitude of this walk across a dry riverbed would become the stuff of legends – not something that could happen in your lifetime.

(Ignore the soup, focus on the rocks.  Many come from river or creek beds.)

But a stone.  Let this serve as a reminder. The children would see it everyday.  God provided a way.  He offered salvation.  He alone performed miracles.  Every time they saw this stone, they knew . . . knew that it came from the very riverbed that brought them to the land they now called home. 

If the child didn’t believe their father why all they had to do was go find the other 11 rocks.  This wasn’t a made up story.  A legend.

What if today . . . . we created an event of tall tale proportions.  Will you skip a meal out this month?  Forgo Starbucks? 

Will you sponsor a verse for the Vidunda people?

Without further ado, let me offer you a memorial.  Join me each month to share the verse that you received in the mail.  The verse that your $26 translated. 

The 4th of every month, should the Lord tarry, I will provide a little blog post about our verse . . . and host some space for you to share about your verse.

I told you how I’m not OK with that.  And I showed you how you could join me in not being OK with that (yet another blog post I wrote).

Will  you act on it?

Today . . . a little envelope came in the mail.

I discovered it despite the mailbox handle lying in the snow on the street.

My verse. 

To find out what other One Verse Bloggers are saying, join us over at The Seed Company.

That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that is might; that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever. (Joshua 4:24)

Otherwise, link up with me this month by leaving a comment with your Scripture Verse that was translated or write a blog post!

P.S. There is a little gift when you partner with the Seed Company for the Vidunda people group . . . .

 

I’m Not OK With That

There comes a time when an individual is called to action.  When a blessing has been bestowed, it seems only natural to give back. 

Now is the time. 

My blog began as an virtual scrapbook of the daily events that breezed through my reality.  It was launched to provide a place to organize a chronological journal of my kids. 

It morphed into a tutorial of sorts -- to save time instead of emailing the same recipes over and over and over again to inquiring minds. 

God kept giving me new ideas.  As He did, I found that my blog began to grow and became a resource (and hopefully a refuge).  The moment I begin to blog on my own agenda, I discover that you, my reader, lose interest. 

This blog is by no means a money maker.  I would imagine that the time I spend planning, writing, editing, answering emails, and responding to comments far outweighs the minimal paycheck I receive from my various affiliates. 

But I am doing what God has called me to.  I love to write.  And when I can write with my fingers to express what is in my heart, I experience God’s pleasure.  Whether or not my writing is good -- I write as an offering unto the Lord.

However, I have been called to step out into something way beyond myself.   It makes me nervous.  I feel grossly inadequate. I am writing for One Verse.  I am a One Verse Blogger and I’m passionate about making sure that the Vidunda people receive a translation of the Bible in their language. 

 

The work began in 2009 and is expected to be completed in 2015.

Today, the Granola Mom 4 God blog is an official partner with One Verse.  What does this mean?  Each time  you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, such as All About Reading, Aquasana, Vitamix, Little Passports, Pick and Draw, GAPS monthly menu plans,  or even Amazon . . . I earn money. 

But know that I tithe that money.

So your money will go towards Bible translation . . . indirectly.

For $26 a month (5 Starbucks) you could join with me and sponsor the Vidunda people group. 

In the coming months, I will host a link for you to share what Bible verse you helped translate that month and how that verse has impacted you. 

So . . . head on over to One Verse.

And I am once again inviting you to join with me. 

It will take you less than 5 minutes, but that 5 minutes has the potential to impact someone for eternity.

A Meaningful Gift

I had written a post.  A post filled with gift ideas.  But I knew if I hit the send button . . . I wouldn’t be able fall asleep tonight. 

I want to tell you about a meaningful gift. 

An eternal gift.  Full of good tidings.

And I won’t earn money off of it by telling you about it. 

Consider giving a Bible verse this year. 

Or 12 of them.  Start a monthly habit.

My goal? 

Should the Lord tarry, I want to decorate next year’s Christmas tree with the verses that were translated in the  Vidunda language.  Verses that the Granola Mom 4 God blog paid for . . . and your verses . . . my readers verses. 

Join me.  Let us begin a monthly link up . . . starting in January. 

Each month Granola Mom 4 God will be donating $26 towards the Vidunda people group.  Every time you click on one of my affiliate links . . . and I make money off of it . . . know that I am going to tithe that earning.

If 250 people decide to support the translation of the Vidunda people group for 3-4 years . . . the entire New Testament Bible will get translated.

Consider what the Duggars are doing . . . (they made a sweet video).

Gift-A-Verse . . . it’s something immediately tangible and beneficial.  Here is how it works . . . you donate $26 and choose what people group you would like to sponsor.

You can donate the verse in honor of someone.  Or not.  It makes no matter. 

In return you will receive a Christmas card (click here to see what your choices are).

Within that Christmas card will be a message AND the code that you (or the recipient of your card) will need to unlock the VERY verse your donation translated.

Very cool.

Be sure to place your order before December 12th, especially if you want to mail the Christmas Card and verse to a designated person. See the FAQ page if you have more questions!

I Still Remember The Lyrics

I was tired.  It was well past my bedtime.  But I was driving.  By myself.  So tired.

Every single headlight blasted my eye with searing white light . . . nearly blinding me as each car drove by.

I don’t like driving at night.  So tired.  (Did I already mention that?)

I flipped on the radio.  Forgetting that the Engineer’s racecar only gets three stations. 

NPR.  80’s.  Rap.

I opted for the 80’s.  Songs from 20 years prior.  The era of awkward middle school dances. White Keds. Bangs. The days of riding the school bus.  Of seeing the Engineer for the first time as he ran up the street to catch the bus.

The caffeinated coffee in my ear on this dark night was Paula Abdul.

I’m NOT even going to mention the lyrics to you for fear that they will get stuck inside your brain’s personal radio. 

I have no desire to torture you. 

This car ride reminded me of the importance of wearing a seat belt.  Of guarding my heart.

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.  (Proverbs 4:23)

I KNEW EVERY WORD in this song of Paul Abdul’s . . . a song I listened to back in the day when skinny pants were popular and I was only a teenager. 

I knew the lyrics.  I didn’t sing as if there was a time delay.  I sang with Paula, as if to impress her on American Idol.

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.  (Luke 6:45)

Like the interruption of a blaring horn in a quiet parking lot, God pressed the accelerator in my brain as we traveled to church earlier today.

What if . . . what if . . . in twenty years (should the Lord tarry), my children will be able to recite the lyrics from our music, what we dance to, what we fall asleep to? 

I have hidden your word in my heart
   that I might not sin against you.  (Psalm 119:11)

I think about all of the things that I struggle with.  Shocked at the filth that STILL comes out of my mouth, some 17 years after knowing my Lord. 

Yuck still surfaces in my mind.  Leaks out of the trunk in my heart. 

And I wonder . . . I wonder . . . just maybe . . . prayer upon prayer . . .

Lord?  Do you think . . . is it true . . . will it be easier for my children to obey you . . . to follow you . . . to make changes in their life because Your Words are written upon their hearts . . . because in 20 years (should you tarry) when they recall the songs they inadvertently memorized—resurfacing due to a situation that arises when they most need Your encouragement . . . it will be You . . . not the Paula Abdul of 2011 . . . but the God of the beginning, the present, and the end.

You who will keep them awake as they are driving home. 

Driving home from dropping their children’s baby sitter off to her house. 

I hope so. 

We have music.  We have countless Bibles.  We are blessed.  We have resources to help us memorize the Bible.

Because of this abundance . . . I am pleased to introduce to you The Seed Company.

More specifically, One Verse. 

Not everyone has the Bible as a resource.  As a GPS for their life.

I recently met some people who are passionate about making sure every language has a Bible. Ever person should have a Bible in their tongue.

So that they can teach it to their children.

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  (Deuteronomy 6: 6-7)

You will be hearing more about One Verse from me and others.  I’m just giving you a sneak peak. 

If you are reading this important blog post in an email, then click on the blog title up above to watch this powerful video.