Jerry & Joyce McDaniels opening God's Word through literacy 
Ah, September! It’s one special month! Fall is in the air (well, here in FL this takes a little imagination). You’ve got to love the colors and scents! And it can’t get much better than pumpkin spice coffee! But it’s also been an awesome month for us of meeting with many, many missionary teams to pray together and set priorities. In the last month, we have had people into our home for meals from all over the world…86 extra plates were set at our table! It was such a joy to connect with these coworkers, especially looking at the literacy programs that are being developed so that tribal people around the world are able to read God’s Word in their own language.
Posts Tagged ‘read’
86 plates
Friday, September 11th, 20098 reasons we are crazy about literacy
Friday, September 4th, 2009
When people think of key activities involved in tribal church planting the list often covers things like Bible translation, evangelism, Bible curriculum, discipleship, and leadership development. We would like literacy to be added to the list because…
1. Of all the possible methods to record the most life-changing Message of all time, God chose the written form to preserve His Word. We believe everyone should have access to His Written Word in their language!
2. When people can read God’s Word for themselves, they are not dependant on others to hear it. Just think of how many times God has reached down and encouraged you by the exact verse you needed while reading the Word!
3. The truth of the Word is protected. No matter what teaching comes into the area, people can go back to the Written Word and check it out.
4. Important truths of the Bible are not forgotten or overlooked. People can remember a lot, but it’s unrealistic to expect that everything will be remembered and passed on to others.
5. Personal spiritual growth is accelerated. People can study the Bible all through the week and don’t need to wait for the next scheduled public meeting.
6. Literacy invests in the potential of the Church! Reading and writing skills equip everyone to serve in broader ways. They can work on the Bible translation team, develop Bible studies, share words to songs or prayer requests.
7. In many locations where there has been little or no interest in Bible teaching, literacy teachers found open doors to provide classes. God has used the relationships built during this to open doors to the Gospel!
8. Printed materials can go places and reach people in ways that individuals may never be able to. Books have been called the “tireless teachers” and are an amazing tool God has given for the growth and expansion of His Church!
So why are Joyce & I so excited about literacy? Because we believe in the power of God’s written Word to change lives! We are thrilled to be serving in the area of literacy, that God’s Word might be opened to every tongue, tribe and nation!
Loving God’s Word!
Friday, August 7th, 2009
God’s life-changing Word is impacting lives around the world. But what about those who cannot read It? Literacy ministries equip people to read His Message and then share It with others! (more…)
Literacy Training in Mexico
Monday, March 9th, 2009
How does one put together a literacy program for a tribal group? What syllables should be taught first? What can be done for groups that are already somewhat literate in Spanish, but not their own language? These are some of the topics covered in an upcoming literacy course in Mexico!
There are technical parts like analyzing the grammar and choosing the best syllables to introduce first in the primers. But we also desire to share with the students our passion for how important literacy is to the spiritual growth of tribal churches! (more…)
Our Heroes in the Faith
Tuesday, April 10th, 2007
The Kuna churches are experiencing growth in their desire to dig into God’s Book.
Edelfonso and Eneida have people in and out of their house all day, asking for teaching on different passages of the Bible. Edelfonso is excited about this, but said, “We are busier than ever before in teaching and explaining God’s Book. I’m learning how much more I have to learn to be a faithful leader of God’s people!” (more…)
Viva Mexico!
Tuesday, April 10th, 2007Later this month Joyce and I will be going to Mexico, where we will travel with a consultant to a tribal area in the mountain and encourage the missionary team about church planting and producing literacy and Bible study materials. Then we will be attending a conference with participants from the New Tribes training centers from around the world. Because the tribal missionary teams are often multi-cultural (like one missionary couple from Brazil, one from Germany and another from USA) it is important that they receive similar training. In our region we have missionary training centers in several different countries.
Please pray that we will be a help and blessing while we are in Mexico. Pray that we will be able to quickly adapt to all the changes as we travel…different altitudes, time zones, beds, foods, and languages!
Zoraida’s Bible
Saturday, January 6th, 2007
Recently we enjoyed time with the Kuna churches for their annual leaders’ conference. Zoraida, a Kuna grandma who we had not seen for three years came up to us. She had attended the Bible and literacy classes that I had taught during our last years living in Panama.
During those classes, Zoraida had struggled to learn to read and would always ask prayer that her “eyes would be opened to letters” so that one day she could read God’s Book for herself. Last time we saw her, she was barely able to learn her vowels. I gave her a set of flashcards and encouraged her to keep praying and practicing. (more…)
Literacy opens doors for the Gospel
Thursday, July 27th, 2006
Back in 1996 a group of Kuna believers and missionaries traveled to two Kuna villages, asking the chiefs for permission to place Kuna missionaries in their village. They rejected the proposal and remained closed to the Gospel. So we all began praying.
Now, ten years later, because of the faithfulness of the Kuna believers, they have an open invitation to place Kuna missionaries in these same villages. (more…)
