Mozambique (MNN) ― Newly discovered vandalism in Xai-Xai , Mozambique could complicate outreach for the recording team of Audio Scripture Ministries.
ASM's missionary Chad Vandenbosch arrived at their project site with the goal of doing some expansion work to the existing studio. However, that got sidetracked because the equipment was sluggish. Once everything inside checked out, the team headed for the roof.
ASM's Tom Dudenhofer says, "Somebody had dismantled, lowered and carried away at least ten solar panels off the roof of the Bible college. " It was the last thing they'd expected, because the panels sit atop a three story building.
"It's a huge setback for the ministry," explains Dudenhofer, adding, "The entire power system, if you want to call it that, was built around the solar panels recharging the batteries, which in turn, was used for powering all of the studio equipment."
For now, the team is in a holding pattern. They're facing the challenge of coming up with the funds to replace the panels in order to continue this critical support to evangelism. There are many people who believe that groups with North American ties would be able to quickly replace stolen equipment. That mindset does little to deter theft. In this case, the nationals own the project, so they will be the taking on the responsibility for the solar panel replacement.
Plans are still moving forward on a second recording area that will allow them to work on two Scripture recordings at a time. Once that is completed, they hope to work on New Testament recordings in both the Sena and Tsonga languages.
Dudenhofer says, "We'd like people to pray for the believers in this particular area. This is a new type of evangelism for them. It supplements their church planting, and their Bible college and some of the other ministries are there. But putting God's Word in audio for the many, many people that don't read is sort of a new thought."
ASM has set a goal of placing 1000 Scripture players in Mozambique in the coming year, and many churches and Sunday School classes have already signed up to help them reach this goal. If you can help with this project, click here.
