In hard-to-reach areas and oral cultures, Keys for Kids ministry regularly distributes solar-powered MP3 devices equipped with an audio Bible and nearly 30 hours of devotions. A practical bonus: they also come with a flashlight, headphones, and USB charging cable. Storytellers are currently available in seven languages, with four more in development. One of those four is Pashto, the language of Afghanistan. 

The Pashto project is currently in the recording stage. Final content will be loaded onto 5,000 storytellers, which will then be distributed regionally by local pastors. 

Greg Yoder is the executive director of Keys for Kids. His colleagues estimate that each storyteller will be heard by about 150 people. 

“What’s interesting,” Yoder says, “is we’re already seeing some fruit from this ministry.” 

Local children have been tapped as Pashto voice actors for the initiative. One 11-year-old participant is the son of a terrorist suicide bomber. Yoder says he had already memorized the entire Koran when he was approached to be a voice actor with Keys for Kids.

Photo courtesy of The Mediators via Pexels

“This young man didn’t understand a real relationship with a father. And through the stories of Keys for Kids, he came to an understanding of what a heavenly father is like,” Yoder explains. “He came to saving faith in Jesus Christ as he was just being a voice actor in this whole process.” 

Other testimonies include new believers growing in their faith through the audio players and pastors being strengthened by the opportunity to share their faith in a different way. Since open evangelization in this region is extremely dangerous, one pastor in Northern Pakistan plans a unique strategy for distributing the storytellers. 

“We’re going to put them with directions and instructions in the mosques,” Yoder says the pastor decided, instructing people they can learn more about Isa (Jesus) by listening to the unit. 

As the storyteller project wraps up and distribution begins, please keep this effort in your prayers. 

Pray first that the storytellers would be completed without technical issues and that the distribution could begin promptly. 

Pray that delivery would be smooth and impact would be significant. Pray for those who have already come to faith through the storytelling project: that they would be able to grow in their understanding of Jesus and His Word. 

Pray also for the local Christians involved. Amidst threats to their lives, committed believers are taking great risk to share their faith. This is a tenacious yet vulnerable group. 

“These guys would never pray for safety,” Yoder says, “but I’m asking you to pray for the pastors’ safety as they share the gospel.” 

Pray also that funds would be raised for more storytellers to be ordered. Of the 5,000 being loaded, Yoder says, “They are now in use. There are no more.” 

Learn more about how you can be involved here.

Featured photo courtesy of Pavel Danilyuk via Pexels