“Like rain after a long drought,” parents and pastors in the Philippines now have a Lutheran Bible book to teach their young ones who Jesus is.
The release of A Child’s Garden of Bible Stories in the Tagalog language coincides with the opening of LHF’s newest international office in Manila. Arlene Reyes, wife of Rev. Antonio Reyes (president of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines – LCP), is overjoyed to deliver this first LHF Tagalog translation.
“It has been such a long time since we have had materials truly suited for teaching children the faith in our native language,” Arlene reflected. “Many children are no longer familiar with the great stories of the Bible, and the Tagalog A Child’s Garden of Bible Stories can now serve as the foundational materials to restore this knowledge.”
Having Lutheran books for children and adults in the Tagalog language is vital for the LCP, considering that more than 40% of the Philippines’ 118 million people speak the language.
So far, LHF has printed 2,000 copies of the Bible storybook, which is being given first to 6-8 year-olds with limited internet access and low English proficiency, particularly in rural areas. Local congregations and Lutheran teachers intend to use the colorful collection of 5 dozen Old and New Testament lessons as a textbook for Sunday school and religion classes. Future printings will undoubtedly be necessary, as one local school has already requested 600 copies for their students.
“Joy beyond measure!”
“I can only describe the children’s reactions as joy beyond measure,” Arlene shared. “One particular moment that touched us was when a 10-year-old girl immediately began reading her copy and, according to her father, continued reading until bedtime. This shows the eagerness of our children to embrace God’s Word when it is made accessible and meaningful to them.”
When Lutheran pastors contact the LHF-Philippines office to request copies of the Tagalog Child’s Garden, each book will bear the name of each child, and distribution will be personally carried out in the churches. To further encourage the children, the LCP has organized a Quarterly Bible Quiz Bee, with participants from Lutheran congregations, Lutheran schools and public schools.
“Words are not enough to thank God for LHF coming to the Philippines,” said Rev. Reyes. “The books you are producing are vital to our ministry, especially because we now have the privilege of reading our Lutheran literature in our heart language. Our outreach work will be made easier and learning more meaningful. Indeed, these books are a blessing from God, and with them we see renewed hope for nurturing faith in our Lord Jesus Christ in the next generation.”
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