For 500 years, the Cilasi (pseudonym) people have fished, farmed, and hunted around Lake Chad. Having descended from some of the first Muslims to enter the country, their roots run deep in that way of life, and they tolerate little else. They listen to little else. But because of our generous partners, that is changing.

One of the first translations of unfoldingWord Open Bible Stories (OBS) completed by Projet Croissance des Églises au Tchad (PCET), our ministry partner in Chad, was in the Cilasi language. PCET published it in 2019, but the Cilasi people remained closed to any attempt to share it until now.

Recently, the local chief experienced a great personal loss. PCET missionaries had been praying for the Holy Spirit’s leading and looking for an opportunity to share the hope of the gospel. They took a chance and visited the chief, offering condolences and prayer for his loss. That visit so touched the chief that he opened a door that had been closed for 500 years. “I am giving an order to the FM community radio station to give you 15 minutes of airtime every Sunday for Christian content.”

Our friends at PCET are overjoyed and have already begun reading Open Bible Stories over the air. “Now,” says our PCET friend, Jeremiah, “they are listening to the Word of God in their heart language. We expect many perspectives to change and great things to happen.”

The prayers and gifts of unfoldingWord’s friends made that first OBS translation in the Cilasi language possible, and keep our CCBT ministry partners from Chad, Africa, and the rest of the world in the work and on the move.

Become a financial partner today, and help overcome barriers for people who’ve never heard the gospel!