In July the JESUS film will be translated into its 1,000th language. It look 20 years to hit 500 and eight years to reach 1,000. The 1,000th language is Ho and is spoken in India.
10 of those languages are ones I gave leadership to producing. It’s a small drop in the 1000-language bucket, but a major source of personal satisfaction. The Jesus Film has been an amazing tool for sharing the gospel. Involvement was very rewarding.
In 1983, I carried the portable recording studio to Nigeria. Portable was an interesting adjective. It was portable if you had a pickup truck! But still, I carted those large cases of equipment to Nigeria, to Sierra Leone, to The Gambia. I’m sure you understand there is a difference in traveling around West Africa and traveling in the U.S.!!! Clearing equipment into a country through customs then back out is always interesting and frequently unique.
Of course, getting the recording equipment into a country and back out again paled in comparison with some of the trails those who showed the film took. At least I could hire a pickup truck or van. Some had to do their transportation on motorcycles or even a bicycle!
But the end result is the same: helping everyone know someone who truly follows Jesus. Giving everyone a chance to hear the goodnews of love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. It’s worth the effort. It’s worth the dangers. It’s worth investing my life.
jonathan says
nice b&w pic…did you have to convert it from a slide?? seems old enough:) that is awesome about hitting the 1000th language..thanks for sharing the milestone.
Keith says
Thanks, son!!! You continue to develop the gift of encouragement!!! 😉