Merlin Makes Connections in Africa

"Travel isn't always pretty. It isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that's okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind."

What an amazing trip to South Africa and Malawi!

We landed in Johannesburg, South Africa, and drove to Eswatini. The landscape, with its large acres of thriving farmland and rolling hills in the distance, reminded me of Western Canada. Along the way, small villages brought a mix of poverty and wealth to the country.

In Eswatini, we joined TWR for their 50 anniversary celebration, which allowed us to connect and build relationships, meet many new people, and see where the broadcasting is done. It was a great experience.

I got to meet the techs that keep these 1000w shortwave transmitters working. 

Arlin and Josh Climb a 250-foot Radio Tower

Two team members, Arlin and Josh, climbed the one tower, approximately 250′ tall!

I also visited the Voice of the Church and Radio Station and saw their studio! There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that no one ever sees, and it helped me appreciate all the work that goes into the content that fills all the time slots.

We did a safari tour while there, which was a real highlight. We went into the jungle and finished the day by visiting TWR’s old building, where The Voice of the Church radio station operates in Eswatini.

Onward to Malawi

Malawi was very heart-touching. That has again left me with many thoughts and emotions. We traveled into many remote villages to churches, handing out Bibles to believers without a Bible. Receiving them with thankfulness and a big “heart-smile,” many turned away, opening their Bibles, paging through them, and starting to read them.

Seeing the enthusiasm for the Word of God gave me many warm-feeling moments. 

This is where we worshiped together. God wants our hearts! 

Let’s get into the scriptures!

This was our last day in Malawi; for me, it was about the most impressionable. We went to a village where there is a TWR listener group!

For quite a while, I have been thinking and wondering and asking myself these questions: How are our short broadcasts really impacting people? Are they really being listened to? How effective are they? Are they truly impacting lives?

In this small group, numerous men and women shared testimony of how they have been encouraged, or God has spoken to them from listening to our short teaching each week. They would schedule a time to listen to it every time.

To top it off, two men shared how listening has spoken to their hearts and helped them change their lives, helping them understand what God wants of them. It has incredibly positively impacted their marriages and changed their relationships with their wives and families. I was so encouraged to hear this.

I am grateful for all of you, our supporters in Bible ministry and radio/media broadcasting, and I pray many more lives may be touched and brought to Christ through your partnership with HOH.

At Heralds of Hope, we believe the Great Commission can be accomplished in our lifetime, the Word of God changes lives, and everyone should be a disciple of Jesus.

Sincerely,

Merlin Martin

Bible Distribution

Heralds of Hope partners with in-culture believers to distribute Bibles. By collaborating closely with these partners around the world, we empower them to share God’s Word with their own communities.

Audio Content

Heralds of Hope offers two distinctive teaching programs: The Voice of Hope and Hope for Today, each centered on expository Bible teaching. The Voice of Hope is a weekly, thirty-minute program in English, while Hope for Today is a fifteen-minute international program offered in 26 languages. Both are available through radio and social media platforms.

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