CMS missionaries Chris & Grace Adams serve the Lord in Timor-Leste. In this article, they celebrate the publication of a children’s Bible and other Bible engagement resources, all in the Tetun language.

“Current and future Timorese children are blessed with books which point to Jesus in a language that they can understand and relate to.”

Children’s ministry resources launched

We are filled with joy and thankfulness from the recent book launch for the Tetun edition of The Beginners’ Bible (Zonderkidz). Tetun is the national language of Timor-Leste, and an official language alongside Portuguese.  

Last year, the team at Scripture Union Timor-Leste (SUTL) we work with published The Big Picture Story Bible (Crossway), a bilingual Tetun & English Bible for primary school-age children. We partnered with Sparklit to develop the Bible, along with a curriculum for schools and churches, a radio program and sing-along videos.  

We are so grateful for that experience and how it enabled the subsequent publication of The Beginners’ Bible, which is for toddlers, preschool-age children and their families. This book and its associated resources invite young children to encounter the gospel in a language they can understand, while learning to read at the same time. 

Along with the Tetun Beginners’ Bible, we also launched the accompanying colouring books, literacy books and wooden book stands. Out of the many blessings of long-term service, we are particularly grateful for gospel partnerships with local groups and artists. Their diverse skills and gifts have enabled the production and quality of these resources. 

We celebrated the launch of these resources with joyful worship in the presence of the wider Christian community in Dili. In the Timorese way, the books were revealed as Pastor Carlos, Chairman of SUTL and Senior Pastor of Evangelical Presbyterian Church, struck a traditional drum three times.  

Later, Chris spoke from God’s Word, urging the families, churches and organisations present to consider children’s ministry as being of utmost priority and importance.  

The one, true God

Sandra (SUTL staff) gave a taste of the book by reading the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18) to the children present. In Timor-Leste, the worship of idols and man-made statues pervades the lives of many. Hearing the story in this cultural context humbled us all before our powerful God, who is greater than any false god. Being reminded of this truth through a simple children’s Bible story left us awestruck by our Saviour and grateful for his Word. 

Jesus in my language

Pastor Samuel, a committee member of SUTL and Senior Pastor of Nazarene Church, was asked to pray. Before he prayed, Pastor Samuel paused. With tears in his eyes, he shared that growing up, his generation didn’t have a Bible in the local language, let alone a children’s Bible. He thanked God that current and future Timorese children are blessed with books like The Beginners’ Bible which point to Jesus in a language that they can understand and relate to.  

Pastor Samuel thanked the SUTL team for serving the church in this way and encouraged us in our work. Many of us were moved to tears of joy and thankfulness to the Lord.  

A community and the Word

A morning tea and book stall followed the formalities. One woman shared with Grace that she had an English Bible at home but had been struggling to translate it as she read it with her children. She was overjoyed to now be able to read it with them in Tetun!  

In the following weeks, we received photos of how the resources are being enjoyed in various ministries. Our prayers are being answered by our gracious God to bless Timor-Leste with the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

We are now working on – among other publications – a Tetun edition of The Gospel Story Bible (New Growth Press), which is for children in upper primary and secondary school. Praise God! 

PRAY

Give thanks with Chris and Grace for these Bible resources in the Tetun language, and for the blessing they will be to the children and youth of Timor-Leste. Pray that many will come to know Jesus and love him all their lives.