Mary* was overwhelmed with gratitude when she received the Bible our generous partners helped provide. “I have never owned a Bible,” she said, cradling it to her heart like something very precious. As she rejoiced and praised God, she said, “This for sure is a very big blessing to me at 66 years old!”

Noticing Mary’s reaction, her longtime friend, Jane*, came to see what the commotion was all about. Jane could hardly believe what she was hearing when we told her she could have a Bible of her own as well.

For Christians like Mary and Jane, who live in Uganda — one of the poorest countries in the world — receiving a gift of God’s Word is a priceless treasure. Even though Bibles can be purchased in urban areas, for the rural community, there is no access and no money to buy one.

In a nearby village, over 100 children’s Bibles were presented to a group of children who had gathered from several churches. They spent the day reading and sharing stories with each other from their new Bibles.

Because of the generosity of friends like you, people who had never owned a Bible can now know Jesus on a much deeper level through God’s Word. Receiving these Bibles, free of charge, was a greater blessing than could be summed up in words. But their gratefulness — expressed through tears, smiles, and dancing for joy — was overflowing!

*Name changed for privacy