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The rule of thumb is, a book that has helped you in your Christian walk will probably help someone in Africa. |
Sending Bibles and Books to Africa--How Does CLA Do It?
by Ken Swan
CLA has shipped millions of Bibles and Christian books to Africa over the past 25 years. Each 20-foot container costs $6,000 to $12,000 to ship from Indiana to its arrival point in Africa.
For the past 25 years, retiring pastors, laymen, and churches donate boxes of books that are sent or driven to CLA. Other donors send cash or send regular monthly donations. Recently, the way was made possible to receive online donations.
Once the donated books reach CLA’s Ministry Center, a team of volunteers sort and pack the books in tightly secured boxes ready for shipping. Then they are sent to Africa for the use of Christian leaders, pastors, students, and new converts. Bibles and books from CLA can be found in churches, libraries, child development centers, and prisons throughout Africa.
After the container arrives in Africa the books are distributed to several countries. A system of distribution has been established in cooperation with The Church of the Nazarene and other Christian churches to ensure that the Bibles reach Literature Directors and Missionaries. Those that receive the books pay the customs fees, if necessary, which can be as much as $4,000.
CLA receives many appreciative responses from those who receive Bibles and Christian books. These emails reveal how God, through His written Word, inspires, instructs, convicts, and encourages those who respond to Him.
Rev. Sam Lama writes, “Twenty-five pastors received your gift of the Bible. We are very grateful to you, for about 23 pastors never had Bibles. We appreciate your gift and yearn for more Bibles...that will help our ministry in rural Liberia.”
In another response, one student from another world religion received one of the Bibles sent by CLA. When he read what Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” he prayed the sinner’s prayer and gave his life to Christ. Later, when he received God’s call to the ministry, he exclaimed, “God has called me to proclaim the Word of God, and I am willing to answer with great joy.”
Missionary Sarah Reed writes, “I cannot begin to tell you all the many lives that have been impacted by your literature.”
Such is the reward of CLA in fulfilling the Great Commission through the written word! Praise God for the advance of the Gospel in Africa, where it is reported that 16,000 Africans are coming to Christ every day!
CLA is an inter-denominational, non-profit, tax-exempt organization, Code 501(c)(3). Receipts are given for each donation.
