Spreading the Word

From one of Wycliffe Bible Translators’ members, Jo Clifford, who works in Tanzania:

‘I was reminded this month that God never lets any of our experiences go to waste. Nine years ago I worked for Trans World Radio. They taught me how to produce radio programmes and how to run a studio. These days radio programmes are a very important aspect of our work here in Mbeya, especially in a culture that sees reading as hard work.

So what does it take to produce a radio programme?

I start by writing a script for the programme. This will be a set script that I can use again and again with a variety of material. A programme can’t be longer or shorter than 30 minutes! It should also be fun to listen to so that people switch on and listen again!

Every programme needs a good announcer and ours is no exception! Luckily, Beatrice who works in our Operations department has a great radio voice and is willing to give her time to read the intros and outros of the programmes.

We have a jingle (short theme song) that we use for the programme so that it is recognisable for regular listeners. Then I decide what Scripture passages we will broadcast during the programme. Maybe they are one in a series of programmes, eg the book of Mark in the Safwa language. And somehow I have to put everything together so it fits, and sounds good!

Listen to a sample programme:

Please do pray for the radio programmes that are broadcast every week, that God will touch people’s lives as they listen to Scripture in their own language.’