Eman’s Story : Words That Saved A Language

For Eman Rivera, a 23-year-old young man from the Moravian Church in Walangwas, Nicaragua, the Word of God is much more than paper and ink. It is life, hope, and identity.

Eman’s roots run deep in the soil of his ancestors. His mother is Mayangna, his father Miskitu, and he proudly speaks both languages. But for years, he watched the Mayangna language fade away.

“We don’t have books in our language,” he explains. “That’s why many are losing Mayangna and prefer to speak Miskitu, since hymnals and Bibles are in Miskitu.”

Then came a gift that changed everything—the first Bible in Mayangna.

“It’s the first Bible I’ve ever received, and what I like most is that it’s in my native language,” Eman says with joy.

Sharing the Treasure

Eman doesn’t keep this treasure to himself. He leads a Bible listening group with the preacher in his community, helping others discover God’s Word in their heart language.

“Now it’s different because we already have the greatest gift in the church: the book that connects us with Jesus. We’re going to promote the reading and study of God’s Word so that the Bible continues to be the main beacon that lights our path to God.”

Faith Amid Hardship

But life is hard. Jobs are scarce, schools are few, and young people face many social problems in the community.

“Because of this, many young people turn to alcohol and drug use. Many become depressed because they see their future as uncertain. But with God, we can endure and overcome anything. That’s why the Bible is very important in the lives of young people so that we can give the best to our community”

Eman dreams of becoming a teacher.

“I love teaching,” he says, his eyes bright with hope. For him, education and faith are inseparable. He wants to guide the next generation toward knowledge, purpose, and God’s love.

When God’s Word Speaks Your Language, Everything Changes

Through the gift of a Bible in his own language, Eman has found strength, vision, and a calling. His story is a powerful reminder: when people receive God’s Word in the language of their heart, lives change. Communities change. Futures change.