Kim’s Story: “I will—because now I know how.”

This bold declaration was uttered by Kim, a 54 years old widowed small farmer. Her face was beaming as she promptly started to read the text very slowly.

She had never learnt to read and write as a child since she had to work in the fields. Her life had been one of hard labour. Her two children had to go to work in a town four hours away when she became a widow.

Being a Christian, going to church and Bible study was an exciting event. However, it was marred by embarrassment. She couldn’t read the Bible text and had to sit and listen as the Word was read aloud. Surreptitiously, she would glance at the other women who were following in their own Bible. How she wished she could have her own Bible and be able to decipher the mysterious letters on the pages! She knew she would be truly content! But there would be other thoughts that would come and dampen her dream of ever attaining this lofty goal. 

“You are too old to ever learn to read, no one will be able to teach you. This is reserved for children and educated people.”

These thoughts were rather depressing as Kim so yearned to be able to read the Bible for herself.

However, two years ago, hope came in the form of an announcement. A literacy class would be started for those who wanted to learn to read. Kim was among the first to sign up. The Bible Society literacy class would be implemented through a partner organization. Kim was very faithful at attending the level one class. She would practice at home whenever she had some time. She was thrilled when she graduated from the level one class and received some New Readers booklets. How she treasured those copies and practiced reading the wonderful gospel stories in them over and over again! How she longed to be able to read the whole Bible one day! It didn’t seem to be such an impossible dream anymore.

When the level two literacy class was advertised, she immediately jumped on the opportunity. She knew she would receive her own copy of the New Testament if she finished the class. That day finally arrived. It was an emotional moment when she received her copy of the New Testament on graduation day. Her smile was even wider as she spoke:

“Now, I can read God’s word on my own. Thank you, Jesus.”

Ever since that day, Kim has been faithful in reading the Word of God on her own and is so happy to volunteer reading the text in the Bible study group. Through reading the Bible, she has grown stronger in her faith. In her own words:

‘The word is alive and so beautiful!”

She is ever so thankful to the Lord and the Bible Society for opening the door of literacy.

May we learn from Kim how precious being able to read the Word of God is. Let us share this privilege with those who are yearning for the opportunity.