MY ACCOUNT
The afternoon heat shimmers off the dusty streets of N'Djamena as Samuel Mbaye adjusts the small device in his hands.
At 35, this father of five carries himself with the quiet confidence of a man who has found his anchor in turbulent times. His security guard uniform bears the insignia of his profession, but it's the small MP3 player and speaker system that reveals his true passion—sharing God's Word with anyone who will listen.
"Jesus is my Lord, is my Savior," he says simply, his voice carrying the weight of conviction. "This is why I consider Jesus as my Lord."
It's a declaration that takes on profound meaning when you understand the journey that brought him to this moment, sitting in the courtyard of our compound where the sounds of children's laughter mix with the distant call to prayer from a nearby mosque.
Chad represents one of the world's most challenging environments for Christian witness. With a population split roughly between Muslim and Christian communities, religious tensions simmer beneath the surface of daily life. The country's literacy rate of 22% compounds the challenge of spiritual growth, leaving millions without access to Scripture in forms they can understand.
For families like Samuel's, navigating faith in this context requires both courage and creativity. "As a Christian, you have to tell the truth to the people," he explains. "And when you tell the truth, people become your enemies because many people don't like the truth. So when you are Christian and you expose your faith, you become the enemy of more people. But you have to persevere. You have to keep on going straight because you follow the will of God."
According to partners working across sub-Saharan Africa, the demand for audio Scripture far exceeds supply. In Chad, where over 100 languages are spoken and oral tradition dominates communication, audio Bibles and SD cards have become revolutionary tools for discipleship and evangelism.
Samuel's story begins in childhood, growing up in a family where faith was central but not always clearly understood. "I used to go to Sunday school when I was a little boy, but I didn't understand the meaning of all those things," he recalls. It wasn't until later that he made the conscious decision to "accept Jesus Christ as Lord."
That decision would be tested repeatedly. As a security guard working long hours to support his wife Grace and their five children—three boys and two girls—Samuel faces the daily challenge of living out his faith in a society where Christian witness can bring opposition.
"First you have to have a living faith," he explains when asked about finding courage in difficult circumstances. "And the second one is the Holy Spirit. When people are hating you and you have faith and the Holy Spirit can encourage you, can boost you so that you cannot be discouraged when people look down on you. Only the Holy Spirit and faith will help you to go far with Jesus."
The family's financial struggles are real and immediate. Despite having education and skills, Samuel faces the reality that confronts many young Chadians: "When you have PhD, you have master degree, and you have no job, you have no employment. So it's not easy." Yet these challenges have only deepened his dependence on God's Word.
Audio Bibles in Chad have been a source of encouragement for many believers. The transformation in Samuel's spiritual life came through access to Scripture in a format he could use anywhere, anytime. The micro SD card containing the Bible, along with his small MP3 player and speaker, has become his constant companion.
"When I have a little time, I put this on to listen, and it encourages me to stay strong at work," he explains. "Even at home, even when walking on the road, I listen and it encourages me to walk like this." The device allows him to hear God's Word during breaks at his security job, while commuting, or during quiet moments at home.
But Samuel's use of the technology extends far beyond personal devotion. He has become an evangelist in his community, using the audio Bible to reach others who, like him, struggle with literacy or simply learn better through hearing. "I put this in my MP3 player to listen and evangelize people," he says, describing how he shares the device with neighbors and coworkers.
The impact is immediate and visible. When the audio Bible plays, people gather. The joy on their faces as they hear Scripture in their own language creates moments of connection that transcend religious and cultural barriers. For many, it's their first experience hearing God's Word in a format that speaks directly to their hearts.
We, at Global Christian Relief, work with local partners to provide audio Bibles, SD cards, and other digital resources to believers like Samuel who face enormous challenges in accessing Scripture. For just $5, we can provide a micro SD card containing the complete Bible, the Jesus film, and other resources that can transform not just individual lives but entire communities.
When asked about his hopes for Chad's future, Samuel speaks passionately about the need for evangelism and spiritual awakening. His prayer requests reveal both the scope of the challenges and the depth of his faith: "Pray for Chad so that many people who are lost will believe and receive Jesus. Pray for peace and for the unity of the body of Christ in Chad."
As evening approaches and the call to prayer echoes across N'Djamena, Samuel prepares for another night shift as a security guard. But he won't go alone—tucked in his pocket is the small device that has become his lifeline to hope, his tool for ministry, and his constant reminder that God's Word never returns empty.
His story represents thousands of similar testimonies across Chad, where believers are discovering that faith doesn't require literacy, buildings, or formal programs. Audio Bibles in Chad are changing lives. Sometimes all that is required is a small device, a willing heart, and the unshakeable conviction that God's truth is worth sharing, no matter the cost.
