Bangou grew up in a large family that practiced idolatry. While he considered himself a Christian, he had not yet read the Bible. “Without a Bible, I could not move forward in faith,” he says. “I lived my Christian life the way I wanted by ignorance.”

It would have been easy for Bangou to continue down a path of idolatry. But Christ was stirring in his heart. When he received his first Bible, Bangou felt “indescribable joy. The lack in me was satisfied. I could finally read the Bible translated in my language. My wish has been granted.”

Having Scripture in his heart language has helped Bangou live his life for Christ. “Now I look to God through prayer and his Word to know his will in the decisions I have to make,” says Bangou.

Reverend Yankine Dramane reiterates why Bible translation is so important. “When the Bible arrives in the heart language of the people, they come to Jesus and live their lives by the gospel,” he says.

Support from American Bible Society’s financial partners has helped us place Bibles in the hands and hearts of more than 36,000 people in Burkina Faso. And for many like Bangou, it’s their first Bible! We are grateful for continued support to reach even more people like Bangou with the Good News … so they may know Jesus Christ.