It may surprise you to learn that the quote from the title came from a young man named Jasur*. He has been a Christian for six years and faithfully attends church. However, he has found it very hard to understand the Bible because his only copy was in Russian.

This language barrier prevented him from pursuing his passion to share the Gospel with others or take part in ministry. He shares, “My biggest dream was to receive the Bible in Uzbek and learn to tell my loved ones about Christ in the right words.”

When Jasur was very young, his father abandoned the family. Jasur carried tremendous resentment toward his father, even after becoming a Christian. But now that he can read his Bible in his heart language, the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:44-45a (GNT) have come alive to him: “But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the children of your Father in heaven.”

Jasur forgave his father. When he did, the weight of his resentment lifted, and he began to feel the love of God the Father overwhelm him.

Now, thanks to our partner’s commitment to sharing God’s Word, many other Uzbekistani people can know and follow God in a deeper way — some for the first time — and they are deeply grateful for this Uzbek translation of the Bible!

*Name changed for privacy