The Rana Tharu people live in the forests along the southwestern border of Nepal and across the border in India. Some families live in huts plastered with mud and cow dung; others in simple brick homes. They plant rice and corn in tidy rows, fish in the streams, and hunt in the forest. It’s a quiet life—rich in culture.

Historically, the Rana Tharu have held animistic beliefs … and more recently, some have adopted Hinduism … but something is changing.

A Pastor with a Vision

Pastor Kishor, a local church leader, felt a deep burden. His people sat in church each week listening to Scripture in Nepali—a language many did not fully understand. It wasn’t their heart language.

He knew the Gospel needed to be more than just heard—it needed to be understood. And for that to happen, it had to be in Rana Tharu.

So he got to work.

With dedication and prayer, Pastor Kishor translated the entire New Testament into Rana Tharu—marking the first time God’s Word was available in the language of his people.

But another challenge remained: illiteracy. Many in his congregation could not read—not in Nepali, and not in Rana Tharu.

Pastor Kishor realized his congregation needed the Rana Tharu New Testament in an audio format.

A Community Effort, A Historic Milestone

Evangelists, church leaders, and pastors (including Pastor Kishor!)—lent their voices to the recording of the New Testament in Rana Tharu. These were not professional actors. They were shepherds of their flocks—men and women who knew the weight of what they were saying. With every verse spoken, they were planting seeds of truth in their community.

Now, those recordings are finally ready. Loaded onto Mini Pearl audio Bible players, the first shipment has arrived in the Rana Tharu villages.

For the very first time, families can sit together in their homes and listen to God’s Word in their heart language. The Mini Pearls were received with wide smiles and great joy!

Thank you for bringing audio Bibles to the Rana Tharu people through your support and prayers. We couldn’t do this without you!

Millions of people around the world are still without access to the Bible. If you feel God calling you to reach more people with His Word in their heart languages, give today!

Note: Names and images have been altered to protect the identities of our distribution partners and Bible recipients.