‘It trembles my heart’

Songs for all of life

Tefera takes up the story: ‘The Me’en people are known for their close attachment to songs. They have songs for every season and life experience, and to express their feelings – joy, sorrow, funerals, victories, healings, deliverances, harvest times and so on. It’s common for them to sing loudly wherever they go. So when Me’en people began to come to faith in Jesus, it was natural for them to write songs about Jesus. Since the hearts of Me’en people are open to music, they’ll always listen to songs, including songs about Jesus, even if they don’t believe in Jesus.’

‘For example, after the Gospel of John had been translated, one singer wrote a song based on John 14 using a Me’en melody. The people learnt the song and sing it, which helps to keep the passage in their hearts. When they received the translated Me’en New Testament, they already knew most of the passages of Scripture through songs.’

‘The fact that the Me’en church uses their heart language and local melodies for their songs, means it’s accepted in the community. The church considers the cultural context, which makes people open their hearts and accept the gospel message.

‘Now that the songs have been recorded, it’s common for believers to play gospel songs in their small shops too, which attracts passers-by to listen and sing together. Many have come to believe in Jesus just by listening to gospel songs, be that in shops or on their phones. Songs are powerful in the lives of Me’en people.’