Digital Distribution Speed Bumps
By Norm Gardner

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Digital Distribution Speed Bumps
By Norm Gardner

I recently accompanied Lauren Runia on a trip to Papua New Guinea (PNG). Lauren is a trainer and media specialist for International Media Services (IMS). My goal was to assist where possible and help in the distribution of the many video and audio digital files that were created for the Mandara language group over the years. During this trip, the national Scripture Media Ministry team also completed the audio version of The Gospel of John video in Mandara, which we included in the distribution effort.

Gardner loading digital video and audio files in the Mandara language onto 130 microSD cards.
Gardner charge des fichiers audio et vidéo numériques en langue mandara sur 130 cartes microSD.Media distribution from one mobile device to another is a great tool for fulfilling the Great Commission. It is important to teach missionaries, pastors, denominational leaders, and seminary students where to get the files and how to distribute them. On our trip to PNG there were some challenges, “speed bumps,” to sharing the media files. I would like to highlight a few of these and some solutions we found for getting over these bumps.

SPEED BUMP #1:  Old, worn-out mobile phones with OS no longer supported.

Since 2008 there have been 170 manufacturers producing over 11,000 different models of mobile phone devices. On mobile phones with Android OS installed, you will find the possibility of 13 different operating systems and their variants. This large variety in devices can certainly present challenges. One such example was when a person came to us with a copy phone that would not allow us to transfer files through USB.

SPEED BUMP #2:  Phones that would not read the OTG (On-The-Go) device files.

The OTG device we were using was the SENDER-X file-sharing device from MegaVoice. We ran into several different problems. First, if a USB port had moisture in it due to the very humid climate, it would not read the OTG device. Second, some model phones do not support OTG devices. Third, some phones’ protective cases inhibit the OTG devices from making a good connection.

SPEED BUMP #3:  Poor or no cellular service.

Believe it or not, there are still places in the world where there is no, or very poor, cell service, which we discovered on Tatau Island. This limits the ability to research file-sharing issues between mobile devices. Where there is adequate cell service, issues can be rectified by Googling the model of the device and its OS for solutions to file-sharing. Also, it is possible to download an app or an update to allow file-sharing.

Gardner helping a local pastor after his phone would not read the OTG device. 
Gardner aide un pasteur local dont le téléphone ne pouvait pas lire le dispositif OTG.

Getting Over the Speed Bumps

There are a variety of solutions to the issues stated above. To start with, it is a good idea to research ahead of time what phones and devices are available and being used in the area in which you will be doing distribution. Here is a list of what helped us over the “speed bumps” we encountered.

Copy Phones:  For the one individual who had the copy phone, the answer was the SHAREit app that was installed on his phone. Even though his phone looked like it had been through a war, the SHAREit app worked. Thus, he received the Mandara Gospel videos and the Mandara Bible app through wireless offline pairing from my phone to his. The SHAREit app, which is widely used in many parts of the world, if installed on both devices, should work on any smartphone model. There is some discussion about security concerns with this app, so it is good to evaluate it for yourself and decide if you are okay with using this app. You may also consider using it on a dedicated phone.

This power bank was instrumental for Gardner, allowing him to charge a phone wirelessly.
Ce bloc d'alimentation était essentiel pour Gardner: il lui a permis de recharger un téléphone sans fil.

Moisture (Rain & Perspiration):  Here are three solutions to the moisture problem:

• Bring along a wireless phone charger.  The power bank in the picture above has a wireless charging feature.  Thankfully, it was brought on the trip, so the problem with my USB-C port not allowing a charge was no longer an issue.

• If possible, bring a backup phone with you. My backup phone had the same Android OS as my other phone, which enabled me to transfer files through the Wi-Fi direct feature on both phones. The phone with moisture was then set on warm electrical devices daily until finally the port dried.

• Place your phone in a backpack inside a waterproof pouch or Ziploc bag. In very hot climates, avoid putting your phone in a pocket close to human contact where perspiration can create moisture issues.

SD Cards:  Distributing media on microSD cards was a success. No problem here.

OTG Devices:  For the phones that will read the OTG devices, like the SENDER-X from MegaVoice, media files can be easily transferred through this method. Files can also be put on personal microSD cards by using an OTG device.

 

Gardner showing a member of the recording team how to use apps for cellphone ministry.
Gardner montre à un membre de l'équipe d'enregistrement comment utiliser des applications pour partager la Parole de Dieu à l’aide de téléphones mobiles.

Mobile Offline Sharing:  There are many ways to share files offline between mobile devices. Your phone probably has several methods to do this. To explore your phone’s and another device’s options, go to your connection settings. Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Put your phone in the discovery mode. Next, find a video, audio, or any folder in your files and select it. You will get an option to copy, move, delete, or share it. Choose the share icon. A host of options will open. View all the options. If you do not know what they are, Google them. Apps such as SHAREit, Xender, Wi-Fi Direct, Nearby Share, Quick Share, etc. are probably in the list. Every one of these allows for offline sharing. Both mobile devices need to be paired. The receiving phone needs to accept the file transfer. You can even share apps through this method. There is no one perfect way. It is best to have backup plans. This is especially important if traveling far from home in a remote ministry endeavor.

LightStream:  Many of you are familiar with the LightStream Pocket by Renew World Outreach. Someone had donated four of these WiFi distribution devices for the Scripture Media Ministry team members. These were loaded with all of the media available for the local languages in the islands area, so the team members could distribute materials while out on recording trips and from locations in their own village areas.

Our desire is to see lives transformed as people engage with God’s Word. To engage with it, they need to receive it. Effective Scripture media distribution plays a key part in seeing that become a reality.

Norm Gardner is a technical team member for IMS and lives in Brighton, Colorado. He served as a pastor for 20 years, but now has spent 20 additional years personally distributing the gospel in audio and video formats to many countries in Africa, South America, Central America, and Asia.