Just the day before we held our specialevent at the City Hall in Belfast on 4November to promote the Digital BibleLibrary…a thought occurred to me:‘It’s for free!’

I wasn’t thinking about how Belfast CityCouncil had granted us use of theBanqueting Hall or that a cup of teawas being provided. It wasn’t evenabout the Bible now being available forfree download to smartphones,computers and tablets, although freewas the operable word. The Bible

Societies’ Digital Bible Library which brings togetherBible texts provided by both national Bible Societiesand our friends in Wycliffe Bible Translators, nowprovides:

Over 450 languages and over 700 versions from the YouVersion site at no charge;

Available to anyone, anywhere in the world, who has a modern communications device – even in countries where distributing a Bible might pose arisk. (How satisfying it is that God has given us technology to transmit His Word through space, across borders and into sensitive places where Christians may fear to tread).

It is this potential for the Bible to be so freelyavailable that I find so exciting. While the moremature of us still think of the Bible primarily as abook, the new ‘gadgets’ of today bring Scripturewithin the reach of all age groups. It is a greatencouragement for church leaders and theircongregations everywhere that, for the first time,God’s timeless story is available to read and carryaround in the box we know as the smart phone.And….not just in one English version (38 the lasttime I looked) but also in minority languages thatare heard here, including three Irish Bible texts andthe Ulster Scots Gospel of Luke ‘Gude Whittins fraeDoctair Luik’.

The statistics associated with this service arestaggering: in July 2013, the number of downloadsfrom the YouVersion site passed 100 million. By theend of December, five months on, a further 22million Bibles had been captured on devices. Toencourage this trend here, BSNI printed 10,000business cards to emphasise its free availability(shown above). If you would like some to pass on toyour young people, please get in touch with us atBible House.

But there is one other sense in which I associate theword free. The Bible tells us of a love that isenduring, unchanging and unconditional, and of alife that was freely given so that we might find ourfreedom in eternity. Now that is a free offer thatcan never be beaten. It was Jesus who stood in thesynagogue and read aloud the words from Isaiahthat we heard read that day in the City Hall:“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he haschosen me to bring good news to the poor. He hassent me to proclaim liberty to the captives andrecovery of sight to the blind, to set free theoppressed and announce that the time has comewhen the Lord will save his people.” Luke 4. 18 and 19(NIV)

Now…..what better offer can there be?

John Doherty General Secretary BSNI

A Free Gift,

Freely Given

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Welcome...

CONTENTS...........................SPRING 2014

Projects for 2014........................3Discovering God’s Purpose

Belfast City Hall: Digital Bible Library.......6Over 700 versions of the Bible for free

100 Bibles, 1000 Days................11Where are we with Bible Translation?

Trauma in East Africa........................14-15God’s power to overcome… you can help too.

REGULAR ITEMSLocal News Snippets.................4-5

Prayer Pull-out Pages.............7-10

International News...............12-13

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“The Bible Society in Northern Ireland seeks to reacheveryone with God’s Word in a language and mediumthey can access and afford, so that each person mightexperience God’s purpose for their life.” That’s ourVision!

This year the Bible Society in Northern Ireland (BSNI) isparticularly focusing on God’s purpose. By making Scriptureavailable to many, BSNI hopes that people will use God’s Wordto give meaning to their lives and reveal their purpose hereon earth. To make this happen, BSNI is supporting 38 projectsacross the world during 2014. Here is just a glimpse ……

TranslationPeople need to have the Bible in their heart language so theycan fully understand the meaning of God’s message. BSNI ishelping to fund translation projects this year in Albania,Botswana, Cambodia, Côte d’Ivoire, India, Laos, Mozambique,Poland, Senegal, Slovakia, Swaziland and Vietnam. (See page11 to find out more)

ProductionFor some, being handed a printed Bible won’t work; whetherthey are illiterate or visually impaired, the written format isnot suitable. BSNI is supporting projects making the Bibleavailable in different formats:

• Faith Comes by Hearing programme in Nigeria• Digital Audio Bibles for the Blind in the Philippines

DistributionBible Society staff and volunteers are actively placingScripture into people’s hands, meeting the needs of differentaudiences and age groups. Distribution projects shine lightinto dark places and reach people who have been forgotten.This year BSNI is reaching:

• Soldiers in Armenia, • Refugees and prisoners in Austria, • Marginalised shepherds in Lesotho and • People in troubled areas of Syria.

EngagementSimply receiving a Bible is not enough. United Bible Societiesplace a huge importance on helping people to engage withthe words in front of them. BSNI is helping do this through:

• Teaching kids living in poverty through the ‘Bread of Life’ project in Peru,

• Sunday School classes in Gabon, • Working with families in Bolivia and• Trauma healing in South Sudan.

(Read more on pages 14, 15)

As each person receives God’s Word through these projects wepray that their lives would be impacted by the truth of theGospel, and that God would reveal His purpose for their lives. To see a full list of our 2014 projects and how you can helppeople discover God’s purpose for their lives visitwww.bsni.co.uk/projects

Mercedes Florendoholds a MegaVoice

audio Scriptureunit in thePhilippines

Soldiers inArmenia receive

specially designedNew Testaments

Children receiveScripture materials

in Gabon

Dicovering God’s Purpose in 2014

Monday 11 November 2013 was a significant milestone in the history ofLondonderry as the local Bible Society Auxiliary celebrated its 75thanniversary. This committee, drawn from the churches in and aroundthe city, has faithfully continued to encourage local interest in thetranslation and distribution of Scriptures worldwide, from its foundingin February 1938 at a meeting convened in Thompson’s Café inWaterloo Place.

The 2013 AGM recounted the energy of the original committee asthey organised a Bible Film night, a Thanksgiving Service and anOpen Air rally at the Guildhall – all in their first nine months.

The present Committee have carried on the tradition of thefounders and each year secures a combined contribution of around£10,000 from the local churches which helps to sustain BSNI’s

programme of Bible translation and distribution – at home and abroad.

At the AGM, BSNI Chair Reverend Stephen Lowry presented the current Secretary, Mrs Betty McCayand the Treasurer David Canning with a commemorative book to recognise their combined service of more than 50years to the Auxiliary.

Let us trust that the churches in the North West continue to prioritise the task of addressing Bible poverty so thatthe vision of those pioneers of 1938 continues to flourish undimmed.

News Snippets at Home

Londonderry Celebrates

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Bishop Ken Good who spoke atthe event

During November ArchbishopRichard Clarke organised nineRoadshows with his Rural Deansacross the diocese of Armagh.The overall purpose was todiscuss different aspects of ‘ALiving Faith’. During the secondweek, John Doherty joined theArchbishop to share inpresentations about ‘A BiblicalFaith’. It was an opportunity forBSNI to encourage largeaudiences in the parish churchesof Brackaville (Markethill),Killyman (Dungannon) andDerryloran (Cookstown) toappreciate our riches ofScripture. A display of differentBible translations in print anddigital media was introduced,together with a range of Bible reading resources provided by the Society. There was also keen interest in samples ofBible reading Notes, covering all age groups that are available from Scripture Union. On each occasion, theimportance of creating time for Bible reading, of using different texts for comparison, of following a systematicdaily reading plan and availing of Notes to illuminate what is being read, were all stressed.

All in all, these were enjoyable evenings, with a great spirit of interest and enthusiasm, and keen participation inthe small group discussions. We are grateful to Archbishop Richard for his invitation to share in his roadshows andto share with audiences drawn from right across the diocese.

Archbishop’s Roadshows

Reverend Canon Norman Porteus (Rector of Derryloran Parish), The Most ReverendRichard Clarke (Archbishop of Armagh) with John Doherty (BSNI)

Carrickfergus Prayer GroupA Prayer Group continues to meet mostmonths in Carrickfergus. This groupbegan meeting in March 2013 and ithas been a powerful experience tomeet together and pray for BibleSocieties around the world. Isabel whohosts the group says, “Praying intobrothers’ and sisters’ lives across theworld is such a privilege. Being in thisprayer group has made me feel a realpart of the Bible Society.” If you wouldbe interested in joining theCarrickfergus prayer group, or inhosting a group in your area, please doget in touch. Contact Julie at 9032 6577,or email julie@bsni.co.uk.

The Bible Society’s Commitment

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A Christmas Tree with adifference

Some months ago BSNI received anunusual invitation – to take part in aChristmas Tree Festival which wasbeing organised by First DunboePresbyterian Church in Articlave. TheBSNI contribution was a five-foot tall‘tree’ of Bibles which Julie and Leahassembled in Bible House, on a trialbasis, from our stock of both English

and non-English Scripture, and also using some very old (and very heavy)Bibles from the 19th century. It contained 398 Scripture editions!

The result was a thought provoking image that invited visitors to theFestival, who viewed many different styles of Christmas tree, to considerthe part that the Bible plays in our lives.

Thank you to Reverend Jim McCaughan and the people of First Dunboefor including the Bible Society in this event in such an innovative way.

Our Supporters are probably aware that the Society takesseriously its responsibility to be good stewards of the manydonations that we receive each year. In these days whencharities are, rightly, being subjected to increased supervision,the Board has asked that the following statement be includedin all of our requests for support: ‘All of each gift received willbe transmitted to benefit the project being supported’.

This is your assurance that the gifts that you so generous givewill be applied, in full, to the purpose for which they havebeen given. In the rare event that the value of gifts wouldexceed the amount designated by BSNI to an individualproject, the balance will be transferred to the same project forthe succeeding year or applied to a similar project in aneighbouring country.

Speaking Engagements

During 2013, BSNI staffspoke about theSociety’s work on 74different occasions,including sharing at 34Sunday Services. If yourchurch has not heard ofour work for some years(and we know that there are still a few hundredchurches to which we have not yet been invited) doplease get in touch. That way, during 2014, we canshare the good news of what God is accomplishingin His world through the translation anddistribution of Scripture.

Belfast City Hall stages celebration of Digital Bible Library

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Reverend Stephen Lowry, in Irish by the Lord Mayorand in Ulster-Scots by Mrs Elizabeth McLeister.

Psalm 23 was also read - in Irish by MonsignorPádraig Ó Fiannachta, the translator of the IrishBible, An Bίobla Naofa and who, in his 88th year,had travelled from Dingle, County Kerry for theoccasion. Other readers, Aneta Dabek and DanHealy also read the psalm, in Polish and Spanishrespectively, to demonstrate that not only are we acomplex community today, but also that Scripture isfor everyone to enjoy. Reverend Dr Heather Morris,President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, alsoread Psalm 23, but in the Contemporary EnglishVersion from her smart phone. She reflected on itsmeaning for us and for the young people she hadvisited in Ghana as part of a BSNI Bible distributionproject.

Two men who had helped us with the planning ofthe event also spoke: Philip Saunders the WycliffeTranslation Consultant and overseer of the Ulster-Scots translation, gave us a translator’s view, andPastor John Duffy (Colin Glen Christian Fellowship inWest Belfast) spoke of the potential impact ofScripture in our lives and in our community.

It was an opportunity to bring the Bible into thepublic square and an occasion that was evidentlyenjoyed by all those who attended.

Philip Saunders (Ulster-Scots Translation Consultant), Councillor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir (Lord Mayor of Belfast),Reverend Stephen Lowry (Chair, BSNI) and Pastor John Duffy (Colin Glen Christian Fellowship, Belfast)

BSNI organised a very special event in theCity Hall on 4 November to celebrate theastounding achievement of the Digital BibleLibrary.

The DBL brings together over 700 versions of theBible in more than 450 languages – and the numbercontinues to grow. Almost all of these have beencontributed by Bible Societies and by Wycliffe BibleTranslators. This digital medium is remarkable forenabling Bible Societies to create a platform (calledYouVersion) from which each text can bedownloaded on to the portable devices that are sowidespread today – smart phones, tablets andlaptops – for free!

Around five million Bibles are now beingdownloaded each month – enough cause forcelebration. However the launching, just 24 hourspreviously, of three Irish translations and theaddition of the Ulster-Scots Gospel of Luke gave theevent a boost, and the worldwide Digital BibleLibrary, a very local flavour.

An invited audience listened intently as a variedprogramme of Scripture readings took place in theCity Hall’s Banqueting Hall, which was kindlyprovided by Belfast City Council and attended by anumber of media organisations. Luke 4.14-22 wasread in English from his tablet by BSNI Chair,

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Pull-out and keep prayer guide: January 2014

Prayer at WorkThese Prayer at Work pages havebeen appearing in Word at Workfor a year now and we have beenencouraged by the positivereaction. It is heartening to knowthat so many of you pray regularlyfor the Bible Society ministryworldwide.Please pull out this centrefold and keep itsomewhere that will remind you to pray– maybe with your daily readings, in yourBible, or you might like to bring it alongto your mid-week meeting or smallgroup?

As with last year, the prayers are brokendown into weekly topics and each pageholds a month’s material. January, Mayand September will have some weeks offdue to the timing of the magazines.However, if you commit topraying each week that hasprayer material – you willpray for every Bible Societythis year.

More copies of the magazinecan be provided if you wouldlike to share the prayermaterial with a group.

Thank You for your prayers – we know that God alwayshears!

Ethiopia: Please pray for goodprogress with the number oftranslations under way, may Godprepare individuals andcommunities who will receive HisWord. Pray also for ongoing work toprevent HIV/AIDS and for goodrelations with the Churches. Pray forYilma Getahun as he leads the team.

South Sudan: Ask God to use thesmall team led by Edward. Pray forthe distribution of Shilluk Bibles:lives are being transformed amongthe Shilluk people. Please pray forpeople being helped through thetrauma healing workshops andremember also ongoing translationprojects.

Eritrea: Pray that there will be afreedom to undertake Bible missionand that God will provide sufficientfunds to translate, publish anddistribute Scripture for thosewaiting. Pray that God’s Word willeventually be available in thelanguages of all indigenouscommunities.

Sudan: Please pray for Churchleaders, who are under a lot ofpressure and ask for a true Churchrevival. Praise God for the successfulmeeting with the World Council ofChurches. Ask for God’s blessing onthe Moro translation project, thetranslation team and staffmembers.

January 26 - February 1Bible-A-MonthPartnersIf you are not one of our ‘Bible-A-Month’ Prayer Partners, you may bewondering what the countryinformation along the bottom of thepage is all about. It is simple, Bible-A-Month Partners donate at least £4 amonth, to place a Bible-A-Month... asimple idea, but a powerful, life-changing one!

If you would like to become aBible-A-Month Partner just giveus a ring and we will send you aCalendar with some moreinformation. You can set up aDirect Debit, send monthly

donations, or asmany others do,make quarterly orannual donations.

Bible-A-Month Project January: BurundiIn a country with a history ofcivil war, where young peopleare manipulated and used, theBible Society in Burundi isworking to teach this age grouphow to live according to God’sWord. Through Scripturedistribution, sporting activitiesand youth meetings youngpeople will learn what love andreconciliation are.

Please pray that funds will be made available for Bibles andScripture Comics in languages that will be understood. Ask that aspeople receive the Scriptures they will be impacted by the wordsand know what salvation in Christ is.

Burundi has experienced years of civil war, with young peoplejoining in many of the atrocities. With elections happening in2015, this age group is once again being targeted bypoliticians. Pray that through the Word of God these peoplewould be able to stand strong in faith, knowing the differencebetween right and wrong.

The Bible Society in Burundi is running other projects includingfighting against HIV/AIDS, literacy classes, FCBH* programmes,and the translation of the Kirundi Study Bible. Ask for God’sblessing on all these efforts.

£4 could provide a Bible, giving a child in Burundi the opportunity to discover God’s love.

Dedication of theShilluk Bible,South Sudan

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January - April

*FCBH: Faith Comes By Hearing - A programme providing audio Scripture for listening groups, set upthrough local churches. Good Samaritan Project: A Bible-based HIV/AIDS education programme.Workshop based, multi-media training.

Bible SocietyVolunteers, Nicaragua.

Pull-out and keep prayer guide: February 2014Prayer at Work

Liberia: Pray for genuinereconciliation on Liberia’slong road to peace. May Godbless the Kisi and Kpelletranslations and provide forthe three new projects: Gola,Mano and Dan. Pray forcontinued impact of literacyprojects. Ask God to providefor the currently unfundedbuilding project.

Guinea: Praise God for thetranslation projects, ask thatthey may run smoothly andthat the translated Scripturesmay be well received. Ask, too,for God’s blessing on efforts tocomplete a new Bible House.Pray for Thierry Mabiala wholeads the small team.

Sierra Leone: Ask God to givecourage and commitment tothe board and staff led byJames Coker. Pray for funds topromote Bible distribution,implement partnerships andundertake Scriptureengagement work. Pray thatthe translation teams will beblessed with progress in theirwork.

Nigeria: May God bring peace,especially in the North, so thatHis Word can be distributedeverywhere. Ask for God’swisdom for the new GeneralSecretary and pray for blessingon those who serve at regionallevel. Please pray for peacefulelections in 2015.

Gambia: Praise God for thededication of the MandinkaBibles, attended by agovernment minister. Maythese be widely read and fillpeople with joy. Pray forliteracy workshops and forunity between Churches.General Secretary Henry Akapoand the team have recentlyfaced difficult times.

Senegal: Pray for Mr Ngom ashe leads this difficult ministry.Pray for the team as they reachout to street children andother young people. Ask forGod’s blessing, too, in helpingpeople who cannot read togain access to God’s Word,through literacy and listeninggroups.

Côte d’Ivoire: Pray that thenew Board will contribute tothe development of the BibleSociety and that God will guideclearly in recruiting a newTranslation Consultant. AskGod to provide funds for abuilding project in Abidjan.Pray, too, for lasting peace inthe country.

Ghana: Ask for God’s blessingon all who work to maintainpeace and justice: government,clergy and security agencies.Pray that all Christians willmake the Bible their focus andthat people’s hearts will bemoved to support God’s work.Pray for this large team led byMr Odonkor.

Cameroon: Praise God forguidance as his Word isbrought to orphans, peoplewith HIV, theological studentsand those who cannot read.Ask for his blessing on thecontinuing translation projectsas well as work to reachchildren and young people.Pray for General Secretary LucGnowa.Gabon: Please ask God to blessthe translation teams as thereare several projects under way.Pray that the translatedScriptures will truly enterpeople’s lives. Please pray, too,for the Good Samaritanministry among those affectedby HIV and for outreach toSunday Schools. Mexico: Pray for an end toconstant violence, asking thatGod’s Word will be a realsource of hope. Pray for God’sblessing on translationprojects, FCBH* ministry andfundraising efforts. Ask God tobless and strength the staffteam led by Abner LopezPerez.Costa Rica: Praise God thatBible work continues despitedifficult circumstances. Ask forhelp to continue the project ‘ABible for every home’. Pray forwork with the Bribriindigenous group, who haverequested a reprint of the NewTestament. Pray too that God’sWord will reach the manymigrants.

El Salvador: Ask God forprotection during this violenttime and for wisdom forGeneral Secretary, PabloGonzalez. Staff and propertyhave been threatened. Prayfor new opportunities to makeGod’s Word known andincrease Scripture sales. Praythat young people will behelped to read the Bible.

Nicaragua: Praise God for hisblessings in particular in thework to reach children andindigenous communities.Please pray especially forBible distribution among theindigenous Miskitu people,most of whom do not own aBible. Pray for Freddy FonsecaPérez and the team.

Puerto Rico: Pray for theteam led by Mr Martinez-Rivera as they seek to do God’swill and deliver his Word tothe people of Puerto Rico. MayGod bless and protect the staffteam, may He work throughthem to bring many peopleinto his family.

Dominican Republic: Pray forwork to bring God’s Word intoviolent communities. Ask thatthe country will come to knowlasting peace and that peopleeverywhere will come to lovethe Bible. Remember work tosupply biblical materials toSunday Schools. Pray forCarmen, the GeneralSecretary.

February 23 - March 1

Bible-A-Month ProjectFebruary: Costa RicaThe Bible Society of Costa Rica (BSC) isreaching out to the more than 250,000people who are visually impaired withScripture that they can understand. Byproviding the Bible in Braille, workingwith churches to provide counselling,helping children and supporting theirparents, BSC is helping these peopleknow that God values them.

Please pray for the National Foundation for the Blind as theBible Society partners with them to run this project. Ask thatthis team will be able to reach into all communities with loveand joy.For many individuals who are visually impaired there arefeelings of exclusion and isolation. Pray that as they come toknow God’s message to them they will feel supported by theircommunities and families.This year BSC is putting an emphasis on supporting children andtheir families. Ask for God’s wisdom for the staff and volunteersworking with the Bible Society, that they would know the mosteffective way to reach this audience with the truth of the Gospel.

This month £4 could give a person who has little or no sight the opportunity to read the Bible.

February 16 - 22February 9 - 15February 2 - 8

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Pull-out and keep prayer guide: March 2014Prayer at Work

Bible-A-Month ProjectMarch: GalileeThe Galilee Centre – a base for theministry of the Arab-Israeli BibleSociety – is a comfortable place wherethe community can meet; events canbe held primarily focusing on womenand families; local and internationalrelationships can be built and staffand volunteers can serve the churchesand local community.

Please pray that this Centre would make the Arab-Israeli BibleSociety more visible in the community, allowing the Word of Godto be accessible to the people there in a safe and inviting way.The Arab-Israeli Bible Society only began operating in 2008, withthe Galilee Centre opened the next year. Pray for Dina and herstaff team there as they seek God’s direction in their projectprogramme and listen to His guiding on what they should bedoing in their local community.Pray that funding would be received through our Bible-A-MonthCalendar to allow this Bible Society to make Scripture resourcesavailable to the Arab-Israeli people (just £4 could providesomeone with their own Bible).

This month, £4 could help Arab-Israeli people engage with the Bible.

Cuba: General Secretary AlainMontano asks for prayer foroutreach with God’s Word tomany different groups ofpeople. They are reaching theyoung, prisoners, the elderlyand the disabled. Pray, too,for their efforts to distributeBibles to the Churches.

Panama: Please ask God toguide the team translating theBible for the Kuna people:may their work truly bless thiscommunity and may God’sWord soon be available.Remember, too, the audioScripture ministry and specialoutreach to disadvantagedpeople.

Honduras: Pray for this smallteam lead by Jorge Gómezwho work in one of the mostviolent countries in the world.Ask for blessing on theirevangelistic ministry withChurches, their efforts tobring God’s Word to childrenand their ministry to theindigenous Miskito people.

Guatemala: Give thanks forthe work reaching youngoffenders, gang members,children and youth at risk ofviolence and poverty. God istransforming lives through HisWord. Pray too for thetranslation teams who areworking on several indigenouslanguage translations.

Micronesia: Ask God to guidethe work of bringing his Wordat an affordable price to theisland people of Micronesia.Please pray in particular forthe various translation andrevision projects which are acore part of the work.

New Zealand: Pray for thenew Maori translations ofLuke’s Gospel and a Children’sBible, commemorating the200th anniversary of the firstproclamation of the Gospel.Pray also for next year’scampaign to encouragepeople to engage with theBible. May God bless the teamled by Francis Burdett.

Australia: Pray for thoseraising funds for Bible worklocally and internationally.Remember ongoingfundraising for Rwanda, thePhilippines and many otherplaces. Pray, too, for the Bikefor Bibles and Hike for Biblesinitiatives. Pray for CEO GregClarke and the large, busyteam.

East Timor: Last year EastTimor celebrated 10 years ofindependence which followedmany years of violence. Since2008 there has been relativestability. Pray for continuedpeace and economic growthand for opportunities topromote Biblical values toshape this new nation.

Bangladesh: Pray for workamong children and youngpeople, for literacy groups,FCBH* programmes andtranslation work. Pray forGod’s provision to make thisministry possible and forGeneral Secretary TimothyBhakta. Pray for peacefollowing recent elections.

Sri Lanka: Pray for LakshaniFernando as she leads thisministry. Pray that the newbooklet and CD will helppeople who are deaf worshipGod more meaningfully. Prayfor the recently launchedtree-planting campaign togenerate support from localchurches, may it create strongpartnerships.

Myanmar: Pray for lastingpeace and freedom and forthe team led by Rev Khoi LamThang. May God bless theScripture engagement projectaiming to impact 9,000 youngpeople. Pray for the Kachinpeople: most are Christiansyet two-thirds have no Bible.

Philippines: Continue to prayfor all those affected byTyphoon Haiyan in November,including the staff of theBible Society led by NoraLucero. Pray that the co-operation with churches andpartners will continue tobring physical and spiritualcomfort to those in need.

Indonesia: Please pray forthe distribution of Bibles inremote areas of East Borneo.Pray that those who receivethe Bible will have a betterunderstanding of God’s Wordand his love for them. Prayalso for successful Literacyand New Reader programmes.

South Pacific: Pray thatsmall, remote communitieswill be reached with God’sWord through translationprojects and other initiatives.Ask God to bless the efforts totrain translators and Biblescholars. Remember too, thework with children and withthe visually impaired.

Papua New Guinea: Thereare many people in PNG whodo not have the Bible in theirown language. Ask God toguide Milton McMahon andthe team in their efforts tochange this. Give thanks forFCBH* audio Scriptureministry and for ongoingoutreach to women andyoung people.

Pakistan: Give thanks forGod’s guidance during the last150 years of work in Pakistan.Despite opposition manyprojects are running, reachingwomen, families, childrenand speakers of minoritylanguages. Ask God tocontinue to bless and guidethis work and keep the teamsafe.

March 23 - 29March 2 - 8 March 9 - 15 March 16 - 22

This month £4 could give a person who has little or no sight the opportunity to read the Bible.

This month, £4 could provide people in Northern Vietnam with their own Bible.10

Pull-out and keep prayer guide: April 2014Prayer at Work

Bible-A-Month ProjectApril: VietnamChurch leaders from the mountainareas of Northern Vietnam haveapproached United Bible Societiesasking that the Bible be translatedinto the Muong language. Theethnic group that speaks Muong isthe second largest in the countryand yet they have never had a wordof Scripture in their own language.

Please pray for the translation team working to put the NewTestament into the Muong language for the first time. Pray forwisdom and unity as they work, that they would reach their goal ofhaving the New Testament completed by 2018.Pray for the Muong people who so desperately want to haveScripture in words they can understand. Ask that God would givethem an excitement as they patiently wait for the translation work tobe done, and ask that God would be with the Church leaders as theyteach from Scripture written in other languages.United Bible Societies is currently working to make the Bibleavailable to various people groups in Vietnam. Pray for God’sblessing on translation work and for protection on staff andvolunteers as they distribute Scriptures in different areas.

Azerbaijan: Thank God for Hispowerful hand in the workdeveloped by the Bible Society.Pray for efforts to serve theChurches in Bible provision. Askfor God’s help on translation intothe Udi, Talish and Azerilanguages, each at differentstages.

India: This vast country hasmany urgent needs. Ask forwisdom in identifying prioritiesand using resources wisely.Remember in particular theministries to the poor, those whocannot read, those withdisabilities and young people.

Nepal: Many groups in societyare greatly in need of thecomfort of God’s Word. Pleasepray for ministry to children, thevisually impaired and theilliterate. Remember ongoingtranslation projects and Bibleengagement programmes.

Afghanistan: Please pray forpeace and political stability andfor the Bible distributionprojects that are able to takeplace. Pray for safety forChristians and Churches and foropportunities to make the nameof Jesus known.

Kazakhstan: Remembertranslation, especially the Biblefor younger children. Pray forstaff led by Viktor Grishko. Prayfor better cooperation withChurches. Remember alsoScripture distribution amongRussians, Kazakhs and othernationalities.

Iran: Ask for lasting peace andthe end of political tensions.May God bless the Iranianpeople and provide new ways todistribute Scriptures, especiallyto children.

Armenia: Give thanks forprogress in the provision of newand revised Scripture. Ask forGod’s blessing on ministries tochildren, the visually impairedand those in remote villages.Pray for the outreach to soldiersand young people.

Georgia: Conflict in Georgia hasleft many families displaced.Ask God to bless the efforts tobring comfort through his Word.Pray for the work to translatethe Bible into modern Georgian.Remember Avtandil Guruli as heleads the work.

Kyrgyz Rep: Please pray forpeace between differentreligions and nationalities andfor spiritual growth, particularlyamong young people. Pray forcooperation between churchesand organisations. Ask God toguide in the resolution of legalissues to allow the Bible Societymore freedom.

Uzbekistan: Please pray for thegovernment and for God'sblessings and protection. Prayfor tolerance and understandingbetween believers and for thecomplete Bible translation intoUzbek. Give thanks for the smallstaff team and board that aremaking God’s Word available.

Tajikistan: Give thanks foropportunities for Scripturemission. Please pray for the staff,board, volunteers and churchpartners. Pray that God will makethe continued translation ofScripture into local languagespossible and that provision willbe available for specialaudiences.

Mozambique: Ask for God’sblessing on the six translationprojects. Ask God to guide theBible Society in all they do. Prayfor peace in the country: may thegovernment find fruitful dialoguewith the opposition forces.

Malawi: Please pray for all theprojects. Give thanks for a recentsuccessful fundraising dinner insupport of the first print run ofthe Yao Bible. Pray for the board,volunteers and staff led byGeneral Secretary, ClappertonMayuni.

Madagascar: Ask God to blessthe new leadership and thankHim for reaching 27,000 kidsthrough the Mustard Seed event.Pray for the Trauma Healingproject, the reconstruction ofBible House and production ofLuke’s Audio Gospel in locallanguages.

Democratic Republic of Congo:Ask for God’s blessing on BibleSociety ministry. Pray for God’sguidance and protection on staffled by Christophe Kongo Kote.Pray for the many projectsincluding translations, FCBH*,Trauma Healing and HIV/AIDSawareness.

Congo (Brazzaville): Thank Godfor the distribution of the NewTestament in Beembe, may thishave a huge impact. Give thanksfor the Good Samaritanprogramme, for children’s andthe literacy projects. Ask forstrength and wisdom for thestaff.

Central African Republic: Prayfor God’s blessing on Bibletranslation, Women’s LiteracyProgrammes and FCBH*. Ask forguidance and protection for thestaff. Pray for Sylvain as heleads the team through a timeof repairing Bible Housefollowing violence and looting.Burkina Faso: Thank God forthe 30th Anniversary of thisBible Society. Please pray forthe new volunteers and forfundraising for new projects.Ask for God’s help in completingthe translation into Moore andDagara and for the literacyproject.Benin: Please ask for God’sblessing on literacy, translationand fundraising projects. Givethanks for good relationshipswith local churches. Pray forGod’s guidance and protectionfor General Secretary DanielHounzandji, the staff andboard. Togo: Thank God for EstelleAkouegnon, the new GeneralSecretary. Praise God for thecompletion of translations intoBassar, Mina and Ewe. Pray forministries with children,teenagers, military and womenas well as the impact of FCBH*in French.

April 20 -26

April 13 - 19

March 30 - April 5

April 6 - 12

April 27 - May 3

We place high priority ontranslating the whole Bible

We focus on languages withthe potential to impact thelives of over 50,000 people

We aim to translate theScriptures as faithfully andaccurately as possible, usingthe Hebrew and Greek sourcetexts

We work with translationteams composed oflinguists, exegetes andnative tongue translators

We seek to serve allChristian Churches

We usually start a translation when it is requested bylocal churches, and we maintain an ongoingrelationship after completion

We share our expertise in partnership with many othertranslation agencies

We monitor the use of donor funds to ensure they areused correctly and meet UK Charity Commissioners’ andAuditors’ requirements

The ProgressAt the time of going to print 4 of these 100 Bibles hadbeen published, 5 were being printed and 33 were inpre-production. Steady progress is being made, butthere is still much work to be done!

100 TRANSLATIONS IN 1,000 DAYSThere are about 7,000 languages in the world. Over2,500 of these have some part of the Bibletranslated but only around 500 have the fullBible. Millions of people still don’t have access to afull Bible in their own language, and many peopleare waiting for new translations or revisions so theydon’t have to struggle to understand translationsthat are decades, even centuries, old.

The GoalUnited Bible Societies (UBS) have set the goal tocomplete 100 full Bible translations within 1000days. (There are a further 350 translation projectsalso in progress!) The countdown started in January2013, and so by the end of 2015 we hope to bereaching over 500 million more people with thefinished 100 translations.

The VisionUBS brings together 146 national Bible Societies, allwith the passion of releasing God’s Word intopeople’s lives through Bible translation, publishingand distribution, Scripture engagement and Bibleadvocacy. We believe the Bible is for everyone sowe are working towards the day when everyone canaccess the Bible in the language and medium of

their choice.

UBS have decades of translationexperience. They support a team ofhighly experienced translationfacilitators to help native speakersto achieve the highest qualitytranslations and revisions. UBS hasalso pioneered the use of digitaltechnology to improve the accuracyand speed of translation work andfacilitate efficient publishing bothfor traditional books and electronicformats for mobile phones andtablets.

Saraka David Yao Kouakou (left) and theRev Kan Emile Kouamé Kouadio,working on the Baoulé Bible translation,Côte d'Ivoire

In India, Bible translation intoLepcha is being done by hand

before being typed into acomputer

Woman receivesScriptures in arefugee camp inMozambique

BSNI is playing its part as it helps to fund twelveof these translation projects in Côte d’Ivoire,Mozambique and India.

Will you help us?11

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International News

encouraged by the Government, by NGOs and by theBible Society itself through their Literacy programme.Literacy classes and ‘Faith Comes by Hearing’programmes run by the Bible Society have resulted inmany more people now being able to read and writein Gun. These people have become used to Scripturereading through their use of the New Testament butthey are unable to access the existing Old Testamentbecause it is based on the old alphabet.

Gun speakers would like a modern complete Bible,based on the new alphabet. This project, managedby the Bible Society of Benin and supported byBSNI, will result in the publication of such a Bibleand the years of work by the translation team isnow set to move into the type-setting and pre-production phase.

The Tigrignan Bible translation has similarly beensupported by BSNI for several years. Gabe Beyene, thetranslator from Mekele inTigray Province, visited usin June 2011, proudlybearing a copy of theNew Testament that hadarrived from the printerthe day before hisdeparture. Now the OldTestament work iscomplete and a firstBible for theProvince’s twomillion Tigrignanspeakers isbecoming possible. Rejoice with us that, through the generoussupport of people here, we can share in the excitementand anticipation of this vital new resource forChristians in Tigray.

During 2014, BSNI is funding two particularlysignificant Bible projects – the printing of Bibles forpeople in Ethiopia (Tigrignan language) and Benin(Gun language.) These are both eagerly anticipated.

Gun is spoken by 320,000 people in Benin and by259,000 people in neighbouring countries. Many ofthem are waiting for the Bible in words they canunderstand as the alphabet has changed since theBible was first published in their language in 1923.

A modern New Testament was published in morerecent years, but the people now wait for the OldTestament so that they can have a full Bible thatthey understand.

The plans to print the Bible come at a time when thereare many new Gun readers in the country becauseliteracy and language promotion are being strongly

Bibles for Benin and Ethiopia

Relief for survivors in the PhilippinesWithin hours of Typhoon Yolanda striking the Philippines inearly November, Nora Lucero the General Secretary of theBible Society was making plans to bring relief and spiritualsupport to the hundreds of thousands of people who hadbeen afflicted by one of the biggest storms ever recorded. Aswell as practical supplies, she planned to print anddistribute 300,000 copies of a Calamity Gospel, Children’scomics and Bibles in the Tagalog and Cebuano languages.She called the project: ‘God is our Shelter’.

BSNI was able to respond quickly due to offers of supportreceived by telephone and by post. This encouraged Noraand her team to quickly prepare the materials fordistribution so that they might bring hope to the survivors,and we will be looking to see if we can possibly providefurther help to our colleagues.

Literacy class organised by the Bible Society of Benin

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Bible Societies distribute record number of ScripturesFigures just released show that increasingnumbers of Bibles and other Scripture editions arebeing distributed worldwide by Bible Societies,including within some of the countries whereChristianity is under extreme pressure.In some countries the situation for Christians has become sodangerous that many are fleeing, and there are fears thatthe birthplace of Christianity will soon be devoid ofChristian believers. It is encouraging that in many of thesesituations of persecution, there was a sharp rise in thenumber of Scriptures distributed. These included Syria,Iraq, Egypt, India, Laos and Nigeria and other verysensitive countries. More than 163,000 Scriptures weregiven out in war torn Syria alone.

During 2012, the 146 Bible Societies succeeded in placing atotal of 405.5 million items of Scripture (an increase of 6%),including 34.1 million full Bibles. The remainder includedNew Testaments, Gospels, special Scriptures for people whoare learning to read, and Scripture selections to meet thespiritual needs of special groups such as schoolchildren,those in hospital and prisoners.

Recent news reports have highlighted how Christians areleading the way in the fight against HIV/AIDS in manyAfrican countries. It is such a privilege to be able to

It is good news to know that the ‘Good News’ is more in demand than ever before!

The Good Samaritan Programmesupport this effort through the ‘Good Samaritan’Programme, initiated and run by Bible Societies. Thisis an awareness programme based on God’s values oflove, acceptance, forgiveness and healing. Bypartnering with churches, people who are suffering orcaring for sufferers are offered support and teaching iscarried out on prevention.

“I was sick in bed when people from the Bible Society’sGood Samaritan Programme came to see me,” saysChristina in Malawi. “They prayed for me andencouraged my husband and me to have blood tests.When he found out we both had HIV, my husband tookeverything we owned and left me and the children.But I am so grateful I got help at the right time -everyone else of my age in my village has already diedfrom the virus. The Good Samaritan people have beenso good to me. They help me grow vegetables and theyvisit regularly. The best way to describe what they havedone for me is this: ‘I was hungry and you fed me,thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger andyou received me in your homes, naked and youclothed me; I was sick and you took care of me’(Matthew 25:35-6)

WinterCampaign

Survivors of conflict in East Africa struggle to cope with all that they have seen and suffered.

War and invasions from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) have devastated areas, spreading fear through communities as lives were taken and victims left. Children and young people abducted from schools orchurches, forced to join the rebellion; women and girls sexually abused andtortured; watching relatives and loved ones killed after being raped; housesburned down as villagers flee – today, as these atrocities continue, people areleft traumatised. Women and young girls who became pregnant are rejected byspouses and family members, HIV/AIDS is rife, and people are left mentallyscarred by what they have seen and been forced to do.

The number affected in this area is too high to count, but more important thanthe statistics are the faces behind the numbers. Here just two women tell oftheir experiences:

Nabusiralo is 45 years old. She knows the terror of hiding in the bush, night afternight, avoiding making even the slightest sound. When her brother visited,Nabusiralo thought she’d be safe to sleep in the house with her husband and brotherto protect her. She was wrong. Soldiers broke in, killed her husband and raped her.Now she has been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and worries continually about herchildren losing her to the disease. “How can they survive?” she asks. She places themin God’s hands and believes that Jesus loves her. This seed of faith may be allNabusiralo needs to face her future.

Sebakara is 17 years old. She holds her baby Neema (Grace), just 3 months old.Soldiers killed her mother, forcing the 17-year-old girl to flee with her father.Running for her life, she broke a leg and her father, fearful for his life, left her tosave himself. Seven soldiers came upon Sebakara and the inevitable followed.Strangely, one (innocent) soldier offered kindness after the others had left, helpingher to safety. A woman who shelters orphans and rape survivors, took her in andgave her medical care and counselling. Soon after, Sebakara found out she waspregnant.

These aren’t just stories – they are the testimonies of girls who everyday relive a nightmare. We have the wonderful life-giving gift of God’sWord. Let us use it and share it as westand in faith with these sisters inAfrica, using the Word as our sword forthe fight.

Trauma in East Africa

These children are using Scriptureto help them deal with the traumathey have experienced

One of the many thousands of womenbeing helped through Bible-based

trauma healing

“For the word of God is aliveand active. Sharper than anydouble-edged sword ……”

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)14

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Water and bread, a bed and a roof overhead give rest andprotection; treatment from doctors repairs physical scars;education allows work and security. But what about theemotional scars that come from trauma – depression, fear,bitterness? How can someone lie down to sleep whenmemories come alive in the dark, when they are rejected bytheir community?

Healing the minds of victims, spiritually and emotionally, isvital if people want to move on with their lives and leave thesememories in the past.

Bible Societies are bringing God’s healing power to thecommunities in East Africa as they arrange counselling andtrain Church leaders how to help these victims. TheseScripture-centred programmes adhere to best mental healthpractices, and are proven to effectively overcome barriers ofpain separating people from God’s love and helping themrecover hope for the future. The Bible is a sword these people need to hold, and in thesetimes of trauma it,

offers an encounter with God’s healing powerprovides a desperately needed framework for justicebecomes a foundation that sustains hope amid the most horrific circumstancesmakes possible the reconstruction of meaning essential to recovery from traumahelps communities overcome cultural pressures that blame the victim and motivates people to care for rape victims, widows and orphans

Bible-based Trauma Healing

The Bible Society in Northern Ireland (BSNI) is partnering withthe Bible Society in South Sudan (BSS) as they bring God’shealing power to people there who have suffered at the handsof the LRA.

Immediately after South Sudan gained independence in 2011,a local Bible Society was established and the need for traumahealing was highlighted. Now, with the bright beginnings of anew nation, the people there need our support to help themwipe away the past and start a new life with Christ. The BSSaims to run the programme in five different sites, equippingchurches, healing victims and restoring communities.

Will you help share God’s healing power and stand infaith with our sisters in South Sudan?

Please pray for healing among the nation of South Sudan. Ifyou would also like to give a gift, then send it to BSNI marked‘South Sudan’, or use the reply slip enclosed. A gift of just£6.50 will help one woman through the healingprogramme, providing her with a personal copy ofthe Bible. Thank you for considering this.

Consolatta was brutallyraped while fleeing hervillage in the DemocraticRepublic of Congo, leavingher wheelchair bound

A volunteer with theAmerican Bible Societyworks with a group of menin a Trauma healingequipping session

...and BSNI is helping

27 Howard Street, Belfast, BT1 6NBTelephone: 028 9032 6577e-mail: GSec@bsni.co.ukwebsite: www.bsni.co.ukN.I.Reg. Charity No. XN46187

Published in January, May and September.Design: Tracey AllenCirculation: 13,000

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