The Bible in Brazil - #234

The LORD will help them when they are sick and will restore them to health. Psalm 41:3 (GNT) The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end; I will keep forever my promise of peace." So says the LORD who loves you. Isaiah 54:10 (GNT) He strengthens those who are weak and tired.

Isaiah 40:29 (GNT) But after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who calls you to share his eternal glory in union with Christ, will himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation. 1 Peter 5:10 (GNT)

Our God is a God who saves; he is the LORD, our Lord, who rescues us from death. Psalm 68:20 (GNT) Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, LORD, for you are with me. Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me.

Psalm 23:4 (GNT) ISSUE 234 – January-March 2012 – YEAR 64

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die; and those who live and believe in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 (GNT)

The Word that Heals

Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to keep his promise. Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. Hebrews 10:23-24 (GNT)

Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. Matthew 11:28-29 (GNT)

We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace so we believe that God will take back with who have died believing in him. that I give The you. comfort I do not give as thefrom worldthe does. andithope HolyJesus Biblethose in hospital environments.

Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid. 1Thessalonians 4:14 (GNT) John 14:27 (GNT) For all of us must appear before Christ, to be judged by him. We will each receive what we So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady. deserve, according to everything we have done, Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, good or bad, in our bodily life. 2Corinthians since you know that nothing you do in the Lord's 5:10 (GNT) service is ever useless. 1Corinthians 15:58 (GNT) I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. Philippians 4:13 (GNT)

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

He keeps me from the grave and blesses me with love and mercy. Psalm 103:3-4 (GNT)

Calendar

Photos: SBU

P rayer

Sonja Mangasi and her son, Absalom, live in Vilanculos, Mozambique. She loves to hear her Talking Bible (a device that allows her to listen the biblical text).

Mozambique advances New Testament translations into native languages Although Portuguese is the country’s official language, most of the population speaks other languages, such as Emakhuwa, with more than 4.6 millions speakers.

Located on the East Coast of Africa and with a population of about 20 million people, Mozambique shares with Brazil the past as a colony of Portugal, which bequeathed both countries the use of the Portuguese language. Another commonality between the two countries is that a significant part of their populations use traditional or native languages. However, in Mozambique this fact is even more relevant, since the majority of the population does not speak the official language. “Emakhuwa, with over 4.6 million speakers, is the most used language in our country,” explains Valente Tseco, General Secretary of Bible Society in Mozambique (SBM).

In 2011, the organization celebrated the completion and launch of the New Testament in Emakhuwa, but also on the Xirhonga and Cicopi languages, which together have about 1.1 million speakers. “We praise God for the launch of those publications, which are key instruments for us to intensify the evangelization work that is our main mission,” adds Tseco.

The country’s high illiteracy rate is one of the major challenges to evangelization in Mozambique, and SBM has been dealing with it through specific programs with encouraging results. “We’ve successfully implemented a rural literacy project, and we could notice the increasing positive impact of the Faith Comes

By Hearing (FCBH) program, with listening groups in

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nine different languages. It’s an important work, since, with FCBH, people have the opportunity to listen, learn, discuss and deepen their understanding of God’s Word.

They become, therefore, great preachers,” points out SBM’s General Secretary.

Another highlight, in 2011, was the development by the organization of the Good Samaritan program, whose goal is to be a Christian answer to one of the gravest problems faced by the country: the great number of people infected by HIV and suffering from AIDS. It is an education work that prepares Church leaders to fight the stigmatization of people who suffer from this malady, so the help offered to this part of the population can be multiplied. “Churches now are very active in fighting and preventing AIDS, as well as in improving the quality of life of those already infected. Christians, aware of and touched by the problem, form a legion of people qualified to offer food, medicine, treatment, and, mainly, the compassion contained in the Word of God to those benefited by the program,” explains Valente Tseco.

SBM, through the TAZI project, also prepares and equips Churches for the discipleship for Muslims.

“Today, in Africa, there is an Islamization plan that is strongly active in Mozambique. So we’ve created TAZI as a way of promoting dialog and harmony with Muslims.

Our desire is to strengthen peace among Mozambicans, and share with them the importance of Jesus in life,” concludes Tseco.

The Bible in Brazil

Photo: SBB File

C over

The Word that Heals Christian volunteers work in hospital environments, bringing the comfort and hope of the Holy Bible to the sick, their families and the medical community.

While you are reading this article, hundreds of thousands of people are in hospitals facing moments of affliction and angst due to health problems. The sick, their families and friends, nurses and doctors face, on a daily basis, the diseases and their consequences, including physical, psychological and spiritual pains.

However, at this precise moment, thousands of volunteers are beside those people bringing hope and showing, in practice, the love of God. This is the essence of the work developed by hospital chaplaincies, which is supported by Bible Society of Brazil’s The Bible in Hospitals program through the free distribution of specially produced biblical literature.

Over the past 30 years, studies and research have shown that this type of work reaches results in terms of improving the quality of the physical and spiritual life of those benefited. Hospital managers, doctors, nurses and social assistants have all seen the positive impacts and included these activities as part of the overall treatment provided to patients. “We can see an increase in hope, confidence concerning the procedures to be done, in addition to people showing more calm and perseverance,” confirms Siegfried Hildebrand, General Manager of Santo Antônio Hospital, Blumenau (State of Santa Catarina), pointing out that the initiative contributes to the humanization of hospital environments.

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Walter Streithorst, General Director of Belém’s Adventist Hospital (State of Pará), thinks that the work developed by the chaplaincies is now considered relevant and accepted thanks to the quality of the activities carried out. “We have chaplains in all Adventist Hospitals working in an integrated manner to provide assistance to patients and their families. With training and love, they improve the spiritual condition of people,” says Streithorst.

Systematized Work

“Making the Word of God available is part of Jesus’ plan,” emphasizes Erní Seibert, SBB’s Communications & Social Outreach Secretary, quoting Matthew 25:35-36: “I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me.” According to him, the establishment of The Bible in Hospitals program, in 1997, systematized and intensified an activity that had always been carried out by SBB.

In Brazil, hospital chaplaincies have evolved remarkably in the past years in terms of quality, mainly by training volunteers and organizing the institutions.

Individual efforts gave way to the systematization of activities. Today, most volunteers go through a selection

The Bible in Brazil

C over “Hearing God’s Voice” Photo: SBB File

“Many people ask me if the Word heals. And I say that,

Photo: SBB File

in my case, it healed my soul and contributed to the work done by the professionals assisting me. My pain was excruciating, and I was about to give up. Some doctors didn’t believe in my recovery. That was the moment when God sent me Mara, and everything started to SBB develops specific publications for this work. change. When we pray, we believe. But, in that moment of pain, I needed to see the materialization of God’s Paula, the hospital’s Nursing Coordinator. “With serenity love. And that’s what I found in Mara”, Gabriela Fialho and care, they are able to transmit calm to patients, thus Correia, victim of an accidental gunshot that left her contributing to the result of the treatment,” she concludes. completely paralyzed, assisted by volunteer Mara Ribeiro

Emílio Ribas Institute, in São Paulo, considered Carneiro, Military Police Hospital of Niterói (State of a reference hospital for the treatment of AIDS, has been Rio de Janeiro). conducting an exemplary work in this field since the 1990s. Its case was the basis for the doctorate thesis that and training process intended to combine the will to do Rosana Chami Gentil has been developing. A nurse, good with knowledge. “The training of our volunteer professor of Santo Amaro University and volunteer at São includes from awareness of the work objectives to Paulo’s Public Servants’ Hospital, she interviewed people biosafety knowledge,” tells Francisco Ângelo de Sá Teles, benefited by the activities carried out by the chaplaincy, in a member of the Brazilian Association of Evangelical order to tell the story of its implementation and point out Chaplains, who works in several hospitals of Belém (State the reasons for its effectiveness. “The basis is Christianity of Pará). and love, but what really made this chaplaincy establish

The work organized by the chaplaincies opens itself and reach good results was the organization focused doors and helps to create strong bonds among chaplains, on competence,” summarizes Rosana. volunteers and employees of the healthcare institution.

“Vida” Christian Association of Hospital A little over one year ago, the Evangelical Hospital Chaplaincies, headquartered in Contagem (State of Chaplaincy started to operate at Antônio Targino Minas Gerais), provides spiritual assistance based on Hospital, in Campina Grande (State of Paraíba). Thanks Bible principles at three major hospitals. Therefore, it to the way volunteers work, the initial unfamiliarity was has a team of approximately 40 people. “Our goal is to soon replaced with great admiration. “At first, I thought serve God in hospitals, and one of the most important they were going to disturb the evolution of treatments, but tools is training volunteers,” says Chaplain Márcia exactly the opposite happened,” says Andrezza Fabiani M. Netto, the association’s President. “Through training and internships they gain knowledge and experience.

Furthermore, they become aware of their role as messengers of the Word that comforts,” she observes.

Feeling God’s Presence

“Biblical literature brings patients closer to God,” says Mara Ribeiro Carneiro, a pastor who works as a volunteer at Military Police Hospital’s chaplaincy in Niterói (State of Rio de Janeiro). “After praying with us, patients and their families will read by themselves the Bible Portions and pamphlets we distribute. This Streithorst: “With training and love, they improve the spiritual condition of people.”

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The Bible in Brazil

will create opportunities to meditate in order to better understand their situation, and see the presence and love of God, the sole comfort and salvation for afflicted spirits,” she explains.

Among the several publications specially produced by SBB to help the work developed by hospital chaplaincies are: “In Bed with Infirmity” and “God is Our Refuge and Our Strength”. The process of selecting texts is generally done with the participation of chaplains. “As they are in charge of the work carried out, and have a deep sensibility for the real demands of spiritual assistance, they can guide us in choosing the texts,” explains Paulo Teixeira, SBB’s Translation & Publications Secretary. Other two highlights are the Life Recovery Study Bible, which supports the recovery of people with different types of dependency, and the Counseling Study Bible, which emphasizes the therapeutic content of the biblical text and is used for psychological counseling. Both publications are suitable as tools for the work carried out by chaplaincies’ volunteers.

According to missionary Josileide Rodrigues Figueiredo, who works at hospitals in Porto Alegre (State of Rio Grande do Sul), the pamphlets and portions distributed by SBB are essential to complement the action of volunteers. “Our mission is to respond to God’s calling by offering comfort, solace and hope to our brothers and sisters in the moment they most. Through

“Salvation in a Pamphlet”

“My husband was hospitalized with AIDS, and I was HIV-positive as well. Our life was dark. Back then, there was much prejudice, and we didn’t have anyone to talk to. But I found a Bible pamphlet that guided me to salvation. With the chaplaincy, I found freedom to talk, clear doubts and seek guidance. They helped me face my grief when my husband passed away, and they gave me courage to keep on living. Faith and the certainty of God’s love saved me, and have helped to save a lot more people through the years”,

Lucinéia Ferreira Ramos Souza, assisted by Emílio Ribas Hospital’s chaplaincy in 1993; currently she is a chaplaincy assistant and works at Emílio Ribas Institute administration.

the partnership with SBB, people can keep printed materials, which end up being tools of transformations and miracles,” she points out.

Pastor Eliomar Rego, chaplain of IBEC Outreach Association that operates for more than four years at Sobradinho Regional Hospital (Federal District), believes that the quality of the biblical materials produced by SBB enhances the work of volunteers. “The books for children are a wonderful example. They focus on reading the stories, and coloring the drawings. And, for a few moments, they forget the pain,” he explains.

The Bible in Hospitals

Launched officially in 1997, The Bible in Hospitals program quickly grew: in the beginning it included juts 12 hospitals; today, it is present in almost 200 institutions, directly benefiting half a million people each year. Together with the evolution in organizing chaplaincies and training volunteers, the program expanded its reach to every Brazilian state, in addition to offering support to doctors, nurses and other hospital employees. The entire process is developed in partnerships with chaplaincies or

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associations of chaplains that are registered and then start to receive the materials. Currently, SBB has partnership agreements with 62 chaplaincies throughout Brazil, and, in 2010, it invested more than R$4 million (about US$2.2 million) in the program.

SBB counts on donations to develop this and other programs. Offerings can be made through the website www.sbb.org.br. For more information, call 0800-727-8888 (Brazil) or send an email to webmaster@sbb.org.br.

The Bible in Brazil

Photo: Eduardo Cesar

C over Interview: Eleny Vassão, Internationally Acclaimed Author

Eleny Vassão started her work as a hospital chaplain 29 years ago at São Paulo General Hospital, where she worked for 22 years. During that period, she implemented training courses for volunteers and started to write books about the work of bringing the Word to hospital environments. Some books written by Eleny Vassão include: In Bed with Infirmity, already translated into Spanish and English; Psalms for the Sick; and God is Present – God’s Support for Grief. A new book about depression will be published in 2012, and others are being prepared: one specific for the elderly, one for healthcare professionals, and a third one on stress. Today, Eleny Vassão is a reference for chaplains and volunteers in Brazil and abroad. Her work at Emílio Ribas Infectious Diseases Institute is considered a model. In addition to being the President of the Evangelic Hospital Chaplaincy Association (ACEH), she coordinates Aconchego Home, which offers shelter to patients and their relatives who come to São Paulo for hospital treatments.

The Bible in Brazil: What motivated you to work in hospitals?

God put a huge love for people who suffer

in my heart, especially patients hospitalized. Through the work developed at São Paulo General Hospital’s Chaplaincy, I put together a good team, and we started to offer courses, thus sharing with other brothers and sisters the experiences we have in comforting the sick.

Then, many hospital chaplaincies started to appear in Brazil based on the books I began to write. Today, we are present in 13 countries.

The Bible in Brazil: How would you describe the main objective of this work?

The goal of this ministry is to bring, through the Word of God, the knowledge of Jesus to the patients, since he is the only one who can heal lives by healing the soul and offering solace, forgiveness, peace, joy and hope to live and to die.

The Bible in Brazil: How does the partnership between ACEH and SBB work?

For more than 20 years SBB has been donating great volumes of biblical literature, with diversified themes, texts and images, to our chaplaincies. These materials have been extremely useful. Patients, their caregivers and also healthcare professionals and hospital employees are assisted on a daily basis, receiving biblical literature that comforts and helps to solve personal conflicts, thus providing more hope and quality of life.

Seeds of Hope The Holy Bible contains several texts suitable to be read when facing difficult moments in life. Check some of them below.

Disease: Psalms 41:1-3, 68:19-20, 103:1-5, and 146; Isaiah 54:10; Romans 5:15; James 5:14-15; 1Peter 5:10-11.

Terminal Disease: Psalm 23; Romans 8:18-30; 2Corinthians 5:1-10.

Grief: John 11:25-26; 1Corinthians 15:50-58; 1Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Feeling of Abandonment: Psalms 22:1-11, 139:1-12; Isaiah 49:14-16; Philippians 4:10-13; Hebrews 10:19-25.

Tiredness & Despair: Psalm 34:14-22; Isaiah 40:25-31; Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 12:1-3.

Fear: Psalm 4:8; Isaiah 41:13; Luke 8:22-25; John 14:27 and 16:33; Romans 8:31-397.

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A ction

Photo: Laureni Fochetto

B ible

The Bible for The

disabled

Meetings Throughout Brazil

Photo: Abelardo Barbosa

By organizing a series of five editions of the Meeting of Visually Handicapped People, in October and November, 2011, SBB opened up new opportunities for participants to share their experiences, thus promoting the objectives of The Bible for the Visually Impaired program. “These events are always very productive, and contribute to the promotion of the activities carried out and to increase the number of people benefited by the program,” says Erní Seibert SBB’s Communications & Social Outreach Secretary.

The 5th edition of the event took place at the Bible Museum in Barueri (State of São Paulo), on October 22, and was attended by approximately 400 people. One of the highlights was the announcement of the winners of the Literary Contest “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” of short stories and poetry. Authors of unpublished texts about the theme were awarded the prizes. The contest was promoted by SBB from April to August, with dozens of participants from several Brazilian states.

The city of Taguatinga (Federal District) held on November 11 its first edition of the Meeting, which was attended by about 150 people, including 40 visually impaired people. The speakers talked about themes related to overcoming obstacles, family, hope, and solidarity. At

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the end of the event, SBB delivered a full Bible in Braille to Taguatinga’s Braille Library. The donation was a touching moment, and motivated people present to register with SBB’s program.

The 1st Meeting of Visually Handicapped People of Recife (State of Pernambuco) took place on November 18 and was attended by 65 people. Pernambuco’s Association for the Blind and SBB presented a lecture with emphasis on the importance of The Bible for the Visually Impaired program. “One of the highlights of the event was the performance of “Sol Maior” orchestra, which touched everyone present,” says Clóvis Moraes, SBB’s Regional Secretary in Recife. Another highlight was the presence of winners of the 2011 Literary Contest, Maria Aretha and Clara Betânia.

In Manaus, about 240 people attended the 1st edition of the event on November 19. “It was a milestone in our history of integration with this audience,” says Acyr de Gerone Junior, SBB’s Regional Secretary in Belém. “It was moving to see the joy felt by everyone present during the theater performance that portrayed the story of the prodigal son,” he added. During the event, SBB donated a copy of the full Bible in Braille to Manaus’ Association for the Visually Impaired.

Closing the series of meetings, on November 22, the event was held in Belo Horizonte (State of Minas Gerais), with an attendance of 180 people and performances of São Rafael Institute’s Choir and Band, a school known for assisting the visually impaired. “It was an extremely important event for promoting the goals of the program developed by SBB to this audience. We’re already thinking of holding a new event in 2012,” says Marcos Lovera, SBB’s Regional Secretary in Belo Horizonte.■

The Bible in Brazil

Joinville receives Bible in Braille

Photo: Abelardo Barbosa

On November 23, Bible Society of Brazil delivered the sixth copy of the full Bible in Braille in the State of Santa Catarina. This time, the institution benefited was Joinville’s Association for the Visually Impaired (AJIDEVI). The donation was made during the Breakfast with Christian Leaderships organized by SBB’s n Curitiba Regional Office at Joinville’s City Council. In addition to the Braille version, AJIDEVI also received the full Bible in Audio from Councilman Odir Nunes da Silva, Chairman of the City Council. “Now we can better meet the demand of our audience,” pointed out Onízia da Silva, AJIDEVI’s President, during the ceremony that was attended by 125 people, 46 of which were visually impaired.

The Bible and

Peace

Brasília and Recife Hold Seminars on Chemical Dependency communities, healthcare professionals and people interested in the theme. The event included the introduction of The Bible in Dependency Recovery project, as well as the lectures “Overcoming Dependency” and “Faith in Recovery.” Participants could get to know the details of the work developed by the State Council for Anti-Drug Policies (CONEN). “We’re thinking about organizing new seminars in other towns assisted by our Regional Office. I believe this type of event, which produces very good results, must be multiplied,” said Jessé Pereira da Silva, SBB’s Regional Secretary in Brasília.

Photo: Chico Bezerra

In order to discuss chemical dependency and the importance of spiritual strengthening in the process of recovery and social reintegration, SBB organized two more Seminars on Chemical Dependency: one in Recife (State of Pernambuco), on October 5, and another one in Brasília (Federal District), on November 22.

The event held in Recife was attended by 78 representatives from organizations operating in this field, including both volunteers and healthcare professionals.

“There was perfect integration among attendees, who actively participated in the debates, complementing the lectures with important testimonies,” said Clóvis Moraes, SBB’s Regional Secretary in Recife. According to him, the seminar accomplished its main mission: “to promote the integration of therapeutic communities, thus contributing to the exchange of knowledge in order to come up with joint solutions.

The edition in Brasília took place at the Evangelical Military Chapel, and was attended by approximately 300 representatives and volunteers from therapeutic

P roject

The Word in Movement

Focused on young people, SBB’s program has the objective of connecting the Brazilian youth to the holy teachings.

A new program developed by Bible Society of Brazil (SBB) intends to connect the Brazilian youth to the Word of God. It is the Young Evangelist Movement, created in order to facilitate evangelization activities and mobilizations targeting young people. Inspired by the successful Partner in Evangelism program, the new program targets organizations and churches that develop evangelistic activities with young people. With the slogan “The Word in Movement,” the new initiative will be launched in the first quarter of 2012. “We want to establish a great network to spread the Gospel, thus making the biblical message present on the daily routine of young people,” explains Erní Seibert, SBB’s Communications & Social Outreach Secretary.

The biblical basis of the program is the text from Jeremiah 1:6-7: But the LORD said to me, “Do not say that you are too young, but go to the people I send you to, and tell them everything I command you to say.” “The

young can and must be spokespeople for the Word that Transforms,” says Seibert, pointing out that, in order to prepare this audience with a good biblical education, SBB has been developing special materials with the language of the youth.

And it is precisely such materials that will be the main work tools of those who engage in the Young Evangelist Movement. “Some of them will be distributed without charge by SBB,” explains Mário Rost, SBB’s Institutional Development Manager and national coordinator of the program. Other materials will be sold.

SBB prepared a wide variety of publications.

There are Study Bibles, Bibles with Notes for Young People, and Bible editions with a modern and bold design.

All Bibles feature the biblical text of the New Translation in Today’s Language (NTLH), a translation with an easyto-understand language. And there are Bible Portion and pamphlets focused on this audience too.

The main communication channel of the Young ( Evangelist is its Fan Page in Facebook (www.facebook. com/jovemevangelizador “Through it, one will be com/jovemevangelizador). able to get the latest news about the program, and track the mobilization actions scheduled,” tells Rost. To join this movement, young people only have to “like” Young Evangelist Movement’s page on Facebook and tell their friends about it, in addition to making a commitment to pray, read the Bible and spread its message. “So, let’s join this movement!,” invites the coordinator of the program.  Some Young Evangelist Movement work tools.

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The Bible in Brazil

T estimony

The Word Generates Faith

I started 2011 with the goal of reading the Word of God in 42 days. Those days had a huge impact on me, almost supernatural! At first, I decided to read for the contest, since there were going to be prizes for the winners, buts as time went by I began to fall in love with it! Some texts changed a lot of my concepts. I had already read the Bible other times before, but this time it wasn’t the same experience, because I was confronted in a different way, influenced to really lead a virtuous life.

Some dreams had already died because of my hurried attempt to achieve them, which many times frustrated me!

But, reading the Word, I was encouraged to dream again by the wonderful stories of our heroes

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of faith! I finished reading the Bible one day ahead of schedule. I completed on February 10, 2011, and, to my surprise, many of my forgotten dreams are realized today.

The Word inspired me to invest in dreams again. But, this time, with an optimistic viewpoint and focused on the Kingdom, which brought me God’s Grace to fulfill them, without noticing I was doing it.

God is wonderful! Today, I accomplish things that I had long given up to do. But those 42 days made me open my eyes and see that with God anything is possible, that the Word generates faith!

Testimony sent via email by Roger Willy Ribeiro dos Santos.

The Bible in Brazil

Photos: Divulgation

T ranslation

Good News Reaches the Tembé People After 20 years of work, the New Testament in the native language of Brazilians who live in the States of Pará and Maranhão is launched.

“I am very happy. From now on, we can understand God’s things because we have the Bible in our language.” The statement from Chief Lourival Tembé summarizes the feeling that took over the Tembé people when they received, on November 25, the New Testament translated into the language that speaks to their hearts. The ceremony took place at the Tekohaw settlement–located close to Paragominas (State of Pará)– and was attended by missionaries, translators and over one hundred people from different tribes, such as the Makuxi and the Guajajara. Everyone gathered to thank and praise God for his Word.

The Tembé New Testament took 20 years to be completed, and it is the result of the joint efforts of three organizations: Evangelical Missionary Linguistic Association (ALEM), SIL International (Brazil) and Bible Society of Brazil (SBB). “We’ve accomplished another step in our goal of making the Bible available in every language. It’s important to celebrate and thank God for this feat,” says José Carlos Alcantara da Silva, ALEM’s Executive Secretary, pointing out that there is still a lot to be done, since there are 2,078 languages into which not even a verse from the Scriptures has been translated.

A Journey of Two Decades

In total, two decades were dedicated to the conclusion of the Tembé New Testament. During this journey, the team faced several difficulties, including the lack of resources. “What gave us strength to continue was the certainty that we were making God’s will,” remembers Quézia Mosti, a member of the translation team. “Now, with this mission accomplished, we’ll continue to support the Tembé people to strengthen their language,” she reveals.

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The Tembé New Testament is based on the Guajajara New Testament. Making use of the similarity between the two languages, in 1991, Norval Oliveira da Silva started to adapt the text, together with his wife Laudicéia de Melo Silva, and the missionaries Quézia Mosti and Lídia Correa. In 1996, Paulo César Duarte de Oliveira joined the team. During the whole process, the missionaries were helped by 14 native translators. The final text got ready in 2009, when it was sent to SBB for the process of edition and printing, which was done in South Korea.

In early 2011, the 1,500 copies 1.500 of the Tembé New Testament started to be distributed free of charge to the population. “This project will enrich our culture with the Word of God. Our language will be passed on to our children and grandchildren, and we’ll continue to teach the righteous path in our tribe,” celebrated Moreira, a member of the Tembé people.■

Details

Origin: The Tembé are the western branch of the Tenetehara. The eastern group is known as the Guajajara.

Meaning of the Name: Tembé or Timbé means flat nose (Source: Max Boudin, linguist).

Language: Linguistic family of Tupi-Guarani.

Location: They live mainly in the States of Pará and Maranhão.

Population: 1,500 (Funasa, 2010).

Tekohaw Settlement: Part of the Alto Rio Guamá reservation, located in Southeast Pará, on the banks of River Gurupi, about 100 miles from Paragominas (Pará).

The Bible in Brazil

P rofile

Dedication to the Word

After 30 years preaching the Gospel and 14 years as SBB’s volunteer, Pastor Lécio Dornas assumes the leadership of the Ministry for Brazilians project, in the United States, certain that God has prepared him for the new task.

At age 17, he preached his first sermon at Conforto Baptist Church, in Volta Redonda (State of Rio de Janeiro).

Since then, Lécio Dornas has built a life dedicated to the Gospel as a pastor, author and teacher. Now, he is getting ready to lead the Ministry for Brazilians project that is being implemented by the American Bible Society, with the support of Bible Society of Brazil (SBB), whose goal is to make Holy Scriptures in Portuguese available to Brazilians living in the United States. “This work starts with a great expectation of success, since it will be led by a dedicated pastor, an expert on Religious Education, and, above all, a man of God,” says Rudi Zimmer, SBB’s Executive Director.

As a pastor, teacher and speaker, he has taught the Word of God throughout Brazil, in addition to having preached as a missionary in different countries, like the Dominican Republic, Haiti, USA, Lebanon, Iraq, and India. Approximately 20 years ago, he started to write and edit books about themes like biblical study, Sunday School, devotionals, Christian life and children’s stories

in 19 publications. Furthermore, Dornas has also been working in training and qualifying evangelical leaderships as a coordinator and teacher of Haggai Institute of Brazil’s Teaching Workshop, in addition to participating in Bible Society of Brazil’s Biblical Sciences Seminars. “When analyzing the activities I’ve carried out throughout my life, I clearly see the process of God preparing me for this new challenge. I pray that he keeps on blessing my life and my family,” points out Dornas.

As a SBB volunteer since 1997, when he was elected Chairman of Cuiabá SBB Chapter (State of Mato Grosso), Lécio Dornas has had an outstanding performance. During SBB’s 15th General Assembly, held that year, he was elected a member of the Consulting Committee. Then, he became a member of the team of Biblical Sciences Seminars’ speakers, and, in 2000, was elected member of the Administrative Assembly. Since the 2009 General Assembly he was a member of SBB’s National Board of Directors, from which he officially withdrew himself on December 13, 2011, to embrace his new work. He was praised by SBB on this day.

SBB’s Executive Director, in the presence of the Specialized Secretaries, handed him a recognition plaque for his work for the Bible Cause in Brazil.

Photo: SBB File

Challenges & Goals Among the many challenges of his new role, Dornas points out the need to identify and locate the links of the Brazilian Christian community in the USA, in order to establish a network of relationships that can open doors to spread the Word of God. “My goal is to make sure that every Brazilian living in the U.S. has an EnglishPortuguese bilingual Bible. Then, when the Ministry for Brazilians’ structure is completely organized, we’ll expand its influence by trying to reach Brazilian communities in Canada, as well as in Caribbean countries,” he explains. In order to overcome the obstacles and achieve these goals, the coordinator intends to work with relational intelligence, joining together existing structures and ministries.

“Through cooperation, we’ll have the conditions to accomplish the task of bringing the Word that transforms lives to the entire people of God,” he concludes.■

Photos: Nisan

O pening

Closer to Roraima and Amazonas SBB opens Regional Unit in Manaus to make the population of both States even closer to the Word of God.

Approximately 200 people attended the opening ceremony of Bible Society of Brazil’s Regional Unit in Manaus (State of Amazonas) on the night of December 15.

“From this unit, we’ll have the opportunity of strengthening our relationships with Christian Churches, which are our main partners in sowing the Word of God,” summarized Marcos Gladstone, SBB’s Coordination of Regional Offices Secretary, during the event. Linked to Belém Regional Office (State of Pará), Manaus Regional Unit was created to enhance the services provided in the States of Roraima and Amazonas. “Now we can guarantee a diversified distribution of Scriptures for affordable prices, in addition to being able to provide assistance to destitute communities in the region through SBB’s outreach programs,” celebrated Gladstone.

In charge of conducting the opening ceremony, Erní Seibert, SBB’s Communications & Social Outreach Secretary, dedicated “all the praise and glory to God for this moment”.

Seibert also delivered the biblical message, which was based on John 20:31. “The things God wanted to be written are in the Holy Bible. God has written so that we can believe. Jesus is the core of the Scriptures. This is why Bible Societies exist: to distribute the Bible to everyone, in a language people can understand and for a price they can afford,” he stressed.

One of the most touching moments of the ceremony was the participation of members of the Ticuna

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1 – Marcos Gladstone and Domingos Ticuna in charge of the official opening. 2 – Everyone united in prayer for the Regional Unit. 3 – Praising God in the Ticuna language. 4 – Erní Seibert conducts the opening ceremony. 5 – SBB acknowledges the efforts made by Councilman Amauri Colares (right) for the implementation of the Unit. 6 e 7 – Store favors the display of the Holy Book in a well illuminated area. 8 – Service Area: comfort for customers.

9 – Social Outreach: area dedicated to serving partners, donors and volunteers of the programs. 10 – SBB partners socializing.

people, one of the largest in the Brazilian Amazonia, consisting of about 43 thousand people. Led by Domingos Ticuna, in charge of reading Psalm 119:97-114, they sang hymns praising God in their mother tongue. The biblical text was also read in Portuguese by Sadi Caldas, Chairman of SBB’s Chapter in the State of Amazonas.

Acyr de Gerone Junior, who is in charge of Belém Regional Office, pointed out the size of the region he serves–which includes the States of Amapá, Amazonas, Maranhão, Pará, Piauí, and Roraima–, as well as its challenges. “This portion of land represents 44% of the

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Brazilian territory. And, thank God, now we’ll be able to provide better services in Amazonas and Roraima, states with so many peculiarities,” said the Regional Secretary. Sharing the same opinion, Reuel Klayber Ferreira, the Manager of Manaus Regional Unit, pointed out that his work will be challenging. “May God give us the grace for accomplishing this honorable mission,” he asked with emotion.

Check, on the photos, some moments of Manaus Regional Unit opening ceremony in its 9,500 sq. ft. building, which has a store, area for the outreach programs, auditorium, stockroom, and parking lot. ■

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