The Bible in Brazil - # 244

ISSUE 244 – July-September 2014 – YEAR 66

How SBB, in partnership with therapeutic communities, has been helping to overcome this serious social problem.

UBS STANDS OUT AT Expolit 2014 In this edition, the organization’s participation was marked by the spirit of cooperation and the missionary nature.

The 21 Bible Societies of the Americas were represented in UBS’ booth, showing unity in the work of spreading the Bible.

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With a strong presence at Expolit, the annual Christian fair held in Miami (USA) from May 1st to 4th, the United Bible Societies (UBS) received awards and touched the hearts of the audience with its publications.

The booth, which displayed curiosities and new releases, made evident the unity among the 21 Bible Societies of the Americas, members of CELADEPE (Latin American Center for the Development & Promotion of the Scriptures), and the mission of bringing the Bible to everyone.

“The United Bible Societies has been reborn. That’s what we heard from many people who visited the fair, especially our booth,” tells Paulo Teixeira, CELADEPE’s General Coordinator and Bible Society of Brazil’s Translation & Publications Secretary.

The comment, according to him, reflects the perception of greater cooperation and participation of Bible Societies from every country in the Bible Cause across the American continent.

Ruben Del Ré, CELADEPE’s Production, Supplies & Accounting Coordinator and Argentinean Bible Society’s General Director, believes that this edition of Expolit marked

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a significant change in UBS’ participation, starting with its institutional image. “The booth represented a missionary organization, and no longer an editorial one,” he says, referring to the focus on missionary projects, translations into indigenous languages and the work with every audience.

Erní Seibert, CELADEPE’s Communications & Marketing Coordinator and Bible Society of Brazil’s Communications & Social Outreach Secretary, confirms that the communications strategy focused on presenting the mission of the Bible Societies. “We believe that the goals set were reached,” he says.

On the eve of the event, SEPA (Spanish Evangelical Publishers Association) held the SEPA 2013 Award Banquet. Two versions of the “Reina Valera 1960 Holy Bible” launched

by UBS received the Silver and Platinum Awards, both categories of the Honor Gallery.

A celebratory dinner, on May 3, gathered representatives from Bible Societies of the Americas and other continents, in addition to customers, partners, and local media. “We showed UBS as an organization that wishes to make the Bible the Book of the Americas,” summarized Paulo Teixeira.

Photo: SBB File

WORLD

Photo: SBB File

TESTIMONY

LUCAS, A CHALLENGE TO MEDICINE I arrived, four years ago, at the Institute for Childhood Cancer Treatment, in São Paulo, to accompany my son Lucas, who suffers from Neurofibromatosis Type 1. This disease is characterized by the presence of tumors on the skin and in the nervous system. In the case of Lucas, the tumors were located in his backbone and chest. As there is no proven medication to cure the condition, the only alternative would be a surgery that, in his case, would be more harmful than the disease itself. In addition to the risk of death, his left arm would have to be amputated and he would lose the movement of both his legs. So doctors decided to just ease the pain. The result was an accelerated growth of the tumor, which eventually affected the windpipe, esophagus, nerve roots of the lung, and the bone marrow.

I wandered the hospital’s hallways without hope and without faith. I had no money to eat, and the little I had I left for Lucas to eat. One day I heard about Aconchego Home*, a living facility for sick people and their caregivers in São Paulo. Since then, I stay at the Home whenever I’m in São Paulo, where I learned to have faith and hope, even when everything seemed to have stopped making sense.

However, Lucas was still suffering the consequences of the disease in this period.

The tumor was compressing the esophagus, and he almost didn’t eat anything. So the doctors decided to perform the surgery. The assistance provided by Aconchego Home and learning the Word of God supported me and made me believe in a divine providence.

The surgery was performed, and, surprisingly, resulted in the progressive remission of the tumor. The doctor asked me when he was analyzing the tests results: “What did you do? What did you give Lucas?” I could only answer that I prayed and trusted the Lord.

Today, I know it was God, the doctor of doctors, who took care of Lucas in such a special way. I thank and share my joy with Aconchego Home that is always open to receive us.

Raquel Inácio dos Santos* * Bible Society of Brazil has a partnership with Aconchego Home, and distributes, free of charge, biblical literature for the work of hospital chaplaincy.

Testimonies about the Bible

If you have experienced an edifying experience with the Word of God, write to The Bible in Brazil magazine and/ or to SBB’s website telling it. Those whose testimonies are selected and published will receive a copy of the NTLH Study Bible. Please send your testimony with a photo to webmaster@sbb.org.br.

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pRAYER CALENDAR

THE CHALLENGES OF BiBLE WORK iN MADAGASCAR Incrementing Bible production and building a new headquarters are some of the Malagasy Bible Society’s priorities.

About 30 thousand children were reached by God’s Word through the Mustard Seed project.

The theme “Bible: Word that Cures and Reconciles,” chosen by the Malagasy Bible Society (MBS) for the year of 2014, is an indication of the hard work carried out by the organization. Therefore, its projects aim to contribute to building a better nation for the citizens of this African country, which consists of the Island of Madagascar and a few nearby islands off the coast of Mozambique.

Hubert Lalarinjato Rakotoarivony, MBS’ General Director for one year, intends to increment Bible distribution in the country, increasing it from the current 60 thousand copies to 155 thousand copies, and to pave the way for the construction of a new headquarters. There are also projects to invest in Bible translations into other dialects, such as the partnership for the production of the Gospel of Luke in the Antandroy, Bara and Sakalava dialects, which are about to be completed.

However, the Director will face many challenges, including paying off the huge debts that have been making it difficult to accomplish the organization’s mission, by

preventing the production of new Bibles and the proper administrative and logistics management. “Our efforts are focused on making MBS a self-sustainable and successful ministry in a few years,” he reveals.

The goals include the construction of a new headquarters because the current office is old and has to be demolished.

“We plan to erect a six-storey building at the same site, part of which we will lease in order to generate income for the Bible Cause,” explains Rakotoarivony, adding that the United Bible Societies will support the implementation of the project.

One of his initiatives is the Mustard Seed event, which is an opportunity to convey the message of the importance of children to God that gathered 30 thousand children this year.

Another highlight is the Trauma Healing project, which will be carried out in a country that has just overcome a five-year social/political crisis. “In this phase of reconstruction, we hope we will be able to contribute to our country’s healing process.

The materials have already been translated into Malagasy in order to make their use easier when the project starts. Who doesn’t long for lasting peace?,” asks Rakotoarivony.

Download the Prayer Booklet App free of charge or visit www.sbb.org.br to check other prayer requests from around the world.

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TRANSLATION

A NEW ALMEIDA REVISED & UPDATED AVAILABLE SOON SBB’s Translation Consultant tells details of the Almeida Revised & Updated translation revision project.

The Bible in Brazil: What are the characteristics of the ARU translation?

Vilson Scholz: The Almeida Revised & Updated (ARU) is a translation faithful to the original texts, while preserving Almeida’s style, but that, at the same time, is much less archaic than the old Almeida translation (the Almeida Revised & Corrected – ARC). Its major distinguishing feature is its readability and sonority. It doesn’t contain tonguetwisters. We’ve also reduced as much as possible the number of cacophonies, a, combination of syllables or words that when read sound obscene or have equivocal meanings. The expression in Portuguese “a vós outros” (to/for you), which appears 232 times in the ARU translation, but just four times in the ARC translation, stems from this concern, since we intend to avoid people thinking of “avós” (grandparents) or “a voz” (the voice).

The Bible in Brazil: Why did SBB decide to update this translation?

Vilson Scholz: The ARU is an excellent translation.

However, the last update started 70 years ago (in 1943), so a new revision is necessary. Good part of the language has become archaic, and many expressions are not used by contemporary Brazilian writers any longer. The generation who grew up with the ARU translation is certainly satisfied with it. But we must think about the new generations. We’ll make changes in order to improve something that’s already excellent.

The Bible in Brazil: What does the project involve?

Vilson Scholz: We want to make the Almeida Bible Dictionary expendable.

Words like “chocarrices” (witticisms) will be replaced. We’ll say things in a more natural way, as people write the Portuguese language in Brazil nowadays.

And, by request of the churches, we will replace “tu” (thou / thee) and “vós” (ye) with “você” and “vocês” (you), except in prayers. The ARU translation exegetical decisions will be maintained to the extent possible. We want people, when they hear the text, to say: “It’s Almeida!” But, at the same time, say: “This I can understand.”

Photos: SBB File

Bible Society of Brazil (SBB) announced in early 2013 a revision of the Almeida Revised & Updated (ARU) Bible translation. The goal is to make it closer to the Portuguese spoken in Brazil today. In this interview, Vilson Scholz, SBB’s Translation Consultant, explains the details of the project that shall “improve something that’s already excellent.”

The Bible in Brazil: Are Christian churches involved in this project?

Vilson Scholz: The Almeida Revised & Updated translation was a project developed by the churches in mid-20th Century. The brightest biblical scholars of the time participated in the project. Today, there would be no use in changing the Almeida text if the churches, which made the first update and use the Updated translation, weren’t committed to the project. An Almeida revision must be a project of the churches, for the churches. And the churches have already given the “green light” for this new update.

The Bible in Brazil: And what is the deadline for its completion?

Vilson Scholz: We anticipate a minimum of three years to complete the work. A not very large, but very focused, revision team with modern IT resources will be able to make the revision in a very shorter period compared to the one made last century, which took 13 years! We’ve started the revision in September 2013. We’re on the right track, but there’s still a long way to go.

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COVER

HOLY BIBLE: AN ALLY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST SUBSTANCE ABUSE Bible Society of Brazil, in partnership with therapeutic communities and other organizations, has been helping to overcome this serious social problem.

The daily battle of substance abusers who seek rehabilitation requires permanent support and faith. Therefore, biblical teachings have been increasingly used as a therapeutic tool.

Bible Society of Brazil (SBB) joined this fight with the program The Bible in Chemical Dependency Recovery, and, in partnership with specialized organizations, it holds seminars and other events. The program offers booklets and the Life Recovery Study Bible as aids that encourage reflection and show ways to overcome one of the most serious problems in society.

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This year, the Seminar on Substance Abuse reached its seventh edition on May 24. The event is a partnership between SBB and COMTER (Network of Therapeutic Communities), supported by COMAD (Local Council for Anti-Drug Policies), held at Barueri Event Center–Bible Museum. “The Challenges of Social Reinsertion” was the main topic of the event, which included a talk by Maurício Lendre, an expert on substance abuse.

SBB encourages the participation of recovering substance abusers since

2008, when it held the first seminar. By creating COMTER (Network of Therapeutic Communities), in partnership with organizations whose work is based on the Word of God, SBB expanded the reach of its activities, which are always guided by the Bible.

“Experts on this field acknowledge that two factors are very relevant in the rehabilitation process: family and healthy religiosity. SBB works with both factors by offering support biblical materials,” explains Erní Seibert, the organization’s Communications & Social Outreach Secretary. He says that substance abuse is one of the main causes of violence, because it shatters families and reduces social cooperation.

The Seminars on Substance Abuse, according to Seibert, are important because they gather people from several organizations.

“So a support network is established, resulting in spread of knowledge and good practices about the theme,” he says.

SBB and COMTER develop a joint work by meeting the needs of therapeutic communities in several areas, and by making Bible study easier for the people assisted by outreach organizations that work with substance abuse prevention and treatment processes.

Currently, approximately 50 therapeutic communities are part of the network and attend periodic study meetings and seminars, while the Steering Group meets every month.

And this approach has been yielding results.

“The information received was essential for therapeutic communities to improve their structures, even to receive public funds,” says Emilene Araújo, SBB’s Outreach Projects Manager.

One of the highlights is the Life Recovery Study Bible, launched in 2006, that offers the Twelve Steps program–adopted by the Alcoholics Anonymous for recovery–to substance abusers. Other biblical materials support the activities and are provided for free to organizations that agree not to sell them.

“The partner organization is accountable for

the materials received, so it has to send us a report on the project’s activities and results,” explains Emilene Araújo. This procedure is essential for the submission of new donations.

Straight to the Point Erní Seibert observes that the Bible is a book where the great human dramas are portrayed, with examples of rehabilitation.

“Above all, it’s a book that brings hope to each and every situation, that’s why it’s so useful in the rehabilitation and social reinsertion processes,” he says.

In the case of the Life Recovery Study Bible, its distinguishing feature is offering studies and reflections that support the therapeutic process along the text. “It contains aids based on the Serenity Prayer and the Twelve Steps program,” points out Paulo Teixeira, SBB’s Translation & Publications Secretary. And the Celebrating Recovery biblical program, with the same aids, consists of a Leader Guide e a Participant Guide.

Publications, such as Toxic Escape, Trademark, Bitter Taste and Back to God, are also offered targeting teenagers and young people. According to Teixeira, the visual language and contents of each booklet deeply engage readers, thus promoting a dialog with God. He tells a story about the two first titles: “Recently, someone in recovery called me and said that if

Erní Seibert thinks that Seminars on Substance Abuse create a support network that results in sharing the knowledge about the theme.

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Capa he had access to materials like this in the past, maybe he wouldn’t have gone down the path of drugs.”

Emilene Araújo emphasizes that the Life Recovery Study Bible offers rehabilitation possibilities, a model that is not unique, but that has been producing excellent results. “It features the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous relating them to biblical characters, so that substance abusers can understand that many people go through moments of affliction and weakness, but that they can be overcome,” says the Outreach Projects Manager, pointing out that about 15 thousand copies of the publication have already been donated.

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Photos: Eduardo Cesar and SBB File

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Key Support Encouraging spirituality and religiosity when treating substance abuse is consensual among experts on the matter. Although most therapeutic communities are reluctant to get involved with those themes, their actions need guidance. In this context, the biblical materials distributed by SBB are very important.

Marcos Andrei Dutra (photo 1), Coordinator of Freedom Home, São Roque (State of São Paulo), attended the Seminar on Substance Abuse to get more information on the program. “Most people need spiritual support to recover, and I’m looking forward to putting it into practice at the clinic,” he revealed. Working in the field for 14 years, Dutra says the recovery rate of substance abusers ranges from 30% to 40%, and, through the partnership, he expects to improve those rates.

Gobe Institute already uses the Life Recovery Study Bible to

train family counselors and in the Spiritual Emergency Room it organizes at churches in partnership with community leaderships. The organization works with substance abusers who have already gone through detox and their families.

“We focus on the family counseling meetings, where we use biblical materials as a way to spiritualize substance abusers,” explains Geraldo José de Almeida (photo 2), the Clinical Director.

Liliane Souza Carvalho (photo 3) is married to a substance abuser who has been committed several times to clinics because of the lack of God, according to her. She was looking for more resources to support her husband at SBB’s seminar. “Those who face a substance abuse problem know that they need God, because, spiritually, it’s a very fierce battle, but we can’t lose hope,” she says.

After nine months committed to the Conquista Community, Vitória de Lima Dantas (photo 4) has reached the guidance phase, but she is already celebrating: “At the clinic I found God and was able to rebuild my family, so I’ve been conveying the message that the program of the Life Recovery Study Bible works.” She tells that as soon as she completes the Twelve Steps, she starts them all over again in order to learn more, seeing herself in the stories told.

Official Literature Santa Carlota Therapeutic Community is a project launched two years ago with several activities, such as exercises to prevent relapses and a behavioral program with psychological care. And its managers use the Life Recovery Study Bible as a way to combine the

spiritual side with the knowledge of substance abuse through the Twelve Steps. “It’s our official literature,” says Maurício Lendre.

Márcio Aldo Mathias Cavinatti (photo 5), Conquista Therapeutic Community’s Counselor, believes that the Word of God is essential in the fight against substance abuse. “The Live Discovery Bible provided me with the basis to stay in rehab, and today it encourages me to help other people the same way I was helped,” he explains.

According to Luiz Gustavo Américo da Silva (photo 6), Conquista Therapeutic Community’s President, the Live Discovery Bible is a milestone because it stimulates the recovery of substance abusers by combining the successful Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) programs. “And with the Network of Therapeutic Communities, we could disclose results and try to include our therapeutic community in the State of São Paulo’s official policy on alcohol and drugs, which is essential to us.”

Missionary Michele Collins (photo 7), founder of Saravida, headquartered in Recife (State of Pernambuco), says that the Life Recovery Study Bible has been an

important therapeutic tool. And she points out as one of the most relevant aspects the inclusion of the Twelve Steps, because it combines the spiritual and psychological sides.

She says: “We don’t impose anything on them regarding religious issues, but we have the Word of God as a rule of faith.”

With the help of Saravida, Mauro Barros Correia Neto quit drugs eight years ago. Mauro now works as an educator at the institution where he recovered at the Vitória de Santo Antão unit (State of Pernambuco).

“The Life Recovery Bible provides tips on transformation and behavioral changes, which are essential in rehabilitation. We see the consequences in the lives of participants in the program and ours, in the maintenance and the improvement of our work,” he explains.

Because of numerous positive manifestations, SBB concludes that it is on the right track, and wants to intensify the activities of the program, but there are challenges too, as Erní Seibert explains: “The demands for materials and seminars are higher than our capacity to meet them, so we need people and organizations to help us with human and financial resources.”

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INNOVATION THROUGH THE BIBLE More dynamic and interactive, the new SBB Web Portal features modern resources to promote the organization’s activities and a deeper involvement of Internet users with the Holy Scriptures.

In the beginning, images were static. Over time, movement and information attracted a growing number of Internet users. Now, in the age of instant messaging, Bible Society of Brazil (SBB) launches in August its new Web Portal, which is even more dynamic and interactive, increasing its visibility and encouraging the access to the Holy Scriptures.

“SBB’s Communications Department has been tracking Internet changes since the first websites, which were almost an electronic newsletter. Today, technology is very advanced, and, with the growing use of tablets and smartphones and the advent of social networks and instant messaging, people are connected to everything, to everyone, all the time. The new Web Portal arrives to follow

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those trends,” explains Erní Seibert, Bible Society of Brazil’s Communications & Social Outreach Secretary.

Modern navigation resources will make it possible for the website to enable users to deepen their knowledge of the Holy Book, without losing its dynamism. “We want to make the access to Bible easier and encourage its use. At the same time, we’ll offer tools to those who want to study the Scriptures in more details,” explains Seibert.

From the social viewpoint, the website will highlight SBB’s activities and how they are helping people through the Bible across Brazil.

The website will be an important tool to show that the Bible is much more than just

INternet a product, and, therefore, promote a greater biblical engagement. This means to encourage Bible reading, the application of biblical values to life and the public testimony of the value of God’s Word for human beings. “There are many projects we want to develop, and we could do much more with the participation of people. Participation mean engagement in prayer, offer and action. We hope to achieve this by having the new SBB Web Portal as an ally,” says Seibert.

Biblical Culture “The main goal of the new Web Portal is to involve more and more visitors in the work carried out by SBB, and show the needs of society regarding the Holy Bible, in addition to encouraging biblical culture in Brazil,” points out Márcia Carneiro, SBB’s Communications Manager, also in charge of managing the new portal project.

In order to achieve this goal, it is essential, according to her, to keep the website always fresh, that is, with current news, testimonies and stories that can be shared. Therefore, the website was built on a 100% dynamic platform that allows quick updates. Social media resources will also be used to interact with the public by making posts available for publication and allowing news and some sections to be liked and shared online. The new look, which impacts at first sight, resulted from an image work that reinforces the language and the communication with the audience.

Another distinguishing feature of the new Web Portal is informing, right on the home page, what is SBB: an organization that works with the Bible in order to transform lives through it. Therefore, there are two key highlights in the new Web Portal that make it very different from the previous one, as the Communication Manager explains. “There is a section called Holy Bible where we try to lay more emphasis on the Word of God and encourage visitors to engage with the Bible,” she says, adding that the rich range of information about the Holy Book offered in this section is prepared

by experts in the matter.

Biblical programs with social impact are also more prominent in order to draw attention of Internet users. “We want to encourage people to participate more in those projects, in this cause, in this Bible Society that belongs to all Christian churches.

Therefore, we have developed a Web Portal that, at every moment, invites visitors to participate in events, programs, fund-raising campaigns and pray for this work, because it’s a great and noble cause that depends on a joint effort,” concludes Márcia Carneiro.

Another requested improvement is the new and improved Bible search: more practical and easier to access, it also can be made in other languages.

Best Practices SBB’s new website was developed by Versão Beta, the specialized company

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internet that developed the layout and navigation of SBB’s new online store as well. Like the e-commerce website, the Web Portal design followed the principles and best practices of usability. Usability focuses on the easiest way for people to find what they need on the website in an almost intuitive manner.

Another concept used for this job was that the website should be focused on the user and his/her relationship with SBB. “So we interviewed customers, visited Regional Offices, tracked purchase decision-making processes and were advised by SBB’s professionals regarding who are those users,” explains Roberta Raduan, Versão Beta’s cofounder and owner.

The goal was to restructure and reorganize the website focusing on the programs carried out by SBB, so that the information arrangement and the new layout would prioritize those programs. When accessing the website, users see the “highlights” and can have the assistance of an expandable menu that makes it easier to locate all the contents.

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One of the biggest changes was made exactly to the user system. Aiming to make user experience more uniform, now with just one user name and password you can register with both the website and the online store.

Now navigation is seamless where unique logins were needed. If the user enters an area where he/she needs to enter extra data, the system requests the additional information. It is more practical for Internet users, providing more data consistency.

“All user configurations can now be accessed in an area created for it. This area provides a clear, intuitive a and simple way to update any information necessary,” says Roberta.

The new layout is aimed at the simplicity and objectivity of standard elements, such as fonts, divisions, boxes, colors, thus improving the website’s content and usability. So SBB chose a neutral background, fonts with good spacing, color standardization, use of photos, and other visual support resources, like infographics. Furthermore, the website has banners to make it more dynamic, highlighting specific contents.

The Web Portal new features meet the demands of most audiences. With additional resources and the use of more images and interaction, the expectation is that young people will feel more drawn to browse the website’s pages.

SBB believes that these constant efforts to be in sync with the technological evolution yields results. According to Erní Seibert, SBB’s Communications & Social Outreach Secretary, more than 50 thousand users visit the home page every day, in addition to over 500 thousand people who liked the Facebook page.

“It’s a large number of people trying to get more involved with the Bible Cause.

With the website’s new dynamic features, we hope to increase this community and involve more and more people with the Holy Bible,” concludes Seibert.

Photo: SBB File

PROFILE

CALLING AND DUTY Marcelo Donizete Marcellino, who contributes to the Bible Cause for more than six years, teaches that one does not need to earn much to donate and get engaged, one just needs determination.

Marcelo Donizete Marcellino, a Partner in Evangelism of Bible Society of Brazil (SBB), attributes the donations he regularly makes to the Bible Cause since 2008 to a calling.

According to him, the Bible formed his character by offering teachings like love for our neighbors.

The will to contribute to the Bible Cause appeared in his youth when he saw people committed to distributing the Word of God. “From then on I started to look for information and I found in SBB a direct way to make this contribution,” he tells, adding that he focuses on evangelization initiatives like the It’s Time to Hear the Word of God program.

Marcellino grew up in an evangelical home, and his first contact with an effective Bible reading was at the Methodist Church.

Today, he helps to coordinate the Ministry of the Word, which consists of raising the awareness of Bible reading and listening programs by using resources like the Bible and the New Testament in audio.

His efforts are making other people want to engage themselves in this cause too. “As much as possible, I talk to people about the importance of everyone contributing according to their financial capacity,”

explains Marcellino, who lives in Cunha (State of São Paulo) and works as an administrative manager in the neighboring town of Guaratinguetá.

As a donor and Partner in Evangelism, Marcellino receives regular newsletters and The Bible in Brazil magazine from SBB, materials that, according to him, have been helping to show people what has been done which their contributions.

Marcellino thinks that act of donating is also a duty, in addition to a calling. “Since I can’t be everywhere at the same time, I can at least contribute,” he says, adding that he takes part in most fundraising campaigns featured in magazine ads, direct mail, or email. More than personal gratification, he finds satisfaction in making people benefited realize their importance in the context of the Gospel.

Marcellino tells that the importance of offering is always mentioned in meetings at his church. “When it’s about amounts, mainly for SBB, we do the math–but how much is a life worth? You don’t have to make a lot of money, but just have the calling and the will to get involved and always contribute,” he concludes.

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Photo: Chico Bezerra

BIBLE IN ACTION

FIVE YEARS OF LIGHT FOR NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Photo: SBB File

After five years, Light in Northeastern Brazil has already benefited more than 30 thousand people in 48 communities.

With thousands of miles traveled, the Light in Northeastern Brazil clinic-truck has been on the road for five years bringing full assistance to communities in Brazilian Northeastern hinterlands. The vehicle is part of Bible Society of Brazil’s project called Light in Northeastern Brazil as well. Since its launch on August 31, 2009, until today, the project has made 63 trips and 46 thousand assistance activities, benefiting more than 30 thousand people in 48 communities, which, in addition to health care assistance, received guidance on the teachings of God’s Word.

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Together with Light in Amazonia, Light in Southern Brazil and Light in Southeastern Brazil– Rio de Janeiro, Light in Northeastern Brazil is part of the Light in Brazil program, established

by SBB in 2008 to bring spiritual development, health care, education, culture and citizenship rights to the population of these regions of Brazil.

The clinic-truck is equipped with two consultation rooms and a cultural area. Fully adapted, the vehicle was developed thanks to the donation of the Scottish Bible Society.

“The Scottish Bible Society not only donated the funds to acquire the truck, but also contributed financially so that s project would be feasible in its first three years”, points out Erní Seibert, SBB’s Communications & Social Outreach Secretary.

There was no lack of help and partnership during these five years of Light in Northeastern Brazil, and they were essential for the project to work in hundreds of activities and social mobilizations organized by NGOs, churches and public and private agencies. A multidisciplinary team of professionals volunteers supports the initiative by providing medical and social

BIBLE IN ACTION assistance, among others. The spiritual support work involves the donation of biblical literature, counseling, New Testament listening sessions, talks, recreational activities and reading workshops, which ensure cultural promotion and access to the Holy Book.

According to data from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Northeast Region has the lowest Human Development Index in Brazil. In other words, there are many shortcomings and challenges to be overcome. “When we started this project in 2009, we had a work plan that we imagined

to be possible to carry out. The day-to-day reality of the project taught us many things,” says Seibert.

After five years, Seibert evaluates the performance of the project with gratitude: “Today, looking back, we can only thank God for what has been done, for the opportunity to help so many people, for the many volunteers who have devoted themselves to this work and for those who have made offers to make this project possible. The smiling faces of children, adults and the elderly when they receive the Word of God are worth all the effort.”

In the months of February and March, thousands of people were displaced in the North of Brazil due to Madeira and Acre Rivers overflowing, which affected the States of Amazonas, Acre and Rondônia. The level of the Madeira River reached its record high, and made the capital city of Rondônia declare state of public calamity. Through the Strengthening Families through the Bible program, Bible Society of Brazil joined forces with several partners in the region to offer spiritual and social assistance to the victims of this disaster.

“In such moments, the Word of God has proven to be an instrument capable of reaching the hearts of people,” says Erní Seibert, SBB’s Communications & Social Outreach Secretary.

Check below some of the activities carried out.

Rondônia A partnership between the SBB and the State’s Assembly of God Evangelical Church Service Foundation benefited 178 families of districts near the Madeira River. Approximately 5 thousand copies of biblical literature were distributed, including New Testaments and biblical booklets. In Porto Velho, the state capital, another partnership between SBB and the chaplain and head of the Social Assistance Service of Rondônia’s Military Police, Major Joshua Fernando Marrieli, resulted in the distribution of three thousand copies of Christian literature to families housed in shelters of the

Photo: SBB File

HUMANITARIAN ACTION FOR VICTIMS OF FLOODS IN THE NORTH OF BRAZIL

capital. “The physical, emotional and mental need were assisted. With Bible Society of Brazil’s support, we were able to offer spiritual assistance,” celebrates the Major Marrieli.

Acre In Acre, visits were made to families housed in shelters in the capital, Rio Branco, thanks to a partnership with Nilson Gusmão, President of Acre’s SBB Chapter, and the volunteer work of 15 local young people. More than five thousand copies of the New Testament, biblical booklets and literature for children were distributed to people in the shelters.

According to Gusmão, material support had already been offered by the Government, what was lacking was “the hope and comfort of God’s Word,” which was provided by SBB through the distribution of biblical literature.

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BIBLE IN ACTION SBB BRINGS EMANCIPATE PROJECT TO REATECH In its 12th edition, the campaign “Christmas of Light in Amazonian Rivers” benefited 2,697 riverside dwellers from 14 communities in the cities/towns of Belém, Acará, Barbarena and Bujaru (State of Pará).

Organized annually by Bible Society of Brazil (SBB), the initiative was designed to offer happier Christmas celebrations and contribute to mitigate the critical period of “açaí” and fish shortage, which further aggravates the situation of poverty in riverside communities.

Held from November 30 to December 23, 2013, the campaign distributed 2,842 copies of biblical literature, 1,249 kits of school supplies, 2,464 toys, 1,163 food kits, 18,184 items of clothing and pairs of shoes, and 1,918 snacks.

The benefited audience included children, teenagers, adults and the elderly, totaling 2,697 people. The deliveries were made in special trips of the Luz na Amazônia III boat, which included recreational activities for 1,290 children and biblical reflection with 2,107 people.

ACROSS BRAZIL

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21: Second edition of the Meeting with families in Santo Amaro community, Recife (State of Pernambuco).

22: Organization of the first edition of the Meeting with the Visually Impaired in Recife (State of Pernambuco).

27: Porto Alegre (State of Rio Grande do Sul) hosted the 1st Outreach Partners Training Meeting of 2014.

29 e 30: Uberlândia (State of Minas Gerais) hosted the 1st Meeting with the Visually Impaired.

31: Meeting with Partner Organizations in Belo Horizonte (State of Minas Gerais).

31: Light in Northeastern Brazil provides assistance in Sanharó (State of Pernambuco).

June 14: Light in Southeastern Brazil provides assistance in César Maia and Coroado communities in Rio de Janeiro.

18: Meeting with Partners in Curitiba (State of Paraná).

28: Meeting with families from the Emancipate project, Barueri (State of São Paulo).

Photo: SBB File

March 22: Meeting with families from the Emancipate project, Barueri (State of São Paulo).

29: Light in Northeastern Brazil provides assistance in Santo Amaro community, Recife (State of Pernambuco).

April 9: Meeting with SBB’s Partner Institutions, São Paulo (State of São Paulo).

11: Meeting with families in Santo Amaro community, Recife (State of Pernambuco).

12: Meeting of Light in Northeastern Brazil volunteers in Santo Amaro community, Recife (State of Pernambuco).

18 a 20: Light in Northeastern Brazil provides assistance in Lagoa do Ouro community, Recife (State of Pernambuco).

May 6: Strengthening Families through the Bible program is introduced to the General Command of the State of Amapá’s Military Police.

9: Emancipate project discussion about the theme “Taking Care of Those Who Care” in Barueri (State of São Paulo).

10: Meeting with Partners in Rio de Janeiro.

10: Light in Northeastern Brazil provides assistance at Abreu e Lima Women’s Prison (State of Pernambuco).

17: Light in Southeastern Brazil (photo) provides assistance Duque de Caxias (State of Rio de Janeiro).

17: Meeting with families from the Emancipate project, Barueri (State of São Paulo).

MISSION

Photo: SBB File

MORE THAN 70 DAYS ON AMAZONIAN WATERS Visiting ten riverside towns in the States of Pará and Amapá, SBB’s Bible Boat brought God’s Word and the biblical culture to more than 15 thousand people living in difficult-to-reach areas.

At the end of May, the Bible Boat “Luz na Amazônia II” anchored in Belém (State of Pará) after finishing one more of its trips, this time following a itinerary that included ten towns in the States of Pará and Amapá. For more than 70 days, the team of volunteers of Bible Society of Brazil (SBB) devoted themselves to bringing biblical knowledge and literature to people who live in the North of Brazil.

“We are in a hard-to-reach region, but we must accomplish our mission of spreading the Bible throughout the national territory.

There would be no other way to reach the towns, villages and riverside communities without the Bible Boat,” says Reuel Klayber Ferreira, SBB’s Regional Secretary in Belém.

This initiative is part of the Light in Amazonia program, and the vessel has a bookstore and a cultural area, called Bible Museum.

Two major trips are made every year, covering in the first half of the year the States of Pará and Amapá, and, in the second half, towns in the State of Amazonas. The main purpose of the Bible Boat is to offer Scriptures for an affordable price, thus making their acquisition easier for people living in the different geographical contexts within the Amazonian region.

“The arrival of the boat to the towns generates great excitement among people,

churches, institutions and schools, because, in addition to all the materials in the bookstore, we have the Bible Museum as well,” says Ferreira, referring to cultural area that displays curiosities and objects related to the most read and distributed Book of all times.

In Macapá (State of Amapá), the activities of SBB’s team were even more comprehensive with the distribution of biblical literature in schools, prisons and hospitals, and the organization of events, such as the meeting with the visually impaired with the donation of a Bible in Braille, Training in Evangelization with Literature, and institutional presentations. “All of this has helped us to make the best trip ever of the Bible Boat.

More than 35 thousand Bibles were distributed, more than 15 thousand people visited the Boat, of which more than two thousand visited the Museum,” celebrates Ferreira.

According to the Regional Secretary, the trips require a lot of work, but the recognition can be measured by the reaction of visitors.

“On this trip, a visually impaired woman came to the boat and just wanted to hug someone from SBB, in gratitude for the social inclusion achieved through the Bible in Braille she received. Our great motivation is knowing that we are changing lives through the Word of God,” he summarizes.

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NEW RELEASES RENEWiNG THE MiSSiONARY FERVOR OF THE CHURCH Featuring biblical text in the Almeida Revised & Updated translation, the Missionary Study Bible is the new release of Bible Society of Brazil that aims not only to deepen the biblical basis of missions, but also to emphasize the missionary perspectives of the Bible.

More than that: it is a publication that reinforces the importance of the Holy Bible as the Book of God’s mission. “Each chapter of the Bible is explored under the aspect of missions. This makes this publication unique,” explains Paulo Teixeira, SBB’s Translation & Publications Secretary, pointing out that the theme of this Study Bible will be useful to renew the missionary fervor of the church.

There are extensive study notes throughout the biblical text written by leaders of the missionary movement in Brazil, such as Russell Shedd, Rudi Zimmer, Ronaldo Lidório and Timóteo Carriker. “The notes clarify or give clues about the missionary significance of the message of each one of the books of the Bible,” explains Timóteo Carriker, one of the creators of the Missionary Study Bible. The publication includes other resources as well.

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Some of them are: introduction to each book of the Bible, with information about the content and missionary vision; insert with maps and charts about missions, and appendix with articles and missionary resources.

Unlike other Study Bibles, which deal with the theme of missions in a few passages, the Missionary Study Bible took seven years to be completed and was developed with the goal of serving the Christian Church. For this reason, its content is enlightening and emphasizes the need of carrying out God’s mission.

According to Carriker, the idea is that the publication will serve different purposes. The first one would be to inform Christians and churches of how the Bible guides the missionary action in every dimension, including personal evangelism, establishment of churches, and virtues of Christian life. The second one would be to encourage the missionary callings of people and churches. And he concludes: “The third one would be to bring all of us closer to God the creator and redeemer, who sends us on the mission, wherever we find ourselves.”

The national launch of the Missionary Study Bible will take place during the 7th Brazilian Congress of Missions, which will be held in Águas de Lindoia (State of São Paulo), from October 7 to 10.

iN THE CONTExT OF THE BRAZiLiAN WOMAN Full of resources, the Holy Bible – Among Women and God was carefully developed for the woman who wants to find out more about what God offers for her life, and how she can learn and grow every day. Mini-devotionals by renowned author Max Lucado offer messages of encouragement and wisdom for every day of the year.

Prayers, articles, introductions to each Bible book and explanatory notes complement the series of aids, which enable a significant and contextualized biblical reading suitable for the reality of Brazilian women. Featuring the biblical text in the New Translation in Today’s Language, this publication also stands out for having a language that is accessible, pleasant and easy-to-understand.

Another distinguishing feature is its graphic design.

Printed in two colors, black and peach, this edition features a red synthetic leather cover with delicate flowers and laces motifs. Check below more details about the main resources of this Bible.

• Preparing the Setting: 66 Introductions that help prepare the setting, providing more information and explaining the context of each book of the Bible.

• Promise in Sight: 100 of the great God’s promises, highlighted by a sign throughout the Bible that leads to the promise indicated on the page.

• Effective Prayers: 50 most important prayers of the Bible highlighted throughout the biblical text.

• Daily Discovery: 366 mini-devotionals, one for each day of the year, in order to help apply the Word of God to the daily routine of the woman.

• Inserts: 16 articles on relevant topics to share biblical truths.

Code: NTLH065BMUD Format: 13.5 x 20.0cm (5.3 X 7.9in.)

Binding: Printed synthetic leather cover

THE pREACHER’S BiBLE: REDESiGNED The already acclaimed The Preacher’s Bible, a co-edition with Esperança Publishing house, now has a new format and layout. More compact (13.5 x 20.0 cm; 5.3 X 7.9in.), it features a new blue brushed synthetic leather cover. Featuring the biblical

text in the Almeida Revised & Corrected translation, the publication includes about two thousand drafts contained in the books Mil Esboços Bíblicos and Mais Mil Esboços Bíblicos, revised and adapted according to the new spelling rules of the Portuguese language.

Code: ARC065BPRLV Format: 13.5 x 20.0cm (5.3 X 7.9in.)

Binding: Blue brushed synthetic leather cover

GOD HASN’T FORGOTTEN YOU How do you deal with a cancer that appears suddenly and shakes the structure of an entire family?

The booklet God Hasn’t Forgotten You was specially developed for people who suddenly discover they are sick. Through a selection of biblical texts that offer comfort in case of sickness and testimonies of people who are facing or have faced cancer, the author Eleny Vassão de Paula Aitken shows readers that having

a deep relationship with God can impact positively the life of someone facing such a difficult problem.

Code: NTLH580P8 Format: 9.0 x 15.5 cm (3.7 X 6.1in.)

Binding: Printed paperback cover

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NEW RELEASES pAMpHLETS THAT pROViDE COURAGE AND HOpE The series Vigor includes texts adapted from the booklet with the same name by chaplain Eleny Vassão Paula Aitken. The series consists of ten booklets about feelings and conflicts experienced in everyday life, and offer readers a word of hope and relief for moments of suffering. Developed in different manner from other pamphlets, this series is structured with one brief message, one small Bible text, which serves as the basis for reflection, and closes with a prayer. Sold in 100-unit packages, this material is ideal for chaplaincy and evangelization actions. Check out the titles: Safety in Storms | Who am I? | Relationship and Hope | Relationship with God | Counting your Steps | Medicine for the Soul | God Has Not Abandoned You | God Has Power | Is God Good? | Rethinking Life.

Code: NTLH860PCA Format: 6.3 x 16.0 cm (2.5 X 6.3in.)

BiBLE CLASSiCS FOR TEENAGERS This book contains the most fantastic and well-known biblical stories with both realistic and dramatic illustrations that make readers immerse themselves in the stories. Ideal for teenagers, “Classic Stories of the Bible” contains 24 passages from the Old Testament and 19 from the New Testament. Featuring the biblical text in the New Translation in Today’s Language, this book, printed in coated paper, has a surprising layout that will make young readers more interested in the biblical message and the purposes God has for their lives.

Code: NTLH563PHC Format: 14.0 x 21.0 cm (5.5 X 8.3in.)

Binding: Paperback cover

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FOUNTAiN OF BLESSiNGS BiBLE WiTH STiCKY NOTES A great success with children and teenagers, the Bible with colorful sticky notes and notepad for notes is now also available in the Fountain of Blessings edition.

Featuring the Almeida Revised & Updated translation, its cover now has bright letters and design in pink and black, in addition to a rubber band that ensures a good level of protection for the pages.

Code: RA043LMFBA Format: 11.5 x 16.5cm (4.5 x 6.5in.)

Binding: Hard Cover with elastic band

DO iT OVER AND OVER AGAiN Did you write something and now you want to do it again? So, just erase it! The book “Write and Erase - Fun Activities of the Bible” promises to change learning Bible stories into fun exercises. The book–that comes with a little pen–includes numerous activities, in laminated pages, which can be erased and repeated as many

times as the child desires.

Code: TNL563PEA Format: 17.0 x 20.5 cm (6.7 X 8.1in.)

Binding: Illustrated spiral hardcover Launch: August 2014

TO KEEp iN THE HEART With a clear and simple language, My Bible of the Heart contains 16 Holy Bible stories specially selected for small children to learn and get interested since the early age in the Word of God. The delicate and lovely illustrations and the short and direct sentences were carefully prepared so that

small readers relate and keep the Bible stories in their heart.

Código: TNL563PBC Formato: 14.5 x 17.5 cm (5.7 X 6.9in.)

Launch: August 2014

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