As we share this edition of Sower, our hearts are joined not only with you, but with our global partners who are standing firm in their faith in Jesus amid great hardship. They value our partnership and our support so much. Our brother Munther from Bible Society of Jordan says, “Thank you. As Christians, we are one as Jesus’ body. And we need you. We need our brothers and sisters in Australia to stand behind us. Serving in countries like Jordan or other countries in the Middle East is not an easy mission. It is really challenging to survive, and to keep on.”
This edition of Sower offers a window into the work of our Bible Society partners in the Middle East, where Christians are a minority, and people are facing darkness and grief. Bible Society Australia is coming alongside them to provide the Bible and practical support.
“During times of struggle, people often turn to God for comfort and guidance,” shares our brother Nashat, from the Palestinian Bible Society. “We rise each day ready to serve others and advance the Kingdom of God. The needs are immense, and the workforce is limited ... In the face of darkness and injustice, the word of God remains our most vital tool for survival and a source of hope for a better tomorrow.”
Victor from the Bible Society of Israel also sees this need, sharing that “Spiritual aid is critically needed for our people in these days. People are
seeking hope, encouragement and peace and it is nowhere to be found but through God and his Living Word.”
As you read, I pray that you are encouraged by the faith of our brothers and sisters in Christ in places like Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel. I hope, too, that in reading these stories, your heart will be challenged and strengthened to support them in their immense and faithful work.
As Munther says, “We need the church in other areas to stand behind us in different ways: with prayers, with financial support, even visiting us. This kind of support, this kind of prayer ... it is encouraging us to keep on, and continue our mission here.”
Like the early Christians in Corinth, our brothers and sisters in the Middle East are responding to the charge: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13, NIV). As we pray for and support our Christian brothers and sisters, let us make Paul’s words in his second letter to the Corinthians, our own: “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:21, NIV).
May we stand firm in Christ, united with our brothers and sisters around the world as they Open The Bible with those in need.
GOD BLESS,
Grant Thomson CEO, BIBLE SOCIETY AUSTRALIA
“As Christians, we are one as Jesus’ body. And we need you. We need our brothers and sisters
to stand behind us.” — Munther
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
— Matthew 18:20 (NIV)
Finding Hope, Faith, and Support
“Our days were spent in fear and danger, and we never knew what each day would bring,” Youseff* recalls. He and his wife were living in their city in Syria with their five children, “a happy life,” Youseff says. Then chaos erupted in their city, separating their family; they found themselves caught between two armies as the Syrian Civil War escalated.
“My life turned into a nightmare,” says Youseff, who was arrested on false charges. He was thrown into prison, where he endured constant fear, humiliation, and physical abuse. “I was subjected to severe beatings that left me with multiple bruises.” Youseff’s family were left in a state of confusion and fear, wondering if they would ever see him again. They even performed all the burial ceremonies, just in case Youseff was killed in prison, adding to their trauma.
When Youseff was released after five long months, he and his family joined the millions of people who were displaced by the war and fled. Youseff’s family fled to Jordan, to escape the humanitarian crisis and the horrors of Syria.
As of early 2024, Jordan hosts approximately 710,000 registered refugees, primarily from Syria, according to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This number includes both long-term residents and newer arrivals, yet unofficial figures including unregistered Syrian refugees are closer to 1.3 million.
Yet although Youseff’s family physically distanced themselves from the conflict, Youseff’s struggles continued, as did the concern of his family, as they longed for safety. “I was dealing with psychological issues that needed years of treatment.”
Finding relief and refuge in Jordan
In Jordan, Youseff and his family found relief and refuge among the Christian community. “Through the church, volunteers provided us with much-needed essentials, such as baby kits, milk, and towels, which we saw as a direct answer to our prayers.”
“The impact of this relief was immense, both spiritually and materially,” says Youseff. “Our faith was strengthened, and our physical needs were met. The love and support we received from our church community allowed us to start rebuilding our lives after the trauma we endured.”
These church volunteers work in partnership with the Bible Society of Jordan, providing Bibles and relief care to refugees and disadvantaged Jordanian families. “We want the people to know the Word of God, which is spiritual bread,” says Munther, General Secretary of Bible Society Jordan. “But at the same time, we can’t do this without showing them practical care, and that we can stand behind them. So, we show them God’s love in a practical way, to provide their
“The impact of this relief was immense, both spiritually and materially,” says Youseff. “Our faith was strengthened, and our physical needs were met.”
daily bread also. This is spiritual bread and physical bread,” Munther explains the title for this project, ‘Bread and Bread’. Because of this project, Munther says, “Wherever you are going now in Jordan, anyone can see that the church, Chrisitan organisations, and especially the Bible Society, stand behind people who are suffering, the poor people, Jordanian or refugee. This is a very strong testimony in a Muslim country.”
Practicing the love of Jesus through relationships
In the first half of 2024, Bible Society of Jordan and the local churches assisted 3,113 families with food packages and other basic needs, and distributed over 1,200 Bibles. “We don’t put pressure on people to receive the Bible,” explains Munther. “We show the love without any agenda. If people ask for the Bible, we are able to provide it."
Bible Society of Jordan is seeking to help the church show true love by providing for refugees and Jordanians in need. Haya, the program coordinator, explains, “We care about reaching the families in a deeper sense, not only providing them with sustenance, but sharing the gospel in a way that is not a one time event such as, ‘Jesus loves you, take this food package’ — no. It’s more practising the love of Jesus with them through relationships. When you build a relationship,
when you build trust, when you provide people with their basic needs, help them live a dignified life ... help them regain honour, and a sense of value, they open up to receive more. So, they want to know more about this Jesus.”
Together, Bible Society and the churches want to ease psychological suffering by listening to families and meeting their material needs, restoring dignity to those in need, and supporting the most disadvantaged families in their struggles. They demonstrate God's love through practical acts of kindness for people of all nationalities. Haya says, “This project is crucial and meeting a big need for refugee and Jordanian families. It has opened doors for different kinds of ministries, through relief.” Because of the relationships built, Bible Society of Jordan have been able to serve these people with ministries such as trauma healing groups and Children’s ministry programs. “What’s beautiful about this project is that it enables us to integrate holistic ministry in people’s lives,” Haya explains.
Haya has much experience from visiting many refugee families in Jordan over the years, and testifies to the impact Christians are having through this project. She heard two main messages from the people they loved and served. Firstly, the families would tell her, “We haven’t seen anyone treat us with love, and we can see that Christians have. We haven’t received support
from any organisation within our faith like the church has supported us.” Haya sees this as proof that the church has served people well, reaching and supporting hundreds of thousands of families over the years of this project. “Though we are small,” Haya says, “The impact is big. And this is done through the support of Christians in other countries like Australia, because we can’t do it locally on our own.”
The second truth Haya has seen many times from those they serve is that a lot of the people have come to faith through the war, through the hardships, through the suffering. “They have come to faith because of the love of the church,” says Haya. “From nominal Christians, from those of other faiths. They tell us that ‘we are happy that the war happened, that the suffering has caused us to come here, because we have come to know God's love through this journey.’”
Moving forward with hope and faith
Today, Youseff’s family is doing much better, though they still face challenges. “We found hope in our faith and the support of our church community. We participated in Bible study, and I became a servant of the church. We have found a community that supports us and helps us to move forward. We will always be grateful for the love and kindness that has been shown to us during our darkest days.”
Even though Christians are a small part of the population in Jordan, the church is making a difference. Haya wants Christians in Australia to know that “The church is making an impact, it is making a difference in Jordan, and your support is helping us do even more and to reach even more people and have an even bigger impact.” In Haya’s words, the support of donors enables the church “to do its mission with power, with strength, and with faithfulness.”
If you would like to partner with Bible Society Jordan and stand in solidarity with the church as they practice the love of Jesus, you can support the work by visiting biblesociety.org.au/sow.
*Name changed to protect identity.
Hope in a Time of Crisis:
Bringing Light to Lebanon’s Refugee Communities
“Hurtful
Generations of refugee children living in Lebanon have never known their homeland. Over 1.5 million registered refugees from Syria, Iraq and Palestine live suspended in their displacement. Refugee children are raised in temporary settlements, where they often face very low hygiene and limited access to food, healthcare, education and other basic services.
Lebanon hosts the largest number of refugees per capita in the world, accounting for one-third of the country’s population. With the country currently facing the worst socio-economic crisis
in decades, refugees face the anger and hatred of nationals, with scapegoating and violence increasing since 2019. Many refugees are forced to make desperate choices, such as skipping meals, foregoing medical treatment, and sending their children to work instead of school. Hope, for many, is in short supply.
Amidst turmoil, the Bible Society in Lebanon (BSL), supported by Bible Society Australia (BSA), sow seeds of hope as they work tirelessly with displaced and disadvantaged communities. The Reconcile! project aims to foster a positive
words destroy people and hurt us. But beautiful words build and sow love in our hearts and those around us.”
— Aliya*, 11 years old, about the game “The Rose Bouquet” of the Reconcile! program
atmosphere among refugee children through creative presentations of Bible stories focused on reconciliation and forgiveness.
A holistic approach
The Reconcile! project has reached thousands of children, offering them a joyful experience, access to portions of the Bible and a path to healing and faith in the God who loves them. Mike, General Secretary of Bible Society Lebanon, shares, “People ask, ‘Why do you do Reconcile!, literacy and trauma healing? Why don't you just distribute the word of God?’ We learned from Iraq in 2014 with ISIS. We went to their refugee camps to distribute New Testaments. They didn't care. All they asked was, ‘Why did God allow this?’”
Reflecting on the parable of the sower and the significance of the “good soil,” Mike emphasises that, “Our mission in Lebanon is to create that good soil so that the seeds of hope and faith can grow.” In a region so rife with crisis, good soil is hard to come by. “All we have is a land full of thorns or that is rocky,” he says. BSL helps people remove the ‘thorns’ and the difficulties in their lives, so the seed of the gospel can flourish.
Literacy for a better future
With many refugee children missing out on formal education, BSL also provides literacy programs. This Bible-based literacy program includes both Arabic and English classes and gives refugees access to education for their future. Mike shares a story of a refugee daughter and her mother who were illiterate when they arrived in Lebanon. “The daughter went through the literacy program, and she was able to teach her mother to start reading the Bible,” he recounts, highlighting the intergenerational reach of the program.
Adults and children come to know Jesus as their Saviour through the program. Camille, Finance and Administration Manager at BSL shares
that, “a young boy in the program jumped up and said, ‘I have opened my heart to Jesus.’ It was spontaneous. Just a small child. Something happened inside him, something amazing.”
Faithful sowing
Working with refugees and underprivileged communities in transit means that the BSL team may never see the long-term outcomes of what they invest into the hearts of people. “St. Paul said, one will sow the other will water and someone else will reap,” shares Mike.
In sowing into these communities, BSL are investing in the future of the broader Middle East region. He emphasises that, “We don't give up on refugees whether we get to see the results here in Lebanon or whether we see the results when they move on. We want them to go to their destination with better mental health, with better education, with better family ties, whatever we can do for them.” cont. pg.
Facing Challenges with Resilience
The economic crisis in Lebanon has challenged public resilience and strained resources, but the Bible Society remains steadfast. “Despite the economic crisis, we have not withered and drawn back,” Mike asserts. Passionate staff and volunteers continue to serve the most vulnerable communities. While local financial support for BSL has diminished in this season, international partners continue to fuel the work.
In the face of complex problems in the Middle East, Christians on the ground continue to uplift those who are hurting. Now more than ever, these enduring projects depend on the generosity and prayers of partners and donors from around the world. Your contribution to BSA enables Bible Society Lebanon to continue this vital work, bringing hope and healing to hurting people. To donate, please visit biblesociety.org.au/sow.
*Name changed to protect identity.
female domestic workers in Bahrain, $80 EVERY
could help uplift Christian communities experiencing war with God’s word of hope, healing and peace, through Bible engagement programs and the distribution of Scripture.
$130 EVERY
could equip local churches in Jordan with humanitarian assistance and spiritual aid to assist refugee and underprivileged families, alleviating their suffering, destitution and distress.
Donate today at biblesociety.org.au/sow or call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537).
“These fifteen minutes turned my life around; I encountered Christ”:
A Journey to Knowing God’s Goodness
Formany years, Joseph* lived a life far removed from the Church, feeling disconnected from God and indifferent to his family's persistent encouragement to embrace the Christian faith. Despite their continuous efforts, Joseph remained unresponsive, uninterested in exploring a closer relationship with Christ. That was until his sister invited him to a workshop at the Arab Israeli Bible Society (AIBS). This workshop, focused on humanity and pain during a season of war, sparked a curiosity in Joseph that led him to attend, seeking to understand how Christians perceive the current conflicts.
The session delved deeply into the teachings of the Bible, exploring the human experience of pain and suffering in the context of war. Joseph found himself profoundly moved by the discussions and the compassionate interactions among the participants.
A pivotal moment came when the workshop leader challenged the attendees to face the
wall, much like King Hezekiah did, and to pray and lament before God for fifteen minutes, as recounted in Isaiah 38:1-8. This exercise was more than a simple prayer; it was an invitation to confront one's innermost fears, pain, and doubts, and to lay them before God.
Joseph accepted the challenge. As he stood facing the wall, he began to lament and pour out his heart to God. “These fifteen minutes turned my life around; I encountered Christ,” Joseph shared. In that brief yet intense period, he experienced a profound sense of God's mercy, and love. And for the first time, he understood the goodness of God in a deeply personal way.
Following the workshop, Joseph felt compelled to stay connected with the AIBS community. He volunteered to help with various chores at their storage facility. The experience was a blessing, providing him with a sense of purpose and belonging.
Eager to grow in his newfound faith, Joseph asked for literature to help him mature in his faith. The AIBS staff provided him with resources that deepened his understanding of the Bible and strengthened his relationship with God.
Joseph also participated in the Trauma Healing sessions offered by AIBS for four consecutive weeks. During these sessions, he was an active and engaged member, eager to learn and support others on their healing journeys. His enthusiasm and commitment were evident to everyone around him, and he quickly became a valued part of their community.
Joseph's transformation did not go unnoticed by his family. His sister shared that he is now more active in the church and continues to follow Jesus with a sincere and open heart.
The Arab Israeli Bible Society faithfully serves the Christian community in Israel by making the word of God accessible. Their Trauma
Healing sessions, centred on understanding forgiveness and building reconciliation, are done in partnership with local churches and have been highly requested. Among their many initiatives are distributing Bibles to schools, and developing family magazines that give voice to the suffering and point to Christ as their hope.
In this time of war, where the streets are marked by fear, frustration and despair, AIBS is working hard to move in a counter-cultural direction — bringing God’s love, forgiveness and healing to the forefront and Christ, the Prince of Peace, to the centre of people’s hearts. If you would like to give to this ministry and support Christians in need, please visit biblesociety.org.au/sow.
*Name changed to protect identity.
Pray With Us
Please join us in praying for our Bible Society partners in the Middle East who are sharing eternal hope from God’s word and demonstrating the love of Jesus to those who are desperately in need.
Michael and Camille and the team from Bible Society Lebanon
Please ask for God's protection and strength for the dedicated staff and volunteers of Bible Society Lebanon (BSL) as they serve vulnerable communities during these challenging times. Pray that they are sustained in their passion and commitment as they plant seeds of hope and faith among refugees and disadvantaged groups. Please pray for the children and families affected by trauma and displacement from war, that they find comfort and healing through the Bible stories in BSL’s reconciliation and forgiveness programs.
Munther and Haya and the team from Bible Society Jordan
Please pray that the Bible Society staff and local church leaders feel encouraged by the support of their global Christian community. Pray for Jordan’s struggling economy, which impacts both Jordanians and refugees, and for financial stability that allows families to meet their basic needs. Also, pray for solutions to Jordan's severe water shortages and for God to provide the necessary resources. Ask for boldness and courage for Christians in Jordan as they witness their faith amid challenges. Pray that the Bible Society and local churches continue to show God's love, leading families to trust, be open to the Gospel, and to embrace Christ's love.
Hrayr and the team from the Bible Society of The Gulf
Thank God for the Bible Society of The Gulf team as they address the diverse needs of various nationalities and cultures in the region. Pray for wisdom and strength as they provide spiritual resources in a context where Christian activities are limited. Remember the millions of migrant workers in The Gulf facing challenges like isolation, low wages, and tough living conditions. Pray for their safety and well-being, and for opportunities to hear messages of hope through the Bible Society and local churches.
Dina and the team from the Arab Israeli Bible Society (AIBS)
Please pray for courage and strength for the AIBS team and community members facing fear and hopelessness amid ongoing violence. Pray that young people in the community feel called to remain and serve as ‘salt and light,’ inspiring positive contributions to society and fostering hope. Ask God to intervene and heal the deep divisions and rising tensions within the community. Pray for opportunities for AIBS to conduct trauma workshops and reconciliation efforts that bring healing, forgiveness, and hope to all.
Life is incredibly tough for our Christian brothers and sisters in the Middle East who are facing war, displacement and grief.
We have an opportunity to support Christians in need with practical aid, literacy skills and access to the Bible.
Will you consider donating to help educate refugee children in Lebanon with literacy skills, uplift Christian communities in war-torn regions with Biblebased programs, equip local churches in Jordan with practical and spiritual aid to assist underprivileged families, and more?
Donate today at biblesociety.org.au/sow.
Donate today at biblesociety.org.au/sow
Bible Society Australia’s Scripture Grants
The mission of Bible Society Australia (BSA) is to Open The Bible to all people by all means possible. Which is why BSA offers Scripture Grants to make the Bible more accessible to Australian ministries. With limited resources, BSA aims to prioritise supplying Bibles to ministries that Open The Bible with people.
What are the different kinds of Scripture Grants?
These are the grants people ministering in Australia can apply for:
Australian Defence Force (ADF) grant
provides Scriptures and gospel resources to ADF chaplains and ministries to read with current serving members of the ADF.
Bibles in Schools grant Chaplain and Parachurch grant
provides class sets of Bibles to Scripture teachers or instructors around the nation who teach in school time at public or state schools.
Disaster Recovery grant Remote Indigenous Ministry Support grant
provides Scriptures and other gospel materials to chaplains and churches ministering to communities who have had some kind of tragedy (natural disaster or some other incident).
provides up to $2,000 each financial year to parachurch ministries or chaplaincy work doing intentional, regular Bible engagement.
gives free Scriptures and resources to Indigenous Australians and ministries that reach out to Indigenous Australians.
How do I apply for a Scripture Grant?
To learn more and apply for a grant, visit biblesociety.org.au/grants
The Ongoing Impact of Jesus. All About Life
Following the inaugural Adelaide Easter celebration, ‘Jesus in the Park,’ the demand for more community festivals centred on Jesus is on the rise. Churches are already working on the next event.
“People loved it, they raved about it,” said event organiser Hugh Marquis. “Then the mayor said, ‘This has been such a big change for our community we want one every year.’ The neighbouring councils said, ‘You've done so much for our community, could you do one for us?’”
On the 23rd of March approximately 4,500 people attended ‘Jesus in the Park’ held in Elizabeth, South Australia. “The Bible Society Australia and over 70 churches have come together today in the City of Playford for the Live to Love Jesus in the Park event ... there was plenty of faith, hope, food and fun today!,” said Mayor Glenn Docharty.
“At the Bible Society stall, it was packed all day,” Hugh reports. “People looking at old and new Bibles; we were able to give away the New Beginnings Bible to lots of people in the community. [They] were pretty much an unsaved community. They just loved what we were doing, and we were able to say, this was brought to you by Bible Society.”
The ’Jesus in the Park’ event saw:
• 158 people made a decision to accept Christ
• 47 people baptised
To learn more, visit biblesociety.org.au/blog
Transformative Literacy in the Solomon Islands
The Bible Society of the South Pacific (BSSP) and the Literacy Association Solomon Islands (LASI) have initiated a literacy project to tackle the low functional literacy rates in the country’s major provinces, where rates are alarmingly between 7-17%, despite 90% of the population having had formal education.
The BSSP team recently traveled to the Malaita Province, a key community for this literacy project which focuses on speakers of Baeggu, Kwaio, and Fataleka languages. During their journey through 22 villages, the team witnessed the positive effects of the literacy classes.
“One of the women shared that when they go to town, they were not able to read the signs along the streets, but after being literate they now know to read the signs or directions in town and help their own children with their homework. Another shared that she feels confident to share in church after completing the literacy program.” Ledua, the Manager of Operations at BSSP.
In 2024, the project progresses:
• 1,600 copies of literacy materials have been printed.
• 24 literacy teachers from 22 Baeggu and Kwaio communities attended a two-week training course in March.
• 507 learners enrolled in May.
To learn more, visit biblesociety.org.au/blog
THE WALKING CURE: WHEN AN INJURY FORCED ME TO SLOW DOWN, I LEARNED THAT WE CAN ONLY AMBLE OUR WAY TO WISDOM
I can’t run right now – or what, for me, passes for running. I must walk, and I hate it. A tear in my right calf muscle has exposed me as a walking cliche of middle-class, middle-aged life: I overcompensate for a desk-bound existence through bursts of physical exercise, but now with painful results.
This 43-year-old body isn’t what she used to be. While I make a reluctant novice, the spiritual
worth of walking is dawning on me – slowly, obviously. The saying goes, “walk before you run”, or, master the basics before you level up. But in a world obsessed with speed, running might be less an ideal and more the conformist choice.
Wisdom might instead back the slower pace that walking, as opposed to running, embodies –especially if we want to remain human in a world that can feel anything but.
Justine Toh
I know I’m not alone in feeling swamped every day, and that I must run at everything to keep up. I’m all for running for the love of it – actual running, and the kind where you throw yourself into something with gusto. But when running feels forced on us, becoming the default mode to tackle life, then I have a problem.
My need to hurry, then, is partly why I have an issue with walking. It’s half a stage of life thing: as a full-time working parent of primaryaged children, I belong to that cohort who reports feeling always or often rushed for time.
But anything that grows your soul takes time. There are no shortcuts to hard-won insight; you can only amble your way to wisdom.
In the face of the industrial development of his time (“all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil”), the 19th-century Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins lamented that “nor can foot feel, being shod”. Hopkins’ point was that humankind had lost a fundamental connection with ourselves, and the natural world, in its rush to embrace technological progress. Almost 200 years later, we’re still stuck on this treadmill – and its pace exceeds human limits.
What would it look like to step off? This is no easy option in a world beholden to endless economic growth. But even if we can’t simply quit the accelerating life, we can ever so slightly deprogram ourselves from its fast and furious pace.
For me, I keep in mind a tiny glimpse of paradise to power my modest resistance.
Specifically, a poetic image from the Bible’s creation story: “the man and the woman heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day”.
Granted, it’s not an altogether happy scene. The human pair are about to discover the penalties of reaching beyond human limits (sound familiar?) in eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Their looming fate is ours too: we all live “east of Eden”.
But, while brief, the remaining detail is suggestive. Heaven is human beings walking with each other and God in his perfect place. There’s no need to rush. The world and its infinite pleasures will unfold themselves in their own sweet time and will be there for us to discover, together. The daily walk and talk, reviewing the day just gone, while being present to those you love, is the heart-, mind- and soulwandering that is deeply restful, and the way every day should end.
I long for that kind of pace and the deep attention and connection it implies. Till then, I’ll bury my nose in the neighbourhood jasmine on my rambles and say a prayer, asking for continued help and sustenance in putting one foot in front of the other.
I’m staking my hope on what I’m calling – what else – the walking cure.
Justine Toh is a senior research fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity.
Faith Stories
Marion's Story
'I SENSED THE WORD AFGHANISTAN, WHICH CAME AS A SURPRISE!'
“From childhood I was raised to believe in Jesus. I still recall my Sunday school teacher giving us small cards with a text from scripture. They were kept in a tiny tin to bring out and practice. I was a devoted lover of Jesus. In my teen years, I sang on Christian radio and at public youth events.
Sadly, in my early adult years, I turned away from what I understood as conservative, legalistic teaching. My heart was for the poor and challenged, and in immaturity and lack of understanding of God’s word, I threw out Jesus as their prime model of faith. I became rebellious.
One day, in angst and rejection of Christ, I threw away my Bible. I saw so much injustice, and I didn’t want to be part of it. The following 14 years of scorn and unbelief brought hardship in my relationships and deep sadness and confusion. I had a complete mental breakdown. It was terrible. I was so perplexed and despairing of life. Everything seemed faceless and empty.
But all through those 14 years, my faithful father prayed daily, ‘Bring my girl back, Lord! Bring her back!’
In my mid-thirties, I reached out to God – the God I did not know. I decided to go back to church. My first morning, I remember setting off, wheeling my baby in a grand Cyclops pram. I stopped in front of the church, and said to God, ‘This time I am not turning back. Whatever anyone says to me, I am not turning back!’
I went to the women’s Bible study, and Ephesians was the book to study. I was astonished by the word ‘grace’. I don’t ever remember hearing it before, but I melted. My independent defiance and my failed ability to endure in relationships utterly broke.
The mercy of God in Christ staggered me. I just wept. Salvation was not up to me. Jesus died on my behalf and welcomed me into his beloved family. I read in wonder from Ephesians 2:8:
‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…’
I wept in repentance over days and weeks. A hunger for more of God’s Word quickened in me. I got up early each morning to read my Bible and talk to God. The tiny texts I had learned as a child took on life and joy in me.
Three years on, sitting in my kitchen, I was reading the book of Romans, when I sensed someone in the room. I immediately sensed it was Jesus. I threw myself at his feet! He said, ‘Get up.’ I looked into his face, and his eyes spoke love. A fire seemed to radiate from his forehead. His left arm was outstretched to me, and I saw the deep furrowed scars in his hands. It seemed he was composed of love. I knew then that Jesus was alive!
It’s been almost 30 years since that beautiful encounter with Jesus. I’m a happy grandmother. In 2006, I retired from my work, and I sought the Lord for his leading. Within my heart, I sensed his words, ‘Women, casualties of war. Afghanistan.’ It came as a surprise!
This led me to train as a Teacher of English to speakers of Foreign Languages (TEFOL), and I taught Afghan refugee women in Sydney. They became my friends, and it was so special.
Following that, I went to Pakistan, where there were many Afghan refugees. In 2010, the catastrophic flood intervened, and 20 million
people were displaced. I’d never seen suffering on that scale. Grief works a weary face. I was able to live with Muslim people and love them and pray. We saw an incredible move of the Holy Spirit. It was beautiful.
Finally, at age 71, I went into Afghanistan and taught English to young women in a college. The following year, I took a young Afghan refugee into my home in Sydney. This led to me being invited to live with his Muslim family in Pakistan in a refugee town. Truly, I have seen that God cares for the widows and the fatherless. He has compassion for those in the valley of grief. He is always present. Sometimes, he chooses the weak and the foolish to show his glory. He says, ‘Go and tell them I’m alive!’”
Marion's book, Tell Them I'm Alive is available to order at Koorong.
How the Bible Shaped My Story
We will be reading the Bible with Hrayr, General Secretary of the Bible Society in The Gulf. For Hrayr, the Bible is his compass, guiding him through life’s twists and turns. Join him as he reflects on how these cherished Scriptures have shaped his story and transformed his perspective.
Day 1
Matthew 13:3-8 (NIV)
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. ... Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
My path wasn't what I envisioned. Armed with a degree in Agricultural Economics, I was set to till a different kind of soil. But Matthew 13:3-8, became my turning point and ignited a yearning within me to be a Sower, to plant seeds of faith in the fertile ground of receptive hearts. I embarked on a journey across the Arabian Gulf countries sowing the seeds of God's Word among migrant workers from 174 countries.
There were those whose hearts were hardened paths, the message bouncing off without finding root. Others, like the rocky places, embraced the message quickly, only to be scorched by life's challenges. And some, entangled with worldly concerns, had fertile ground choked by thorns. Yet, the parable ends with a promise — seeds falling on good soil, yielding a bountiful harvest. This became my unwavering hope. Though challenges remain, the parable reminds me that I plant, God cultivates.
Prayer:
Almighty God, grant us the unwavering spirit of the Sower. Guide our words to find fertile ground and nourish the seeds we plant with your everlasting grace. May the harvest be plentiful, a testament to your love that transcends borders and languages. Amen.
Day 2
Matthew 28:18b-20a (NIV)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, ...’
The Great Commission once felt like a grand, sweeping directive. But years spent with migrant workers from a kaleidoscope of cultures have painted a finer picture. Here, sowing seeds of hope transcends language and custom.
Witnessing the exhaustion etched on their faces, the longing for home a constant ache, the Gospel message transforms. It becomes a shared source of strength. Baptism reflects a longing for cleansing, not just of sin, but of the fatigue that clings to them in this foreign land. Discipleship becomes fellowship. The Great Commission is a call to empathy, a bridge across cultural divides. Jesus' promise to be "with us always" takes on new meaning — a constant reminder that even across cultures and languages, love and compassion are a universal tongue. The Great Commission is a call to meet the migrants where they are and build bridges of faith that transcend borders.
Prayer:
May we, like the first disciples, venture out, not with proclamations, but with open hearts, ready to learn and share the love of Christ in a multitude of tongues. Father, empower us to go forth and share Your love. Grant us the courage to make disciples, the wisdom to teach Your word, and the strength to baptize in Your holy name. Amen.
Day 3
Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
The stories of my grandparents are etched in my bones. My people, the Armenians, endured a nightmare a century ago, a systematic attempt to erase us. Hatred, a tempting poison, could easily fill the void.
Yet, Matthew 22:37-40 offered me a different path.
Jesus elevates love as the ultimate commandment, a love for God that encompasses all. Loving God with all my being is a constant pursuit, a wellspring of strength. But it doesn't stop there. “Love your neighbor as yourself,” a revolutionary concept in a world driven by vengeance. How can I love those who inflicted such pain on my people?
The answer, perhaps, lies in understanding. Love doesn't erase the past, but it allows me to move forward without being consumed by it. This love won't be easy, but it's the only way to break the cycle of violence.
Prayer:
God, grant us the strength to love you and to extend that love, even to those who make us suffer. Help us see beyond the pain and hatred to the shared humanity that binds us all. May your love be the compass that guides us towards healing and peace. Amen.
Day 4
Psalm 23:4-6 (NIV)
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies... Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Years spent alongside migrant workers have woven the words of Psalm 23 into the fabric of my faith. These workers, far from home and loved ones, often face immense challenges. Yet, their unwavering trust in God echoes the verse: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” Their faith is a testament to the enduring strength found in God's presence.
As for me, the shadow of the 15-year-long war in Lebanon still lingers, a constant reminder of my “darkest valley.” Yet, the words of Psalm 23 resonate deeply. God's presence wasn't a grand show of power, but a comforting hand in the dark, a silent reassurance that I wasn’t alone. Those words held me during bombardments, car explosions, and snipers’ bullets, whispering of God's presence even amidst the chaos and fear.
Prayer:
God, even though we walk through difficult times, we know we are not alone. Fill us with the courage of your presence. Guide our steps through the darkness and lead us towards the light of your hope. Amen.
BIKE FOR B I B L E S
Bike for Bibles is a mostly volunteer-run fundraising initiative for Bible Society Australia. Since it began in 1984, participants in Bike for Bibles rides have raised more than $13 million for Bible Society projects worldwide. This has enabled many thousands around the world to learn to read using God’s word.
Join one of our upcoming rides, meet new people and fundraise for Bible Society Australia!
UPCOMING RIDES
2nd - 4th November 2024
Burnie to Hobart, Tasmania 3-day ride, 350kms
11th - 15th January 2025
Marrawah to Launceston, Tasmania 5-day ride, 330kms
Learn more at biblesociety.org.au/bike-for-bibles
Yes, I want to Open The Bible for Christians in Need!
The Bible for Christians in Need (Tax-deductible*) (24SWSPTD) (Funds Literacy projects in Egypt, Lebanon, The Gulf and Aid Distribution in Jordan)
The Bible for Christians in Need (Non tax-deductible) (24SWSPNTD) (Funds Bible distribution in Jordan and Bible engagement projects in Lebanon, Israel and more)
Where Needed Most (Tax-deductible*) (24SWSPGENTD)
Where Needed Most (Non tax-deductible) (24SWSPGENNTD)
‘Where
Billercode: 389148
Please call 1300 242 537 or refer to the attached flysheet for BPAY Reference Number
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”
The Lighthouse is a community of generous believers who are committed to letting the light of God’s word shine - Lightkeepers who know the Bible has the potential to transform the lives of people across the world. — Matthew 5:14 (NIV)
