Sower Magazine - Winter 2013 by Bible Society Australia

WINTER 2013

Sower The Bible at work MOZAMBIQUE Literacy changing lives for good

SOUTH PACIFIC: Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word carried on the high seas AUSTRALIA: Getting school kids to look inside the Bible SECRET COUNTRY: Taking the Bible into closed places

‘There’s never been a better time for mission.’ Do you agree with this statement? It sounds a bit optimistic, perhaps naïve. How could this possibly be the Golden Age of the Word? After all, fewer and fewer people seem to read the Bible or even know anything about it. There’s talk of trying to remove the Bible from the education system, and of making life harder for charities that shape their work around the word of God. Surely it’s a time of Bible ‘famine’, not Bible ‘harvest’?

...“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15

Like most views, it depends on your vantage point. Yes, many 21st century societies are turning their back on the Bible and the biblical worldview. Christian organisations, including churches, are under increasing pressure to bow to the spirit of the age. Today we have to struggle to have the Word heard. But there is another story, and a much more encouraging one. There’s an exciting rumour going around that the mission to reach every tribe and nation with the gospel of Jesus is one that could be completed in our generation. When you look at Bible mission from a different angle, we’re living in a time of immense blessing. Technology is spreading the Word around the globe at mind-boggling speed. It’s reaching into every nook and cranny of the globe (even countries where the Bible is forbidden). Via satellite, the internet and mobile devices, more people have affordable access to the Bible than

ever before. Technology is also assisting translation work—still a long and difficult task—by helping translators share resources and accelerate the process. It remains true that the Bible is the world’s best-selling book in all formats. And in Africa, Asia and South America, it’s greatly sought after. Demand still exceeds supply. We have plenty of work to do. There’s a spirit of cooperation among many Bible agencies around the world as we sense that God has given us the provisions to complete the task of taking the Word to the world. These include translators, technology, and you— our supporters who believe that the job is worth doing. Thank you, and please continue with us as we take the heart-lightening message of God’s love in Christ to every tribe and nation.

Dr Greg Clarke, CEO Bible Society Australia

Bible Society Australia is a not-for-profit interdenominational organisation. It is a member of the United Bible Societies, a fellowship of 146 organisations working in more than 200 countries. Our mission is to achieve the widest possible, effective and meaningful distribution of the Bible; also, to help people interact with it, and to have their hearts lightened by the Bible’s message of unconditional love in Jesus Christ. GPO BOX 9874 In Your Capital City P: 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537) ISSN 1839-7425 W: biblesociety.org.au E: sower@biblesociety.org.au ACN 148 058 306

BSA Update

Keep getting the word to Rwanda

Thank you to all who attended the Get The Word Out launches across Australia (Adelaide event, above) and also for the donations that have come in so far: $103,000 as of mid-May. We’ll fundraise all of 2013 to help rebuild this nation ravaged by a violent past.

A present help in times of trouble

They’re just pocket-sized, but these calendars mean a lot to youth in several Australian juvenile justice centres. Besides using them to count down the days to release, the detainees take comfort from “The Lord’s Prayer” and a “Prayer before going to court” printed on the back. The little calendars are also special to the youth as they produced the art themselves. Chaplain Graeme Liersch from Riverina Juvenile Justice Centre says this gives the youth a sense of ownership of the calendars. “But above all else, it seems to give them hope.” So far this year, more than 22,000 pieces of Scripture have been given to the juvenile justice centres, and to other grant recipients like hospitals, prisons, Indigenous ministries and the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Films compete to best depict Joy

Entries are rolling in for the Ignite Christian Film Festival, run this year by Bible Society Australia in conjunction with Festival Director Allan Dowthwaite. The competition asks filmmakers to communicate the truths of the Bible in a creative way, and the theme for 2013 is Joy. Entry deadline is July 31. If you’d like to enter, or know someone who would, please visit www.ignitefilmfest.com for details.

Changing a nation, The Bible helps Mozambique read By the time Antonio Fanifusse turned eighteen, he’d already done a lot of growing up. His father had passed away years before, forcing him to work and support his mother and siblings. His meagre earnings didn’t allow him to return to school, or learn to read and write. Close to where Antonio lives, another young person had faced enormous challenges. Orphan Rosa Paúlo Castigo never had the chance to go to school at all. At fourteen she was married to an older man, giving birth soon after. Before her child turned two, Rosa’s husband left her. She worked in the market to earn money but, unable to even count, she didn’t do well at all. Stories like Antonio’s and Rosa’s are a just a part of everyday village life throughout Mozambique.

Centuries of colonisation, a 20 year civil war and multiple natural disasters have ravaged life in general. 80% of Mozambicans live a subsistence lifestyle, trapped in a cycle of poverty. Many have little or no access to electricity, sanitation or running water. 44% of the population is illiterate, and education for more than one million children is but a dream. Even after 17 years of peace, illiteracy remains one of the nation’s great challenges and Mozambique is still among the world’s poorest nations. It’s placed 185th out of 186 positions on the United Nations’ Human Development Index (HDI)* report for 2013. The Bible Society is working to change these awful statistics through a Bible-based rural literacy project.

one life at a time

A young single mum improv es her lot

Together with local churches, we’re using Bible-based literacy materials to help children and adults learn to read and write. Students who finish the eighteen month literacy course receive their very own Bible, fully equipped to read it for themselves. Teachers also help them learn to count, and learn more about health and agriculture. By helping them acquire vital life skills, the Bible Society and its supporters are giving the poor in Mozambique greater confidence, and hope for the future. These tools for a better life are changing not just individuals, but entire communities as well. * The HDI is a composite statistic of life expectancy, education and income indices that ranks countries into four tiers of human development.

When a literacy class began at her local church, Rosa (left) jumped at the opportunity. “I went to the class, and through the lessons I have learnt many new skills. Most of all I like learning Portuguese, our national language. It’s made me more aware of things that surround my life and community.”

907 students participated in the 2012 literacy programme. In just the first month of the 2013 programme, there were 1,247 who’d enrolled in 68 villages! Enrolment in the literacy programme is exploding. The Bible Society needs your help to break the poverty cycle through this free Bible-based programme that sees lives transformed. Your tax deductible donation will help buy literacy materials and Bibles, as well as subsidise the living allowances of pastors and teachers running the course on the ground. Will you support this vital ministry in Mozambique and help change lives for good? To donate please call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537), submit the Sower donation form on the back page or visit biblesociety.org.au/mozambique.

Antonio’s workmates read the Bible too Now at 20, Antonio (above, centre) has received the education he always wanted. Before the literacy programme, a book meant nothing to him but squiggles on a page. “Now that I’ve graduated, I’m the proud owner of a Bible, and I read it to my family and friends, and at my workplace whenever I get the chance! I’m so excited with the education I’ve received, which is equivalent to Grade 4 in school. One day I aim to be the clerk at my workplace. There’s no looking back now!”

Devotion

Our greatest need Markus Nyberg

“The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.” Psalm 6:9

‘

As I write, I’ve just completed three days on the Munda Biddi bike trail with a group of Christian friends. This track runs from Mundaring in the hills behind Perth, and follows the hills close to the coast all the way to Albany. While climbing in gravel, or meandering through the tall Jarrah forests we met other bike riders who liked the great outdoors. All of the riders acknowledged the rugged beauty and intricate balance of nature, but none acknowledged the creator God. All these Aussies were good people, ones I’d be pleased to have as friends, but they lacked a connection with a higher power, the ultimate power. The people I met reflect most of the Australians that I observe and interact with in cafés, offices, building

sites, universities and shopping centres – basically good people without God. Unlike other countries that suffer from poverty, hunger, epidemics and financial hardship I see Australia’s greatest need as a spiritual one. My prayer for my country is that God will help Australians realise their spiritual need and awaken a revival of the soul amongst us. I also pray that God will raise up leaders who will enable this to happen. Will you join me to pray for good Australians to become God followers?

’

This devotion is by Glenn Townend, Pastor and President, Western Australian Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

Risking the high seas

Crew of the Sea Hawk take Bibles to the South Pacific, to islands so remote they’re only reached by boat Aggie Russell recalls how eager people would be at the sight of the yacht Dayspring drawing near their South Pacific island. “We couldn’t anchor against the smaller wharves, so the islanders would jump into their boats and come out to us, to gladly take the Bibles!” For more than 30 years, New Zealand-based Ron and Aggie Russell sailed their yachts—successively, Dayspring I, II and III— to remote islands in the South Pacific, distributing Bibles and Scripture materials. The English sailor and his Fijian-Chinese wife first

found faith in Christ in 1967. Ron so cherished reading the Bible, he wanted everyone to have the same privilege. He soon felt it was his calling to take Bibles by sea to the South Pacific island nations—not to their main islands, but to the more isolated, outlying ones. “There were thousands of people on those islands, and they weren’t being resourced like those on the bigger islands,” says Aggie. “Christian agencies sent materials to the capital cities and the main ports. However the books weren’t forwarded to the smaller,

to deliver Scriptures

When the mission yacht can’t anchor closer to shore, islanders race out to collect the Bibles themselves remote islands which you could only reach by boat. Some books would sit in bulk stores for months!” And so began the Russells’ great journeys of faith. “We didn’t ask for any money, we just prayed.” Soon, though, with support from their church, as well as from Bible Society New Zealand and the United Bible Societies, they were ministering to people in lesserknown islands like the Lau Group in eastern Fiji. Neither uncharted waters nor shipwreck stopped them for very long. When their third yacht foundered

in 2005 between Fiji and Western Samoa, four former crew members picked up the baton, refusing to see the ministry die. After four years of persistence, they set out on the maiden mission voyage of the Sea Hawk. The Russells’ ministry continues today with the Sea Hawk. It’s operated by New Zealand’s Dayspring Ministries, in partnership with the Bible Societies of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. “In the islands you have to go under the auspices of something that’s known – and that’s the Bible Society,” says Aggie.

(Above) Isolation’s great for holidays, but (right) is a challenge when getting Bibles to people on the islands Tourists love the far flung islands of the South Pacific for their seclusion. It’s quite a different thing altogether for a pastor or school teacher wanting to see the spiritual growth of those in their care. “Working on remote islands is a challenge,” says Reverend Ravagna, minister for the island of Cicia in Fiji. “Ninety per cent of school children here have no Bible or New Testament; not in Lakeba, either, and I would guess the whole of the Lau group. There is a great need for good children’s materials.” Both children and adults alike face a dearth of Bibles in parts of the South Pacific. There’s a desperate need to buy Scripture materials—that precious cargo ferried

so faithfully by the Sea Hawk, and the Dayspring before that. In March this year, the Sea Hawk delivered 3,000 Bibles to people in remote islands in Fiji— to the Lau groups, Yasawa and Kadavu. The yacht is getting ready to sail again for the most remote of the Solomon Islands, with 2,250 English Bibles and 3,140 vernacular New Testaments. The Bible Society needs your help to fund such a large distribution of Bible resources to the islands. To donate, please call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537), visit biblesociety.org.au/southpacific or submit the Sower donation form on the back page.

Grow your money and spread the Word Did you know you can save for a rainy day and help take the Scriptures to others as your money grows?

You can do this by participating in our Bible Society in Australia Trustees’ Deposit Fund* which safely and conservatively invests your monies. You choose one of our per annum interest rates for your savings; the difference between the interest earned on the accumulated funds and the actual interest you have chosen goes towards the Bible Society’s charitable work. The interest rate (per annum) choices are: 0% or 1% or 2% or 2.5% (effective 1st May 2013). Your investment is held at call, and you can add as much as you like at any time.

How would I make withdrawals?

Anytime you need to make a withdrawal, send us a written, signed withdrawal request, and funds can be transferred to your bank account, usually within one working day.

Yes, I am interested in the Bible Society in Australia Trustees’ Deposit Fund Please: Call me and tell me more Post me more information Name: Address:

Is my investment safe?

All monies deposited with the Trustees’ Deposit Fund are held in authorised trustee investments with a minimum ‘AA-’ rating by Standards & Poor’s. Since the inception of the Trustees’ Deposit Funds in the 1960s, all savers’ withdrawals have been paid on demand.

Are there any restrictions?

To keep administration costs reasonable and, consequently, the Trustees’ Deposit Fund effective in supporting the work of the Bible Society, we require a minimum balance of $1,000 at all times and a maximum of 12 withdrawals per annum.

How do I get started?

For more information or an application form, call us on 1800 688 001 (Freecall), e-mail bsatdf@biblesociety.org.au or complete and mail us the coupon on the right. * Exempt organisation under the Corporations Act as a Charitable Investment Scheme. Information and interest rates are current as at 1 May 2013 and are subject to change.

Postcode: Email:

Tel: Mail to: Bible Society in Australia Trustees’ Deposit Fund, PO Box 375 North Ryde, NSW 1670 ABN 68 740 351 622

2012 Annual Review 2012 was highly productive for the newly nationalised Bible Society. In partnership with 2500 Aussie churches, we created the '25 Words' Bible reading campaign, and grew our dollar contribution to international and domestic mission programmes by 19%. Your donations and your prayer support made it all possible – thanks for helping us get the Word out! Dr Greg Clarke, CEO Bible Society Australia

Lebanon Bible resources, advocacy and engagement The interactive ‘Bible World’ in Beirut received its 30,000th visitor! Children are experiencing the historical context and message of the Bible in visual and engaging ways.

ABC

China Rural literacy programme

309 literacy classes in Henan, Chongqing, and Shaanxi province had 29,000 people in attendance – many of these locals are unravelling God’s truths by themselves for the very first time!

48 INTERNATIONAL

PROGRAMMES

Rwanda Learning reconciliation from the scriptures 36,500 children participated and 210 new teachers were trained, distributing over 40,000 Bible-based materials and 8,000 Bibles to children. Students are receiving healing and reconciliation through the programme while improving their literacy skills! 12

ABC

Mozambique Bible-based literacy programme

1,100 students are participating in 61 villages across the nation, empowered through new skills, opportunities, and the confidence to share the Gospel with others.

Remote & indigenous programmes

PROGRAMMES all over

With mission partners, Bible Society has helped the proofing and publishing of translated Scriptures in 4 indigenous languages, and released audio scriptures in two others. Bible Engagement resources are equipping and blessing thousands of children and their families in many languages across outback Australia. Bible storytelling workshops have also proved very successful.

AUSTRALIA Youth & school programmes

Bible engagement – publishing, media & digital environment

46,000 free Bibles and scripture books were given to Christians working in 760 public schools nationwide to distribute in their scripture classes.

Live light in 25 words Bible Society ran a Bible reading campaign called ‘Live Light in 25 Words’ encouraging Australian Christians who weren’t reading their Bibles to build a better Bible reading habit through reading 25 words from the Bible each day.

Financial Total donations & bequests: $8,271,808 Mission Expenditure 43.3% 14.2% 12.7% 11.1% 9.8% 7.1% 1.8%

International Youth & Schools Publishing, digital & content Campaigns, advocacy & events Church & community relations Remote & indigenous community Scripture Grants

DONATIONS 6.4% | COSTS 9%

Campaign highlights: 10,000 individuals, 2,500 churches, 25 partner organisations 1,500+ people attended campaign events 71,000+ resources accessed from the campaign website

new Bibles

Bible resources and ebooks were published Please continue to support us, “…confident that the word of God will spread widely and grow in power”. Acts 19:20 Want to know more? Want to provide feedback? Visit: www.biblesociety.org.au/2012 13

Getting kids to look Remember your favourite teacher at school? It’s most likely the one who made learning fun, who helped you understand, and who had a passion for what they did. That’s what the Bible Society’s Children’s, Youth and Education (CYE) team aims for as they share the Bible. Each year, the CYE team makes 350 presentations, sharing the gospel story with children in public schools. They bring the Bible alive in an interactive way that gets children interested in what it has to say. The CYE team also works closely with thousands of religious education teachers in public schools. These teachers play an important pastoral role. Many school children never step into a church, but week after week they have this amazing opportunity to interact with a Christian role model. They build good relationships with Scripture teachers, who help them explore what the Bible says about things going on around them. Together, the CYE team and Scripture teachers hand out 50,000 free Bibles to children in public schools— all because you give. The Bible Society is continuing to put this challenge before you—the Great 100 Challenge to help us provide 100 schools with 100 Bibles each. We’re about half-way through our 18-month target of raising a total of $200,000. Will you help us reach this target, and give more children the Bible? To make a tax-deductible donation, call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537), visit biblesociety.org.au/schools or complete and submit the Sower donation form on the back page.

The CYE team’s Rick George brings the Bible alive for kids

inside the Bible Primary schools kids ask Bible Joe for more “I enjoy visiting schools, churches and youth groups across Queensland, sharing the Bible. It’s always a pleasure to see the kids’ excitement as they receive a Wild Bible Gospel of Mark. I’m constantly blessed as I watch them discover the truths of the Bible, and the fun they have in that discovery. This is typical of what many children have to say: Dear Bible Joe, thank you for coming to our school to tell us about Jesus and stuff. I thought you were very funny and I loved your stories and the singing. I have been reading my new Wild Bible and I really love the stories. I’m looking forward to helping my class raise some money for Bibles, so that we can send them to poor kids who don’t have one. Please come back again soon!” Johannes Knijnenburg, CYE in Queensland High school students dig deeper into the Bible story of ‘Jesus and Zac’ “Standing in front of a pretty boisterous group of 300 high school students, I launch into my re-telling of a Bible story: Welcome to the job interview. There are many of you applying for this one job—but only one of you will be successful I’m afraid. This is a job that can make you incredibly wealthy, but you might be so hated, people might try to kill you. And so, with a hint of drama in my voice, I tell the story of Jesus and Zaccheus. The group is intrigued, listening closely. You can read their expressions... this is a different sort of religious education… it may even be fun! This method of interactive storytelling is one I often use when I’m presenting a seminar in a high school. Afterwards I discuss with them the significance of Jesus having a meal with this man. Did Jesus and Zac talk lots, I ask. What might they have talked about that would cause Zac to radically change? There are some crazy suggestions by way of response – but this group of young people who’d never ordinarily read a Bible themselves, are soon discussing a Bible story Afterwards, a large group gathers around me, asking questions about the story and about Jesus, and asking for the free comic book ‘The Story of Jesus.’ These are high school students, wanting to know more about Jesus, and the Bible.... yes, right here in Australia!” Adrian Blenkinsop, CYE in South Australia

Bible reading guide

July 1-11 Matthew 10–12 10:1–16 10:17–31 10:32–42 11:1–6 11:7–19 11:20–24 11:25–30 12:1–14 12:15–21 12:22–37 12:38–50 July 12-21 2 Samuel 1–9 1:1–16 1:17–27 2:1–7; 3:1 5:1–16 5:17–25 6:1–11 6:12–23

1 16

7:1–17 7:18–29 8:15; 9:1–13 July 22-August 2 Matthew 13–15 13:1–17 13:18–23 13:24–30,36–43 13:31–35 13:44–52 13:53–14:12 14:13–21 14:22–36 15:1–9 15:10–20 15:21–28 15:29–39 August 3-12 2 Samuel 11–17 11:1–27 12:1–14

12:15–25 13:1–22 13:23–39 15:1–12 15:13–37 16:1–23 17:1–14 17:15–29 August 13-17 Psalms 86–89 86 87 88 89:1–18 89:19–52 August 18-27 Matthew 16–18 16:1–12 16:13–20 16:21–28 17:1–13

17:14–23 17:24–27 18:1–9 18:10–14 18:15–20 18:21–35 August 28September 3 Amos 1:1–5; 2:6–3:2 3:3–4:3 5:1–27 6:1–14 7:1–17 8:1–14 9:1–15 September 4-14 2 Samuel 18–24 18:1–18 18:19–33 19:1–18a

19:18b–30 19:31–43 22:1–16 22:17–30 22:31–51 23:1–7 24:1–17 24:18–25 September 15-19 Matthew 19, 20 19:1–15 19:16–30 20:1–16 20:17–28 20:29–34 September 20-30 1 Timothy 1:1–11 1:12–20

2:1–15 3:1–7 3:8–13 3:14–16 4:1–16 5:1–16 5:17–6:2 6:3–10 6:11–21 The readings in this guide are taken from Series 2 of the Scripture Union Bible reading notes, “Daily Bread”. The whole Bible is covered in four years (Series 1-4).

BSA Diary DATE June 1 June 21 June 30 – Sept 1 July 24

EVENTS & HAPPENINGS Bike For Bibles Hunter Valley One Day Classic Ride Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast BFB Australia Big Ride

VENUES NSW Ryde, Sydney NSW Broome WA to Sydney NSW

Masterclass for high schools

Chatswood, Sydney NSW

July 28 July 31

Hymnfest Closing date for entries to Ignite Film Fest (sponsored by Bible Society Australia)

Bairnsdale /Sale VIC See ignitefilmfest.com for details

Aug 8

CMA Breakfast

Melbourne, VIC

Aug 11 - 25

Hymnfest

11th - Albury NSW/Wodonga VIC 18th - Redcliffe QLD 25th - Drouin/Warragul VIC

Sept 7 Sept 9 - 25

Ignite Film Fest Awards Night Mary Jones Tour

25th - Adelaide, SA Sydney NSW Tour to Wales and England

Support Bike For Bibles on the Big Ride! The Australia Big Ride from Broome to Sydney starts Sunday 30 June. Please pray for safety of the riders and crew as they travel 7,200km. Do support them too as they fundraise for Bible work in Australia and for the “Read to Live” literacy/anti domestic violence programme in South America. Like to donate to the Big Ride, or need information on any event? Call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537) or visit www.biblesociety.org.au

Man rules, but God’s The Bible is at work in secret places Our “secret country” appeals take the Bible to people living under tight government control. Bible Societies there operate under close scrutiny. In order to protect the work, we refrain from naming the countries. Ivan* lives in one such country, a former communist state. Laws about foreign funding put the local Bible Society at risk of closure for receiving foreign assistance. Yet this financially-strapped Bible Society needs help to print and distribute more Bibles. It’s a tense and controlled climate. However, it’s in difficult places like this that Bibles are especially treasured, resulting in changed lives. Ivan knows this truth, having turned from drug addiction on the strength of the Scriptures alone! There are about 80,000 “Ivans” in this country, needing rescue from a life addicted to drugs. In the past five years, the Bible Society has distributed Bibles to more than 700 organisations like rehab centres, homes for the children and elderly, colleges and universities.

Would you give so that the Bible is sent throughout this country, to help more people like Ivan read God’s word? To donate call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537) visit biblesociety.org.au/secretcountry or use the Sower donation form on the back page. “My name is Ivan*. I am 46. I was born into an ordinary working class family. I learned the law of the street from young, and had a ‘don’t trust, don’t fear, don’t beg’ attitude. At age ten, I was at the bottom of the class in school, unwilling to study and obey teachers. At age 14, I was in a gang and committed a series of robberies. I was in detention for five years. This was the start of a life behind bars, a total of twenty years before I reached forty. I started using drugs at 19, and even in prison I found ways of getting drugs, never thinking about the consequences. During my years in prison, my mother, father and brother all died, and I was left alone, with no relative at all. When in prison, I had plenty of time to think

word overrules about my life. I needed peace, tenderness and warmth. I wanted to forget about prison, and never be in one again. But every time I was set free I went back to my old habits, using drugs and committing crime. It was such a vicious cycle I could not break. Never in my life had I even worked. My hands had held nothing but syringes, playing cards, and ill-gotten money. How would I live, if not by crime? Things looked absolutely hopeless, and using drugs seemed to be the only way out again. I did it more frequently, injecting bigger doses. My life was just a lie, and empty. No light, no hope, and no sense of purpose. I spent a lot of money in vain at addiction clinics. One told me: ‘You shouldn’t bother coming here anymore. Your case is hopeless.’ More than once in the past I’d heard about Christian rehabilitation centres, and that God worked miracles there. So I decided to go to one. When I got there, they gave me a Bible, saying, ‘Thanks to these Scriptures many drug-addicts have had their lives completely changed’. These words persuaded me to start studying the Bible at once. Its message deeply touched me,

and I turned to God with all my heart. I prayed, ‘My God please help me... I want to serve you just like those other people you’ve saved!’ Within two months, I experienced a personal encounter with the Creator. Peace and tranquility I’d dreamt of for so long filled me. I wept, tears of remorse streaming down my cheeks. That was two years ago, and God has set me free from every addiction—drugs, smoking, drinking. I don’t even swear anymore. God has given me total freedom and peace for my tired heart. I now serve at a Christian drug treatment centre. I’d once been an addict, but now I want to help others find freedom in Christ. God’s love alone is able to set anybody free. God gave me a beautiful lady and we will soon marry. God is so gracious. He has granted me far more than I had ever hoped for! I am thankful to Him, and to those who worked so sacrificially in the rehabilitation centres. Also, I am deeply thankful to the Bible Society and its supporters for the Scriptures given to us. May God abundantly bless you!” * Not his real name

UBS prayer points June – August 2013 “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.” Colossians 1:3

23-29 June Spain: Praise God for the success of Bible Month in Spain earlier this year. Please pray that people from all walks of life will come to know, love and be transformed by the living Word of God. Mozambique: Praise God for the recent graduation of five rural literacy classes across Maputo and the northern provinces of Mozambique. Pray for the programme underway in 68 rural villages.

2-8 June Pakistan: Please join us in praying for Pakistan, where over 100 Christian homes have been attacked and burned. Ask for peace in this troubled nation. Peru: Two out of three children in Peru live in poverty, and one in four suffers from malnutrition. Pray for Bible Society’s Pan de Vida project, which provides hundreds of children with a nutritious breakfast each day while also teaching the Scriptures.

30 June- 6 July Liberia: Thank God for the Bible Society’s ministry of encouragement through football. Men who were left disabled by Liberia’s brutal civil war gather each week to play football. They are also given Scriptures. Pray that this ministry might bring hope to all involved. Jordan: The current Bible Society office in Jordan is a rental property, and difficulties with the property owner make a move highly likely. Please pray for wisdom as the Bible Society seeks new premises.

9-15 June USA: Pray for ‘EXPOSED’, a call to action ministry that promotes practical steps for ethical behaviour in business, government and the church. Pray that it will position Christians as advocates of justice and transformation across the world. Bolivia: Thank God for the distribution of Scriptures to various churches in the Cochabamba valley in the Andes Region. Please pray that these Scriptures will bless the many families who received them.

7-13 July Syria: Pray for all the families who have lost loved ones as a result of war, and ask God to console their hearts. Pray for the safety for all Bible Society staff and volunteers still at work in the country. Malaysia: Thank God for the distribution of more than 200,000 copies of Alkitab Berita Baik, a local translation of the ‘Good News Bible’. Pray for the churches and organisations distributing the Bibles to those who most need them in the local language.

16-22 June Egypt: Pray for the Bible Society’s latest billboard campaign, proclaiming ‘The Word is near to you’ at a busy city intersection. Ask that the Bible Society will reach people from all walks of life with the Bible’s message of hope and peace. The Caribbean: Please pray for the Bible Society’s ministry to fight domestic violence in Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao and for the support of local churches.

14-20 July Israel: Please pray for the production of a Hebrew audio Bible, and children’s materials in Hebrew. These resources are eagerly anticipated by Bible Society staff for use in their various ministries. India: India has the largest population of children in the world. Praise God for the distribution of 190,000 Bibles to Indian children in 2012. Pray that the on-going children’s programmes will make an impact.

21-27 July Austria: Praise God for contact made with donors during the Bible Society’s donor-phone-call campaign. Many increased their support and expressed renewed interest in the Bible Society’s mission. Morocco: Please pray for the ongoing Moroccan translation of the Old Testament, and for the team working on it. Ask that people living in Morocco and abroad will have access to the newly-published NT. 28 July- 3 August Cambodia: Thank God for the Bible Society’s literacy programme. Pray that it will continue to expand and see many more people learn to read and write. Pray also that the gospel message will come alive for them as they learn to read. Lebanon: Pray for children attending Bible World, an interactive biblical programme for schools and youth groups. Thank God for this effective ministry tool and the creativity of Bible Society Lebanon. 4 -10 August Rwanda: Please pray for the Bible Society’s Bible distribution ministry in Rwanda’s overcrowded prisons. Ask that the peace and reconciliation found in Christ might be made known to those serving sentences for participating in the 1994 genocide. China: Please pray for the work of Amity Printing Press in providing Bibles to China’s growing population. Pray that funds will continue to become available to see this important ministry continue.

18-24 August Australia: In a Federal election year we are more mindful of the importance of politics and policy that guide our nation. Please pray for the Bible Society as it seeks to help people think through some of the bigger issues, and to do so in the light of Biblical values such as justice, mercy, and humility (Micah 6:8). Algeria: Pray that legal restrictions on the churches will be lifted, and remember the Bible Society’s ministry in this country, especially the difficulties with importing Scriptures. 25-31 August Palestinian Territories: Please pray for the safety of the Bible Society team in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. Pray for wisdom, effectiveness and efficiency in Bible distribution. Turkey: Please continue to remember the conflict in the Middle East, especially in Syria. Turkey has received 200,000 Syrian refugees. Pray for the Bible Society’s ministry of peace during these times.

11-17 August Libya: Please pray for the very difficult situation in the country. Many Egyptian Christians have been jailed or deported from Libya, accused of proselytism or for distributing Bibles in Libya. Canada: Please pray for the Bible Society’s distribution ministry among diverse ethnic groups in Canada. Pray that their efforts will be well received and will further enhance the effectiveness of Bible distribution.

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The First Drop of Rain By Leslie Parrott Explores the downpour and the deserts we all encounter in life.

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UBS Update Austrian centre a hit

35,000 people have visited the Bible Centre in Vienna since doors opened in 2005. This Bible Society centre holds exhibitions for school and church groups, and the 35,000th visitor was a young boy who went there with his confirmation group in March. He was delighted to receive the gift of a dramatised audio edition of Luke’s Gospel. Rev Andreas Lisson, who accompanied the children, says that he takes a group there every year, and that it’s a great place for them to learn about the Bible in a vivid and hands-on way.

Refuge in Lebanon

Recent UNHCR data says that more than 350,000 Syrian refugees have fled to Lebanon as a result of the escalating conflict in their homeland. “They’ve had to flee with literally nothing, hoping to find a safe place for themselves and their children,” says Bible Society of Lebanon General Secretary, Dr Mike Bassous. The Bible Society there is providing relief packages containing blankets, food and other essential items, as well as Scripture tracts and New Testaments. More than 2000 packages have been delivered so far.

Nine Bible translations in Papua New Guinea Healing from trauma Consolatta (above) was raped while fleeing from violence in the troubled Democratic Republic of Congo. The brutal attack left her wheelchair-bound. She’s one of thousands of women being helped through She’s My Sister, a Bible-based trauma healing programme. It helps survivors deal with their deep spiritual and emotional wounds, and seeks to build “beauty out of ashes”. The programme has been implemented in 15 countries.

In the Autumn 2013 Sower we looked at on-going UBS Bible translation work in PNG. UBS aims to provide a complete Bible for two PNG communities: the Motu and Gogodala - the “Christians longing for a full Bible” referred to in the headline. While we focused on these two groups, we’d like to clarify that there are nine full Bibles (like the Buka Helaga, left) already serving other PNG language groups. We gratefully acknowledge everyone who’s helped produce them, to bless people in Papua New Guinea.

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Please return to Bible Society, GPO Box 9874, In Your Capital City You can also donate online at www.biblesociety.org.au or by phone on 1300 BIBLES or (1300 242 537) If these programs are over subscribed, the money will go to another Bible Society project. *Receipts for tax deductible donations of $2 or more will be issued by the trustee for Bible Society Foundation. ABN 41 725 839 724