Sower - Spring 2014 by Bible Society Australia

The Bible at work

Iraqi Christians told to choose: convert to Islam, flee or die AUSTRALIA: Showing kids the greatest action hero of all NICARAGUA: Lifting the hearts of children in cancer wards

SPRING 2014

Sower

Dear friends, September 8th is International Literacy Day. Around the world, over 770 million people still lack basic literacy skills. At Bible Society, we have a plan to help reduce that number, using the gift of God’s word. What’s more, this life-changing work is taxdeductible for Australians, giving us even greater opportunity to care for our overseas friends in need. Reading is so important. It’s one of those celebrated milestones in a child’s development. Every letter learned, every sentence sounded, is a precious sign of an emerging independent mind that will be able to learn, evaluate and communicate. To learn to read is to bring forth your deep human capacity for understanding the world and your place in it. When you are learning to read using Bible-based materials, you are doubly blessed. First, you are gaining the skill; and second, you are encountering a view of the world that could change your life. That’s why we at Bible Society Australia put so much effort into literacy. We carry out literacy projects in many countries; in this Sower we are focusing on Cambodia. The need in that country is great, with around one quarter

of the population unable to read and write. The Bible Society in Cambodia is working with local churches to establish over 300 new classes as I write. Please celebrate International Literacy Day with us by prayerfully donating to this crucial work. With gratitude for your support,

Dr Greg Clarke CEO Bible Society Australia

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 Bible Society’s 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. Bible Society Australia is a not-for-profit interdenominational organisation. It’s a member of the United Bible Societies, a fellowship of 146 organisations working in more than 200 countries.

Cover Image: gettyimages.com.au

Love of literacy drives centenarian When you’ve been an educator most of your life, it’s hard to shake a passion for helping others to learn. When Millicent Prescott turned 100 in July, she had one request in terms of gifts: that friends and family would donate instead to Bible Society’s women’s literacy project in Pakistan. There were a few reasons behind the request. Working earlier with her late husband Alwyn, and later on her own, Millicent has been a long-time champion of Bible Society work. Bible Society says a huge “Thank you” for their tireless effort. Secondly, Millicent became a teacher in 1935, and later a school principal, and has never really stopped teaching. “Off and on I teach Bible study, and I help parents on how to teach Scripture to their children.” Asked why she’d chosen for her birthday money to go to a literacy project, she replies, “Because I’m a teacher and I wanted the gift to be something for literacy.” And why the Pakistani Beacon of Light appeal in particular? In part it’s because she spent the first ten years of her life in Pakistan, while her father served there as a college principal. She knows only too well what it’s like for women and girls. “The chance of a Pakistani woman from a lower ‘class’ getting an education is nil.”

In May, Millicent met Anthony Lamuel, General Secretary of the Pakistan Bible Society when he was in Hobart to promote the project. That’s when the thought about the birthday money took shape. “I was very impressed with the project; I think it’s an enormous challenge but they seem to have sorted out how to pay teachers and all that. And the idea of using the Urdu New Testament as the reader is brilliant.” Millicent, Bible Society celebrates your life of service. As we observe International Literacy Day on 8 September, we salute you, and others like you who have it on their hearts to share with others the gift of literacy.

Millicent Prescott, a champion for education, celebrates her 100th birthday

ay of d s ch ew in a E s n ns a ing ti il br hris rmo C tu

For the first time in their history, the churches of Mosul in Iraq are silent. The area, located on the Tigris River across from the ruins of Nineveh, has been home to Christians for almost 2,000 years. It’s reported that there are now just a handful left—those too unwell to join the thousands who’ve fled, faced with the terrible alternatives issued by Islamists: conversion and a protection tax, or execution. Most of Mosul’s Christians are now taking refuge in Iraqi Kurdistan. Just 30km southeast of Mosul, the Christian town of Qaraqosh has also seen an exodus after a jihadist attack. Like those in Mosul, they too have left with nothing but the clothes on their back. This is another escalation of the long-running turmoil in Iraq. It’s a lawless, violent time and extremists roam unchecked—just as it is in many places in the Middle East. “They changed our church into a mosque, ruined historic museums and destroyed a monastery and manuscripts that were 1000 years old. Iraq has gone. Iraq is finished. We are finished. It is impossible for us to go back,” laments an Iraqi Christian (name withheld for their protection. Source: SBS). The Bible Society team working in Iraq has been providing aid packages and Scripture to the pressured Christian community for

Image: gettyimages.com.au

some years now. But the Mosul incident has caused thousands more Christians to flee to Kurdistan, and the need for help is critical. Dr Mike Bassous, General Secretary of Bible Society Lebanon which oversees work in Iraq, says, “It is quite unfortunate that every few years, Iraqi Christians are displaced and forced to leave their homes. They are a marginalised peaceful minority who have paid the highest price in Iraq’s instability over the past two decades. They need all the support we can provide. Our team in Iraq has been providing physical and spiritual support to the displaced families to ease their anxiety and provide temporary comfort and encouragement.” We’re asking you for help to provide more aid to those who are suffering. Each aid package contains a week’s food for a family of five, as well as water, medicine and hygiene items, plus the Scriptures. It’s crucial at this time to sustain them with the spiritual bread of life, as well as with the physical sustenance they need for each day. If you want to invest in the frontline of aid and Bible work in the region, you couldn’t get closer than this.

Chr Middle East ne

ristians in the eed your help

This is the Arabic letter for ‘N’—short for Nasari (Nazarene) or Christian— as spray-painted on the homes of Christians in Mosul, Iraq. In fear of their lives, Christians have fled Mosul and other towns in northern Iraq, and are now refugees on the road. Christians on social media worldwide, as well as in public rallies, have adopted this symbol as a mark of solidarity with Iraqi Christians. Bible Society invites you to offer your support in a number of ways, beginning with urgent prayer. 5 5

T u r k e y

Al Mawsil (Mosul)

Bakhdida (Qaraqosh)

S y r i a

I r a n

Baghdad I r a q

Jordan

Kuwait

Al-Kuwait S a u d i

A r a b i a

We’re also working to ensure the long term presence of critical Bible Societies throughout the troubled Middle East, Iraq included. Escalating antagonism towards Christians has seen their numbers dwindle, and the very presence of Christianity in the Middle East is under attack. A 100 years ago, for instance, almost half of Syria was Christian. It’s estimated that today, one third of the nation’s Christians have fled, terrified at seeing churches destroyed and believers killed. In Iraq, more than one million Christians are said to have fled over the past 10 years. It’s a struggle for Bible Society work in the region, yet the team continues to share the good news of hope with those who remain. Local fundraising is close to impossible given the current social climate and the ever-decreasing number of Christians. That makes support from Bible Society donors elsewhere all the more important, in order that work may continue. Giving the Scriptures and humanitarian aid is a tangible way to express solidarity with our brothers and sisters across the Middle East. Standing with them in their hour of need says to them: you are not forgotten. We have not abandoned you. Please give generously to this urgent appeal. Visit biblesociety.org.au/sowermideast or call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 357) to donate, or submit the Donation Form on the back page.

Do not let evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good. 6

(Romans 12:21)

Bible Reading Guide

October 1-9 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 1:12-17 1:18-2:4 2:5-17 3:1-6 3:7-18 4:1-6 4:7-12 4:13-18 October 10 –18 Ezekiel 1:1-28 2:1-3:15 3:16-27 4:1-8; 5:1-13 8:1-18 9:1-11 10:1-22 11:16-25 12:1-11

October 19 –30 Acts 23:12-22 23:23-35 24:1-23 24:24-25:12 25:13-27 26:1-18 26:19-32 27:1-12 27:13-26 27:27-44 28:1-16 28:17-31 Oct 31–Nov 5 Psalms 126 127; 128 129 130; 131 132 133; 134

November 6–14 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 5:11-15 5:16-6:2 6:3-13 6:14-7:1 7:2-16 8:1-15 8:16-24 9:1-15 November 15-23 Ezekiel 24:15-27 33:1-20 33:21-33 34:1-10 34:11-31 36:22-38 37:1-14 43:1-12 47:1-12; 48:30-35

Sign up for our Daily Bible emails at biblesociety.org.au/dailybible. Each day you’ll get a Bible verse, a question and suggested further reading for your daily communion.

November 24–30 John 16:5-11 16:12-16 16:17-24 16:25-33 17:1-5 17:6-19 17:20-26 December 1–2 Philemon 1-14 15-25 December 3–13 Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 1:12-18 2:1-11 2:12-26 3:1-15 3:16-4:12 4:13-5:7 5:8-6:12 9:1-12 11:1-10 12:1-14

December 14–20 2 Corinthians 10:1-18 11:1-12 11:13-21a 11:21b-33 12:1-10 12:11-21 13:1-14 December 21–23 Haggai 1:1-15 2:1-9 2:10-23 December 24–31 Psalms 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104

The readings in this guide are taken from Series 3 of the Scripture Union Bible reading notes, “Daily Bread”. The whole Bible is covered in four years.

In Cambodia, faith comes

Mom Bin, 57, is teaching others now that she’s done the Learning through Listening course: “Reading has opened my eyes to the world. I used to live in such a dark place. I’m especially happy to be able to read the Bible. My family situation has improved since we all learnt about God’s word. I’m now passing it on to my grandchildren.”

“I used to be illiterate, but now I know how to read the word of God. I have my own Bible and can read it all by myself,” says a grateful Soun Te. The 45-year old farmer (right) is one of the early success stories of Bible Society Cambodia’s Learning through Listening programme. “I’m so thankful that God gave us a chance to have this class in our village. The literacy workbook is more than just a tool to teach people how to read and write. Many have started to come to church… and have turned to God.” The programme began in 2003, to help Cambodia on its recovery from long years of conflict. During the Khmer Rouge’s four years of tyranny (1975-79), two million Cambodians lost their lives through political execution, starvation and forced labour. Much of the nation’s infrastructure was destroyed and education was severely affected. Schools were shut down as the regime believed in a “return to the earth and roots of Cambodia”—meaning farming, not education. After the fall of the Khmer Rouge, schools slowly started to open again. But the education system is still suffering from a lack of funds and qualified teaching staff. Teachers are underpaid, and in rural areas some have two jobs and can only teach for a few hours each day . Today, illiteracy is widespread in Cambodia, reaching up to 60% in remote villages. Bible Society works with churches, encouraging members to learn how to read and write. The aim is to improve their prospects, as well as to help them read the Bible for themselves. Local churches organise classes of 10 students, with a trained facilitator for each class. The facilitator is given a digital audio player with lessons, and students listen as well as follow along on their Scripture-based textbooks. Bible verses are integrated into each lesson, helping students to know and remember the Scriptures.

by listening to God’s word Non-Christians who choose to attend class are also introduced to the gospel message in an unforced way. People are very keen to learn, and about 95% of students complete the course. Seeing its worth, many choose to become facilitators themselves and to help others. Farmer Soun Te is one of them. “This book (the Bible) is very precious for us to share with our neighbours, especially those who don’t know how to read. Many people in this village, and those around, want to join the literacy classes. Around 30 people in my village are now Christians. They have literacy textbooks and they learn about the Bible; I’m overjoyed.” Bible Society Cambodia hopes to offer literacy training to more people in 2015. They are working now to run another 300 beginners classes, and are aiming for a further 300 at a higher level, reaching 6,000 new students. Former Khmer Rouge soldier Ie Khan is another facilitator helping others to read. “I can see that this programme Learning through Listening is a great tool. It enables people not only to read, but also to understand the Bible.” Thank you for your support helping thousands of Cambodians to improve their life prospects and increase their knowledge of God’s word. To donate, please call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537), visit biblesociety.org.au/sowercambodia or use the Donation Form on the back page. Donations to this literacy project are tax-deductible. The digital audio player used in class. Students listen while referring to Bible-based textbooks

9 9

BSA Update 2014 Book of the Year

Philippine ambassador says thanks for Bibles Australian donors have contributed greatly to the one million May They Be One Bibles distributed to the poor in the Philippines, thanks to Bible Societies worldwide. In her letter of support, Philippine Ambassador to Australia, Belen Anota (right) says many lives have been transformed by the project. “But there are many more who need and want to read the word of God,” she says. “Let’s respond to the prayer of Jesus that we may be one, by ensuring that his word is in the home of every Filipino.” Bible Society’s Richard Allcock (in photo) and Charlie Gatt who work with Australian Catholic churches also thank all donors.

Together lets meet all our 2014 literacy goals Two Bible Society titles have taken top honours in the 2014 Australian Christian Book of the Year award. The Great Bible Swindle by Bible Society CEO Dr Greg Clarke is Book of The Year, while Roy Williams’ In God They Trust? has taken the second prize. The former looks at the need to know the Bible to be properly educated and to make sense of our history, literature, music, art and more. In God They Trust? examines the spiritual life of Prime Ministers Edmund Barton through to Julia Gillard, and the ways in which their beliefs (or agnosticism) shaped the history and development of Australia. Order your copies today: please call 1300 139 179 or visit shop.biblesociety.org.au

With your support we’ve been able to fulfil our commitments to these literacy projects: Pakistan ($240,000), Mozambique ($100,000) and Egypt ($88,000). On 8 September, as we observe International Literacy Day, would you consider signing up for our Literacy For Life regular giving programme? For a tax-deductible gift (you decide the amount and frequency), you’ll help to reach thousands through our Bible-based literacy projects. Think of it as literacy for eternal life!

Fresh new look for popular Big Rescue Bible Kids will love the refreshed Big Rescue Bible, now with all-new cartoon graphics. If you teach Scripture in public schools, Bible Society would like to support your ministry by providing free Bibles for your class. Please contact Rick George on Mob 0431 682 166, or email him at rick.george@biblesociety.org.au. Conditions apply; please hurry as applications close soon.

Get your orders in! Now’s a good time to start thinking about your Christmas cards and 2015 calendars for kids and adults. Call 1300 139 179 or browse at shop.biblesociety.org.au

High-octane Jesus Men, this is your opportunity to invite a mate to a high-octane event that can help you start the conversation about your faith. The annual Jesus Racing Men’s Event takes place 19 November at Sydney Motorsport Park, Eastern Creek. There’ll be on-track driving demos, exotic car displays, great food and entertainment, and an opportunity to get up close to the team. For details and to book tickets online ($35 each) please visit jesusracing.com.au

BSA Diary – SUMMER 2014 DATE

8 Sept

EVENTS

Bible Society & Wycliffe Celebration of Bible Translation 17/25 Sept Masterclass for Year 10 and 11. Speakers in QLD: John Dickson, Graham Stanton, Chanelle Newman, Peter Janetzki

VENUES

Tabor College, Adelaide SA 17th: Mueller College, Rothwell QLD

SA: John Dickson, Sarah Deutscher & Travis Johnson

25th: Burnside City Uniting, Tusmore, SA

27 Sept

Life of Jesus event, hosted by Bible Society CEO Greg Clarke

Hoyts Belconnen, Canberra

12/19 Oct

Hymnfest

18 Oct

12th: Terrigal Uniting Church, NSW 12th: New Peninsula Baptist, Mt Martha, VIC 19th: St David’s Anglican, Hobart TAS 19th: Manly, NSW Men’s Breakfast Emmanuel Christian Centre, Strathalbyn Family Fun Day Strathalbyn Lutheran, North Parade Get the Word Out Chinese Dinner Strathalbyn Catholic Church

19 Oct

Celebration of Christian Music

Alfred Place, Strathalbyn

1-4 Nov

Victorian Alps

12/13 Nov

Bike for Bibles Victorian Alpine Challenge Bible engagement talks by Mike Raiter, Director of the Centre for Biblical Preaching

13/14 Nov

Mike Raiter Bible preaching Workshops

12 Nov

Mary Jones celebration

13th: Wellspring Anglican, Sandy Bay, Hobart TAS 14th: St Aidan’s, East Launceston TAS QLD: Details closer to date

19 Nov

Jesus Racing Men’s Event

Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW

12th: University of Tasmania, Hobart 13th: Door of Hope Christian Church, Launceston TAS

Join us in the events (above) which we’ve organised or are involved in. Please call Bible Society on 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537) or visit biblesociety.org.au/events for details.

QLD and SA youth can look forward to a great Masterclass in September Masterclass got a thumbs-up from Year 10 and 11 students at the Sydney event (24 July). The young audience gave speakers high scores—even 10s—on their feedback forms. No surprise, considering the line-up of John Dickson, Patricia Weerakoon, Graham Stanton and Max Monin. QLD and SA audiences can expect to have a high-impact day, dealing with topics like Why trust the Gospels?, Christ and Culture, Know your worth /Who am I? and Sex, porn and all that other stuff.

150 years of Aboriginal and Islan “The Spear of Life” Devotion 1864 Ngarrindjeri Bible Selections Graphic from Coolamon Kids book

1956 rrarnta Western A ent New Testam

Glory to our God! In 2014, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first Indigenous Scriptures published by Bible Society in Australia: the Ngarrindjeri Bible Selections. Translation work is necessarily intensive, and Bible publication for Australia’s First Peoples has had a checkered history, but many people are working together to turn the tide: Aboriginal communities, AuSIL, Wycliffe, Bible Society as well as other partner organisations and churches. Today, over 30 Aboriginal and Indigenous groups have at least some Scripture in their own language. Some of these works are listed on the graphic “timeline” shown here; for a full list of Scriptures, please visit biblesociety.org.au/rims

by Pitjantjatjara translators Paul Eckert and Mumu Williams

To contact our Remote & Indigenous Ministry Support (RIMS) team, email: translation@biblesociety.org.au

19 Au 61 S SI La ocie L (A f or n g u t y f u s t m e a g or r a l d es) Ind ian ig e no u 12

ja ur i t t 1 198 tupi Ltamen Pin w Tes Ne

The spear was traditionally the primary weapon of a Pitjantjatjara man. Without it he felt naked, not only unable to provide for himself and his family, but also defenceless in the face of those who might harm him. Traditional sand drawings used a ‘U’ shape to depict a person. To indicate whether the person was male or female the artist would draw next to the ‘U’ shape their primary tool or weapon. For a woman it was a digging stick and bowl, for a man it was his spear and woomera. But for a Pitjantjatjara man the spear was far more than just a symbol of gender and role in the Pitjantjatjara society… it gave him the means to confidently provide for his family and boldly face any dangers that came his way. Keep this in mind as you read this story by Pitjantjatjara Christian leader Mumu Williams: “In the beginning God creates Adam and Eve. He gives Adam a spear for he is a child of God and could stand confidently and boldly before him knowing that he is his friend. But Satan comes along and tempts Adam, and when Adam gives in and disobeys God, Satan wrestles Adam’s spear from him. Consequently Adam loses his confidence before God, and God has to send him and his wife from the

200 W ar 1 Shor lpiri t er B ib l

nder Scriptures 2014 Torres (Yum Strait C Shor t platok) reole e r B ib le T

Bible Society, in partnership with Wycliffe Bible Translators, has developed this commemorative booklet (right). It’s full of puzzles, activities and Bible stories aimed at teaching primary kids about Bible translation work and the need to translate God’s word into all Australian languages. ŋu N 2008 barrpuy m Dja

garden. Now that Satan has their spear they live in fear—fear of God’s punishment, fear of Satan who continually threatens them with the spear. Later God sends his son Jesus. He has a plan to put things right. Satan tries to foil that plan threatening Jesus with the spear. But Jesus, who is divine, cannot be tricked like Adam was. He lives a perfect life. Satan defeats Jesus on the cross, or so he thinks. Seeing him nailed to a cross he plunges the spear into his side. Little does he know that Jesus is taking the punishment of all mankind upon himself. Christ dies, but goes down to the world of the dead and takes back the spear from Satan, defeating him for all time. He rises from the dead and offers the spear to its rightful owners—the sons of Adam. In taking the spear they, in effect, accept the atoning work of Christ and thereby return to the fellowship with God that they had in the beginning. Once again the sons of Adam can feel confident and bold before God.”

The Yumplatok or Torres Strait creole is in hand, after 27 years of painstaking work by the translation team led by AuSIL’s Michael and Charlotte Corden. This Bible wil serve Yumplatok speakers in the Torres Strait islands, coastal Queensland and South Western Coastal Papua.

“Birth of Jesus” by Max Conlon

Selection of the final 100 artworks is now underway for the book,“Our Mob–God’s Story.” The book of Aboriginal and Torres Strait artworks based on Bible stories is aimed at showing the depth of spirituality among Indigenous Christians, while showcasing their talent.

2002 Pitjantjatj Shorter B ara ible

an Ind Austra langigeno lian u ag u s e)

“The Son gives life to anyone he wants to.” (John 5:21b)

2007 Kriol Bible (First complete Bible in

“Seven Days of Creation” by Safina Stewart

13 13

“David and who?” There was a time when the average Aussie child could name David, Samson or any of the other Bible heroes. It’s not too long ago since religious education was part of the school curriculum, and sending kids to Sunday School was pretty normal. “When I was young, even if you talked to a drunk coming out of a pub, they’d generally have a fair idea about Bible stories,” says 75-year old Frank Bower, drily. Frank taught Scripture in schools for 10 years, and one incident stands out in his memory. “In one class I held a Bible up and I heard an Aussie-born child ask his friend, ‘What’s that black book he has up there?’ He’d never seen a Bible! It shocked me... but there’s a generation of kids who (like him) have never seen a Bible.” Today, there’s increasing pressure to remove religious education from schools. This, and falling church attendance, is keeping God’s word from thousands of young Aussies, as well as limiting their general knowledge. In his book The Great Bible Swindle, author and Bible Society CEO Greg Clarke says it’s necessary to have a basic knowledge of the Bible in order to make sense of much of our culture. Without it, for instance, who’d understand why, when the little guy beats the big guy, it’s said to be like “David and Goliath”. Frank, grandfather of five, attributes what’s good in Australia to the Bible. “If you don’t agree with someone, you at least listen to them; in other places, if you disagree, you retaliate. I think we are the way we are in this country because of our Christian background.” We need to keep teaching our kids Christ-like values, and the way of life advocated in the Bible. With your support, Bible Society continues to take the Bible

into public schools. Every year our Children, Youth and Education (CYE) team makes over 300 school presentations, and in the last five years we’ve been able to give 250,000 free Scripture materials to school kids who ask for them. “Scripture teachers report that when children receive a Bible,” says CYE’s Rick George, “kids connect that the stories they’re told actually come from God’s word, not just from some text book.” Roger Anderson, 80, has fifteen grandchildren “with different levels of faith” and says he’s very concerned about Aussie kids not getting to know the Bible well. “Scripture classes are the only time some children will hear about the Bible. Ethics classes shouldn’t come at the cost of Scripture classes.” No one can say for sure what place Scripture lessons will have in schools in the coming years. The opportunity is available, right now. Will you help Bible Society to ensure Bibles are available to educate Australian children? Frank Bower gives this encouragement: “Distribute the Scriptures when people are younger… I think the country would be better off. So then if someone comes and says ‘This is what I believe,’ then rather than moving back and letting others tell us what it’s all about, we’ll say, ‘Well, this is what I believe.’” Please donate so that Bible Society can give the Scriptures to Australia’s youth.

Call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537), visit biblesociety.org.au/sowerschools or use the Donation Form on the back page. Donations to this literacy project are tax-deductible.

UBS prayer points 1-6 September South Africa: Please pray for the prison outreach expo taking place this week. Bible Society South Africa and World Hope Ministries aim to reach 3,000 inmates with the gospel. Please pray for many more programme facilitators of the discipleship course, as there’s a great hunger for God’s word and the hope it brings. Iraq: Please pray for the thousands of displaced Christians who are now taking refuge in Kurdistan. Pray also for the Bible Society team on the ground, who are putting service above self as they work in uncertain conditions delivering aid packages and Scriptures. 7-13 September Singapore: Please pray that the inaugural Asia Bible Advocacy Conference held mid-August will help Bible Societies in the region to develop effective advocacy ministries. Pray for delegates as they now apply what they’ve learned from Bible Societies further down the track in this area: US, UK, Australia and NZ. Arab-Israeli Bible Society: Please pray that war and bloodshed will stop in Israel and the Gaza Strip. Pray for reconciliation and peace among the peoples within Israel and the West Bank. Pray for those who’ve lost loved ones, that they will all find God’s peace. 14-20 September Laos: Please pray for Bible distribution in some major provinces in Laos, and the opportunity to engage people with God’s word. Pray also for Rev Seng Dao, country manager of Laos Partnership, and that a workshop on Bible work in Laos will bear much fruit. American Bible Society (ABS): Please pray for the ABS which has started its 2015 fiscal year with a reduced budget. Pray for wisdom and discernment as they pursue two major goals: engaging people with the Scripture in 100 per cent of the world’s languages, and engaging 100 million people in the USA with the Scriptures over the next 10 years.

September 21-27 September Vietnam: Give thanks for the Revised Vietnamese version of the Scriptures, and plans to promote it. Please pray for ongoing translation work for Scriptures in minority languages, and for a Bible-based literacy project to be implemented successfully. Austria: Give thanks for the Bible Society board’s annual retreat, when they had the opportunity to reflect, renew their strength and plan for the next 12 months. Pray for Bible Society as they engage Austrians with the Scriptures in different ways. 28 September - 4 October Brazil: Give thanks for the Bibles and Scripture materials given out free to Brazilians and tourists during the soccer World Cup. Pray that people will remember the conversations they had as they received the Scriptures, and that many will come to know God. China: Give thanks that the China Partnership team was invited by the State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) to visit Guizhou Province recently. Pray that discussions and relationships resulting from the visit will lead to greater partnership opportunities with the church in Guizhou. Pray for all Bible work in China. 5-11 October South Pacific: Please pray for the Kiribati Bible translation project, that it will be ready for printing by year’s end. Please pray for the translation team as they faithfully translate and complete this work. South Sudan: Give thanks for army chaplains working together with Bible Society. Many soldiers have asked for Bibles, and Christian soldiers have even paid for the Bibles themselves. Pray that more Bibles can be funded to meet the current demand from soldiers. 12-18 October Pakistan: Praise God for the literacy programme, and for students now able to read the Bible. Please pray as

November 2014 they read their Bible to their families. Give thanks for the faithful tutors helping thousands to read. Liberia: Praise God for the completion of the Kisi and Kpelle translation projects and pray for Liberia’s three new translation projects. Pray also for the success of Bible Society’s building project. 19-25 October Costa Rica: The Cabécar people in Costa Rica live in such isolation in the mountains that they’d never heard any part of the Bible in their language, until recently. Give thanks that they now have the Bible in their heart language, to read and to understand. Bangladesh: Please pray for the Bengali Bible users who are listening to audio Bibles, and reading the Bible online or on their mobile phones. May their lives be transformed by God’s word and by his Holy Spirit. 26 October - 1 November Cambodia: Pray for the Scripture-based literacy programme in Cambodia. Please pray that it will reach its targeted number of students for the year. Pray that with their new reading skills they will continue to read the Bibles given to them during the programme. Jordan: Please pray for the ‘Bread and Bread’ project, which ministers to the physical and spiritual needs of Syrian refugees. May Bible Society staff and volunteers be God’s instruments to effectively reach them. 2-8 November Hungary: Please pray for translation work on the modern Hungarian Bible. Pray that work continues on schedule, and that many—especially youth— will engage with it when it is published. Guatemala: Thank God for the My Second Chance project targeting young people involved in gangs. Pray that God’s word, and effective church ministry, will lead to lower levels of violence in the country.

9-15 November Zambia: Please pray for Bible Society of Zambia as it starts a Bible-based literacy project. Pray that God will send to them people with the right skills to plan and implement the project. Please also pray as they promote the project to churches and Christian organisations, that many will get on board and help them deliver the project in the nation. Latvia: Thank God for the new translation of the Latvian Bible, and for the many supporters worldwide who’ve made it possible. Please pray that the new Bible will touch the hearts of Latvians, especially those who have never had contact with the word of God. 16-22 November United Bible Societies (UBS) and partners: Praise God! Last year UBS and partners published new Bible translations in 18 languages, spoken by 15 million people. That brings to more than 510 the total number of languages now with a full Bible. Give thanks for the faithful supporters who have made this possible. Pray that together we can reach every language group with a Bible in its mother tongue. Myanmar: Celebrate together with Myanmar’s Ngochang people, who this year received the Bible in their own language for the very first time. Please pray that the excitement of having God’s word in their heart language will lead them to daily engage with it. 23-30 November New Zealand: Praise God that 4,400 Bibles and NTs are given free to NZ prison inmates each year. Pray for the prison ministry, that all 8,500 people currently in prison will be able to have and read their own Bible. Zimbabwe: Please pray for the economy. Numerous companies are closing down, leaving many people jobless and in want. Pray that they will reach out for God’s word and find the hope that it offers. Please pray also for Bible Society’s translation projects that they hope to launch next year: the Shona Study Bible and the work in Chikunda. Pray that many will be reached.

Lifting hearts in

Lorna Martinez, thirteen, drew comfort from the Scriptures and the group devotions held in hospital

“The first few days in hospital, my mummy and I were alone,” recalls 13-year old Lorna Martinez, one of thousands of young treated for cancer at La Mascota Children’s Hospital, Nicaragua. Like numerous others, she had travelled from her hometown to the hospital in Nicaragua’s capital after being diagnosed with cancer. While doctors and staff attended to them, Lorna and her mum desperately missed family support at such an uncertain time. Every morning Lorna asked God to protect her and to help her leave the hospital quickly. “I saw very sad things there. When children my age get treatment, the drugs hurt.” After a while, Lorna and her mum were moved to another room. Here they were visited by Bible Society staff, who spent time sharing with them from God’s word. The mother and daughter also started to take part in the regular group devotions, drawing comfort from others and also from the promises of hope from the Scriptures. “Now in hospital, we are not alone… I feel that God has given me a new family, because they are watching over us,” says Lorna. “Thank you for the Bible we received. It has been my lamp in the darkness, helping me in my time here. I’m out of the woods now and will soon return home, and will witness to the wonder of what God is doing in my life.” Lorna has a happy prognosis, but it’s not always so for the children treated at La Mascota. Sadly, cancer

children’s cancer wards is terminal for a fifth of them. Each year the hospital attends to around 6,000 children. Beyond the physical trauma, cancer also takes a huge emotional toll on the children and on their families. Since 2005 Nicaragua Bible Society has helped such families at this critical time. When doctors told Jasson Medina’s mother that her four-year old son had leukaemia, she burst into tears, not knowing what to do. By God’s grace, Bible Society volunteer Margoth Bogorje was on hand to pray with her and to be a strength for her to lean on. The Hope and Smiles for Children with Cancer project works on a number of fronts:

• Giving children and parents in the hospital free Bibles, and spiritual support • Holding devotions four times a week, with volunteers praying for each family and listening to their fears and concerns • Consoling families whose children have lost the battle with cancer • Training pastors and volunteers for hospital ministry • Giving free Bibles to medical teams and inviting them to join in the devotions • Providing nutritious meals for the children undergoing treatment, and help with purchasing medicine • Providing meals and three full-time nurses for children and their families staying in a hostel shelter nearby But as numbers grow—with 220 new children diagnosed each year—expenses increase, and Bible Society Nicaragua needs your help to continue the good work. Over the next three years, it aims to train more than a thousand pastors and volunteers for the children’s hospital ministry, and to give out about 37,000 Bibles to children and their families. They also hope to distribute 90,000 Scripture portions to those in the outpatient clinics at the hospital.

Praying for families dealing with cancer. Bible Society Nicaragua aims to train 700 volunteers to share God’s word in cancer wards. 10-year old Camila Ruiz who’s undergoing treatment for leukemia is so grateful for the Bible she received. “I'm learning that God loves me so much. My sister and mother go home every day to bring me clean clothes for the next day… but my Bible is always with me.” Thank you for your generous support, helping Bible Society place the comfort of God’s word in the hands of young cancer patients and their families. Call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537) or visit biblesociety.org.au/sowernicaragua to donate, or use the Donation Form on the back page.

Save, donate and help spread Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word. The Bible Trust savings account conservatively invests and guarantees the capital. While your savings grow, a proportion of the interest earned is used to fund Bible work in Australia andÂ throughout the world. You choose how much.

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Wheels keep turning “While I’ll still continue to ride my bike, I will miss the thrill, camaraderie and community feel of Bike For Bibles that you’ve allowed me to experience with you,” writes Jim Blaxland, bidding farewell to those who’ve ridden with him over 27 ½ years. “Together we’ve had some truly memorable rides throughout Australia, we’ve been challenged, and we’ve had some remarkable achievements on our bikes.” “The thanks should go to you for all the great rides you organised,” insists rider Con Benikos in reply. “Without you none of us could have cherished the experiences we’ve had.” Jim has handed over the reins (or the bike handles, perhaps) of Bike For Bibles (BFB) after seven years full-time with Bible Society, and two decades in a voluntary capacity. He’s seen a lot of the great Australian outdoors during that time. He’s ridden in 92 BFB rides and has covered 72,324 km

on the bike—that’s close to five times around Australia. Those are impressive figures, but what he’s most thrilled about is how BFB, since 1984, has raised more than $13 million for Bible work worldwide. “It’s terrific that being on a BFB ride enables people to learn more about our God.” At 71, Jim is in great shape and is far from retirement. The road ahead still holds wonder for him, and we wish him all the best as we say, “Thanks, Bikeman!” Jim challenges others to sign up as BFB riders or support crew. You can do that by emailing Bible Society’s new Events Manager: nicky.fennis@biblesociety.org.au Continuing the BFB legacy: (Photo, L to R) Events Manager Nicky Fennis; BFB pioneer Bob Forrest; and handing over after 27 ½ years, Jim Blaxland.

Praying for The Bahamas World Day of Prayer (WDP) is represented in over 170 countries, and is described as “millions of voices worldwide, raised in prayer for one country, over one 24 hour period.” On Friday 6 March 2015, participants in WDP events will uphold The Bahamas in prayer. The theme for this year is “Jesus Said to Them ‘Do You Know What I Have Done To You?’”. A collection taken on the day will go to a number of projects, including one

by the Bible Society of the West Indies. Sadly, it’s still culturally acceptable in The Bahamas for a man to abuse his wife or partner, and the Bible Society aims to start a literacy and anti-domestic violence project there. A similar Bible Society project in neighbouring Jamaica has worked so well that there are huge hopes for The Bahamas as well. Visit worlddayofprayeraustralia.org for further details on the 6 March events.

UBS Update

More than halfway to 100 Bibles

200 years in the Netherlands

In June, Netherlands Bible Society celebrated its bicentenary, with more than 2,000 people attending. In July, Bible Society NZ observed Bible Month with resources to help churches celebrate 200 years of the gospel in NZ. “Looking back at the beginnings of the Bible story in NZ, we can see the positive impact it’s had on society,” says Programme Director, Stephen Opie.

In 2013, United Bible Societies targeted to complete and publish 100 Bible translations in 1,000 days. 58 Bibles have now been translated (including the Kiribati OT, one of six supported by Bible Society Australia). 43 of those 58 Bibles are in pre-production or printing, and 15 have been published. Bible Societies continue to work together to ensure each translation is published and made available to the communities waiting for them. Praise God for everyone who’s helped make these new Bibles possible. But with over 4,000 languages that have no Scripture at all, there’s much work to be done.

Meeting people on the ground at major international sports events The soccer World Cup in Brazil and the recent Commonwealth Games in Scotland (right) were wonderful sporting events but also great opportunities for Scripture distribution by Bible Societies and partner ministries. Please pray that the seed of God’s word sown will lead many to faith. These massive Bible engagement exercises also helped lift the Bible Society profile. At the World Cup for instance, the story appeared on influential Christian news websites, and was widely shared on Twitter by Christian organisations and individuals.

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