Latest News #241
April 16, 2003

The following news concerns Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Bible Society responds to disease fears

KOWLOON, Hong Kong — As the death toll from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) in Hong Kong rises to more than 30, the Hong Kong Bible Society is preparing to distribute a leaflet designed to bring the comfort of God’s Word to people living in fear of this disease.

The Society has produced 20,000 copies of the leaflet, which is entitled Be Not Afraid, Only Believe and is based on Psalm 91. This Psalm offers the promise that “The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall” (Contemporary English Version). It continues, “You won’t need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day. And you won’t fear diseases that strike in the dark or sudden disaster at midday”.

It is planned that the leaflet, which is in Chinese, will be distributed to the general public through the churches and through individual Christians.

With experts warning that it will probably never be possible to eradicate Sars, which has killed more than 100 people in total, the Society has called for prayer from the United Bible Societies fellowship as it prepares to distribute the leaflet.