Here is the latest news bulletin from the UBS World Service Center as of August 27, 1999. This news is from the USA, Nepal, the Philippines, Cambodia, Australia, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and a note on Turkey. These stories may appear in an updated form in a future World Report.
(Views expressed by the authors are not necessarily those of the United Bible Societies.)
NEW YORK, USA; August 25, 1999 _ As the new millennium approaches, many people are feeling increasingly anxious about the impact of the year 2000 upon technology, and upon mankind which relies so heavily upon this technology. The American Bible Society (ABS) has responded to this anxiety by publishing a book, Y2K: Hope for the New Millennium,which seeks to reassure people through the Word of God.
Available free of charge, Y2K includes the New Testament in the Contemporary English Version, with Psalms and Proverbs. Introductory material aimed at providing hope and comfort to readers, includes themes such as God Understands your Anxieties and Fears; God Knows Your Needs; Trust the Future to God, and Live in Hope.The book also provides a suggested reading plan, which will take readers through the entire New Testament, and through each chapter from Proverbs and Psalms twice by the end of the year 2000.
"The Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope," said ABS President, Eugene Habecker, quoting Romans 15.4. "Y2K: Hope for the New Millennium is a way for the American Bible Society to remind individuals of God's ever-present love and the encouragement to be found in the Scriptures, not only as we enter a new millenium but every day in every age," he added. (209 words - USA. 25.8.99)
First Local Print of Nepali Bible Launched
KATHMANDU, Nepal; July 18, 1999_The Nepal Bible Society (NepBS) took a big step forward recently with the launch of the first ever locally-printed Nepali Bible.
Previously, the printing of the Bibles was organised by the UBS Asia-Pacific Regional Service Centre. Now, according to NepBS Executive Secretary, Nabin Sunuwar, the ability to print Bibles and other Scripture materials within the country will mean that NepBS will be able to serve the Nepali-speaking world more effectively.
The launch ceremony, which took place on July 18, was attended by Pastors and leaders of Christian organisations in the Kathmandu valley. Each was presented with a complimentary copy of the new Nepali Bible, and a set of Scripture Comics - Moses I and II, Abraham, Joseph and Elijah - which were also printed locally.
Senior Pastor Robert Karthak offered dedicational prayers for the Bible and Bible Comics, and NepBS Chairman, Dr. K. B. Rokaya, spoke about the Bible Society's work over the years. (152 Words - NEPAL. 20.8.99)
Supreme Court Recognises `Ultimate Guide'
MANILA, Philippines; June 22, 1999 _ The Supreme Court acknowledged the importance of the Bible by opening a meeting of the Justices with a reading from God's Word, reports the Philippine Bible Society (PBS).
Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr, read from the Bible during the opening ceremony, which was attended by former Philippine Vice-President and Ambassador to the United States, Emmanuel Pelaez. Also present was the General Secretary of the PBS, Dr Medarlo Rivera, and other Bible Society staff members.
"This is a big thing for the country to know that the Supreme Court is promoting Bible reading, because we have no other guide but the Bible," said Ambassador Pelaez, who is also Honorary President of PBS. "It is important to interpret the law against the background of our belief in God. We have to have moorings, especially these days," he added.
The PBS General Secretary, Dr Rivera, highlighted the importance of the Bible as the ultimate guide to daily living, and said that a country rooted in God's Word would achieve true peace and prosperity. During the ceremony, the PBS presented each member of the Supreme Court with copies of the King James Bible and the New American Bible as part of the Bible Society's commemoration of the 100 years of Bible work here.
The theme of the centennial program is "God's Word: Hope for Justice and Peace." The PBS will be distributing Scriptures to other government branches, and also plans to give 200,000 Centennial Edition Bibles to less privileged Filipinos. (246 words - PHILIP. 19.8.99)
Youth Workshop Focuses on Bible
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia; August 4, 1999 _ The first step was taken in a four-year program to train young Christians in Bible knowledge and evangelism, with a three-day youth workshop that attracted 104 participants from across the country.
Funded by the UBS Millenium Program and Opportunity 21, the program's target is to train 500 young people by the year 2004.
Sent to the workshop by their churches, the young believers came from all walks of life. Some arrived from the city, armed with their mobile phones, while others had to travel more than 24 hours from their remote villages in areas formerly controlled by the Khmer Rouge.
Expecting only 60 participants, organisers were pleased at the enthusiastic response by churches across the country. One of the workshop speakers, UBS consultant Anthony Harrop, commenting on the extra turnout, said :
"With difficult communications, and great interest among church leaders for their young people to receive training, how could we say no to those arriving eager but unannounced?"
More tables and chairs were laid out for the extra people during the meetings, which were held in the Anglican church, and accommodation was found for them locally.
Each day, the workshop began energetically with physical exercises, followed by personal and group devotions. Daily sessions focused on the importance of the Bible, both as a key to personal knowledge of God, and as a vital tool in reaching out to other people.
This was particularly pertinent to the young participants, many of whom had only recently become Christians. Of all the young people attending the workshop only 35 per cent had read through the New Testament, and only five had read through the whole Bible.
Sessions on the new translation of the Bible, Today's Khmer Version, released last year, were seen as particularly helpful, because it is much easier to understand than the Old Khmer Bible. Each participant was delighted to receive a copy of this new translation Bible, from the Bible Society in Cambodia.
Speakers at these sessions included Bible Society board members, Paulerk Sar and Barnabas Mam; Executive Secretary, Yos Em Sithan and staff member Vong Bopha; and UBS representatives, Arun Sok Nhep, translator of the new Khmer Bible, and Anthony Harrop, Publishing Services consultant.
The highlight of the workshop was a Scripture distribution. In groups of 20, participants joined with five local churches to take Scriptures to families in the neighbourhood. Colourful Bible Comics and Portions were eagerly bought, and a few New Testaments were purchased by adults. Many of those who received the Scriptures promised to come to church the following Sunday.
At the end of the workshop, each participant was presented with a big bag of Scriptures to take back to their own church. The bags contained more than 70 Scripture books, including a New Testament, the Gospels, the books of Genesis, Psalms and Proverbs, the three Life of Christ Bible Comics, a set of five New Reader Portions, and 100 Selections.
These books will be of real help to the churches, especially those in the rural areas where people find it difficult to obtain Scripture material. (511 words - CAMBODIA. 26.8.99)
First Bible Books in Australian Deaf Language
Report supplied by Ramon Williams on behalf of the Adventist Press Service
SYDNEY, Australia; August 19, 1999 _ The deaf community gathered on this Thursday to witness a very special event: the launch of the first `significant' piece of literature that has been translated into the indigenous language of the Australian Deaf - Auslan (Australian Sign Language).
Held in St Andrew's House Auditorium, representatives attended from the State Parliament, from churches including Baptist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Uniting and Salvation Army, and from the Bible Society in Australia. The governor-general of Australia, His Excellency the Hon Sir William Deane, launched the new Bible on video.
Sir William, who is also the Patron of the Auslan Project, had taken the trouble to learn some sign language, much to the delight of the deaf people in attendance and particularly a group of deaf children from the Thomas Pattinson School.
The first books produced were Jonah and Ruth. Another 30 Books of the Bible as well as several Psalms and Proverbs were in preparation in this `mini-Bible' project.
For those present who had no experience of the effects of being deaf, part of the introduction to the ceremony helped them understand what it meant to be deaf - the learning experiences and language frustrations.
The General Secretary of The Bible Society in Australia (BSA), the Rev Philip Oliver, compered the meeting and explained something of the background to the Auslan Bible project. Although English is the main language of the deaf, the majority prefer Auslan which is easier to understand.
Auslan has its own unique grammar, with verbs, nouns, sentences and signs which correspond to sounds in the languages of the hearing. One young deaf person had told Mr Oliver, "Without Auslan we are lost".
Throughout the proceedings interpreters Peter Bonser and Michelle McQuire conveyed what was being said in either spoken or sign language.
This is not the first time the Scriptures have been translated into a sign language; other projects are taking place in America, England, Japan, Mexico and Romania, but it is the first project in Auslan, which, although related to British Sign Language, is a distinct language of its own. The Gospel of Mark and Letter to the Galatians are also nearing completion.
The launch was organised by the Bible Society in Australia involving both the State and National departments, and one organisation described it as being "one of the most efficiently organised launchings of any Christian product".
Pastor Rod Chapman, Vice Chair of the Auslan National Committee, explained that as a deaf person he has been trained in the use of videos. He signed that he would like all churches to use the videos.
"Deaf people's ears are their eyes," said Mr Chapman. "Please allow deaf people access to these videos so that they can understand the Scriptures better."
Auslan translators Betty Bonser and Kevin Beath told of their experiences. Mrs Bonser had learnt to sign at school: she said, "Auslan is our own language - English is a second language to us.
Mr Beath became deaf at the age of seven, but his school forced him to use oral language instead of sign in class. He had learnt Auslan at home from his deaf parents but it remained an `underground language' while he attended school. Now that language was being fully recognised thanks to the Auslan Bible project.
The audience was invited to `sing' by signing Psalm 100, before BSA New South Wales State Director, Tom Treseder closed the meeting in prayer, and the Archbishop of Sydney, the Most Rev Harry Goodhew, pronounced a benediction.
The Auslan videos of Jonah and Ruth can be purchased from The Bible Society in Australia, Auslan Bible, 30 York Road, Ingleburn NSW 2565, Australia. (603 words - AUSLAN.25.8.99)
Worldwide Photos Ltd. has offered photographs with this story. Please contact them by e-mail at rlgmedia@ozemail.com.au by post at The Religious Media Agency - Ramon A.Williams PO Box 494 - Padstow NSW 2211 - AUSTRALIA by telephone: +61-2-9792-2393 by fax: +61-2-9792-2881)
BONYERE, Ghana; August 7, 1999 _ The arrival of the first ever Bible in the Nzema language was greeted with `deafening cheers and applause' during the launch ceremony in this western region of the country, reports the Bible Society of Ghana (BSG).
Twenty years in the making, the Nzema Bible, and the New Testament audio cassette in Nzema were launched by the Guest of Honour, Ernestina Naadu Mills, wife of the Vice President of Ghana. Addressing guests, who included government ministers, traditional chiefs and church leaders, Mrs Mills urged the people of Nzema-land and Ghanaians in general to go back to biblical values.
"If there is any age in the history of Ghana when there has been a clear call for Ghanaians to re-live and uphold the true values, teachings and practices in the Holy Bible, then it is today," she said.
Noting the atmosphere of excitement, BSG General Secretary, Kofi Owusu, said that the launch of the Nzema Bible and the New Testament audio cassette in Nzema was a joyful occasion and a real achievement for all those who had contributed to the translation work.
"Since it takes years to complete one Bible translation," he said, "occasions like this seldom occur in a lifetime. If it does occur it is cause for great celebration and thanksgiving to God."
He recalled how in the early 70s a team of church leaders and traditional chiefs from Nzema-land had made a passionate appeal to the BSG to translate the Bible into their language. This dream was now realised, he said, thanks to the many contributions from different people.
Giving an example of these contributions, Mr Owusu told the gathering about a British lady doctor, Dr M Rowson, who in 1978 sponsored a team of five potential Nzema translators to study linguistics at the Summer Institute of Linguistics in Great Britain.
This contribution yielded great results, and Mr Owusu saluted one of the five sponsored scholars, Alfred Sobo-Blay, who had spent so much time and energy on the project until its completion.
Noting the hunger of the Nzema people for God's Word, UBS translation consultant, the Rev Dr Gilbert Ansre, said that of all the translation projects he had been involved in, the Nzema project had attracted the strongest and most loyal grassroot support.
"From chiefs, elders, social groups, Christian denominations, and concerned individuals as well as the Bible Society of Ghana and the UBS fellowship, came invaluable contributions and support," he said.
In a message read on his behalf, the Anglophone Africa Regional Secretary of UBS, the Rev Daniel Bitrus, challenged the Nzema people to carry the enthusiasm with which they were celebrating the new Bible "into the days, months and years ahead". He congratulated the translators, church leaders, chiefs and people of Nzema-land for their hard work in seeing this translation completed.
Eight hundred copies of the new Bible, brought to the launch ceremony in a pick-up truck, were sold out within an hour. Since then, 1,800 more copies have been delivered to Nzema-land to meet the ever-increasing demand for the new Bibles. (507 words - GHANA. 27.8.99)
HARARE, Zimbabwe; August, 1999_ The Zimbabwe Bible Society (ZBS) recently ventured into the theatrical world to raise funds and to publicise its work.
Alice in Wonderland, organised by the ZBS fundraising committee, was performed to a full house at the popular Reps Theatre in early August, raising nearly $1,140 for the Bible Society. A Scripture display at the entrance attracted many people, and some sales were made.The 400-strong audience were treated to a buffet meal during the interval, provided by local churches and other ZBS supporters.
ZBS General Secretary, Gaylord Kambarami, who attended the performance, commented that apart from raising a substantial amount of money, the event cultivated a lot of goodwill for the work of the Bible Society.
One member of the audience in particular voiced her approval of the event: "The Bible Society should try to maintain its image to the public. The turnout at this show reveals the interest and high hopes the people have for the Word of God and the work of the Bible Society."
Book Fair
Another recent event that ZBS took part in was the Zimbabwe International Book Fair, held in Harare from August 3 - 7. More than 3,200 people visited the Bible Society stand, which had a prime location at the entrance gate, and over 483 Bibles and scriptures were sold.
Among the visitors to the stand was the Director of the National Museum, Professor George Kahari, who complimented ZBS on its translation of the Bible into Shona and Ndebele. "Your Shona and Ndebele Bibles are becoming the most reliable texts of the two languages," he said. (264 words - ZIMBABWE. 26.8.99)
READING, England; August 27, 1999 _ As of today's date there is little worth reporting about the situation in Turkey following the devastating earthquake of ten days ago. The Bible Society there is participating in the Coordination Committee set up by the churches to organise aid for the earthquake victims. There are moves to consider the publication of an appropriate selection of Scripture texts in a Portion or Selection form.
Meanwhile, Ameniel Bagdas, the Executive Secretary has been to the eathquake epicentre to see for himself the devastation and the effect the destruction has had on the lives of those who have lost everything. He hopes to write a report for the Bible Society fellowship.
The number of those presumed dead under the rubble has doubled again: fears that upwards of 80 thousand have perished have staggered an already stunned world. The extent of the disaster is beyond the comprehension of those who have suffered loss or injury in the stricken area.
It is known that quite a few church fellowships other than the recognised Orthodox or Anglican churches existed in the Izmit area. To say that hundreds of Christians have been affected by the disaster would be a conservative estimate. (204 words - TURKEY.27.8.99)
For more information or clarification please contact Larry Jerden, Head of Communications Services, at United Bible Societies, World Service Center, Reading Bridge House, Reading, England, RG1 8PJ.