Welcome for ‘wonderful book’
KIEV, Ukraine — “This wonderful book has taught me what is good and what is evil. I used to smoke but your book has helped me to stop, and I have started making progress at school.” Anna Rozbitska, 13, was writing to the Ukrainian Bible Society to thank them for her copy of the Gospel of Mark, especially designed and published for secondary school students with funds from O-21. She added that the book, entitled Jesus and his Life, had answered many questions for her. “I have been a believer since I was very young but this book has strengthened my faith and now I try to really hold on to the words of God,” she said. Anna’s letter was only one of many received by the Bible Society from children, teachers and parents after distribution of the Portions began in October. Julia Kravchenko, 11, wrote that her copy of the book helped her to know more about Jesus and how he healed people and helped them in difficult situations. “I found out that he loves children and I love him very much – as I love my own father,” she said. “I love God and he helps me very much in my problems.” The Bible Society is undertaking the distribution in collaboration with the International Bible Society, and has received letters in a similar vein not only from children but from their teachers and parents, too, about the changes in the young people’s lives since they received the Gospel. Since October they have visited more than 220 schools and handed out 30,000 copies of Jesus and his Life. Almost all the schools originally approached showed an interest in the project but the first three months of the project saw half of the Portions distributed and it was thought that the remainder would be used in the next two months. This may mean that the Societies will have to suspend the project – something they are reluctant to do because of the openness the schools displayed to the Gospel message. (SR 29/11 - 4/5.02) [PHOTOS] |
