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MANILA, Philippines — Pornographic magazines that pollute the mind are instead being turned into instruments to purify people’s hearts and uplift their spirits, thanks to modern recycling methods. The process is also more friendly to the environment, being a positive alternative to simply destroying the materials by burning.
Last July, the Trust International Paper Corporation (TIPCO), in cooperation with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), turned over a consignment of newsprint, made from recycled pornographic magazines, to the Philippine Bible Society (PBS) for printing Scripture-based materials.
In this first-ever recycling arrangement between the BOC and TIPCO, some 3,000 previously-confiscated pornographic magazines weighing about 830 kg (1,826 lbs) were transformed into two 250-kg rolls of high quality newsprint, and donated to the PBS for printing Scriptures. The magazines, printed on high quality paper, were originally confiscated by BOC officials from passengers arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and from several bonded warehouses.
And although TIPCO has been recycling paper for many years, the recycling of pornographic materials for printing Scriptures is a first. This has also given TIPCO a different outlook on the business of recycling. “Not only do we produce paper, but we can actually do something more meaningful for society and for the spiritual upliftment of the nation,” said Mr Willy Chua, TIPCO’s Resident Manager.
Dr Rivera expressed his gratitude to the authorities for considering the Bible Society as the recipient of the high quality recycled paper. Although 500 kg of recycled paper may not seem much, considering PBS uses about 2,000 metric tons of paper annually, Dr Rivera hoped that this will be the start of a long partnership between the government, TIPCO and PBS in the propagation of God’s Word in the country.
INDONESIA — Exactly 87 years after the Dairi people first heard the Gospel, they are finally receiving the Bible in their own language. The official launch of the Pakpak Dairi Bible has come 21 years after translators started their work.
“This was a very beautiful gift from God,” said one church leader – and now the responsibility of Pakpak Dairi Christians was to see the Bible read by more and more people.
The crowds watched as the General Secretary of the Indonesian Bible Society, Drs Supardan, presented the Bible to the community – and heard how it took 13 years to translate. It required another eight years to check, typeset, and print the precious volumes.
Drs Supardan said that having the Bible in one’s own language was “like eating a banana without the peel“. It was ready to be “bitten and chewed“. He added that once God’s Word was on one’s lips, it then needed to be shared with others.
His call was echoed by the head of the Fellowship of Churches in North Sumatra Region, Dr H Doloksaribu. He saw having the Bible in the Pakpak Dairi language as a gift from God. And as a result, the Church now had a responsibility to see that the Bible was even more widely read.
There was also support from the Regent of Dairi Regency, Dr S Sihombing. He said that the Bible should be distributed to as many church members as possible at a reasonable price, so that every family could have its own copy.
Local Christians are
funding the publication of the first 10,000 Bibles by selling copies and
raising money through the sale of crops and handicrafts. The Indonesian
Bible Society had ensured that the Bible would be ready for launch by stepping
in with advance funds. (WR 337/2 - 1.99) [PHOTOS]
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MINYAMBOU, Indonesia — Within 24 hours of dedicating the Hatam Shorter Old Testament (SOT), 80 per cent of the stock had been sold. And such is the demand for the new publication that a second print-run has been requested.
The dedication ceremony took place at the Minyambou Bible School last October. Dignitaries representing the Indonesian Bible Society and the local government received a rousing welcome by traditional dancers.
Hatam is spoken by some 15,000 people in the eastern Bird’s Head area of Irian Jaya, south and southwest of the town of Manokwari. The Hatam New Testament was published by the Indonesian Bible Society’s Translation Office (LAI) in 1993.
While the Book of Genesis
was first translated into Hatam in 1972, the rest of the SOT was not completed
until 1994.
The initial print-run was for 8,000 copies, and following the success of dedication-day sales, the Society has been asked to produce more.
Assisting Mr Griffiths on the Hatam project were three native speakers: the Rev Simson Dowansiba, Hans Iwou and Michael Iwou, who reviewed the translation work.
It is anticipated that
the remaining members of the Hatam translation team will continue working
on the Old Testament, and that the project will continue as a joint venture
between the Bible Fellowship Church of Indonesia and the Indonesian Bible
Society. (WR 337/3 - 1.99)
ARNHEM LAND, Australia — History was made here on October 15 last year, when Church Missionary Society (CMS) translator Steve Etherington became the first white person to be ordained to serve as a curate to an aboriginal clergyman, the Rev Peterson Nganjimirra.
The ordination took place to fulfil a specific and urgent need: that of recruiting and training new aboriginal church leaders and clergy.
Steve and his wife, Narelle, have been involved in translating the New Testament into the Kunwinjku language since 1985. This project is sponsored by the Bible Society in Australia.
Steve will continue his translation work, but will also spend a considerable amount of time visiting outstations. During these visits he will be involved in Bible teaching and literacy work, as well as running certificate extension courses from Nungalinya College and being available to help up-coming leaders develop their skills.
“If you don’t have church leaders skilled in the use and application of the Scriptures, there’s really no point wasting time translating them,” he said.
It was made very clear at the ordination service that Steve’s role would be that of an assistant to Rev Nganjimirra.
“Peterson has a huge job and copes with a lot of pressure,” said Steve. “His parish includes Darwin’s hospital and jail 300kms (187 miles) to the west, the national park stretching 150kms (94 miles) south, and small communities on outstations spreading over nearly 200kms (125 miles). Having an assistant will relieve some of that pressure.”
In the meantime, the
Rev Steve Etherington has his own job to do: building up a new generation
of aboriginal clergymen and women to lead their church into the future.
(WR 337/4 - 1.99)
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — While visiting the Bible Society in New Zealand last November, UBS translation expert Dr Eugene Nida gave a graphic illustration of how the Bible has been translated into a cultural context. The story concerned a group of people living in the Baiyer River region of Papua New Guinea.
“Translators were searching for an appropriate expression to convey the forgiveness of God to the Baiyer River people of Papua New Guinea,” Dr Nida explained.
When a family member was killed by someone from another tribe, the family would take the body and prepare it for burial. But first they would cut off the jawbone. They did this because the jawbone was associated with the voice, and they considered the voice to be the most distinctive element of any person.
“For the Baiyer River people, this kind of ceremony became a dominant expression of their faith in God and their relationship with him. It is still used today as an expression of forgiveness – a totally new concept within their own cultural context,” Dr Nida concluded.
And Dr Nida has expressed
such a commitment for more than 50 years in Bible translation work. His
academic achievements include doctorates in anthropology, linguistics and
biblical studies. (WR 337/5 - 1.99)
NEW ZEALAND — When
nurse Aaron Buckner and his colleagues began caring for a dying patient,
the Bible played an enormous part in all their lives. But for Aaron, who
was already a Christian, the whole experience also became a great source
of spiritual inspiration. This is his story:
“Not long ago, one of the residents I care for became terminally ill – a rare occurrence in my area of nursing. The staff, who had unashamedly grown very close to the man, pulled out all the stops to give round-the-clock care and as much peace and comfort as they were able.
“During this time, the charge nurse – the only other Christian on the nursing staff – brought in her Bible to be read to our friend. Throughout the next day, I read to him from the Psalms, Isaiah, and Paul’s letters to the churches.
At the end of the day, as Aaron was preparing to finish work, another staff member came into the patient’s room and picked up the Bible. Her excitement and enthusiasm was overwhelming as she hurriedly searched for a passage she had stumbled upon the previous night – Hebrews 11.
“Later, she couldn’t stop talking about what the Bible said about how to act and what to look for in people. She and the patient had talked about the future, the kind of place he would be going to, and how much happier he would be there.
“I was astounded! Here was a person who had never shown any interest in God or his Word, getting excited about the Bible and looking forward to reading it! She appeared more excited about it than I did!”
Then Aaron was hit by the reality. His colleague was more excited than he was. And he began to ask himself what had happened in his spiritual life; why he was no longer captivated and intrigued by the Word. When had he last sat down, opened the Bible, and spent time focusing on God?
“It’s not until we focus on the Bible and open our eyes and ears to
what God is teaching us that we can learn from Him. Only then can we truly
know His love and excitement in our lives.” (WR 337/6 - 1.99) [PHOTOS]
NANJING, China — Superstition is widespread in many parts of China, says a Chinese Christian magazine, and many Christians are vulnerable to its charms. Vital to fighting its influence, writes Yan Bilin, is the Bible.
Superstition is especially strong in the countryside, according to an article in the September issue of Tian Feng, the magazine of the Chinese Christian Church. There, a chronic shortage of church workers means that large numbers of new believers do not receive a thorough grounding in faith.
Yan Bilin says that many practitioners of superstition are now taking advantage of this confusion to move in and find a new “market“ for their practices.
In his article, Yan presents a summary of the main differences between faith and superstition. He points out that Christianity is a complete set of fixed and concrete teachings, with the Bible as the point of reference.
Christian activities are consistent with biblical teaching. By contrast, superstitious activities seem to have no fixed patterns and rely on some form of “magic”.
Without proper guidance, the article says, superstition can easily creep into the practices of the church. For instance, Yan reports that many believers in rural China seek answers to their problems by opening their Bibles and pointing to a piece of Scripture at random.
Others believe that every dream contains a revelation from God, and eagerly look for someone to interpret them. Some church members refuse to pray facing a certain direction, believing that only demons live in that direction.
Yan concludes that today is a joyous
time for the church in China, with the Gospel spreading widely and numerous
souls being saved. However, in order to keep the beliefs and activities
of its members true to God’s Word, adequate Christian education is needed
to help them differentiate between biblical faith and superstition. (WR
337/7 - 1.99)
XUZHOU, China — When the Jinshanqiao Protestant Church here announced literacy classes, the first person to sign up was 80-year-old Qin Deying. Some people believed it was of little use for her to study at such an old age, but she had an answer for them:
“The Lord has allowed that my ears and eyes have not failed me in my old age,” she replied. “So I want to use these gifts to learn as many words as I can, read some of the Bible for myself, and understand the Lord’s paths better while I still have time.”
By the end of 1994, the church had constructed a spacious new building with room for a class, and an experienced teacher was finally found from within the congregation. On the first morning of registration, more than 60 illiterate believers signed up, along with many others who just wanted to sit in on the class.
Classes meet every Tuesday morning. Like Mrs Qin, the majority of the students are older, but it also attracts some teenagers and young adults. The church provides all the textbooks, notebooks, and pens for the class, as well as awards for achievement. Motivation is high, and participants are making rapid progress.
Mrs Qin enlists the help of her young grandson with her homework. Once, when she was hospitalized with a high fever, she insisted on bringing her character books with her so she could work on her lessons from her hospital bed. Her dedication impressed the hospital staff greatly.
The class has already started studying Book Three of the Easy Reader course, which includes short Bible readings. The students read one chapter of the Bible each time they complete a lesson of the Reader. The teacher follows up the Bible readings with a short explanation of the passage. So the participants not only learn to read, but also receive basic Bible instruction.
The literacy class has had effects far beyond the classroom. Participants throw themselves into all areas of church work as a way of thanking the church for its gift of literacy. This enthusiasm has spread to other members of the congregation and has given the whole church a new vitality.
HONG KONG — In an effort to encourage children to respect and value God’s creation, the Hong Kong Bible Society organised a colouring competition with an environmental theme: “I Love the Ocean.”
Focusing on the sea and its inhabitants, the project was designed to teach children about the importance of looking after the world they live in, and to help them develop a passion for protecting the environment.
More than 30,000 copies of the colouring sheets were distributed by the Bible Society over a two-week period in July last year. To the delight of many parents, the colouring activity kept young children occupied for hours during their school holidays.
The prize-giving ceremony took place on September 19, 1998, with some 300 children and parents in attendance. Children received prizes for their artistic efforts, and the audience heard a lively message on the subject of God’s creation and love.
The winning entries
were exhibited for all to see, along with a display of information, videos
and games on environment protection. (WR 337/9 - 1.99) [PHOTOS]
HONG KONG — In response to the national economic decline, the Hong Kong Bible Society printed two Chinese-language Selections for free distribution to those who are finding life difficult as a result of the crisis.
The Selections, I
Can’t But He Can! and Crisis or Opportunity?, were designed
to reach out to people in their time of need with a biblical message of
hope and encouragement. More
than 100 churches, organisations, shops and hospitals in Hong Kong and
Macao responded with enthusiasm. The Selections were distributed to people
through a range of activities, from university campus meetings to street
evangelism. Having
distributed a total of 300,000 Selections, the Bible Society asks the Fellowship
to pray that those who read these Scriptures will not only be encouraged,
but will accept God’s offer of eternal life. (WR 337/10 - 1.99)
CHENNAI, India — The IFVH Braille Centre distributes hundreds of Braille Scriptures, many of which are supplied to them by the Bible Society of India. In response to this distribution, the Centre receives many letters from blind and visually-impaired people expressing their delight with the Scriptures.
Ramesh from Andhra Pradesh was one such satisfied customer. He became a Christian as a result of corresponding with Ravi, who works at the Braille Centre. Ramesh wrote to the IFVH staff to tell them his story:
“I come from a strong Hindu background, and was forced by my parents to worship all the Hindu gods. They sent me to countless Hindu temples where I performed various ‘pujas’ or rituals in a desperate attempt to regain my sight.
“When all these efforts failed, however, my parents decided to kill me. My father often said that I was blind because of the sins I had committed in a previous life. He told me they didn’t want me any more.”
It was then that Ramesh received a Braille letter from Ravi, telling him about his own personal faith in Christ.
“Ravi’s testimony touched my heart, and I read the letter to my parents,” said Ramesh. “As I read the letter I began to understand the love of Jesus Christ for sinners – people who are far away from him. My parents too were deeply moved by the letter, and suddenly regretted their behaviour towards me.”
With tears of repentance, Ramesh and his parents all accepted Christ that day. Ramesh is now looking forward to his baptism. At the end of his letter to IFVH, he asked that he and his parents might be remembered in prayer.
IFVH continues to provide
people like Ramesh with the Word of God in their own ‘language’: Braille.
(WR 337/11 - 1.99)
DIMAPUR, India — A new Bible House is being built adjoining the national highway which links Dimapur with Manipur. Dr B K Pramanik, General Secretary of the Bible Society of India, attended the ceremony to mark the laying of the foundation stone last August. He said he hoped that the new Bible House would soon be serving this region of Uttar Pradesh with the Holy Scriptures, and that the light of the Gospel and the biblical message of peace would be a blessing to a troubled area. The new Bible House will be built on a piece of land which was donated to the Dimapur branch of the Uttar Pradesh Auxiliary by a local family. (WR 337/IB1 - 1.99)
DELHI, India — Last year on August 15, to celebrate Independence Day, more than 60 young volunteers helped distribute copies of the Bible Society’s 1997 Golden Jubilee Selection “We, the people...”. Following a ceremony unfurling the national flag, Mr Isaac Shaw, the Director of Delhi Bible Institute, addressed the crowd, and the volunteers then distributed more than 40,000 Selections and other Scripture materials around the capital city. (WR 337/IB2 - 1.99)
ORISSA, India — Thanks to the support of the owners of the Hotel
Paradise, the Bible Society Auxiliary of Orissa was able to organise the
1998 Bible Festival there under the theme of ‘Called to work together’.
The three-day festival helped to raise people’s awareness of the work of
the Bible Society, and about US $352 was donated to the Mundari Bible translation
project. More than 120 representatives of different churches were treated
to talks, presentations, dramatic sketches and choral performances. Finally
all participants had the opportunity to reach out with the Gospel to the
local vendors, rickshaw drivers and passers-by, distributing Bible Society
Scripture Selections in the streets of Puri. (WR 337/IB3 - 1.99) [PHOTOS]
TOKYO, Japan — Students at the Seibo-Gakuen Christian High School were so impressed by a talk they heard on the work of the Japan Bible Society (JBS) that they held a special campaign to raise funds for the Society’s programs.
The Rev Kunihiro Sato, General Secretary of the Bible Society, spoke to the students during their annual school festival. This event gives students the opportunity to learn about church and other Christian activities.
“After the meeting, two girls came into the headmaster’s office and gave me 500 Yen (US $4.28). ‘This is all we can afford to give you,’ they said. ‘It is not much, but please put this money towards the production of French Bibles for Africa’. I asked their names, but they said names were not important and just gave me the money.”
A few days later, Mr Sato received a letter from Satoshi Tamura, the Students’ Union president of Seibo-Gakuen High School’s Junior High department. The letter said:
“Dear Rev Kunihiro Sato,
In June you talked to us about the work of the Japan Bible Society and shared with us some of your experiences. We were very impressed to hear about all your work, but we were especially moved to hear that you help supply French Bibles for Africa.
After some discussion, the Students’ Union organised a special campaign during our school festival to raise funds for Bible work. So far, we have collected 8,864 Yen. We realise this is not a great deal of money, but we hope you can use it for the production of Bibles for Africa.
In the meantime, we will continue to ask our fellow students and their parents to consider making a donation towards Bible work. We will also continue to remember you and your work in our prayers.”
Mr Sato and his colleagues are deeply grateful to the students for
their thoughtfulness in taking this initiative for the Bible cause. (WR
337/12 - 1.99)
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Indigenous
Peoples
SOUTH DAKOTA, USA
— The Bible took centre stage as more than 80 native groups from 18 countries
cast aside what they called “poor“ missionary teaching and used traditional
tribal dance and song to worship God.
Specially-produced
New Testaments from the American Bible Society (ABS) were an affirmation
that the Gospel message “is for indigenous peoples, too,” said organisers
of the World Christian Gathering of Indigenous Peoples (WCGIP).
The New Testaments in the Contemporary English Version (CEV) carried the WCGIP logo on the cover to mark the second biennial Gathering, held in South Dakota. Some 3,400 people took part in the week-long event, all expressing their love for Christ through their own cultural identities.
“There are people who disagree with the cultural revitalisation, restoration, and redemption of our traditions as part of our worship. They feel this is engaging in compromise. So we wanted to say, in a very tangible way, that the Word of God is central to us – and it truly is.”
The WCGIP chose the CEV to provide representatives – many of whom use English as a second language – with a very readable translation that is easy to follow, yet contains with integrity what it is that God is saying, Terry added.
And the Gathering was “really honoured” that the ABS, co-sponsor of the event, went to the effort and expense of producing the special edition of the New Testament.
As at the first WCGIP meeting in 1996, hosted by the Maori people of Aoteroa, New Zealand, a broad spectrum of church traditions was represented at the South Dakota event.
Terry and Richard had,
for a number of years, been trying to find more effective ways to reach
native and indigenous people with the Good News.
“When we saw at the
inaugural event how powerfully God moved through the various cultural expressions
of Christ and the Kingdom – through music, dance, language and dress –
we felt that God was very much in this thing,” Richard said.
“We believe the Gathering
will serve as a catalyst to launch dozens of cultural ministry teams to
all nations.”
Drums and Feathers Herald a WelcomeWith war whoops punctuating the soft throb of First Nation drums, 100 native Americans, adorned in eagle feathers and rawhide tassels, wound through the hall. The soft rustle of wampum beads and rattles whispered in time to the rhythmic padding of moccasined feet. Brilliant reds, yellows, and whites flashed from their ceremonial regalia as the Indians danced the traditional strut-stepped choreography reminiscent of a bygone era on the Great Plains. The shrill spine-chilling whoops declared that they were ready to engage in spiritual battle for Christ... |
QUEBEC, Canada — “Let us speak Algonquin to our children.” This is the sign at the entrance to the Pikogan reserve near Amos, Quebec, sending out a clear message about the local community’s concern for the future of their language and culture. Now, with the help of the Canadian Bible Society (CBS), the Algonquin people have taken a vital step forward in preserving their identity – and developing a deeper knowledge of God – by welcoming the New Testament in their language.
Like many First Nation communities across Canada, the Algonquin people have battled against any suggestion that they should forsake their heritage in favour of total integration into the Canadian mosaic. As an intensely spiritual people, they also want a spirituality that does not force them to deny their identity as “Anishnabe“ (the people). Their bid to hold on to their identity, therefore, received a boost with the launch and dedication of the Algonquin New Testament, with its message of hope and reconciliation.
It took 17 years of intensive work with the Algonquin community to produce the new translation. Wycliffe Bible Translators, together with representatives of Algonquin churches, made up the translation team, while the CBS worked in partnership with them to publish the translated Scripture.
The dedication ceremony, held at Pikogan, was carefully planned to include
prayer, thanksgiving, and presentations of personalised New Testaments
and gifts to those involved in the translation work.
As Hart Wiens, the CBS Director of Scripture Translation, pointed out:
“In the past, God spoke to our ancestors many times and in many ways through
the prophets, but in these last days, he has spoken to us through his Son.”
(Hebrews 1:1-2)
For the Algonquin people, there are hopes that the new translation will
help their children retain their native language. And for those who are
unable to read French or English, it will lead to a much deeper understanding
of God’s Word. (WR 337/14 - 1.99) [PHOTOS]
HAVANA, Cuba (ALC) — Cuban Catholic bishops have asked the government to re-establish Christmas as a public holiday. To date there has been no official response, but there are positive signs, said the Bishop of Camaguey, Adolfo Rodriguez Herrera.
The celebration of Christmas as an official holiday was abolished by the Cuba revolutionary government, but last year it was authorized as an exceptional measure due to Pope John Paul II’s visit to the island nation.
In a press conference, Mgr Rodriguez said, “The Church is separate from the State, but it is not separate from the people.”
During the bishops’ assembly, participants spoke about plans to celebrate the first anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s visit. They also emphasised the repercussions of the Pope’s visit and the positive result it has had on the nation. Bishop Rodriguez emphasised improvements in State-Church relations, the freedom of prisoners, greater communication, flexibility with government authorities, and authorisation for Bibles and other Christian material to enter the country.
As a follow-up to the Pope’s visit, the UBS sent 100,000 Study Bibles to Cuba. They are being extensively used in small group Bible studies and outreach programs (see Special Report 19, November 1998).
At the meeting, the bishops called on the government to
grant permission for the construction of churches, access to the media,
and authorisation for priests to enter the country. Cuba currently has
250 priests – one priest per 56,000 residents – the lowest index in Latin
America. (WR 337/15 - 1.99)
READING, England — Following appeals for help to rebuild the work in countries that have been badly affected by hurricanes ‘Georges’ and ‘Mitch’, national Bible Societies from around the world have rallied to help.
And it is not only those Societies that can more easily afford to give. Some of the less well-off Societies are setting aside sums from US $2,000 upwards to help fund new Scriptures, repair buildings, and even help with payrolls so the distribution of God’s Word can get under way immediately.
“We fully share the heartfelt anguish over the plight of the people in Central America. It is hard to feel someone else’s pain but we can imagine it. It is good to know that the Lord is close to those who are in anguish and will fully show his abundant help in this time of need.”
UBS Central America Regional Secretary Guillermo Luna said his region is also responding with a massive outpouring of Scriptures.
“We are in the process of printing three million Selections on hope and suffering to distribute to the various countries in the area,” he said. “We have seven countries touched by the two hurricanes and they exhibit a variety of needs.”
So far the UBS has received pledges totalling $161,000, and $194,000 is being supplied from the UBS emergency fund; but even this total falls short of the immediate need of $431,500.
National Societies in countries not as affected by the storms are using some of the funds to share special Scriptures with those in neighbouring countries whose hearts have been overwhelmed by the scale of the tragedy. El Salvador has asked for funds to support the production of the 3 million Scripture Selections.
“On November 1, we were distributing Scriptures at the mouth of the Tipitapa, and the staff were helping to distribute provisions. A boy of 12 years tugged at my shirt. I offered him clothes and food and was surprised when he said: ‘What I want is a Bible.’ I asked him if he could read and he answered me confidently: ‘I am in the third grade of primary school, and I want a Bible so that I can read the Word of God.’“
On the Posoltega border in Chinandega, an Assemblies of God church was levelled by the hurricane, killing the 40 members and their pastor who were taking refuge in it. The body of one of the church members was recovered, still clutching his Bible.
Up until mid-November, it is known that at least 130 churches had been destroyed. It is feared that this figure will rise when communications have been completely restored around the country.
“After the tragedy that has left a death toll of more than 2,000 people, a Nuevo Diario journalist team were visiting the ‘Valley of Death’ and found a Bible open at Isaiah 40, where the text reads: ‘ “Comfort my people,” says your God. “Comfort them!” ’Perhaps this is just a coincidence, but the words of the Holy Scriptures become hope for the unfortunate Nicaraguan brothers who are suffering because of this tragedy.”
Haiti suffered much during Hurricane
Georges, which struck before Mitch. Marco Herrera, Regional Secretary for
the Spanish-speaking Caribbean and North America, reported that while the
Bible House suffered no direct damage, they did lose both telephone service
and electrical power. They had to rely on an ageing generator to power
a few lights and two fans amid the tropical heat.
“Regarding the population at large,”
he said, “they did not need a hurricane to turn the situation in emergency
mode. They have been suffering all along for years, and the hurricane made
things even worse for Haitians.”
He said 80 percent of Haiti’s crops were lost, and many people were left without shelter, food or medicines. Disease and famine are feared.
In response, the Bible Society has implemented an emergency plan to bring hope and light through the Scriptures to many needy people. Together with churches and other social agencies they have begun a distribution of 5,000 New Testaments and 100,000 Selections in the weeks following the storm, followed by a distribution of 1,000 Bibles from South Korea to families and individuals that lost their Bible in the hurricane. They estimated a cost of $74,500 for the recovery program.
The General Secretary of the Bible Society in Honduras, Jorge Gómez, sent the following message: “Our building was flooded on three of its four floors, with the loss of computer and video equipment, furniture and Scriptures, as well as the historical archives of the Bible Society.
“On seeing the damage caused to our building we are challenged to write a new history of the Bible Society in Honduras, taking as its basis the sacrifice with which our predecessors wrote the past. We have the confidence and faith that God has allowed us to experience this difficult time because he is going to give us something better. Honduras should come out better after a tragedy such as this.
“Never before have people talked so much about God as they are doing now. It could be that we will not see the full spiritual results immediately, but they will come. We have to be better men and women after such a tragedy. The first chapter of Job has become real during these days. The bad news that Job received of the loss of his goods and family made him tear his clothes, but afterwards he prostrated himself and praised God.
“During these days we have received bad news of brothers and friends who have lost everything, as well as people who have gone to be with the Lord. We have passed through the process of sorrowing and asking ourselves how much more we could take, and we want now to follow Job’s example and throw ourselves on the ground and praise God, saying: ‘I was born with nothing and I will die with nothing. The Lord gave, and now he has taken away. May his name be praised!’” (Job 1:21)
Hurricane Mitch battered Honduras for a week, causing destruction which some have estimated to be the worst for 200 years, with 70 percent of the infrastructure destroyed, 2 million people suffering loss of one sort or another, 7,000 estimated to be dead and another 7,000 missing. Bodies are still being discovered and these are being buried in communal graves to avoid the risk of disease.
In the capital city of Tegucigalpa little is left standing. Many areas have lost basic services: water, electricity and the telephone, and fuel is generally in short supply with no access to ports. More than 70 percent of the nation’s 1.2 million people have been without clean running water since November 6 and there is widespread disease.
Fortunately, after 27 days without power or running water, the area where most Bible Society staff members live has regained power and clean water.
The Bible Society itself has been
able to relocate to a building unaffected by the hurricane and the stocks
of Scriptures, which had been kept in a warehouse in a different part of
the capital, were left unscathed. (Please see World Report December
1998, 336/16.) (WR 337/16 - 1.99) [PHOTOS]
HAITI — When Hurricane Georges tore through the Caribbean last October, Haiti was not spared. The Haitian Bible Society building did escape damage, however, and the staff were able to launch an emergency distribution program – using Scriptures they had in stock – to resupply the islanders with Bibles.
“I have just returned from Haiti where I spent three days reassessing the situation after Hurricane Georges hit the country almost one month ago,” reported Marco Herrera, Regional Secretary for North America and the Caribbean.
So despite the inconvenient conditions at Bible House, the staff had continued working as best they could. Having managed to complete the printing of 100,000 Selections locally, they were also due to receive a consignment of Bibles from South Korea. The plan was to distribute 1,000 Bibles to families and individuals who had lost their own copies in the hurricane.
The estimated cost of the recovery program is US $74,500, which includes French and Haitian Scriptures, a new generator, and other equipment for Bible House.
Mr Herrera keeps in regular contact
with Bible Society staff who are doing all they can to meet the Scripture
needs of the Haitian people. (WR 337/17 - 1.99)
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by photojournalist Andrew Boyd, who visited Egypt on behalf of the UBS in September 1998
Every morning before the sun rises over Africa’s largest city, the ‘Zabbaleen’ drive their donkey carts through the sprawling metropolis. They pile them to overflowing with refuse, haul it back, and dump it in their own front rooms.
“I am happy to be a collector of garbage in this place,” says Safwat. “I’m not ashamed about this work, because Jesus was born in a humble place beside the animals.”
“There are many sicknesses among the families here,” says Safwat. “The sicknesses come from the garbage. But God can save us from diseases. He protects my children.”
Shenouda Serre is a Copt. He speaks with pride of his six children, including his youngest of just three months. “We would like more children,” he explains, “because they help us in our work.” Some go with Shenouda on the cart to collect the garbage. Others help separate the paper, glass and plastic from the rest of the refuse. Then they take each load to a different factory. The remainder is taken to the pigs. What the pigs cannot eat, Shenouda and his children burn.
Safwat on the other hand cannot read, but he says, “I hear the Bible being read by the priest – and I try to live by its teaching.”
Safwat’s story bears that out. He used to be an alcoholic. Then he heard how God looked after Elijah and sent the ravens to feed him (1 Kings 16:4-6).
“These birds brought him food, small pieces of bread each day. When I heard this story I compared it to myself,” said Safwat. “I had much food but I was not thankful to God. From this time I decided to be a disciple of Jesus and be thankful for each piece of food he produced for me.
Many of the Zabbaleen are Copts, whose grandparents came to Cairo in the 1930s to escape the grinding poverty of the South. Their dreams turned into Garbage City, but they decided to stay. Muslims work side by side with them, untroubled by the pigs that root through the rubbish, playing their own essential part in the disposal process.
To reach Garbage City on the eastern edge of Cairo you must first cross a sprawling overground cemetery where the living co-exist with the departed. Only once you have passed through the City of the Dead do you reach the home of the Zabbaleen.
Safwat says: “I’ll serve in this church until the last day of my life. I’m always happy while I’m serving God and showing love to other people.”
Since the church was opened in 1994, bus loads of believers have wended their way through Garbage City to emerge at this place of worship, a sanctuary on the edge of Sheol. Their spiritual leader is Father Samaan. Bearded and robed in black, he preaches eloquently to the people who fill the tiered seating in the 10,000-square-metre church. His words are amplified by loudspeakers, and his diminutive figure on the distant stage is magnified across a giant video screen.
The Coptic Church works to help the Zabbaleen both spiritually and practically. “Our first aim is for people to become believers and know Jesus,” says Father Samaan.
“But we also help the people socially, preparing them for work, teaching them handiwork like carpentry, or to make shoes. We have a school here for about 400 children, and a hospital.”
The Bible Society of Egypt supports the Coptic Church, supplying Bibles, Portions, and New Reader materials for distribution. This day, Bible Society workers are handing out New Reader materials to the children. Within moments of their arrival, scores spill out of rooms full of rubbish, drawn like magnets to the colourful books. No-one wants to miss out, and the children’s pleas and laughter fill the air.
Agencies such as the Association for the Protection of the Environment have pledged to clean up Garbage City. Gradually new homes are being built and living conditions improved. But the work could take decades.
Meanwhile the Bible Society and the Coptic Church together
will continue to declare the love of Christ to the untouchables of Egypt.
“The Bible Society is a good friend to the Coptic Church,” says Father
Samaan. (WR 337/18 - 1.99) [PHOTOS]
It is estimated that some 50,000 churches worldwide have taken part in FCBH, which is part of the Bible Society’s continuing mission to make Scripture used and understood.
Each member of the congregation listens to the New Testament
on audio cassette or CD for 30 minutes a day for 40 days – a timetable
designed to help people get into the habit of hearing the Scriptures as
part of their daily lives. (WR 337/19 - 1.99)
These were the words of the Rt Rev Prof Alan Main, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, during a visit to the UBS World Service Center last November.
“The principal challenge for us as Christians is to learn how to speak God’s Word so that it is understood,” said the Moderator, whose visit coincided with the meeting of the UBS Global Senior Management Team.
Having been brought up in a devout Christian family, he himself was taught to appreciate the value and significance of the Bible from a very young age. “But today, many young people are growing up with no basic knowledge of the Bible at all,” he said.
Reflecting on the example of the little boy, the Moderator said: “I
thought to myself, ‘that has driven us back to a first-century situation.’
We are having to start all over again with a new generation, and that is
a huge task.”
“How then can we expect the average Christian to communicate the Word of God to their families, friends, colleagues and neighbours – those with whom their lives interact – unless they understand it themselves?
Regarding the social issues which most need the church’s attention, the Moderator said: “The Bible addresses social issues from poverty to peace, justice, and freedom from oppression. The sad thing is that many people are unaware of this.”
“The churches and the Bible Societies need to work together to equip Christians to spread the Gospel in such a way that people outside the church can see how the Bible relates to all these social issues.”
There has been a long and close relationship between the Church of Scotland and the National Bible Society of Scotland (NBSS). The Moderator himself spent “10 very happy years“ as Chairman of the Aberdeen and North East branch of the NBSS. During that time, he said, he learned something of the breadth of work that was going on in terms of producing and distributing Scriptures.
After addressing the World Service Center staff collectively, the Moderator was given a tour of the office. He spent time talking to each member of staff individually, and showed a great interest in their work.
The office of Moderator is the highest honour the Church of Scotland
can bestow on a minister. The Rt Rev Prof Alan Main is also Professor of
Practical Theology and Master of Christ’s College, Aberdeen, Scotland.
(WR 337/20 - 1.99) [PHOTOS]
GEORGIA — The Bible Society in Georgia (BSG) now has a mobile bookshop which was taken to four universities last September and October: Tbilisi State University, the Pedagogical University, the Institute of Foreign Languages and the Technical University. On this occasion, Distribution Manager Mikhael Saralishvili was accompanied by a volunteer from the Netherlands, Peter Hovinger, who was spending three months in Georgia. The mobile shop was welcomed by the students who bought many books. They were particularly interested in Bibles in foreign languages such as English, German, French, Spanish and Italian. (WR 337/IB5 - 1.99)
AUSTRALIA — The Bible Society in Australia participated in the ‘Australian Children’s Ministry Expo’ held from October 22-25 in Bankstown, Sydney. This was a first attempt to bring together under one roof a wide selection of Christian ministries to children, and before the Expo was over, participating organisations were already looking forward to next year’s Expo. Some organisations not represented at the Expo have also requested representation next year. Organised by Children of the World – a division of Life Ministries – the Expo enabled the agencies to show people the scope of their work, and included Samaritan’s Purse, Scripture Union, Girls’ and Boys’ Brigades and Australia Outback Patrol among others. “There was a real spirit of ministry among the exhibitors, and everyone saw the value of such an Expo,” said organiser Graham McDonald, and many commented on the value of making good contacts with other agencies working in a similar field. (WR 337/IB6 - 1.99)
UGANDA — The Bible Society of Uganda celebrated 30 years as an organisation this past November 24. The work of translating and spreading the Scriptures started as far back as the 1880s. For many years an agency provided Bibles through the British and Foreign Bible Society, and later the agency became part of the Bible Society in East Africa. The Bible Society as it stands was not inaugurated until November 1968. The national Society saw this anniversary as a time “not to pat ourselves on the back“ but rather to say: “Thus far the Lord has helped us,” and to ask what they will be able to show for the next 30 years. (WR 337/IB7 - 1.99)
AUSTRALIA — A Portion produced by the Bible Society in Australia in 1997 to help new Christians get started on the road to life has been translated by the Argentine Bible Society into Spanish. El Camino de la Vida (The Road to Life) aims to present new Christians with a simple guide to biblical elements important for their spiritual growth, and aims to help them develop their relationship with God. (WR 337/IB8 - 1.99)
AUSTRALIA — A fundraising workshop was held in Brisbane, Australia,
to which 24 representatives from 13 countries in the UBS Asia-Pacific regions
were invited. The workshop, which took place early in September 1998, covered
such topics as telephone fundraising, direct mail, clubs, volunteers, special
events, and the UBS Millennium Project. Twenty-four delegates from 13 countries
attended and spoke highly of the value of the gathering. Guest speakers
included Ruud Blom (Fundraising Officer with the Netherlands Bible Society),
Barbara Walkden (UBS Millennium Project Coordinator), and Craig Gravestone,
Managing Director of a fundraising consultancy firm. (WR 337/IB9 - 1.99)
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NAIROBI, Kenya — The terrorist bomb blast that shook the centre of Nairobi last August has been remembered at a Bible launch ceremony – as a stark illustration of the power of God’s Word.
Christians who gathered for the launch of the first Taita Bible, 400kms (250 miles) southeast of the bomb scene, heard how in the midst of pain and suffering, one victim prayed for the forgiveness of the terrorists instead of cursing them.
“This is only possible if we have God’s Word in our hearts,” the Chairman of the Bible Society of Kenya (BSK) said. The Rev Micah Amukobole urged the gathered crowds to “read the Bible daily for a fulfilled life that follows God’s guidance.”
The launch, at Wundanyi, the Taita-Taveta District Headquarters, was the culmination of many years of patient dedication by translators and of anxious waiting by the Taita people.
The pastors who attended the ceremony at St Stephen’s Church laid their hands on the boxes of Scriptures as the Bishop of the Taita-Taveta Diocese, the Rt Rev Samson Mwaluda Mwakitawa, prayed that the Bible would change the lives of the Taita people.
And there was great rejoicing when the Bishop lifted high the dedication copy of the Bible – using the Taita language to declare: “This is the Word of God!”
Before the launch of the new Bible, only the New Testament existed in Taita. But according to UBS Translation Consultant Dr G Ammanuel Mikre-Selassie it had been prepared more than 70 years earlier and did not communicate accurately in today’s language. Work on the new translation began in 1974 and took 21 years to complete.
Translator Daniel Kana Senge died in 1993, and Evan Mwavua in 1995 – soon after completing the translation. Deborah Mwawunda, who had typed all the manuscripts for the UBS, was also called to be with the Lord in 1996.
Also remembered was the Rev Canon Allen Madoka, who was among those who originally highlighted the need for the Taita Bible. He was the first Chairman of the project and also a member of the review team. His son, Hon Major (Rtd) Madsen Madoka – a Minister of State – accepted a copy of the Bible on behalf of his family.
“I thank God for the effort and commitment of my father together with others,” he said. “Today we can enjoy the fruits of their labour. God can at last fully speak to us in our own language.”
A Bible was also presented to Mrs Deborah Mwavua, widow of the late translator, who accompanied her sons and daughters to the launch. She thanked God for enabling her to see the complete Bible in Taita.
Thanks were also given for the lives
of three reviewers on the translation team who had died during the project:
Mr Eliud Mwambi, Mr Alexander Kubo and the Rev Eliakim Warungu.
Bible Society’s Role: The Bible Society’s translation work was of “vital importance” in complementing the mission of the Church, the Rev Henry Kathii, BSK General Secretary, said at the launch of the Taita Bible. It was, however, a very expensive task, and the Society is currently involved in 12 translation projects, costing a total of about US$135,000, he added. Thanking Bible Society supporters both in Kenya and worldwide, the General Secretary asked churches to continue praying for the work, and to give financially.
But there are also many other unsung heroes who, because they are friends of the Bible cause, look for ways to help – but never get mentioned.
Willie is a teacher at the International School of Kinshasa. Her husband, Bill, is business manager for the Presbyterian Church (USA) and virtual jack of all trades in the Congolese capital. Yet when I informed them that I needed to go back to Kinshasa to help with the completion of the Lingala Bible, they let me know in unmistakable terms that their home would be open to me. Little did they or I realise that this would mean four visits of nearly two weeks each over a period of more than 18 months during some very difficult times.
When I planned my second trip, the dictatorial Mobutu government had been overthrown, and I thought it would be a good time for my wife to accompany me. It sounded like things were getting better in the newly renamed Democratic Republic of Congo. But as our departure approached in September 1997, we began to hear of trouble in Brazzaville. Nevertheless, Jo Ann and I flew into Kinshasa. The airport was much improved both physically and psychologically. It was cleaner, better organised, and there was no longer the terrible hassle getting through.
My third visit back to the Lingala team was scheduled to begin in late March 1998. The Simmons insisted that I be their guest once again, even though for a part of the time they had planned to be on vacation in South Africa. But the e-mail messages then took a sudden turn.
So once again, even in their absence, I was indebted to Bill and Willie.
We accomplished much during that visit, using their dinner table as a workplace. But it became apparent that we would not get the job done as planned. So it was necessary to plan yet another trip to Kinshasa.
Bill returned to the Congo with a scar from his neck to his navel. Knowing that the Simmons would be approaching the end of their term in Congo and would be busy packing while still trying to do their work, I decided not to accept their kind offer for lodging yet another time.
Fortunately, there was another apartment in the same building that was available for one week, so I moved in there. Yet every evening I was invited to the Simmons’ for dinner. And when the week was over, the Simmons once again graciously took me in.
Finally, on June 4, I completed my work with the Lingala team and that night boarded the Sabena flight to Brussels. Over the previous year and a half, Bill and Willie Simmons had gone far beyond the call of duty in welcoming me, encouraging me, and taking care of my every need.
On one occasion during my last visit, the computer used by the Lingala team developed a serious problem. Bill came to the rescue, providing cables and software that enabled us to transfer the material to my computer and continue working on it.
So in addition to having saved the Bible Societies hundreds of dollars in hotel bills, he had also saved crucial material that is part of the Lingala Bible.
It may not be true that the Lingala Bible would never have been published without the help of Bill and Willie Simmons. But it would certainly have been more difficult, more expensive, and would have taken much longer.
LAGOS,
Nigeria — A royal family, schoolchildren, and people of different faiths
have all been experiencing the life-changing power of the Bible Society
Scripture cassette program, ‘Faith Comes By Hearing’ (FCBH).
The program, which is used worldwide to help bring the Word of God to life in people’s hearts and minds, has been running in churches throughout Nigeria with extraordinary results.
The royal family of Masifa-Ile, a rural settlement in Osun State, has reported that FCBH is having a “great impact“ on members of their church, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, and on the entire palace household.
Listening to the cassettes has given them the courage “to spread the Gospel in a community greatly populated by nominal Christians, pagans and people of other faiths,” they said.
The faith of the queen, Olori Modupe Oyekale, and her husband Oba Matthew Oyekale – who is the traditional ruler of the village – is now firmly rooted in the Word of God. This has brought “great comfort” to their family, they said. Many spiritual attacks have been overcome, and the Bible study group in their church is growing rapidly.
Children are also being influenced by the cassette ministry. One student, Tosin Ale, would frequently excuse himself from the family prayer meetings and could be found playing football when Bible study was in progress at his church.
“One day, after persistent admonition that I should join the listening group, I followed my family,” he said. “I was so carried away by what I heard that I am now the one urging my family members on. I am a changed person!”
The cassette program is not only helping non-believers discover God, but is also empowering Christians. Mr Sunday Adebayo, a member of the United Missionary Church of Africa, Pake Horin, told how he had gained more knowledge of the Word of God through listening to the tapes.
“In the past I found it extremely difficult to answer questions from my Muslim friends,” he explained. “But to the glory of God, it is now with ease and courage that I answer their questions about Christianity. They thought I had attended a Bible School, but I have told them that my increased understanding is due to the FCBH sessions. Praise the Lord!”
“One morning, the pastor of another nearby church informed me that local Muslims were complaining that the cassettes were disturbing them. I was warned to stop playing the tapes.
“After praying fervently about it, I went to see the Muslim leader, and was totally taken aback when he informed me that he and his entire family were always delighted to hear the cassettes. They hardly engaged in anything else while the playing lasted!
“The irony of it occurred when I went back to the pastor. His fury and anger on hearing about my meeting with the Muslim leader could not be adequately expressed. He warned me sternly to stop playing the tapes, or be prepared to face the consequences.
“God being my helper, I am more resolute than ever to continue playing the cassettes, until the lives of many more people are touched.”
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — It has been another year of fruitful work for translation projects in the languages of Ethiopia and Eritrea, with the publication of four Bibles and 12 New Testaments, among other items. This brings to 21 the number of languages in which Scriptures are now available to the people of Ethiopia, as well as another two in Eritrea, reports Dr Loren Bliese, the UBS Translation Consultant who oversees the projects.
The four Bibles have been published in Geez, Amharic, Oromo (Western) and Tigrinya, and the 12 New Testaments in Anuak, Wolayta, Gurage, Gedeo, Sidaama, Bench, Kambaata, Hadiyya, Burji, Afar, Oromo (Southern) and Aari. Scripture Portions have also been published or mimeographed in Silti, Kafa, Konso, Gumuz , and Me’en. In Eritrea, the Tigre Bible and interconfessional Kunama New Testament are also now available. (WR 337/24 - 1.99)
A copy of Dr Bliese’s full report can be made
available through the Communications Services Department. For previous
information published on many of these languages, please see World Reports
May 1997 (WR 320/4); August 1993 (WR 276/5); July 1993 (WR 275/10-12) and
Special Report January 1994 (SR 3).
During the WCC Assembly, the UBS has been actively promoting the work of the national Bible Societies: ‘Serving the Churches’ and ‘Reading the Bible in Today’s World’ were two presentations made to delegates and others attending the Assembly. The presentations, which took place at auxiliary meeting places, are known as ‘Padares’, a word from the African tradition of gathering around a campfire and telling stories. There were dozens of Padares being held in conjunction with the Assembly, giving para-church bodies the opportunity to present their services.
The first UBS Padare on ‘Serving the Churches’ highlighted Scripture materials available from national Societies: children’s Scriptures, New Reader Portions (NRPs), Study Bibles, media products such as Scripture cassettes, and Scriptures for witness to people of other faiths. In a joint UBS-Bible Society of Zimbabwe exhibit, samples of these materials were on show together with a photo display of Bible work, a continuous showing of videos produced by national Societies, a database of Bible translations available on computer, and a cassette-listening center.
The second Padare, held on December 9, featured four presentations by the following: Dr Musimbi Kanyoro (Kenya), General Secretary of the International YWCA, who presented an African perspective; Dr Petros Vassiliadis, Professor of New Testament at Salonica University in Greece, who talked about the Orthodox Church Perspective; Dr Wesley Ariarajah from Sri Lanka, Professor of Ecumenical Theology at Drew University School of Theology in Madison (USA), who considered reading the Bible in a pluralistic context; and Dr Musa W Dube Shomanah from Botswana, Professor of New Testament at the University there and former teacher at Vanderbilt Divinity School, USA.
Dr Shomanah covered reading the Bible from a feminist perspective, using a dramatised reading of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. The woman was ‘Africa’, who spent all her money on colonial, post-colonial, and neo-colonial ‘doctors’, was not healed and is now seeking to touch Jesus. Her reading extensively used song and drama, and a video of her presentation will be available along with texts of the others.
One hundred people attended the UBS Padares and were entranced by the presentations, based on original research and interpretation and related to real-life situations.
Those at the UBS Padares also learned that women who have been learning to read have found how reading can change their lives. Dr Mae Alice Reggy, UBS New Reader Program Consultant, arranged for a literacy class from the Epworth Methodist Church to give their testimonies during the UBS Padares. The class has been using Bible Society Old Testament NRPs for just three classes a week over six months.
Beaulah Jester said that she had once mistakenly put insecticide instead of salt in the food she had prepared: now that she can read she uses more recipes and gets the ingredients right. Lydia Kajau, who is a vegetable seller, can now keep her own accounts, while Caroline Waya explained that with proper recipes she has improved the quality of her cooking, much to the satisfaction of her husband, who now “loves her more“!
Farmer Mavis Tungwarara, said she can now buy better quality seed and fertiliser and read about better farming methods. And mother Margaret Maruva, now helps her children with their homework and teaches the Bible to other women.
People were amazed at these results; two of the women, Caroline and
Margaret, are now planning to recruit others to start their own literacy
classes which they themselves will teach. (WR 337/25 - 1.99)
