Bible News in Brief

USA — In October, the New York Post ran a story about two Bibles that were found in the ruins of the World Trade Center by two ironworkers. Moved by their discovery, the men decided to make every effort to return them to Gregorio Lopez and Gail Pridgen, whose names were handwritten inside the Bibles. Neither name appeared on the official lists of those missing or dead. A few days after the article appeared, Mrs Pridgen’s family was located. She had died three years ago and her family cannot understand how the Bible, published by the American Bible Society, ended up at the World Trade Center. No contact has yet been made with Mr Lopez or a family member but the search is continuing. A partially legible inscription inside his Bible in Spanish reads, “…that reading and studying this book will help you rebuild your life. God bless you.” (WR 365/IB1 - 12.01)

UK — The Epicor Software Corporation has been named as the preferred company to provide the long-awaited successor to the UBS’s worldwide budgeting and accounting system. Contract proposals are now being discussed and a final decision will be taken by the Executive Committee of the UBS Global Board in December. The process of replacing the old software will then begin. The new system, which will replace Dataflex, will be an ‘off-the-shelf’ product customised to meet Bible Society requirements for budgeting and accounting. Assuming that it receives approval in December, it will be implemented as a pilot project in one Bible Society – as yet unnamed – next April, and in other Bible Societies over the following 18 months. The man responsible for implementing it throughout the worldwide Fellowship is Alvaro Blanco, IT Consultant for the UBS South America Region. (WR 365/IB5 - 12.01) e-165

NOTE: Another news release will be issued following the Executive Committee’s meeting in December. Meanwhile, Bible Societies wishing to know more about the new UBS accounting and budgeting system should contact Alvaro Blanco via e-mail.

INDIA — Staff members and supporters of the Gujarat Auxiliary of the Bible Society of India (BSI) gathered on July 22 to give thanks for the re-opening of the Gujarat Bible House, which underwent renovations after being badly damaged during the earthquake in January (see World Report 358/24). Dr B K Pramanik, BSI General Secretary, led a prayer to dedicate the building to God’s work. During the event, other developments in Bible work in Gujarat were also celebrated – a new distribution vehicle was dedicated and a ground-breaking ceremony held for the construction of an extension to the Bible Book Room. (WR 365/IB7 - 12.01)