Latest News

Summaries of stories which have been e-mailed in the Latest News series since the publication of World Report 376:

LEBANON — The Bible Society in Lebanon has reported a dramatic increase in sales of Scriptures at this year’s Antelias bookfair, which ran from March 6 to 16. New Testament sales were up by 86 per cent over last year’s figures, while Bible sales showed an increase of 56 per cent. More than 1,600 Scriptures were sold altogether, representing a 38 per cent rise. e-240 (WR 377/24 - 6.03)

HONG KONG — As the death toll from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) in Hong Kong continues to rise, the Hong Kong Bible Society is preparing to distribute 20,000 copies of a leaflet designed to bring the comfort of God’s Word to people living in fear of this disease. The leaflet, entitled Be Not Afraid, Only Believe, is based on Psalm 91. e-241 (WR 377/25 - 6.03)

GEORGIA — President Eduard Shevardnadze has pledged to bring an end to religious violence. The Rt Rev Malkhaz Songulashvili, the United Bible Societies’ (UBS) Representative in Georgia, has hailed this as “a milestone in the development of religious life in Georgia”. In 2001, UBS staff transporting a truck of Scripture books and blankets came under attack from extremist defrocked Orthodox priest Vasili Mkalavishvili and his supporters. Mr Mkalavishvili has carried out a number of attacks on churches. e-240 (WR 377/27 - 6.03)

GERMANY — Dr Felix Breidenstein has succeeded Dr Volkmar Löbel as Executive Director of the German Bible Society. Dr Breidenstein, 41, previously worked as a lawyer. Dr Löbel is retiring after 28 years’ service with the Bible Society. e-240 (WR 377/28 - 6.03)

MALAYSIA — The lifting of the ban on the Iban Bible by the Malaysian government on April 25 has been welcomed by many churches and Christian organisations. The Iban Bible was the only Iban-language book on a list of more than 30 proscribed by the government, which claimed that it used terms which could cause confusion to Muslims. Supported by a delegation of church leaders, representatives of Iban churches met government officials to make a direct appeal to have the ban lifted. The favourable response has been welcomed by Dr Victor Wong, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Malaysia, although he has warned that there will be more challenges ahead and that it is best “to be patient and forebearing in matters of the Bible cause”. e-242 (WR 377/26 - 6.03)

NEW ZEALAND — The four Gospels in Tokelauan were dedicated at a ceremony in Porirua, New Zealand, on March 9. Having the Gospels in Tokelauan will bring God’s Word closer to the 1,500 residents of the Tokelau islands and speakers of Tokelauan in other countries, who have until now used the Samoan Bible. The Rev Dr Kerry Enright, Executive Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, described the Gospels, the culmination of six years’ work, as “a gift to the Tokelauan culture – to the children and grandchildren who will come after us.” The whole New Testament in Tokelauan has now been completed in draft form. e-237 (WR 377/29 - 6.03)

MALAWI — The Bible Society of Malawi has been working with World Vision Malawi and The Salvation Army to supply Scriptures to people receiving food aid following severe flooding in January. By mid-February, the Society was distributing Bibles, Portions and New Reader Portions in Ngonde, Chichewa and English through a project called Bread of Life. Although the quantities distributed were small because of limited funds, they have had a significant impact on communities and individuals, with Bible study groups having already been set up in areas where the distribution took place. e-239 (WR 377/30 - 6.03)

MALAWI — The Bible Society of Malawi has recorded the Chisena (Sena) New Testament on to audio cassette despite a number of challenges. Lacking access to a proper studio, it constructed a makeshift studio from blankets, mattresses and wooden poles in the home of a staff member. Following a series of delays, it was forced to begin work on the recording during the rainy season, which makes travelling difficult and electricity cuts common. However, the project was completed without interruption. Work is now under way to edit the recording, add music and duplicate the master. e-239 (WR 377/31 - 6.03)

NAMIBIA — The Bible Society in Namibia has begun selling a badge showing a cross draped with the red AIDS ribbon in order to raise funds for projects to improve awareness of how to avoid HIV/AIDS infection. The Society hopes that, as well as raising funds, the badge will convey the message that the Bible is the “2000-years-old vaccine” against HIV/AIDS. The badge is being made available at a reduced price to churches and church-related organisations in Namibia, and the Society also hopes to supply it to other Bible Societies in the region. e-239 (WR 377/32 - 6.03)

CÔTE D’IVOIRE — The Bible Society of Côte d’Ivoire has developed a Scripture Portion, Espoir dans la Souffrance (‘Hope in a Time of Suffering’), designed to help people “work through some of their pain, resentment and grief” caused by ongoing clashes between government forces and rebel groups, according to United Bible Societies (UBS) Translation Consultant Dr Lynell Zogbo. The Portion, compiled by a team of people from different church backgrounds who drew on their own experiences of the unrest, was dedicated on March 1. UBS is funding the distribution of 50,000 copies to displaced people, members of the armed forces and the police. e-242 (WR 377/33 - 6.03)

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC — Maxime Bakiono, United Bible Societies Program Consultant for Francophone Africa, and Luc Gnowa, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Cameroon, were trapped in their hotel during a coup on March 15. Rebel troops ransacked the hotel and Mr Bakiono and Mr Gnowa were forced at gunpoint to carry stolen goods to the rebels’ vehicle. They moved to another hotel the next day, and on March 18 were evacuated by the United Nations. They have asked for continued prayers for the Bible Society in the Central African Republic and for the country as a whole. e-238 (WR 377/34 - 6.03)

VENEZUELA — In the midst of bitter political unrest, the United Bible Societies (UBS) in Venezuela has been involved in talks aimed at easing tensions between local government leaders. In December, Luis Magín Álvarez, Executive Secretary of UBS in Venezuela, addressed a meeting of mayors aimed at starting a process of reconciliation. Commenting on the war of words between political opponents, Mr Álvarez referred to James 3, asking the mayors to take to heart the teachings of the Bible about the power of language. He also answered questions about the Bible and its relevance to the situation in Venezuela today. Mr Álvarez has called on the UBS fellowship to pray for peace and stability to return to Venezuela. e-236 (WR 377/35 - 6.03)