Participants at the Bible-reading marathon [WR410/34 PRC06DJ-1096]

Bible-reading marathon inspires volunteers

“The verse in Ezekiel about dry bones coming to life was especially inspiring for me,” says Hui Guo, 28, recalling her experience of participating in a Bible-reading marathon in October, lasting just over 72 hours. “It was a physically exhausting but spiritually refreshing challenge. We even remember a lot of what we read, which is something that we did not expect.”

Ten young people who are involved in social work, including HIV/AIDS education and drug rehabilitation, took part in the marathon, sitting around a table together reading and singing hymns. “We took shifts, during which five chapters would be read out loud by one team while others got a couple of hours’ rest in sleeping bags,” explains Hui Guo. “We drank water and ate some food in between but the Bible was read constantly for 72 hours. “We have all been so inspired by the marathon and feel we have learnt so much about the Bible. We read about God’s love, his intention for our lives, his plans for us and the tasks he has set us. This is important as we go about our work. “We got so much out of it that we are challenging others to try similar activities. It has also given us the vision to start using the Bible more strategically in our work. The Bible training centres are now encouraging their students to take longer courses to read through the entire New Testament or Bible twice before beginning their formal training. “We pray that God’s Word will start working in them.”

(WR410/34-04.07) [2 photos]