Some of the 6.8 Million Bibles distributed in Brazil in 2011!

Bibles for flood victims in Brazil

 

PRAYER CIRCLE

Up to 13th February 2012

 

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t: 9032 6577

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"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word."

 

Thessalonians 2:16-17 (CEV)  


Prayer Circle takes us to very challenging places this week, encouraging us to pray for people who have had great difficulties to overcome and have persevered in the face of hardships.

It is such a joy to witness the faith of colleagues who, despite personal trouble, destruction and poverty, are able to see the Lord at work and trust Him in ways that we can often only aspire to.

God is at work in so many ways. We thank you for your prayers and trust that you are encouraged in return as you see God answering in wonderful ways.

By praying, you are part of the Bible Society ministry teams working to bring change in Jesus' name, right throughout the world.

 

Women in a literacy class, ChinaBible-based Literacy, China

Many poor people in China have never had the opportunity to go to school. A 24-year-old Bible School student, Meng Juan, saw that believers in her local church did not have a strong understanding of the truth. On realising that they didn't read the Bible because they are unable to, a desire began to stir in her heart to start a literacy class based on the Bible. The plan became a reality when the United Bible Societies (UBS) donated materials - Bibles, literacy booklets, pens and notebooks - for the first set of classes, providing the resources and the confidence to make it a reality. "When I was holding the hand of a 17-year-old girl who didn't know how to hold a pen, to guide her to write, I felt deeply grateful to God and to UBS", said Meng Juan.

Please pray for the Church-based literacy classes that have been running in Henan and Anhui provinces now for four years. UBS has been able to provide Bibles and teaching resources for these programmes. Give thanks that many people, particularly people in poorer rural areas, are discovering the joy of God's Word in written form for the first time.

 

Magda Victor, Haitian Bible SocietyHaiti - 2 Years on...

Two years after the earthquake of January 12, 2010, many Haitians are complaining that nothing has changed. There are still many houses that need to be rebuilt, and 500,000 people are still living in refugee camps in Port-au-Prince. "For the Bible Society, though, there have been positive developments," says General Secretary Magda Victor. "Thanks to the help of other Bible Societies, we've been able to distribute hundreds of thousands of Bibles over the last two years..."

The months of unrelenting work to meet the needs of the Churches and supply the Bible to refugees produced another unexpected outcome: the growing success of the Bible in Haitian Creole. "After January 12, we decided to distribute Haitian Creole Bibles rather than French ones," says Mrs Victor. "This had a really significant impact. Today, the Haitian Creole Bible is often the one that people buy: they know that it will speak to them in the language of their heart." Please pray for the ministry in Haiti and the people who still endure much hardship. Magda's words say it well: "Please continue to support us, not just financially but also with prayer. The situation here isn't easy. There is poverty everywhere and there is still a great deal to do. Our mission is to bring people the comfort of God's Word." Thank you for your prayers for the Haitian Bible Society over the last 2 years, it is clear that God has been opening doors and hearts wide for His Word to reach people.

 

6.8 Million BIbles in Brazil!

Bibles for flood victims in Brazil2011 was an extremely fruitful year for the Bible cause in Brazil.  The Bible Society distributed over 242 million Scriptures - from Bibles to small selections. 6.8 million of these were full Bibles and over 26 million
Scripture items were given to people through holistic Bible programmes such as the
Light of the Amazon project that BSNI donors are currently supporting.

These huge numbers of Scriptures remind us of the importance of our mission to spread the Bible and its message to all people, in a language they can understand and at a price they can afford. Please pray that the Bible Society in Brazil will be able to strengthen their relationship with the Churches, so they will be able to more effectively spread God's Word, especially through the holistic programmes for people who are at risk. Pray too for the work involved in reaching the younger generation with God's Word in a format that shows that the Bible's teaching is relevant to them.  Let us join in prayer to ask our God that the sowing of His Word will continue to be extraordinary in Brazil, as well as in every country in the world. 

 

 

 

NEWS at HOME

 

Events and Speaking Engagements

It is a privilege to be able to speak at church services and midweek church meetings to share the work and ministry of the Bible Society around the world. Please do pray for our representatives who seek to encourage and challenge each audience they are invited to. Please pray for help in preparation, safety in travel and interest in getting involved  from the listeners.

 

Speaking Engagements

 

Wed 1 Feb: Ballywalter Presbyterian Women (8pm, Leah McKibben)

Mon 6 Feb: Bangor Parish Men's Society (7pm, Leah)

 

Meetings 

 

Pray for John Doherty as he attends a meeting in Slovenia from 30th January - 2nd February, to contribute to future fundraising initiatives being planned by Bible Societies across Europe and the Middle East. 

 

Tues 7 Feb: At 10.15, John is attending a meeting of the five Specialist Service Agencies* that are recognised by the Presbyterian Church. Pray that these agencies can have greater impact for Mission through their working together.

*Includes BSNI, Feba Radio, Sat-7, Nat. Bible Society of Ireland & Wycliffe Bible Translators.

 

Events   

Saturday 11 February

Belfast Bible College  10am - 4pm

 

Training for those interested in relating to people from minority communities who have come to live here.

Cost: £10 including refreshments/sandwich lunch.

Click the link for more information.

 

Watch out for 'UNLOCKING MISSION' - four churches from different denominations tell of their Mission experience at home and abroad. Ballynahinch Baptist Church: 24/3/2012  10 to 1. Starts with breakfast.