This month, 5 could supply a Bible to a migrant worker or could help those unable to read for themselves.

Transcription

1 Bible-a-month Prayer Partnership Placing Scripture each month

2 january Gulf States Reaching illiterate and semi literate migrant workers with the Scriptures please see reverse >>> s m t w t f s This month, 5 could supply a Bible to a migrant worker or could help those unable to read for themselves.

3 Country Gulf States Each year large numbers of migrant workers depart their countries in search of work, particularly in the Gulf States, where some end up as victims of forced labour, or commercial sexual exploitation. Thousands flee their country without visas, making them vulnerable to human trafficking. These low-income workers cannot afford to pay the price of a Bible in their language but are in dire need of reading the comforting, encouraging and consoling message of the Good News. The Bible Society has good contacts with local churches and would like to support them by providing Scriptures and by training people in the art of storytelling from the Bible to those who cannot read for themselves. Pray for changed lives through God s Word and that the workshops may provide the much-needed tools to impact the lives of many through biblical storytelling. Your gift will help bring Bibles and training to migrant workers in the Gulf States: 5 - could supply a Bible to someone at risk of human trafficking; 10 - could help the Bible Society to produce relevant Scriptural resources; 15 - could help train more storytelling volunteers. Photo: A man who is illiterate receives a children s Bible to help him understand the Scripture passages. (Bible Society in the Gulf / Babu Ganta) Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. 1 Timothy 4: 13

4 february Togo Those living in captivity need to know the freedom that life with Christ brings >>> s m t w t f s This month, a gift of even 5 could help provide Scripture and the answers that prisoners are searching for.

5 Country Togo Freedom is being brought to those captive in Togo. Men and women trapped in prisons are being introduced to the Gospel and are making the choice to live following God s footsteps within the concrete walls. The Bible Society, working with local churches, is bringing spiritual food to prisoners, along with other gifts of food and medicine. Also working in areas of high crime rates and drug use, staff and volunteers hope to bring the Good News to people before and after life in prison. Please pray for these individuals, that in these hopeless and dark places they will find the light of Christ. 5, 10 or 15 could get Bibles and New Testaments into the hands of individuals searching for answers and guidance. Photo: Yaovi, an inmate of the civilian prison in Aneho, shares how he met Jesus during a Faith Comes by Hearing Session in the prison. (Bible Society of Togo) For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. Matthew 25: 35-36

6 march Paraguay Building strong churches on the banks of the Paraguay River >>> s m t w t f s This month, 5 could supply Bibles for people in remote and dangerous communities in Paraguay.

7 Country Paraguay Paraguayan farmers, struggling to earn a living, have uprooted themselves from their farms to the banks of the Paraguay River to try and raise an income from fishing in extremely precarious conditions. The communities along the riverside live in deep poverty. They lack safe, substantial housing and school buildings. Hygiene and healthcare conditions are poor, food and medicine supplies are inadequate. Bible Society staff travel with great courage and faith and often risk their lives sailing into one of the most dangerous areas of the country, where only the strongest survive. Churches have been planted and the challenge now is to train leaders for the future and supply the small congregations with resources to teach and spread God s Word in their villages and towns. Pray for the local volunteers that will be trained and will serve the churches on the riverside. Pray also for God s protection and guidance on every trip. Your gift will help bring Bibles and Scripture materials to communities in Paraguay: 5 - could supply a Bible to someone desperate to read God s Word; 10 - could help provide children s Bibles for a family; 15 - could help towards the staff cost of this project. Photo: Children rowing to school during a trip by the Paraguayan Bible Society s boat El Amanecer, part of its holistic ministry programme, on the River Paraguay. (Paraguayan Bible Society / Alfredho Altamirano) He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. Psalm 107: 29

8 april Cambodia Equipping the churches in Cambodia through Scripture supply >>> s m t w t f s This month, 5 could supply a Bible to a new Christian in Cambodia.

9 Country Cambodia The Church in Cambodia has been growing steadily over the past few decades. It is estimated that there are now 300,000 to 400,000 Christians in Cambodia. Meeting Cambodia s Scripture needs is a challenge as the majority of Cambodians are poor and cannot afford a Bible. The only way many Cambodians will have the chance to own a Bible is through your support. With the increasing needs of local Christian communities, a full range of Scripture materials has been developed by the Bible Society, including a new translation of the Bible in Khmer (Khmer Standard Version) as a complement to the more traditional version (Khmer Old Version) which is over sixty years old. A lot of red tape from the Cambodian government makes importing the Bibles, which are printed in Korea, a long and painful process. Pray for this to improve. Pray also for staff as they travel to distribute Scriptures. Your gift will help change the lives of people in Cambodia: 5 - could supply a Bible to someone who will find peace in its pages; 10 - could help supply literacy materials so that people can read God s Word; 15 - could help towards the cost of staff and volunteer training. Photo: Sunday worship in a church in rural Pursat province, Cambodia, during a Bible Society Scripture distribution trip. (Scottish Bible Society) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3: 16

10 may Romania Discovering how the Bible relates to life today >>> s m t w t f s This month, 5 will help bring God s Word back into the culture of Romania.

11 Country Romania After the communist regime fell, Romanian society became unstable and disorganised. There is also a great lack of spirituality. To overcome this, the Bible Society of Romania is embarking on a project to teach young people how the Bible relates to life and shows a moral and spiritual way to live. Working together with the Ministry of Education and the Department of Police (both welcome and support this initiative) students will receive a book entitled No law, no bargain! This book teaches about criminal law while also giving a biblical perspective on the subject. Young people will be encouraged to explore God s Law, helping them to understand what it means to live for Christ. Pray for all agencies involved in this project and that young people s lives will be changed through God s Word. Your gift will help young Romanians to have a better understanding of moral and spiritual laws, and to engage with the Bible: 5 - could provide someone with their own Bible; 10 - could help provide the creation of supporting resources; 15 - could help towards the training of teachers and police throughout the country. Photo: Students discuss the No law, no bargain! material distributed by the Bible Society (Interconfessional Bible Society in Romania) Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live. Psalm 43: 3

12 june Congo Bringing comfort and teaching through the Bible >>> s m t w t f s This month, 5 could provide the comfort of God s Word through the Good Samaritan Project.

13 Country Congo The Bible Society of Congo is engaged in the fight against HIV and AIDS through the Good Samaritan Project. Today, in the Republic of Congo 41% of the population are infected. This has a hugely negative impact on family and community life. Working particularly with children and young people from 4 to 15 years of age, this project will operate in day schools, orphanages, youth movements and Sunday Schools. The young people will learn how they can better relate to people living with the social stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS using the parable of the Good Samaritan as the basis. This includes reaching out to the families of those affected by HIV or AIDS. The project will also provide Bible-based teaching and practical support for adults affected by this issue. Pray that people who are feeling isolated and excluded will discover how much God values them, as they read the Bible. Your gift will help people of all ages to read and engage with the message of love and care as shown through the parable of the Good Samaritan: 5 - could provide someone with their own Bible for use in the classes; 10 - could help provide teaching materials; 15 - could help support staff and volunteers in running this project. Photo: Primary school children following a lesson about the Where is the Good Samaritan today? HIV and AIDS awareness programme during a Religious Studies class at the Charles Houze Salvationist school in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. (United Bible Societies) Now which of these three would you say was a neighbour to the man who was attacked by bandits? Jesus asked. The man replied, The one who showed him mercy. Luke 10: 36-37

14 july Dominican Republic Bibles instead of weapons >>> s m t w t f s This month, 5 could help teenagers involved in gang crime turn to God.

15 Country Dominican Republic Working with the chief of the police department in Puerto Plata, the Bible Society is continuing their innovative project encouraging gang members to exchange their guns and other weapons for a Bible. Using advertising, face-to-face ministry and group events, the Society has seen many people come to faith and turn from their life of crime. This year the project plans to impact the lives of 5,000 people which is a huge number of weapons removed. The wider benefit to society is immense. Already there are testimonies of gang members being radically changed through God s Word. Pray for the authorities in the province of San Juan de la Maguana, Maria Trinidad Sanchez (Nagua), and Santo Domingo, who are supporting this initiative. Pray also for those witnessing to the gang members on the streets. Your gift will help engage young gang members with God s Word: 5 - could provide someone with their own Bible; 10 - could help provide training for the volunteers; 15 - could help take three guns off the street. Photo: A Bible Society team member giving a Bible to a man in return for handing in his weapon. (Bible Society of the Dominican Republic) For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4: 12

16 august Pakistan Reaching out to people from villages, slums and remote areas >>> s m t w t f s could help provide physical and spiritual nourishment.

17 Country Pakistan Poverty is widespread in Pakistan. People living in remote areas as well as city slums often have no access to hospitals nor can they afford medicines. The Bible Society of Pakistan is running a holistic project providing both medical help to the poorest as well as God s Word in appropriate formats like audio versions for those with literacy issues. Bible teaching will go hand in hand with basic education about health and hygiene. Many in need of medical treatment will be non-christians. Staff and volunteers will share with them the love of Christ in practical ways but each participant will also receive a booklet called Miracles of Christ. Give thanks for this opportunity to minister to body and soul. Pray for those living in villages, slum areas, and remote areas in great poverty. Pray for the Bible Society team as they minister to them and show God s love in practical action. Your gift will help provide ministry to the poorest people in Pakistan: 5 - could provide a Bible; 10 - could provide teaching materials; 15 - could help support the medical and educational volunteers. Photo: Boy carrying a bowl containing dung. Gujranwala, Pakistan. (United Bible Societies / Keith Clarke) Jesus reached out and touched him. I am willing, he said. Be healed! And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Luke 5: 13

18 september Algeria Providing Scriptures to the Berber Christians in Algeria >>> s m t w t f s This month, 5 could provide a Bible for a Berber Christian in Algeria where the Church is growing fast.

19 Country Algeria The early Berber Christians produced theologians like Saint Augustine. However, from the 7th century the coming of the Arabs and the introduction of Islam saw a change to a Muslim culture. Today though, Christianity is growing amongst the Berber people and the Bible Society has produced Scriptures in the Berber languages. As only a few books are available in Berber languages many people are reading the Bible and are introduced to the power of God s Word. Pray that the Berber people will engage with the Scriptures and that many more will come to the Lord. Also pray for the protection of Bible Society staff and volunteers who distribute the Scriptures and pray that their work will not be hindered by either Muslim extremists or the government. Your gift will help the Berber people hear God speak to them in their own language: 5 - could provide a Berber language Bible; 10 - could help provide Scripture portions and Gospels; 15 - could help towards the production and printing of the Bibles. Photo: Ryan (11) is very proud of the Bible Ali Khidri, Executive Secretary of the Bible Society in Algeria, gave him. In a village near Akbou, Kabylie. (United Bible Societies) And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done! Acts 2: 11

20 october Uganda Providing Scriptures for people with visual impairments >>> s m t w t f s could help towards providing Bibles in Braille.

21 Country Uganda Of the 400 million people in Uganda, over 1 million are blind or have a serious visual impairment. However, just over 60% have attained some form of Braille literacy. Many are yearning to be able to read the Bible but don t have the opportunity. Within their communities, they are often invisible because of discrimination, even by their loved ones. A generally negative attitude towards them means that they are usually excluded from confirmation classes, holy sacraments, preaching or taking scriptural readings and participation in church choirs. The Bible Society will provide easy access to Scriptures in Braille, audio and large print formats and will help blind and partially sighted people with inclusion in church activities and attainment of Braille literacy. Pray that all Ugandans with visual impairments will have the joy of accessing the Bible and will come to be fully accepted into the life and ministry of the Church. Your gift will bring hope for the future of young people in Uganda: 5 - could help provide Braille Bibles; 10 - could provide education in reading Braille; 15 - could help support the trainers to reach more people with God s Word. Photo: Blind and partially sighted children singing with Braille Bibles at Marton Nkoyoyo Inclusive Primary School in Kampala, Uganda. (British and Foreign Bible Society / Clare Kendall) I don t know whether he is a sinner, the man replied. But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see! John 9: 25

22 november Peru Improving literacy with the Quechua Bible >>> s m t w t f s This month, your gift of 5 could improve peoples lives through learning to read their own Quechua Bible.

23 Country Peru The Peruvian Bible Society is teaching illiterate Quechua speakers to read and write, so they will eventually be able to read the Bible in their own language. The Society is fulfilling its mission by taking the Word of God to remote places and to reach neglected people who have not had the chance to learn to read. This project will improve the quality of life for the Quechua people culturally, socially, economically and, above all, spiritually. Please pray for the illiterate Quechua population, that they may develop their literacy skills with positive effect on their spiritual lives. Pray also for regional co-ordinators who lead the teaching sessions in rural areas, often travelling for days at a time to fulfil this ministry. Your gift will help introduce the Quechua people to God s Word: 5 - could supply someone with their own Bible; 10 - could help with the cost of teaching someone to read; 15 - could help fund the regional co-ordinators travel to remote areas. Photo: Quechua people at prayer. (Peruvian Bible Society) As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. Ephesians 3: 4

24 december Uzbekistan Faith Comes by Hearing in Uzbekistan >>> s m t w t f s This month, 5 could help people to experience God s love, his will and his truth through regular listening in groups.

25 Country Uzbekistan Uzbek Christians experience extremely heavy pressure from their society. Christian books are being destroyed, police frequently raid Christian gathering places and keeping printed Scriptures anywhere is very dangerous. To combat this, the Bible Society of Uzbekistan is providing Proclaimers, wind-up or solar-powered players with the Bible in audio-format that can be listened to by individuals or groups. Proclaimers will help Uzbek people to hear the Word of God without risk. They provide encouragement to Christians and help them reach out to non-believers. Pray for Bible work in Uzbekistan, particularly for the people yet to be reached by the message of the Bible. Ask God to guide the work of the Bible Society s staff, so that his Word can be made available in the necessary formats to engage people of all ages. Your gift will help change the lives of people in Uzbekistan: 5, 10 or 15 could help towards providing the Bible on Proclaimers. Photo: A lady from the market in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. (United Bible Societies / Dag Smemo) So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. Romans 10: 17