Take the Bible Past the Finish Line

This article was first published in the September 2013 issue of Word@Work.

The humble beginnings of the Bible Society in 1804 was birthed after some Christians were moved by the stoic determination of 10 year old Mary Jones to possess a Bible. Since then, supporters of the 147 Bible Societies worldwide have helped to make the Bible available, accessible and credible to everyone.

Much work remains to be done, and The Bible Society of Singapore (BSS) and the rest of our sister societies in UBS continue to count on the help of our worldwide supporters who can contribute in the following areas:

Monetary Giving

Supporters who wish to give can pledge a single donation, give monthly, remember the Society in their will, give appreciated property or give through their workplace.

Sam Boring, an American, had been unable to tithe when he was younger. His career in the military had come to an abrupt end because of an injury which kept him from serving.

Eventually, the Boring family’s finances improved, and when they received an appeal to support a project run by the American Bible Society (ABS) through a gift annuity, they accepted.

“Everything comes from the Lord,” Sam Boring said. Despite the hardships faced, Sam and his wife, Thelma, gave generously. Thelma tithed “every penny she ever made,” says Sam.

Gift of Bibles

Supporters can help raise funds for the purchase of Bibles for children, adults and also audio Bibles or special Bibles for those with special needs.

Troy Love, a police officer, completed a 3,785 mile bike-ride across nine states to raise money for the purchase of Proclaimers, the audio Scripture players distributed by Faith Comes By Hearing (a partner of ABS), for the needy.

Troy’s goal to raise money for 1,000 Proclaimers came about when he realised how important these audio Scriptures are in reaching people around the world who cannot read.

His commitment and devotion to the Bible cause carried him through many trials on his 28 day long journey, and inspired Christians he met along the way to help raise funds for the Proclaimers.

“If you’re a willing vessel for Christ, He’s going to use you… If you’re going to live, don’t live for yourself. That’s when it changed for me- when I took the focus off myself… If you have a vision and a body to do it, get out and do it. Make a difference while you are here (on Earth).” - Troy Love 

Opportunities to Impact Lives

Supporters can partner with us to send a Bible-a-month to various countries in need; give the hope of God’s Word to those in need; feed the hungry souls in the more remote areas around the world; change children’s lives with food and Bibles; and support people in crisis.

Jenna Liew, a volunteer cyclist of the “She’s My Sister” programme run by ABS finally met Consolatta after pedalling 2,000 miles to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).  The latter was ravaged by roving militias and left for dead, instead becoming handicapped.  This kind of story is common amongst girls and women in DRC, and they need the reassurance of God’s Word and the love shown by His people to heal.

Jenna had been praying for Consolatta for one year and when they met, they connected emotionally and spiritually. God’s healing took place with Consolatta forgiving her tormentors and looking forward to her future, while Jenna felt that her encounter with Consolatta and the Congolese people had transformed her life so that she could devote herself fully to serving the Lord.

The Bible Society of Singapore (BSS) also has faithful supporters in:

Legacy giving

Supporters of BSS have chosen to contribute what they leave in their wills to further advocate our work. Gifts from legacy donors are highly significant, especially to an organisation like BSS which relies on the kindness and generosity of others to support its works. Many people who leave us legacy gifts have been impacted by the work of BSS and wish to secure the future of the Bible mission - you can read some of their stories here.

Philanthropy

Our supporters have given generously towards our Bible mission work. Their kind and generous contributions help us provide Bibles for many countries in need.

Elder Ong Teck Chye of Bethesda Frankel Estate Church greatly supports our work in China. He helps to organise Bible Mission Trips to China for his church members, and donates Bibles and audio Bibles, financial support, reading glasses and goodie bags to China.

Elder Ong enthused about the Bible cause of BSS in China, “We are impressed by the meaningful and purposeful outreach to the many believers in China. We count it a privilege and honour to be able to partner with BSS.” 

Sowers in Action

BSS also receives support in our “Sowers in Action” programme for volunteers, and has witnessed an increase of the volunteer pool.

The Bible Society seeks to make the Bible available, accessible and credible to all people — to see God’s Word shape the lives of individuals and communities throughout the world. We need your support and invite you to join us.


The Heart of a Sower

This article was first published in the June 2013 issue of Word@Work.

“...One who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.” - Proverbs 11:18b (ESV)

After an incredible encounter with God around the age of 15, Richard Woo was filled with passion and love for the Lord and aspired to share God’s love with others in a meaningful environment, sowing the seeds of salvation in their lives.

His first step of faith into full time ministry took place when he enrolled into Trinity Theological College (TTC), quitting his job in the banking industry in the process.

Richard’s compassion for the unfortunate led him to become a pastoral volunteer at Changi prison, where he ministered to inmates for 13 years. While Richard was still involved in the prison ministry, he felt the Lord leading him towards ministering to the sick in hospitals. He became the Chaplain of St Andrew’s community hospital and then St Luke’s community hospital, serving the patients and staff with joy and compassion.

Richard then joined The Bible Society of Singapore (BSS) and now heads the Social Concerns Ministry, collaborating with other partner organisations to show God’s love to people in our community.

The Work of a Sower

The Social Concerns Ministry of BSS is frequently looking for new ways to extend God’s love to others. It currently focuses on touching the lives of migrant workers, patients in hospitals and nursing homes, as well as inmates in prison. 

Richard gladly fosters relations and collaborates with many partner organisations to help bring the Word to those most in need of it. If any organisations require help in their ministry, Richard is happy to support them as well.

He has helped BSS collaborate with Prison Fellowship Singapore, printing 3000 copies of the Freedom on the Inside Bible in English and another 3000 in Mandarin for distribution. The hope of the gospel is spread amongst the prisoners.

BSS and the Asia Evangelistic Fellowship (AEF) are currently discussing plans to work together to produce Scripture resources such as pamphlets in Tamil, which AEF can distribute to the Tamil speaking foreign workers in Singapore.

Richard is involved in helping to distribute audio Bibles amongst people who are unable or find it difficult to read the Bible, thus meeting their spiritual needs. Some audio Bibles have been distributed to the elderly in All Saint’s Home and the Salvation Army, and responses have been very positive.

The Role of Volunteers

While BSS has been able to help meet some needs of people in the community, we are always looking for ways to do more. One of these ways is to bring in volunteers to help us reach people.

Richard’s life encapsulates what is needed in a volunteer: a heart of love, compassion and an attitude of service. It is appropriate that he looks after the volunteer groups at BSS, who “serve the Lord in different capacities and rendering their services according to their gifts.” These volunteers do the same work of full time ministry staff on their own time while not getting any monetary compensation, showing an impressive level of commitment and dedication.

There is a great need for volunteers in ministry to help us carry out God’s work today. The Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:3-12 serves as an important reminder to us to be sowers of His Word so that we will be like the seed that falls onto good ground and bear much fruit. We ask that you prayerfully consider joining BSS as a volunteer to help us spread the light of the gospel to others.


Reviving Bible Mission Work in Vietnam

This article was first published in the June 2013 issue of Word@Work.

“My hope is that in 2012 and beyond we will encourage and serve the whole church, equip all national Bible Societies to be more effective in mission and continue to reach out to millions more with the enduring Word of God.”
- Mr Michael Perreau, General Secretary of United Bible Societies (UBS)

The United Bible Societies Service Organisation (UBSSO) was formed to provide support for Bible Societies in great need. The mission of the UBSSO is to work alongside and unite the 147 Bible Societies which operate in more than 200 countries and territories in a large global network. The Bible Society of Singapore is part of this network which helps to pull together the resources needed to plant and support Bible Offices where independent Bible Societies do not yet exist, sowing the seeds of God’s Word into places like Vietnam.

Bible Societies around the world today strive tirelessly to translate, publish and distribute the Bible to all people. However, the work of individual Bible Societies can sometimes be interrupted by challenges which they are not equipped to deal with: such as the lack of financial resources, civil unrest and religious restrictions.

After the change of regime in Vietnam in 1975, religion was forbidden and all religious material banned and confiscated. The Bible Society in Vietnam was forced to close its doors, leaving the Vietnamese people without God’s Word for many years.

This was the situation consultants sent by UBSSO found in the country when they visited Vietnam in 1990. However, after their prayers, support and advice, one of the Evangelical Church pastors in Hanoi managed to obtain permission from the government to import 5,000 copies of the Vietnamese Bible from South Korea. In 1991, another Evangelical Church leader obtained permission from the government to print Bibles in Vietnam, and the first 5,000 copies were printed in Ho Chi Minh City. This was the beginning of the re-establishment of the Bible work in Vietnam. Since then, more than 700,000 copies of the Bible and 2,200,000 copies of the New Testament were printed and distributed to the Protestant and Catholic churches in Vietnam.

In 2011, the UBSSO Country Programme Director Rev Arun Sok Nhep, together with Vietnam’s churches, succeeded in registering the Vietnam Bible Society as a trading company with permission to print and distribute Bibles.  We rejoice with the Secretary for the UBS Asia Pacific Area David Thorne in “giving thanks to God and expressing our appreciation to the government of Vietnam.”

The ministry of the Bible Society exists now in a Vietnam Partnership Programme between the church in Vietnam and UBSSO. Today, UBSSO works closely with leaders of the church in Vietnam to plan the publishing and printing of the Scriptures. Beside Bibles and New Testaments, Scripture portions are produced yearly for youth, children, new readers (especially among ethnic minorities) and visually impaired people.

The UBSSO network supports Bible Societies around the world, ensuring that all nations have access to the Bible even if their national churches lack the numbers, resources, or freedom to support a Bible Society on their own. May UBSSO continue to support the 147 Bible Societies in reaching out to people around the world with the gospel.


Weaving Tapestry of Life

This article was first published in the June 2013 issue of Word@Work.

The Bible may be common in a modern city like Singapore, and often taken for granted. But for many in the region, the Word of God is embraced dearly as a message of faith, hope and love (1 Cor 13:13) that saves lives.

Discover how the Bible Societies of Philippines, Pakistan and Singapore bring hope to disaster victims, share love with people of different beliefs, and build faith through the hearing of God’s Word.

Bring Hope through the Word of Life

Bayanihan is ‘the spirit of communal effort to achieve a common objective’ in the Philippines. In this spirit, the Philippine Bible Society distributed Scriptures to victims of the horrendous disaster last year. 

Heavy rains and flash floods are common in the Philippines. Yet, the nation was gripped in terror in the first two weeks of August 2012 when 66 people drowned.

In two short weeks, the number of people affected by torrential rains was 3.45 million, with 410, 729 people seeking refuge in evacuation centres due to risen rivers, clogged drainages, flooded streets and submerged homes.

19 staff members were also affected. Two had their homes totally washed out by the raging flood.

In spite of the difficult period for many at our sister Society, they placed their hope in God’s Word, and selflessly partnered with agencies doing relief distribution, to hand out Scripture resources such as Bibles, New Testaments and copies of the Calamity Portions. 

One of the fruits of their selfless giving is a powerful testimony by 24-year-old Arturo Calinao, a fishpond caretaker from Rizal.

“The Bible changed my life ever since it was given to us during the onslaught of Habagat (southwest monsoon)… I almost died in the fishpond where I work. The only thing I remembered from the Bible was to ask for forgiveness. As I was struggling in the water, I asked God to forgive me and a hand grabbed hold of me…”

Adapted from the selection (tract) produced by the American Bible Society after 9/11, the Calamity Portion is a 34-page booklet entitled Hope in the Midst of Tragedy. It is an easy-to-read collection of verses and brief reflections. It deals with questions asked by calamity victims to encourage them to turn to God for refuge, strength, hope and help.

In total, 120,900 Calamity Portions were distributed, with the potential to bring hope to 362,700 disaster victims.

Lives are powerfully changed when people apply the Word of God in their circumstances. Still, many Filipinos have not received the Word of hope...

Share Love through the Word of Truth

God is using the Bible Society in different places, even in difficult regions like Pakistan, a predominantly non-Christian country, to sow the seed of love with His Word.

Anthony Lamuel, General Secretary of Pakistan Bible Society, shared during his visit to The Bible Society of Singapore (BSS) in November 2012 that there has been a surge of interest in God’s Word of truth after the 9/11 disaster, with people from different faiths buying Bibles to learn more about Christianity.

Whilst it is challenging for Christians living in Pakistan, they are encouraged to see how God can spread His good news, even during turbulent times.

They hope to sow more seeds through the establishment of the first Bible museum on 9 February 2013, opened as part of the Society’s celebrations to mark its 150th anniversary.

“This museum has been our dream for many years… We have collected archaeological replicas and reproductions of Biblical manuscripts all over the world,” said Anthony Lamuel.

Rt Rev Dr Alexander John Malik, President of Pakistan Bible Society expressed that the “museum will be a very useful tool in helping many people… to develop good understanding of Biblical history and archaeology”.

A Muslim scholar who attended the opening said that the museum offered a fascinating insight into the Bible’s history and archaeology, and he would bring his students for a visit.

We believe that all who visit the Bible museum will be sanctified by the Word of truth (John 17:17) and be set free (John 8:32).

But more can be done to bring God’s Word of love to Pakistanis…

Build Faith by Hearing the Word

Engaging people with the Word is a key component at BSS. Our challenge is to make it relevant in our ever-changing society. Singapore may have 96.1% literacy rate (as of 2011), but many are preferred oral learners.

BSS encourages the reading of Scriptures through the Audio Bible. We visited All Saints Home in April 2013 to learn how the Audio Bible has been building faith.

The Chaplain, All Saints Home of Tampines, Pastor Larry Leong heard of the benefits of the Audio Bible, and met Richard Woo, our Head of Social Concerns, to obtain Audio Bibles for baptised Christians in the home.

“We currently have two sets of the Audio Bible (in English and Mandarin), donated by BSS. At the home, only 35-40% of the residents are Christians. It is my hope that everyone will receive salvation,” said Pastor Larry. “We hope to have one set in each ward so the entire ward will hear the Word of God together and be strengthened in faith.”

77-year-old Annie Lau has difficulty moving due to pain in her back. But her faith in God grows when she uses the Audio Bible.

“I am filled with joy when I hear the Word of God. I often pray for peace and for God to take away my pain after listening to the Bible.”

Koh Siew Eng, 60, has yet to receive Christ but she delights in hearing the Word of God.

“I find stories in the Bible very interesting, and I enjoy having the Word read out to me, loud and clear.”

The Audio Bible helps many grow in their faith and BSS strives to bring the Audio Bible to even more people.

Yet, we are limited in our resources to meet the many needs in our community…

Weaving Individual Threads

“It is only when we are able to stand back from the individual strands that connect Bible Societies that we can discern the whole picture of the remarkable work sustained through God’s grace and that reaches out to every corner of the world.” – Michael Perreau, General Secretary of United Bible Societies (UBS)

Bringing the Word of God to the nations and meeting the needs of our community is a tapestry of efforts.

As one of the 147 Bible Societies in more than 200 countries and territories, BSS connects Bible Societies in Asia and beyond. We may not experience the trying situations our sister Societies face, but we can support them through prayer, donation and voluntary services.

One such voluntary service is the Bible Mission Trips. We uphold countries in prayer, donate Bibles in their native languages and invite participants to join us in blessing the communities by giving the Word.


The Bible in Laos: My New Weapon

This article was first published in the March 2013 issue of Word@Work.

In Laos where the purchase of the Bible remains a luxury for the 3.3% Christians, Scriptures are going to those in need – thanks to supporters of Bible Societies.

Life in the landlocked Republic of Laos is basic and under Communist rule. But its Christian population has more than doubled in the last 10 years to more than 200,000.

Thaungxay Sanyahak – a reserved man, expresses joy beyond human understanding in his circumstances as a Christian.

In 1988, Thaungxay married Chanda, a strong believer in Christ. He respected her Christian way of life and became a Christian. But he admits he did not take his new faith to heart.

Turning point

One day, a significant event caused him to encounter God.

Thaungxay recalled, “My boat capsized on the river during military training. I made it back to the river bank but all my belongings including my gun, machete and identity card disappeared.”

Soldiers who lose their weapons are severely punished, and would lose their jobs. Thaungxay was the sole breadwinner in his family.

He was distressed and confided in Chanda. She called her mother and they prayed.

“I had never really felt God as a tangible presence and found it very difficult to pray. Yet, I prayed with my wife and mother-in-law.”

Three days later, Thaungxay found his belongings lying on the riverbank, in perfect condition. This miracle led him to read his Bible and pray daily.

“The Bible became my new weapon,” Thaungxay exclaimed, believing that God is His protector.

Challenges to his faith

But life is not easy for Thaungxay Sanyahak, a soldier and Christian in Laos.

His family was ostracised in many villages. They finally found a village to settle in, and were encouraged by a visiting pastor. But the pastor’s kindness cost him his life – he was murdered on his way home. The family cried out to the Lord in despair and God sent the village chief who offered them a plot of land to build a house, along with a supportive community who gave them free bamboo for building.

Unfortunately, the house they built was burnt down and they lost all possessions. But the Lord provided a church that contributed money, clothing and other basic necessities.

As a Christian, Thaungxay is unlikely to be promoted in the army and his family members struggle to get by. Not all his children are able to attend school. His 14-year-old son is an ‘A’ student but had to withdraw from the state school as his father could not pay his fees.

Yet, Thaungxay is joyful in giving…

More blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)

Despite the challenges, his family does not lose heart but is renewed day by day as they put their hope in the Word of God (2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV).

Thaungxay seizes every opportunity to share his faith with others. Besides the two Bibles in the house belonging to his family, there are several New Testaments that he bought to give to friends.

 

Source: United Bible Socieities


Overcoming Tribulation: Take Heart

This article was first published in the March 2013 issue of Word@Work.

Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). However, in the same sentence, He tells us to “take heart” in this world of tribulation. While tribulation and suffering is inevitable, Jesus has “overcome the world” through us. As ambassadors of Christ on earth, Christians have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to stand in the gap and help those who are suffering. The Bible Society of Singapore and United Bible Societies have responded to this calling diligently.

Tribulation and suffering in this world come in many forms. Blindness, disease and hunger are some examples. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 34 million people now live with HIV/AIDS and 3.3 million of them are below the age of 15. 285 million people are visually impaired worldwide. 868 million people or 12.5 per cent of the global population were undernourished between 2010-12. Most of those suffering from the above afflictions live in developing countries.

Bible Societies around the world have been reaching out in love to these people, providing them with Bibles so that they may experience God’s love. Bible Societies have also provided donations, infrastructure, education, spiritual and emotional support to those in need, helping to improve their quality of life.

Lives Touched by UBS

Daifa, 10, from China, was abandoned by her parents when she was born blind. Adopted by a home for the disabled at six, she became fearful and distrusting of others. Daifa learned to read Braille and was provided with Braille Scripture from the China Christian Council (CCC) and UBS.

Daifa mentioned seeing God as her “Father in heaven, just like a father on earth,” and Jesus as her “best Friend”. She even has plans to become a pastor when she grows up.

These are just some examples of how the United Bible Societies (UBS) is teaching the blind how to read Braille, providing them with Braille Scripture and encouraging many blind people to be trained in life skills so that they can earn a living.

Bible Societies have helped in areas experiencing chronic hunger. Simon, a young boy from a village in Lodwar, had been living in poverty even before Lodwar was hit by drought. His schooling was hindered as his father had no money to buy any of the textbooks. He often went to bed hungry. After the drought, the family struggled even more as they lost most of their goats: their main food source.

The Bible Society of Kenya took steps to reach out to the people of Lodwar who, like Simon’s family, were unable to produce enough crops or livestock to feed themselves. They managed to deliver 11 tonnes of food which was distributed to 500 needy families. They followed up by sending Bibles to these families who hunger for God’s Word.

UBS is working to bring hope to those suffering from HIV through its Good Samaritan programme. This ministry helps those with HIV come to terms with their situation and encourages them to open up. Winnie Ncongwane from Swaziland received ministry through the Good Samaritan programme.

When Winnie became pregnant, she felt unwell. She discovered that she had contracted HIV from her unfaithful husband. Winnie urged her husband to test for HIV, and when he tested positive for the virus, he turned violent towards her. Winnie’s husband passed away while their daughter (who was HIV negative) was only a few years old.

While searching for support, Winnie started volunteering at the Bible Society of Swaziland, where she first heard about the Good Samaritan programme. Going through this programme sparked a turnaround for her life.

Winnie learnt to be open about her illness, and not hide in the darkness of shame and secrecy. This helped her to deal with her issues and she could help others with the same problems. She spent much time reading the Bible, and found hope and God’s peace. Now, Winnie is employed with an organisation which fights tuberculosis, and continues to volunteer with the Bible Society of Swaziland.

The Work Carries On

However much has been done through our missions efforts to benefit those who are suffering in the dark, marginalised and oppressed by society, much more still remains to be done. There are millions of people with HIV or AIDs and other fatal illnesses living lives of hopelessness, poverty and hunger. Millions more around the world suffer from vision impairment or blindness, but the Bible in Braille currently only exists in 40 out of around 7,000 languages, and audio Scripture distribution is similarly inadequate.

The Bible Society of Singapore (BSS) is doing its part to let those with visual impairment gain access to the Bible. Our Word Intake for Spiritual Edification (WISE) programme encourages the regular hearing of God’s Word through audio Scripture. We have recorded solar-powered audio Scripture in many languages, and these devices have proven very helpful in reaching the blind locally and abroad, especially in rural areas.

BSS has also been helping the less fortunate who do not have access to God’s Word through Bible Distribution Trips. In 2012, we made four trips to Nanjing, Anhui, Myanmar and Cambodia. We rejoiced in witnessing many who received with tears of joy their personal copy of God’s Word. We made trips to countries struck by disaster, like Indonesia and Philippines, to bring hope through the replacement of lost Bibles for free.

Despite the suffering present in the world today, we should still take heart, for the Lord is able to overcome tribulation through the help of His people. We ask that you prayerfully consider joining us in bringing alleviation to a world of suffering.


Celebrating Our Milestones

180 years of the Bible Mission

On 4 July 1837, the Singapore Auxiliary Bible Society was formally established with the aim of serving the needs of the region.

 

From now until 15 Sep 2016, we will be hosting an Anniversary Celebration Competition.

The Bible Society represents more than a single organisation. As a global, interconfessional organisation with Scripture as the unifying factor, the Bible Society serves the community of faith here in Singapore.

Within Singapore, the Bible Society’s history is intertwined with the early pioneering work in the region – most notably that of Sir Stamford Raffles and Rev Dr Robert Morrison. They were some of the first to realise Singapore’s potential to be a strategic location for missions work in Asia, and it is due to their heart for the Bible Mission that The Bible Society of Singapore exists today. (Read more about their influence here.)

Over the decades, there have been many men, women, churches, and Christian organisations who have taken up this mantle and worked alongside us to further the Bible Mission. This 180th anniversary is more than the accomplishment of one organisation – it is the shared accomplishment of those who have journeyed with us along the way. As our supporters, you have been such an integral part of seeing this milestone come to fruition, and we would like to invite you to join us in commemorating this anniversary.

Celebrate the work of the Bible Mission with your church community!

We invite you and your church to submit a proposal for a churchwide celebration of the Bible Mission. Some examples of these celebration ideas include:

  • Holding an exhibit at your church on how the Bible came to Singapore
  • Hosting a Bible Sunday – preaching on the importance of the Word
  • Teaching about the Bible Society in Sunday school
  • Hosting a Bible quiz

Your involvement in these celebrations is a vital part of our rich history.

If your proposal is chosen, we would like to express our thanks in the following ways:

  • List your church’s involvement in our archive
  • Present your church with a Commemorative Anniversary Bible
  • Provide a monetary token of $200 to go towards the cost of your celebrations

One year after Nepal earthquake ‘Christians have remained strong’

This article was originally written by United Bible Societies.

Nearly a year after three earthquakes devastated Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, and surrounding areas, Tej Jirel, General Secretary of the Nepal Bible Society, has been reflecting on how Christians have coped with the tragedy.

“I was in the middle of preaching at a church on April 25 when the first earthquake hit,” recalls Mr Jirel. “I stopped preaching, held onto the pulpit and prayed for the earthquake to stop. Some people dropped to their knees in prayer, and others stood to call out to God.

Shaking really violently 

“That first quake went on for a while. The pulpit fell over and hit the Communion table. The pillars in the church were shaking really violently. As soon as it was over we evacuated the whole congregation and made sure everyone was standing safely away from the building.”

The congregation joined hundreds of people who had come out onto the streets. Some were weeping as aftershocks continued. Mr Jirel and other church leaders reassured people as best they could.

“I felt that, in the midst of all this, we should honour God by going ahead with taking Holy Communion, as we had intended. Between aftershocks, some of us went into the church to bring out the Communion table. So there, outside the church and beside the river, we took Communion in remembrance of what our Lord did for us.”

Powerful and memorable moment

For those present it was a powerful and memorable moment, and typifies the reaction of many Christians to the tragedy caused by the earthquake. Scores of churches were damaged or destroyed in the earthquake, and there were around 500 Christians among the 9,000 people who died. Those who survived have remained strong in their faith, according to Mr Jirel and his team, who have travelled to many of the affected districts.

“Church services in all the affected districts resumed almost immediately, despite the fact that they had nothing to shelter under,” comments Mr Jirel. “A lot of them still haven’t yet been completely rebuilt, due to lack of funds, and services are held with no roof, using tarpaulins or roofing sheets to protect worshippers from the sun or rain.

“But people are holding onto their faith. I remember one elderly man I met, Padam Bahadur Bhujel, who had been buried alive, along with other worshippers, when their church building collapsed on them. They were all eventually rescued. Mr Bhujel told me he’d remained calm because he had complete faith that God would save them. He said, ‘If you have great faith in God, He will do great things for you.’ I felt very inspired by that.

“It was quite a shock to see that church reduced to rubble, along with the rest of the village. We’d run two programs there a few years back, one for leaders and another for youth and career development, and I remembered how nice the church building had been. When we visited after the earthquake we found the pastor and his family living in the middle of a field, with no proper food to eat.”

Having witnessed the urgent humanitarian needs of people in the various affected districts, the Bible Society began working to bring them the items they most needed. Over the past year, they have helped provide roofing, tarpaulins and other materials to hundreds of families who lost their homes, most of them non-Christians.

“We as a Bible Society are seen as a neutral platform, and we had excellent co-operation with all sorts of different churches, parachurch organisations and government officials,” notes Mr Jirel.

Much of this material was delivered to people living in remote areas that are hard to access, with Bible Society staff and volunteers walking up mountainsides with the materials on their backs, or transporting it across rivers on small rafts.

“So many people were thankful for the help we brought, because they hadn’t received any other relief materials like this,” says Mr Jirel. “I remember one widow in particular, who thanked us with tears in her eyes. We told them we were Christians. We pray that one day all these people will come to know and accept Christ.”

In addition to offering practical help to everyone who needs it, the Bible Society has also been helping Christians to replace the Scriptures that they lost in the earthquake. Many hundreds of Bibles, Children’s Bibles and Scripture booklets have been distributed to churches and individual Christians.

“We didn’t want Christians to be without their Scriptures as they came to terms with what had happened,” says Mr Jirel. “They greatly appreciated the Bibles and other materials we brought them, which helped them to hold onto hope in the midst of their grief and struggles.

“Without God there is no hope, and we continue to pray for the many people in Nepal who still don’t know Him. Please join us in praying that many good things will come out of this disaster, and that many more people will come to know the true God and Creator.”


Children Refugees Continue to Learn, Thanks to SAT-7 KIDS

This article was written by The Bible Society of Singapore.

In environments where education seems almost impossible for many children in the Middle East, SAT-7 KIDS breaks through physical boundaries and makes learning possible through satellite television.

As the first and only Arabic Christian channel exclusively for the children of the Middle East and North Africa, SAT-7 KIDS shares God’s Word and Christian values with children using entertainment, culture and knowledge. They aim to make the gospel meaningful to a generation that needs to feel God’s love, especially as they mature and take their place in a society where the future is so uncertain.

In December 2015, our team from The Bible Society of Singapore was blessed with the opportunity to visit the headquarters of SAT-7 Lebanon in Beirut. We were encouraged to hear how they were impacting many lives in difficult circumstances. We were particularly excited to know that our contribution to the programme Madrasati, also known as My School, has been helping children refugees to learn.  

The idea first started when war erupted in the Middle East, which resulted in a refugee crisis. To address one of their needs, SAT-7 KIDS decided to provide education to children refugees through the television. Almost every family in the Middle East owns a satellite dish and these satellite dishes can be found in refugee camps as well. It was the best means possible to reach out to people.  

“We thought that we needed a change in this generation and this change can be spiritual through SAT-7 KIDS; it can also be through My School by giving them basic education,” said Andrea Elmounayer, Broadcast Manager of SAT-7. “How can the children read the Bible if they don’t know how to read?”

Andrea shared a story of how a Syrian refugee family is learning together by watching My School. The testimony was sent by the mother.

“It is a sacred time for my kids when My School airs and no one is allowed to visit us – not the neighbours or the family – no one is allowed to call us either.”

Only their uncle and his children can visit so that they can watch the programme together. Her kids force them all to sit and watch and learn, and they forbid anyone to talk or move. They sit as if in a classroom and learn from the teachers in the episodes. Then, they would write down what they learn. They even got their mother, an illiterate, a work book. The kids said to their mother, “Here is your workbook. You must learn to read and write – go ahead now and start writing.”

My School is not only teaching the children but also educating adults who are illiterate. They are looking into widening the syllabus in their programmes as well as cater to the learning needs of a larger age group.

They asked us to keep their work in prayer as they make God’s love visible in the Arab world. The contribution we made has run out and they are not able to produce new episodes. They are currently re-running past episodes.


Bible ministry in Syria continues amidst war

This article was originally written by United Bible Societies.

Nearly five years into the conflict in Syria, which has killed or displaced half the population, staff members of the Bible Society there are continuing their ministry to provide Scriptures for all who need them.

“The thirst for Scriptures among Christians here has only increased with all the unrest,” notes the Society’s director, who, along with other staff members, has stayed on despite the dangers. “The past five years have been very traumatic for Syrians in general, and for Syrian Christians in particular. Every family has a sad story. With this loss of hope, people are turning to God’s Word for comfort and encouragement.”

While nearly 4 million Syrians have fled their country, another 7.6 million have been internally displaced, leaving their bombed and besieged towns and villages to shelter in safer areas. Many are living in overcrowded houses and apartments with friends or family members, or with others who have opened their homes to them.

Demand Increased Tenfold

Amidst this immense trauma and upheaval, the team has received far more requests for Scriptures than ever before. In 2010, the year before the conflict began, the Bible Society distributed just under 15,000 Scriptures. By 2014, the demand had increased tenfold, and nearly 159,000 Scriptures were distributed across Syria that year.

The distribution takes place through its two Bible bookshops in Aleppo and Damascus, and through partner bookshops, churches, monasteries and volunteers. Incredibly, the Damascus Bible bookshop has remained open throughout the conflict, while the one in Aleppo only shut for two days when the nearby fighting became particularly intense. A rocket hit the second floor of the building in which the bookshop is housed, but it didn’t explode and there were no casualties or damage to the Scriptures.

Although life in Aleppo has become very difficult, most Bible Society staff based there have remained, risking sniper attacks as they make their way to work and carrying out their duties to the rattle of gunfire just down the street. They welcome many visitors to the bookshop each day, including a steady flow of young people who are being offered free Scriptures through a joint project between the Bible Society and local churches.

Risky Journeys

Transporting Scriptures around the country is a challenging task, especially to Christians in the more remote areas. But the Bible Society uses all means available – buses, trucks, church volunteers – to ensure that those who need Scriptures receive them. Staff members themselves often make risky journeys to encourage Christians and deliver Scriptures to them, sometimes getting caught in battle zones.

The Bible Society has also begun to equip churches to offer Bible-based trauma healing to the many Christian families who need it. Late last year a group of church representatives spent a week in a remote monastery in Lebanon learning from a Middle Eastern trauma healing expert and sharing their own experiences of trauma.

“Some of the participants were from Aleppo, which was being besieged at that time,” one staff member recalls. “They were so worried about their families and kept phoning them in the breaks.”

Please pray for Christians in Syria, for the churches and for the Bible Society as it works to make God’s Word available in the midst of war and trauma.