Sower - Spring 2015

The Bible at work

Zambia literacy promises new life CUBA: New Bibles bring joy NICARAGUA: Comfort for sick children LEBANON: Discovering Jesus

SPRING 2015

Sower

Dear friends, We live in a connected world.

Very few parts of the planet are now completely isolated from everywhere else. You have to work pretty hard to find a quiet space to escape everyone! From mobile phones to email to Facebook to just overcrowded cities, we are more involved in each other’s lives than ever before.

But involvement can be high quality or low quality; it can be deep or shallow; it can be meaningful or trivial. Perhaps one of the biggest changes facing people today is to ensure they have genuine, edifying, enriching connections with their neighbours, be they living next door or living across the world.

The Bible is a tool for engagement.

Around the world, and here in Australia, we find that when people interact around the Bible, their lives are improved. Their relationships are strengthened. Their sense of self, wellbeing and hope are all enhanced. The Bible truly lightens hearts. It gives meaning to our connection with each other, as we discover that we are the much-loved creatures of God, designed to care for each other and to serve our Lord in beauty, holiness and truth.

In this Sower, we are reaching out to get involved in the lives of people in Zambia, Cuba, Nicaragua and Lebanon. We are doing it in all sorts of ways, from translating the Bible to supporting literacy

2

Tireless servants of a great mission classes, to helping children understand the Bible’s importance.

Please help us to do this better and with greater impact!

We want to share God’s word so that both their lives and ours will be better for it. And we do it ultimately to bring glory to our God, who has given us his word that we might all share in his glorious future. Thank you for your partnership in his work.

We are also celebrating two of the great servants of Bible Society, Val Petering and Gwen Jenner, as they step down from long decades of prayerful and generous support. We are very grateful to you both, and to the hundreds of others like them around the country!

Dr Greg Clarke, CEO Bible Society Australia

Val Petering, 75, and Gwen Jenner, 88, were just children when they began working for Bible Society, Val in the Barossa Valley of South Australia and Gwen in the Sunraysia district of Victoria.

Val was inspired at the age of six by a Bible Society speaker who visited the family home and church in Hahndorf during World War II. When she was 12, her father, a Lutheran pastor, asked her and her little sister and brother to doorknock for Bible Society in the town of Cleve on the Eyre Peninsula.

“Even then we were amazed at the kindness and generosity of these Cleve people towards these little collectors,” she says.

Her 34-year tenure as secretary of the Tanunda branch, then the Nuriootpa branch, of Bible Society, encompassed a time of “big decisions” such as the merger of the state branches into the national

Amanda Slater

Val Petering, left, steered the Tanunda branch. Gwen Jenner, with granddaughters, served as women’s organiser. organisation when “we prayerfully sought the Lord’s guiding.”

“You meet these angels around the place and we’ve been the richer for her commitment,” says SA board member David Carver.

Val’s tireless service for Bible Society will be honoured at a special service on 27 September at which Bible Society CEO Greg Clarke will present her with a plaque.

“I’m a bit overawed by this,” she says. “It’s a bit of a paradox. There is a time and place for saying thank you and it’s nothing to do with pride or ego. It’s just a beautiful thing

for someone to say a few lines that summarise your life.”

Last month, Gwen Jenner was also honoured at a special church service and celebration in Mildura for her 50 years of service to the Mildura branch as secretary and women’s organiser.

Gwen began collecting for Bible Society at age 17, after a spiritual revelation at an Easter camp.

Arriving before dawn on the banks of the Murray River, she was exhilarated by the cool, clear air and expectation of the sunrise.

“As we were singing the second

verse of ‘Up from the grave he arose’, the sun made a glowing entrance over the area,” she recalls.

“At that instance, there awakened in my mind and soul the understanding that Jesus Christ had died that horrible death on the cross and risen from the grave – for me. He did that for me! Not just the whole world of people but for me!”

She adds: “I am just so thankful that God has given me so many years to be of service to him.

“I praise my God for prompting me to choose to be part of this great missionary enterprise.”

Kyle Taylor

3

Hope at the end of

4

Help Christians such as this Zambian woman read the new translations due next year

a long dusty road The Ila people of Zambia in the heart of Africa face an urgent need.

Soon they will have an accurate, clear New Testament in their own language. The printing presses are ready to roll and a new vehicle has been bought to deliver the new Bibles across this vast country. But there is one gap in the long journey that still has to be bridged. To understand the new Bible and grow in their faith, the Ila need to be able to read it.

And a majority of them are illiterate.

Ila-speaker Chikanta Rhoida says:

“Without literacy we are doomed. Technology advancements like laptops and mobile phones are irrelevant without the ability to read.”

Bible Society Australia is seeking your support for a Zambian literacy programme that aims to help 25,000 illiterate Zambians to read and write in their mother tongue over a five-year span. Chikanta is looking forward to joining the first classes, starting at year’s end.

“Through the literacy programme, the people in our area

required – to finish the New Testament translation into Ila, thanks largely to Paratext, a software tool to accelerate translations based on the original texts and modelled on versions in major languages. In the same timespan, a New Testament in another Zambian language, Nsenga, is also being produced.

With the new Bibles set for release next July, our literacy project will also draw students from the Mambwe-Lungu, Lenje and Lamba language groups, for which Bibles are already available.

Benson hopes that improved literacy will lead to cultural change.

$30 will teach a Zambian to read and put a Bible in their hand will be emancipated,” she says.

Benson Musuku, Project Officer, Bible Society of Zambia, says it doesn’t seem fair that, when the Ila New Testament is released next year, six in ten of the people it’s meant for won’t be able to read it.

It’s taken just three-and-a-half years – half the time normally

“I have a vision that our literacy programme will give people transformational skills.

“It’s not just about reading the Bible; it’s also about the resulting interactions between the community. People will be able to make sense of the Bible, and we hope that they will see that some cultural practices need to be discarded.”

He cites the ritual of “sexual

5

With new translations imminent, there is an urgent need to help Zambians read about God’s love in the Bible. cleansing” in which a widow has to offer her body to her brother-in-law to exorcise her husband’s ghost.

“Sexual cleansing is quite rife in many villages and we hope people will see that this practice cannot be condoned by Christians,” he says.

“There’s also the issue of child marriages. At the moment many people marry off their children aged 13 or 14. So when the community can read, they will begin to say no to early marriages.”

Although official statistics put the national literacy rate at 70 per cent, the ground reality is strikingly different. The latest information available to the Christian community

6

in Zambia shows a marked decline in literacy levels in rural areas. Church leaders say literacy rates in rural villages are as low as 40 per cent.

“A Bible translation is meaningless in a community where literacy levels are so low,” says Benson.

“It’s important for Bible Society to lay a firm foundation for the translation. At the moment it has launched a desire among the people to have the Bible because it will be the only book in their language with which they can improve their reading.

“People are waiting to learn to read. We urgently need your help to get classes up and running, so we can invite students.”

● $30 could teach a Zambian

Christian to read and give them a Bible. ● $120 could take a whole family through literacy classes and provide Scriptures. ● $750 could set up one literacy class and provide everyone with a Bible.

Please call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537), use the donation form on the back page, or visit biblesociety.org. au/sowerzambia

Devotion

A Prayer of Spring Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today; And give us not to think so far away As the uncertain harvest; keep us here All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white, Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night; And make us happy in the happy bees, The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird That suddenly above the bees is heard, The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill, And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love, The which it is reserved for God above To sanctify to what far ends He will, But which it only needs that we fulfil.

Robert Frost

Theophilos Papadopoulos?flickr

For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

Song of Solomon 2:11-12

7

Cubans celebrate

Jplavoie/ Wikimedia

8

As the Pope visits Cuba in September, the people of Cuba, like these young soccer enthusiasts, are enjoying getting their hands on their own Bibles.

Bible invasion With Christianity in Cuba blossoming at a rate of 10-25 per cent a year, Bible Society Australia is partnering with the Biblical Commission of Cuba and other Bible societies to provide one million Bibles to churches and Christians in Cuba.

had been passed down to her second hand, and was very damaged from constant use.

“For me this is the first new Bible I have,” she says. “It is very useful for my ministry and it is special for me to share the word of God with other adult women and girls, members of the church, new believers or any relative or neighbour who is interested in learning about God.” Recent political reforms have created a climate in which Cubans are more open about their spiritual beliefs. But many Christians in Cuba do not have their own Bible.

Baptist pastor Rafael Escudero Garcia says the Cuban church needs these new Bibles for two reasons:

As thousands of new Bibles pour into the country, Sunday School teacher Juana (above) is very happy.

She had been waiting many years for a new Bible, so to own the sparkling new volume was “very special”.

She finds the new Bible’s simple language better for interpreting and sharing the message of God. “This Bible is very useful to prepare my Sunday School lessons,” she says.

“It is a blessing because the text is clearer, and understandable. This is just great!”

Juana already owned a Bible, but it

“First, as time passes by, the Bibles we have are damaged. Second, there are new people coming to the Christian way and we would like each of them to have their own Bible.”

Mayelis is another Cuban woman who was thrilled to receive her first Bible. “For a long time, almost for five years, I was using my mother-in-law’s Bible. Then the person who talked to

9

me about Jesus lent me one but just temporarily. Now we finally can have our own Bible,” she says.

“This Bible represents a great blessing from God and it represents an opportunity to share the gospel with my husband, who is not Christian, but is interested in knowing about the word of God. “Now we can read it together. In that way he is more involved and he can not only know the word of God but also about Jesus.”

Both Mayelis and Juana stressed how grateful they were to God for the generosity of the Bible Society in providing these new Bibles.

Reverend Alain Montano Hernandez, General Secretary of the Biblical Commission of Cuba, says:

making this dream come true.

“This is going to be a blessing, not only for our churches but also all the communities and people in our country. May God bless you.”

To put a Bible in the hands of a Cuban Christian, perhaps for the first time, call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537), use the donation form on the back page, or visit biblesociety.org.au/ sowercuba

“Thank you very much for being part of the dream of many men and women for many years.”

He adds: “This is a project that will transform the life of many Cubans, that will strengthen the church and will bring hope with the gospel of Jesus Christ to our nation that is needing the word that changes, transforms and gives life – the word of God.” Pastor Alysney Rodriguez Galan, Assistant Secretary for Projects of the Biblical Commission of Cuba, also thanks “the donors and all those who have extended their hand for supporting Cuba, the Bible work in our country, and for

10

This tobacco farmer shows off the gleaming white Bible he was given

by Rev Alain Montano Hernandez, Secretary of the Biblical Commission. of Cuba.

Tales that give tingles

Joe Mullins’s helmet, above left, and Elvas Jenkins’s Bible both took bullets Inspiring, amazing and powerful are touchstone responses of visitors to Bible Society’s Their Sacrifice exhibition as it travels the country.

“I got goosebumps!” wrote Shiwani after seeing the display of ten battered Bibles and the stories of the men who relied on them for comfort during war.

“What a blessing and a challenge to see how God’s word has influenced, encouraged and protected those who have sought to protect us,” commented Anne.

Many were encouraged to see such a professional Christian witness in a shopping mall.

“May God use any seeds sown to bring people to himself,” wrote Ian and Carol.

Joan was “very surprised and pleased” to see the exhibition while

shopping at Westfield Miranda in southern Sydney.

“It is the most important news for people to know about God’s love in Christ,” she wrote.

One visitor praised the “tremendous contribution to our community to educate, both spiritually and historically, about such a tumultuous chapter in the world’s history.”

Another visitor was moved by the story of the brave chaplains.

“The stories bring tears as we remember them and the blessing and comfort of the Lord during these terrible times,” she wrote.

If you live in Victoria, South Australia or Western Australia, you can still catch the Their Sacrifice exhibition. For details, see theirsacrifice.com/tours

Father’s Day gift

Their Sacrifice, a compendium of stories, psalms, poetry, hymns and prayers, costs just $15 and would make a wonderful gift for Father’s Day on 4 September. Order now through our bookshop on shop.biblesociety.org.au

11

Saplings receive the You would be forgiven for thinking life for a child in Lebanon is traumatic. You are surrounded by bitter conflict zones – to the south lies Israel, to the west: Syria.

Yet Joyce Doumit at Bible Society in Lebanon says that, most days, Lebanese children are just like children anywhere else. They play.

They go to school. They spend too much time on computers and mobile phones. And, as with any

Visitors to Bible World learn about Jesus through hands-on experiences.

modern child, it’s getting harder to impress them. But they still love to listen to Bible stories.

In Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, Joyce helps to run Bible Society’s interactive Bible playground called Bible World. Lebanon is a country historically connected to the Bible stories, and through Bible World a new generation of Lebanese children is seeing them afresh. She says:

“It’s very important for the children – and adults as well – to know that we’re living in the lands of the Bible. It’s a land that Jesus passed through many times.

“Jesus was here, in Lebanon. We don’t want to forget that history. We must share it from generation to generation.”

Joyce says that while some children arrive at Bible World knowing some of the “big” Bible stories, such as Moses, that’s not the case for the majority.

“Bible World is a great adventure for them,” she says. “They’re hearing a lot of these stories for the first time.”

12

There are three sections at Bible World. Children pass from BC to AD and into the future. In the land of BC – before Christ – children learn about how Bible stories were passed on and then written down. They watch video clips of Bible stories and try their hand at translating a Bible verse from hieroglyphs into Arabic, writing on papyrus, as did the early Old Testament writers.

Passing through to the AD (Anno Domini) section, children watch a 3D movie about the life of Jesus, learning about his personality and miracles, his death and resurrection, and then the beginnings of the early church. They find out more about how the Bible was put together and its early translations and how we came to have a Bible to read ourselves.

“The children get the opportunity to test out an old printing press, like what Gutenberg used to print the first Bible,” says Joyce.

“They print their own copy of the Lord’s Prayer in Arabic and learn

living water about how the printing of the Bible gave access to millions of people to God’s Word.”

From there, children pass through to a room full of computers. Activities are all about how we read the Bible now and how that is changing through technology. “I like that we were first in the old century, but now they’re in the new,” says Joyce, of the journey the children take. “We think it helps children learn that the Bible is an old book, but it can talk to us here, in this century. They discover they can read the Bible online, on their computers, and there are games for them to play to interact with the stories in new ways.”

The majority of visitors come through school visits, with some schools visiting Bible World annually. In 2012, Bible World celebrated its 30,000th visitor. Each child receives a New Testament, with an activity book of games so they can continue to learn about the Bible stories at home.

“Well watered are the trees Joyce says she loves seeing the of the enthusiasm of those who visit.

Lord, the “One boy at the beginning of the year came to Bible World Cedars of with his school,” she says.

Lebanon, which he “He loved it so much planted” that he got his mother to bring him back with a group of 15 of his friends for his ninth birthday party.

“He was so excited to tell his friends about the Bible stories!”

While Lebanese children’s lives are “pretty normal”, there is a fast-growing group of children whose lives are anything but normal. They’re refugees and their lives are very difficult.

Lebanon’s biggest neighbour, Syria, is the world’s largest source of refugees, with almost four million having fled the country, according to UNHCR statistics released this year. Lebanon hosts the largest number of refugees from the Syrian conflict. Today, there are 257 refugees for every 1000 inhabitants in Lebanon.

“The children stay in the camps mostly. They rarely go out. There’s no normal routine, no normal life for these children. They don’t go

Psalm 104.16 to school; there’s not much for them to do,” says Joyce.

It’s summer in Lebanon when we speak to Joyce. School students are on holidays. Bible World welcomes some children visiting with summer camp groups. But, mostly, it’s been welcoming refugee children.

“We’ve seen about 250 to 300 refugee children this summer come through Bible World,” says Joyce.

“They come as part of a day trip, one of the rare occasions that they’ll get out of the refugee camps.”

Though their lives are so very different, the reaction is the same to the Bible stories, says Joyce.

“Children love them.”

To help children in Lebanon learn about Jesus, call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537), use the donation form on the back page or visit biblesociety.org.au/sowerlebanon

13

BSA Update

Sing unto the Lord a new song Our Bible Society team in Tasmania is getting musical.

Bible Society will be hosting Word in Song in Hobart on 19 September, showcasing God’s word expressed in new songs written by Tasmanian Christians.

“Putting truth to music is a way of winning not just people’s minds but their hearts as well,” says Mark Barry, Bible Society’s Tasmania coordinator. He’s been blown away by the 29 song submissions received from Tassie songwriters, after a call went out from Bible Society for original songs inspired by God’s word.

Personal best for debut BFB rider Luke George, the 14-year-old son of Bible Society fundraiser Rick George, struggled at first but doubled his personal best by tackling the 85km Hunter River Classic Bike for Bibles event on 23 May, which raised almost $7000 for Big Rescue Bibles in public schools.

“When we got to this big hill, I thought I wouldn’t make it to the top, so I was lucky that my dad got a punctured tyre so I could rest. After morning tea, the sun came out and it started to warm up. The next few hours of riding were easier and I started to enjoy it instead of enduring it.”

BSA Diary - SPRING 2015 EVENTS

DATE

VENUES

Their Sacrifice touring exhibition

7 Sep-1 Nov

Westfields in Vic, SA and WA. See theirsacrifice.com/tours

Hymnfests

13 Sep-8 Nov

NSW, Tas and Vic. See biblesociety.org.au/hymnfests-2015

Masterclass 2015

16 Sep, 21, 28 Oct

Qld, Tas and SA. See biblesociety.org.au/masterclass

Doubting the Bible: talk by John Dickson

20 Oct

University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas. See biblesociety.org.au/events

Bike for Bibles Victoria and Tasmania

24 Oct-26 Feb 2016

Further details on bikeforbibles.org.au

Jesus Racing Family Event

31 Oct

Eastern Creek, Sydney. Book tickets at jesusracing.com.au

For details please call Bible Society on 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537) or visit biblesociety.org.au/events

14

Daniel’s faith inspires translators

From left: Nyunmiti Burton, Wanatjura Lewis, Murika Ingkatji, Nyurpaya Burton, Paul Eckert, Lillian Wilton, Leah Brady The story of how God protected Daniel and rewarded him for his obedience was a revelation to the Pitjantjatjara Old Testament translation team in central Australia.

Most had never read the book of Daniel before they started translating it. While they found the work difficult at times, they were excited about what the story revealed about God. Nyurpaya Burton, a respected member of the Amata community in the northwest corner of South Australia, was “amazed at how God looked after Daniel so faithfully.”

“He was such an inspiration to me – remaining strong in the midst of great tests ... I realised God is telling us through his word that we should persevere when various things test us, that we should remain strong and keep our eyes fixed on God for he has wonderful things for us.”

Nyurpaya, also a prominent artist, was one of two Pitjantjatjara women who went to Canberra in November 2011 to demonstrate the Daniel translation project to 1500 delegates at an AFES conference.

The book is now complete and will be published by Bible Society later this year. It is the first fruits of an

Old Testament translation project in which more than 30 Pitjantjatjara people are involved, a number that reflects the strong desire of the 3500 people who speak the language for a complete Bible.

“They feel encouraged by the way Daniel handled himself in the midst of being persecuted or oppressed,” says Bible Society’s Paul Eckert, who is Project Translation Adviser.

So far, the Pitjantjatjara have a complete New Testament and about 15 per cent of the Old Testament.

Nyurpaya is looking forward to working next on 1 Samuel. She says: “We’ve got more work to do.”

15

With open arms Bible Society Nicaragua volunteers taught cancer sufferer Lilibeth Rodriguez how to pray to God

Candida Rodriguez felt frightened and alone when she brought her sick three-year-old daughter Lilibeth to the Hospital Infantil Manuel de Jesus Rivera La Mascota in the capital of Nicaragua.

Candida, a member of the indigenous Miskito people, had to leave her four older children at home in Puerto Cabezas, and travel by ambulance for 24 hours to reach Managua city, 595km away.

After assessing her daughter, doctors told Candida that Lilibeth was suffering from leukaemia and faced a long stay in hospital.

In the midst of their pain, a squad of pastors and Bible Society volunteers began to visit the mother and daughter to offer spiritual support.

“When the doctors told me that my daughter had cancer, I felt very sad, and I thought she was going to die because the cancer was all over her body and she was very weak,” recalls Candida.

“There were some very difficult moments. We were alone, with no family, without support, without money, without understanding

16

and open Bibles To help a suffering Nicaraguan family, call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537), use the donation form on the back page, or visit biblesociety.org.au/ sowernicaragua

nteers as ill, volu ible. w , 6 w o n eth , the B When Lilib dida find peace in n a helped C

anything and I was very afraid of losing my child.

“The doctors told me that my child should receive many treatments of chemotherapy and radiation and had to be hospitalised for about three months, which became nine months. I was crying all the time because I felt helpless.”

Shyly, Candida responded to the friendship offered by Bible Society volunteers and began attending

daily devotions at the hospital.

There Lilibeth and her mother learned how to pray to God for help.

They were also given free Bibles and learned stories that inspired them to have faith in God.

The story of Abraham touched Candida’s heart and strengthened her faith, even as it was tested during many painful experiences.

The worst came when Lilibeth developed heart complications and had to be rushed to the ICU. “The most painful part for me was not being able to enter the room where she was,” she recalls with tears in her eyes. “As I was crying at

the door, I just felt that I was dying of the pain of not being with my daughter. A lot of people around me were looking at me, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to give my life to save my child.”

At that moment a Bible Society volunteer approached Candida and gave her a hug, then began praying for her daughter.

“I felt a little relieved because I felt I was not alone and God was in that place. The volunteer was with me all the time, giving me “ the support I needed.

“He shared Bible passages that encouraged me and filled me with peace. One of those was Psalm 91.”

Candida believes it was the power of God that helped Lilibeth heal quickly and make a full recovery.

17

Prayer points Sep - Nov 2015 1-5 September Zambia: Pray for Bible Society as it implements the first phase of a Bible-based literacy project targeting five language groups in which Bible translations are already completed or to be published next year.

Australia – Remote & Indigenous Ministry Support (RIMS): Please pray for the 16 Pitjantjatjara translators who are on a study tour to Israel. Pray the tour will help them to connect more closely with the Old Testament stories they are translating into Pitjantjatjara.

6-12 September Cambodia: Pray that the team working on the revision of the Khmer Old Version has the strength and wisdom to finish this project on time and that typesetting and printing will go smoothly. Also pray that another skilled and dedicated translator will join the Hmong translation project.

New Zealand: Please pray for the Poverty and Justice Bible campaign being launched in Catholic churches nationwide this month. Pray that many will be able to give a Bible to a needy family and discover what God says about caring for the poor and vulnerable.

13-19 September Australia – Children, Youth & Education (CYE): Thank God for the inspiring Masterclass event in Sydney in July, which attracted a capacity crowd of 600, and pray for the Masterclass events in Brisbane this week and in Hobart and Adelaide next month. Please pray for extra resources to expand the programme next year.

Lebanon: Please pray for the thousands of children who have engaged in Bible Society’s creative programmes over the past few months and pray that the seeds planted will bear fruit. Please also pray for the students who will attend Bible World with the

18

start of a new school year. Please also pray for the 620 families who are reading the entire Bible this year.

20-26 September Egypt: Scripture-based literacy classes in Egypt have been continually disrupted since the 2011 revolution, especially in small villages in Upper Egypt, where the programme is needed most. Please pray for a return to security and peace to allow the programme to grow.

Hong Kong: Please pray for a “Revised Chinese Union Version Golden Verses Calligraphy Competition” that challenged students in schools and churches to write down their favourite verses in Chinese calligraphy.

Please pray that the participants who wrote the verses will learn to live them out in their everyday lives.

27 September-3 October Australia – Fundraising & Community Relations: Praise God for the positive feedback to the Bible Society’s Their Sacrifice touring exhibition and the connections made with visitors from all walks of life.

Pray that God will continue to bless this inspiring witness to the timeless relevance of the Bible as it tours Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

Bangladesh: Please pray for Christian believers with low literacy skills in the North Bengal areas who have enjoyed hearing the word of God through audio Bibles at their churches. Please also pray for continuing translation works in three ethnic languages: Abeng, Santali and Chakma.

4-10 October China: With an estimated 630 million internet users, and growing, China offers a great opportunity to attract the young and open. Please pray that more engaging Scripture websites will be set up and that there will be wider use of the Bible Society’s Chinese Bible App, Bible Moments and social media ministry.

Australia: Give thanks for new staff members of Bible Society Australia: Noel Payne (church and community relations coordinator), Narelle Barbarino (executive

assistant to CEO), Mary Tran (digital marketing coordinator) and Anne Lim (writer-producer). Pray that they quickly gain proficiency and develop relationships as they devote themselves to the Society’s ministry.

11-17 October Myanmar: Please pray for the typesetting and publication of the Mro NT, Siyin Bible Revision, Lautu NT, Myanmar Judson Bible Revision and Cho Bible.

Please also pray for the general election next month.

The Philippines: Pray that God continues to open doors and lead more people to partner with the Bible Society as its distributes 450,000 copies of the Bible under this year’s May They Be One Bible Campaign.

18-24 October Israel: Please pray for the Hebrew/Spanish Diglot Bible being developed in response to growing interest from Spanish-speaking immigrants. Please also pray for the completion of a new application to enable listening to and sharing God’s word through handheld devices.

Costa Rica: Praise God for the success of a Print and Braille calendar featuring Scripture verses and large illustrations. Families with visually impaired members have warmly welcomed the calendar, while the National Library has added copies to its national heritage depository.

25-31 October Pakistan: Give thanks for the new full-time team on the Pinoy Version project and for good progress with the Gospel of Matthew by the Standard Waray team, which is looking for a new member. Pray that God will protect and guide the translators and bring the right person to the Standard Waray team.

Honduras: The government has asked the Bible Society to provide the word of God as part of bringing healing to a nation with the world’s highest crime rate. Please pray that God will guide and support the staff as they provide Scriptures to those at the forefront of trying to reduce violent crime, including the police and military.

1-7 November Vietnam: Pray for the development of high-quality graphic design and communications services by the new Creative Media Team of Indochina. Please also pray for the Sign Language team as it travels to Malaysia this month for a translation workshop.

India: Praise God for enabling the Bible Society to implement life-related projects across India and pray for the staff and volunteers involved in these projects.

Among translation projects, please pray for early typesetting of Rengma (N) and Naga Bible (Re-edit).

8-14 November Malaysia: Two indigenous translation projects in Sarawak need prayer as the Bible Society seeks translators and reviewers for the Iban Study Bible and the Penan OT projects.

Libya: The political situation is making any ministry in Libya extremely difficult. Please continue to pray for a spiritual breakthrough in this troubled country.

15-21 November South Africa: Give thanks for a project helping young children to read using Bible-based readers. Praise the Lord for its popularity in the community and for the opportunity to teach children to read about Jesus.

Australia – Corporate Services: Please pray for Bible Society team members whose behind-the-scenes work in the financial, database, publication, website and warehouse areas supports donors, customers and other staff.

22-30 November Sri Lanka: Please pray for healing for thousands of people who have suffered trauma in a country recovering from civil war. May God use the facilitators of a recent workshop to touch thousands of people.

Australia – International Projects: Please pray for BSA’s international team as it chooses from among the many worthwhile projects to support in 2016. Please pray for guidance and wisdom for the team.

19

Bible Reading Guide Ths Guide uses the Daily Bible readings from Bible Society.

6 to 19

Prepared by Simone Richardson Cairns, Qld

Faith is the defining feature of the Christian and the Christian life. We are people who believe. We live lives of trust in God. These readings look closely at what it means to have faith.

Between two worlds: Ephesians Prepared by Stephen McAlpine Providence Church, Midland, WA

The world we can see is not all there is. Whatever our circumstances, our lives are secure in Christ in the world we cannot yet see.

Eph 1:3-5 Eph 1:11-13 Eph 2:1-3 Eph 2:4-6 Eph 2:8-10

F S S M T

Eph 3:10-12 Eph 3:20-21 Eph 4:1-3 Eph 4:11-13 Eph 4:22-24

4 to 17 Hope for another world, faith for today: readings in Hebrews 11-12

SEPTEMBER

S M T W T

OCTOBER

W T F S

Eph 5:8-11 Eph 5:25-27 Eph 6:5-7 Eph 6:10-12

S Heb 11:1-2 M Heb 11:3 T Heb 11:7 W Heb 11:8-10 T Heb 11:13-16

F S S M T

Heb 11:17-19 Heb 11:22 Heb 11:24-27 Heb 11:31 Heb 11:32-34

Andrew is an Anglican minister and a school chaplain in Honiara, Solomon Islands. He’s married to Felicity, who manages a programme addressing family violence.

20 to 3

Bravado, denial & second chances: following Jesus in the footsteps of Peter Prepared by Andrew Robinson

20

Heb 11:35b-38 Heb 11:36-40 Heb 12:1 Heb 12:1-3

AUTHOR FOCUS: Andrew Robinson

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER

Simon Peter has always been someone I would love to have dinner with. Or go fishing with. We get an unusually full portrait of the man, from his initial encounter with Jesus by the Sea of Galilee, to the heights of the Transfiguration, to the depths of his denial of Jesus at his trial. He shows us

W T F S

what it means to follow Jesus, and we see it all: the moments of elation, doubt and repentance. Through the snapshots of his life we get throughout the New Testament, we get glimpses of what a thoroughly Spirittransformed life can look like.

S Luke 5:3-8 M Luke 5:10b-11 T John 1:40-42 W Matt 16:13-16 T Matt 16:17-18 F Mark 8:31-33 S John 6:66-69 S Mark 9:2-7 M John 13:6-9 T Mark 14:27-31 W Luke 22:58-62 T Luke 24:10-12 F Luke 21:4-7 S Luke 21:17-19

NOVEMBER

OCTOBER

15 to 28

18 to 31 Acts

You should always smile as God’s exile

Prepared by Matt Prater Pastor, New Hope Church Qld

Prepared by Stephen McAlpine

The book of Acts is the template for the church. We need the same boldness and passion to share the gospel as the Apostles, and the same strength under persecution.

In the midst of scorn and shame for following Jesus, our hope is secure in God, full of joy, and will one day be realised.

S Acts 1:8 M Acts 2:38-39 T Acts 2:42-44 W Acts 3:6-8 T Acts 4:32-35

F S S M T

Acts 5:9-11 Acts 6:3-4 Acts 7:55-56 Acts 8:20-23 Acts 8:38-40

W T F S

Acts 9:4-6 Acts 10:4 Acts 10:38 Acts 11:18

S 1 Pet 1:1-2 M 1 Pet 1:3-5 T 1 Pet 1:6-7 W 1 Pet 2:4-5 T 1 Pet 2:9-10

NOVEMBER

1 Pet 2:11-12 W 1 Pet 3:13-14 1 Pet 2:13-15 T 1 Pet 4:7-9 1 Pet 2:21-23 F 1 Pet 4:12-13 1 Pet 2:24-25 S 1 Pet 5:8-10 1 Pet 3:8-9

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER

1 to 14

29 to 12

Don’t lose heart: how to persevere in the face of discouragement Prepared by Andrew Robinson

When St Paul described the Christian life as a race, he wasn’t referring to a sprint. Following Jesus can be hard: trouble and doubts assail us, and sometimes God’s promises seem so far from fulfilment. But the Scriptures are full of encouragement for us when our faith is weak.

S 2 Cor 4:1-2 F Heb 12:1a M 2 Cor 4:4-6 S Heb 12:1b-3 T 2 Cor 4:7-10 S Heb 12:5 W 2 Cor 4:13-14 M Mark 9:21-24 T 2 Cor 4:16-18 T Daniel 3:16-18

F S S M T

W T F S

Rev 3:7-8 Ps 73:1-5 Ps 73:13-17 Ps 73:23-26

14 reasons to sing

Prepared by Simone Richardson

The Bible is full of commands to sing and we have good reasons to! Join us in discovering why Christians sing.

S M T W T

Ps 13:6 Ps 59:16-17 2 Chron 20:21 Ps 47:6-9 Ps 7:6, 10-11, 17

F S S M T

Ps 63:6-8 Ps 138:5-6 Ps 71:23 Ps 89:1-2 Ps 98:1

W T F S

Ps 30:4-5 Ps 119:54, 172 Ps 135:3 Ps 92:4

AUTHOR FOCUS: Simone Richardson

Simone lives in Cairns with her husband, Andrew, three sons and two dogs. She works as a music teacher and has penned the lyrics of songs such as Never Alone and Grace Awaiting Me. She is working on collections of short stories and a prayers.

21

22

Bible Societies around the world

A sobering reality Australian delegates to the United Bible Societies (UBS) roundtable Exchange in Ethiopia in June came back determined to become more effective in meeting the many unmet needs from Bible Societies around the world. “I find the Roundtable a bit distressing,” says Bible Society Australia’s CEO Greg Clarke, pictured above with Emmanuel Kayijuka from Rwanda. “There are so many needs and we have limited resources to help.” Please pray that the funding Bible Societies, such as Australia, will be able to support many deserving projects in 2016.

God understands us!

Malawi’s Elhomwe people have made a marvellous discovery: God understands their language. Until the first New Testament in their mother tongue was published last year, they had to read the Bible and pray in Chichewa, the country’s official language. “This is a wonderful book!” exclaims farmer Manuelo, above left, as his daughter reads aloud from Matthew 5. It’s the first time the 1.5 million Elhomwe speakers have been able to read in their mother tongue because the New Testament is the first book ever published in the language.

Rana builds bridges Every evening during Ramadan – a sacred month of fasting for Muslims – Palestinian Bible Society staff went out into the streets of Zababdeh, in Jenin Province in the West Bank, to offer packs of dates and bottled water to people unable to get home on time to break their fast. Christians in other towns took up similar initiatives.

The Bible Society then hosted a special “breaking fast” dinner in Jenin Province attended by 500 community leaders. Rana, above, prepared food that helped build a bridge to the Muslim community.

GPO BOX 9874 In Your Capital City P: 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537) ISSN 1839-7425 W: biblesociety.org.au E: sower@biblesociety.org.au ACN 148 058 306 Bible Society Australia is a not-for-profit interdenominational organisation. It’s a member of the United Bible Societies, a fellowship of 146 organisations working in more than 200 countries. Our mission is to achieve the widest possible, effective and meaningful distribution of the Bible; also, to help people interact with it, and to have their hearts lightened by the Bible’s message of unconditional love in Jesus Christ.

23

YES! I want the Bible to be available

For those who do not like to cut up their Sower we have provided a copy of this form with your address slip for mailed copies. .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................

o Where needed most I would like to donate: o Zambia - Literacy o $60 o Bibles for Cuba o $300 Nicaragua - Ministry o o $750 My choice $ o Lebanon - Bible World o Cheque (payable to Bible Society) o Money Order (payable to Bible Society) OR o Visa Card o Mastercard oooo oooo oooo oooo oo/oo Name on Card (tax deductible*) 15SWSP1TD

(non-tax deductible) 15SWSPGEN

(non-tax deductible) 15SWSP1NTD

(non-tax deductible) 15SWSP2NTD

(non-tax deductible) 15SWSP3NTD

..................................................

My gift for:

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I enclose my Please debit my Card Number Expiry Date Signature

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................

o Please send a receipt o Please send a tax deductible receipt* o Please send me information about including the Bible Society in my Will

Receipts

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Name

Tel

Email Address Please return to Bible Society, PO Box 375, North Ryde, NSW 1670 You can also donate online at biblesociety.org.au or by phone on 1300 BIBLES or (1300 242 537) If these programmes are over subscribed, the money will go to another Bible Society project. *Receipts for tax-deductible donations of $2 or more will be issued by the trustee for Bible Society Foundation. ABN 41 725 839 724