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Working Together As One Bible for All Ages at 33rd MIBF In the Pipeline Not Just Bible Printing, also Kaong Planting The Palanan Journey 26 Years After
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W OR K I NG T OW A R D S A TRA N S F OR ME D P H I L I P P I N E S T H R O UG H G OD ’ S W O RD MAK ING TH E B IBL E K NOW N
WORKING TOGETHER AS ONE The Philippine Bible Society (PBS) held its partnership meeting last Sept. 26, at PBS UN Avenue, Manila to constantly strengthen the “May They Be One” (MTBO) nationwide campaign. PBS invited its partners from churches, schools, national and local government units, media, and other sectors of the society. It aimed to enjoin them in the initiatives for the betterment of the said campaign. Now on its 4th year, MTBO is a 7-year nationwide program which aims to raise sufficient funds within the Philippines and overseas, in order to put at least five million Bibles targeting poor Filipino families in the country. In the recent discussion, PBS presented the upcoming plans for the MTBO support projects like the WOW (Warriors Of the Word) Basketball Game to be held at Cuneta Astrodome on Nov. 22 and the 2nd Bible Run at Quirino Grandstand on Jan. 19, 2013. These events are expected to draw crowds that will boost funds for the said project. It will be an opportunity for PBS to make the public become more aware about the project, thus making them more enthusiastic in engaging themselves to the MTBO Bible Campaign. PBS Gen. Sec. Nora G. Lucero told the partners that there are still a lot to be accomplished for the MTBO project. “We need more funds for the production of MTBO Bibles and we encourage everyone to be part of the program by joining us in the upcoming Basketball Game and 2nd Bible Run.” She added that as of Sept. 2012, PBS has already distributed a total of 751,242 copies of MTBO Bible nationwide. MTBO Bible is available in 8 Philippine languages: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Bicolano, Pampango, Samarenyo and Pangasinan; including the English version in TEV. For more information about MTBO Bible Campaign and how you can help, you may call the PBS Secretariat at (02) 526-7777 local 620 or (02) 524-5337. You can also send an email to donations@bible.org.ph. Donations can be made by making deposit to PBS-MTBO Bank Acct # 3903 0649 34. Fax deposit slip to 521 5803 with complete name, address and contact number.
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BIBLE FOR ALL AGES AT 33RD MIBF Whether you are a Bible lover or not, you will surely enjoy PBS new products launched during the 33rd Manila International Book Fair at SMX, Mall of Asia. The four new and exciting Scripture materials were designed to make one‟s study of the Bible richer and more enjoyable. These includes the ultra-hip and portable MP3 Bible in Tagalog, “Ang Buhay Ni Jesus Christ Sa Kwento ni Mark” (Book of Mark), “Mga Panalangin Mula Sa Awit” (Book of Psalms) and the Daniel Comics. PBS General Secretary asserts that PBS is always on the lookout for ways to make the Bible available to Filipinos in languages they understand, formats they appreciate and prices they can afford, and that the results of this continuous research are among the new offerings of the organization. Visitors also had the chance to join the historic Handwritten Unity Bible project which is an attempt to re-write the whole Bible by hand by becoming a modern-day Scribe. Students and kids also enjoyed dressing up like a Bible character, and some already signed up for future activities including the Warriors of the Word (WOW) Basketball Game on November 22, 2012 at the Cuneta Astrodome and the Bible Run 2 slated for January 19, 2013 at the Quirino Grandstand.
IN THE PIPELINE September is indeed a month to remember this year for the Philippine Bible Society. As we continue to run on God‟s grace and „Make the Bible Known‟ around the country, His immeasurable blessings pour out like the grains of the sand. Recently, PBS received special features from different media stations which include, print, online, television and radio—particularly featuring our MP3 Bibles, Bible Museum and most especially, our advocacy of Bringing the Word of God to all Filipinos to achieve a transformed nation through its unchangeable power. Here are some screenshots of these features that we would like to share with you, our partners and friends in the Bible ministry.
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NOT JUST BIBLE PRINTING, ALSO KAONG PLANTING
PBS General Secretary Dr. Nora G. Lucero, together with the Philippine Bible Society staff, joined the advocacy of bringing „Kaong‟ back into the fields of Indang, Cavite last September 22. The said activity is the second initiative after the first tree planting in Rizal year 2011 which corresponds to the organization‟s one of the many responsibilities in taking care of God‟s creation. This challenging yet productive activity for our nature led by the Human Resources Development Department was made possible through the help of Dr. Lorenzo Lapitan, Jr. - Director of the Sugar Palm Research Info and Trade (SPRINT) Center and the Program Leader of the Research Development and Extension Program Research on Sugar Palm. With a short yet profound orientation, Dr. Lapitan emphasized the importance of Kaong not just known for snacks such as „Halo-Halo‟, but also its great benefits in our health, agriculture and nature. Unknown by many but different parts of the Kaong plant or Sugar Palm Tree can be processed into many forms such as fuel—a proof of God‟s perfect creation. In this light, Philippine Bible Society worked hand-in-hand with Dr. Lapitan‟s group and some Indang, Cavite‟s supportive Barangay officials in planting the Kaong for a day. This activity is a joint „bayanihan‟ effort which reflects stewardship for our creation. PBS as part of their mission of making the Bible known also distributed tracks around the community after a morning of Kaong planting.
THE PALANAN JOURNEY Dr. Annie Del Corro, Philippine Bible Society‟s Translation Consultant visited Palanan, Isabela last September 12 to 15 for the checking of Agta New Testament—a Bible translations project aiming to make New Testament Bibles available for the 2, 000 speakers of Palanan Agta. This dialect came from Paranan, a language spoken in Palanan, Isabela. With three Palanan Agta Translators; Malleng, Kikkis and Bugoy, the translation is set on a journey to proclaim the Word of God among our Palanan Agta brethren. Aside from checking the initial translations made by the team, Dr. Annie also discussed important considerations to achieve a faithful translation. These includes a broader view of the difference between formal and meaning-based translation, some technical grammar uses including footnotes, precision of meaning, back-translating, proper use of words and indirect and direct quotations. “It is so gratifying to see people learn in a mentoring process”, Dr. Annie included in her report to the Management Committee. During her two and a half day stay at the Dome (a combination of home and Ministry Center for different projects) in Bagabag, she concluded that it was indeed a fruitful time with the translators and looking forward to another checking early next year. At this time, the project has a limited budget amounting to Php 20, 000 for the whole year of checking expenses. We‟re praying for the success of this project and wisdom and strength for our translators and consultants while they are running in their journey of having an Agta New Testament for the community.
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HOW THE WORD CHANGED OUR WORLD Life Changing Stories of Philippine Bible Society Members
ANNOUNCEMENTS
26 YEARS AFTER Rev. Rey G. Navarro came to visit his home country in the Philippines for a vacation. He didn‟t forget to drop by at Philippine Bible Society (PBS) to renew his lifetime membership. For him, PBS is his second home because he believes in the propagation of the Word of God to Filipino families. As he looked back, Pastor Rey told us how God transformed his life on April 14, 1978. As a young adult living in Tondo, Manila, he used to explore all forms of fun, like being with bad peers, gambling, drinking beers and other vices. Furthermore, he was not aware that he was then living a sinful life but one thing he knew was that he was no longer happy with it. He knew a little about God and didn‟t have a personal relationship with Him. Pastor Rey was a freshman then when someone invited him to attend a Bible study at Gideon International. During those times, he was searching for a better purpose and meaning in life. As he read the Bible material given to them, a Bible verse in Romans 5:8 that says “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” made him realize that the Lord he used to know before is not a hating God but a God that is loving and merciful because He is willing to forgive all his sins. Pastor Rey decided to attend a youth camp in La Union organized by the Norwegian Missionary Alliance. He then realized the importance of owning a Bible and made it a habit to read it so as to guide him in his everyday life. He never regretted the day when he offered his life to God. He told us that knowing God is the best thing that happened in his life. As a result, he became an active volunteer in University Baptist Church in Sampaloc, Manila. This also included becoming a member of Philippine Bible Society during his college years in 1986. As a member of Philippine Bible Society, he attended regular congregations and fun events where he enjoyed fellowship with other people. He witnessed how committed PBS is in spreading the Word of God to young people like him. He helped in the distribution of Bible materials to the communities. He was so inspired and found a better meaning and that was to support the Bible cause. In 1993, Pastor Navarro received a scholarship grant from Baptist Theological Seminary in Singapore. This was a great opportunity for him to study the Bible further. He decided to go to Singapore with his family. After finishing his studies, he was offered to stay there to serve as Pastor for a Filipino Ministry at International Baptist Church. He added that while in Singapore, he became a member of Singapore Bible Society and organized activities like the Handwritten Unity Bible (HUB) and other Bible causes. He also received regular updates coming from PBS while he was in the said country. Twenty six years after, at the age of 50 he visited PBS in UN Avenue Manila office to renew his lifetime membership. He was thankful to the organization for helping him realize his missions. He believes that PBS‟ mission is different from other advocacies and very fulfilling. He also believes that national transformation is possible if every Filipino will learn how to read the Bible and apply its teachings in their lives. Pastor Rey encourages others to join the Philippine Bible Society and its membership program. He finds it beneficial to become one of the members of the organization. He knows that it will also help the others, especially the poor Filipino families who are encountering a lot of struggles and challenges. He wants them to realize that they really need God in their lives. For more information about Philippine Bible Society and its membership program, contact PBS at (02) 526-7777 local 620 or log on to www.bible.org.ph. You can also email PBS your stories and testimonies to: mystory@bible.org.ph and share how God through His words change your lives.
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