SOWER Out of darkness in Pakistan - Bible Society of Australia
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
SOWER
AUTUMN 2019
Out of
darkness
in Pakistan
1
Living and goal of promoting Bible Society in
Dear friends,
T
their community.
working
The annual youth night is seen he day after Valentine’s I don’t know anything about
as an important way to connect Day this year, I noticed that the journalist’s own faith, but I
in God’s
with the four youth groups in the a columnist writing in the love the idea that a natural part
area, and to encourage young Australian Financial Review began of any reporting might be to
people to learn about the work of his piece about shenanigans in utilise the resources of the Bible
house Bible Society.
“Youth have to be encouraged
Canberra by citing words from
1 Corinthians 13. “Love,
on the subject. We ought to see
the Bible everywhere,
to become wonderful Bible scripture reminds us,” as a conversation
Society supporters. We need to he wrote, “is patient partner in the joys
pass on the baton to them,” Barb and kind.” He and struggles of
A
says. continued with the life, both big and
Bible verse came to mind after a women’s convention at Jamberoo, Gerringong, prefers To celebrate the Bicentenary reference for a full small.
as I was interviewing Barb Stanwell Tops, south of Sydney to be known as an Action Group. of Bible Society Australia in 2017, paragraph, ending We believe
Mathie, a supporter and someone asked her on the bus That’s because members love members of local youth groups with “it keeps no that the Bible
team member of a Bible Society ride home whether she had given being active for Bible Society! formed the number 200 with their record of wrongs”. is an everyday
branch in New South Wales: her life to Jesus. She realised that There are nine churches in bodies on the sports oval. It’s nothing like book, for everyone.
“One thing I ask from the Lord, she hadn’t but she wanted to! Barb’s area and each has a Knowing the importance of politics, he concluded! It contains the
this only do I seek: that I may From that moment on, representative from the her youthful training in setting What struck me was how wisdom of the ages and
dwell in the house of the Lord all she began to live and Action Group. This enables her on the path of living and natural it sounded. There was fresh words for us every sunrise.
the days of my life, to gaze on the work for God. After churches to be aware of working for God, Barb hopes that no jarring religiosity about it, That’s why we want to see it in
beauty of the Lord and to seek she started studying events, and to be regular Bible Society Australia will keep no sense of special pleading. It everyone’s hands, every person
him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4 the Bible, it became in their prayers. exploring ways to reach out to didn’t sound like Bible-bashing. It meaningfully engaged with the
(NIV) an integral part of The branch holds young people. just sounded like wise reflection rich and rewarding words of life.
Barb lives on a half-hectare her life and this led four main events each She would love to see Bible with the ring of truth about it. I Thank you for sharing this
property, in Foxground on the to her becoming year: a Prayer Day, Society’s successful Masterclass felt surprised, because that’s not vision and contributing to the
NSW south coast, in a sustainable involved with Bible an annual general series for Christian high school the way the Bible is usually dealt task.
house that is a sanctuary for Society. She says: meeting in May, two students developed for use in a with in public. But it should be.
anyone who needs it. “You cannot study the coffee evenings in Kiama smaller format for youth leaders Referring to the Bible in order to
Her journey to faith started at Bible without knowing and Gerringong, which to share as a resource with their understand an issue, a story, an
a Presbyterian church in Croydon how important it is.” are hosted at different groups. ethical dilemma or an experience,
Park in Sydney, where she took on The Bible churches, and a youth “God needs us to be his hands is like breathing for Christians. We
the role of Sunday school teacher Society branch night in November. and his feet, so people can come want to know what God might
at age 15. When her family moved she is part All members into his kingdom. He will always have to say to us, so we turn to
to Gerringong, south of Sydney, of, Kiama, of the Action give us the means to do that,” Scripture. We do it on Valentine’s
she became a superintendent Group work she says. Day, Christmas Day, our birthday Dr Greg Clarke, CEO
of Sunday school. One weekend to the same Joanne Pope and every day. Bible Society Australia
2 3
PAKISTAN
Christian women, who mostly live develop their Christian leadership.
in these rural areas, are most likely At a household level, these
to be illiterate. The sad reality women will be able to calculate
is, many millions of Pakistani any wages owed to them, read
women are lacking this basic life important documents such as
skill, dramatically limiting their medical instructions and utilities
opportunities, and condemning bills, and obtain better prices on
them to shame, exploitation and household goods. They will also
poverty. set a higher standard of education
For 30 years, the Pakistan for their children, and may receive
literacy programme, known as a greater level of respect from
Beacon of Light, has been giving their husbands and extended
Christian women the opportunity family.
to read and write at literacy At a community level, having
classes organised by their local more highly educated women
church. The sad fact is that leads to many benefits, including
although these women have the overall health and well-being
knowledge of God, their faith of families, better employment
is not always well-grounded in conditions, and a more equal
Scripture. Moreover, they live in representation of women in
Words that are here to stay a country where their Christian
faith is not always welcomed, as
leadership roles.
Equipping these women to
S
the notorious blasphemy case of read and manage the household
habnam Gulzar is an Here she relates how these classes the Pakistan Bible Society, donors Christian woman Asia Bibi shows. budget and calculate their wages
unmarried Christian woman changed her life. and my church for providing me The name of the project correctly strengthens Christian
living in Faisalabad, the “I started studying after hours such an opportunity for upgrading derives from the belief that when families, as the experience of
second-largest city in Pakistan’s in the women’s literacy class,” she my life status.” a woman is taught to read and Parveen shows. Parveen’s mother
eastern province of Punjab. says. “During the last month of my By becoming literate, Shabnam write, she becomes a beacon died when she was young and she
Having never attended school, she class, one day my supervisor at has gained a skill that can never to illuminate her family and was too busy looking after her
was illiterate but had to work to my workplace asked me to check be taken away. The literacy rate community with the word of God. father and brother to be able to
help feed her family and support the attendance of other workers. for women in Pakistan is one of Being equipped with reading and go to school.
her younger brothers’ and sisters’ I checked and signed on the the lowest in the world, largely writing skills can have a profound “I used to get up early in
education. register. due to the social structure that impact. At an individual level, the morning and cook breads
After five years working as “From that day, our head suppresses women’s rights. women will be able to come to a [chapatis] for the family. My father
a cleaner in a private school, assigned me as a supervisor of the Women’s literacy rates vary from better understanding of their faith and brother used to go out to
Shabnam got the chance to join sanitary workers. Now my salary a modest 60+ per cent in the through reading the Bible. They plough the fields very early in the
literacy classes at her local church, is up and status is up because of capital, Islamabad, to less than will also be able to encourage morning before the cock crows.
which were taught by her cousin. the education. I am thankful for 20 per cent in some rural areas. their family in their faith, and I provide them breakfast in the
4 5
fields, which were about 3.5km
away from my home. After I came
In 2018, Pakistan Bible Society
particularly focused on reaching
Devotion
back home, I prepared lunch and women in the brick kiln factories,
then dinner for the family.” where the working conditions have
At the age of 22, Parveen been likened to slavery. Al Jazeera
unsplash/wschodni
married and moved in with her in- reports that female workers in the
laws in a neighbouring village. She brick kilns have virtually no rights,
is now 39 and has a son and two
daughters.
“I myself was fond of education
with most not even possessing
a national identity card (a basic
government document).
Making room for growth
in my childhood but due to the In 2019, there are plans
load of work for my family I could to reach 8000 more women I once visited the Luxembourg opportunity to take stock, draw recognise that we don’t grow
not go to school in my childhood through 350 centres in slums Gardens in Paris at the end of closer in our relationship with closer to God by accident. It
… I was very interested to read the and villages of four provinces winter. The garden beds had God, and clear out the things will only happen if we earnestly
Bible but could not because of the of Pakistan, including terrorist obviously been planted through that distract us, burden us seek it. The lead-up to Easter
illiteracy. Now I am so glad that I hot-spot K.P.K. (Khyber Pakhtoom the last part of winter with robust or hold us back from a more gives us an opportunity to clear
can read the Bible. When I read Khawa), formerly called the cabbage-like plants, but the last intimate connection with him. out the debris of our lives, the
the Bible with family, my children North West Frontier, where life nip of cold weather had destroyed On my last day in Paris, I walked distractions and the sin that
listen very carefully because I read for women, even in Christian them. Their foliage was black and through the gardens again and separate us from fullness in
slowly. When I make a mistake, my families, is very restricted. Will withered and the plants were found a real transformation had God. Once we’ve done that, we
children laugh and enjoy it,” she you help Bible Society meet this either dead or very close to it. taken place. The gardeners had can intentionally make room for
says, covering her face with her challenge? They weren’t an attractive sight planted thousands of small annual new growth in our Christian faith.
hands in embarrassment. and I moved on rather quickly. plants just waiting for the flower We don’t need to be miserable
Parveen also benefited from The next day I walked through buds to open and burst into full or mournful about our failures
the introduction in 2018 of a new
mathematics subject to enable
GIVE NOW the gardens again and found bloom. I imagined how gorgeous – rather, joyful that God in his
$41
an army of gardeners at work the gardens would look when grace meets us wherever we are
teaches one
students to calculate wages, Please call 1300 clearing the dead plants and that happened – row upon row and encourages us forward so
Pakistani woman to
expenditures and complete other
read and opens up Scripture
BIBLES (1300 debris, turning the soil and of tulips and other exotic bulbs, a that new things can grow in and
household duties. 242 537), use the fertilising the beds. Clearly, they riot of colour with not one plant through us. God can turn the
Parveen is glad that she can for her family.
donation form on were preparing the beds for a new out of place, not one gap or one frozen winter season that is in
$77
now calculate the accurate weight season and the expectation of a too many. The garden beds were a each of us into a fruitful spring.
provides eight the back page or
of the cotton plucked by the harsh frozen winter turning into a product of great intent. They were The turning point, according to
labouring women and pay them
literacy graduates visit biblesociety.
with an Urdu New Testament fruitful sunny spring. no accident at all – someone had American writer Patrick Morley, is
the correct wages.
org.au/sowlight
each. What was happening in the planned them precisely so that when we stop seeking the gods
Thanks to supporters like you, garden reminds me of Lent – there was great symmetry, colour we want and start seeking the God
36,000 Pakistani women have
learned to read through this
programme in the past five years.
$120 equips four rural
classes with
blackboards and stationery.
that time before Easter when
God invites us to prepare
and coordination. I knew the result
would be stunningly good.
who is. I hope we will all be able to
do that this Easter season! Melissa
our lives for growth. It’s an In the same way, we need to Lipsett, COO, Bible Society
6 PB
7
SYRIA
struck their home in Homs was
not a Christian when he attended
a trauma healing group and read
the Bible for the first time. ‘Come unto me,
“I still remember reading this all ye that labour
verse saying, ‘Come unto me, and are heavy
all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will
laden, and I will give you rest.’ give you rest ...’
“I read it maybe 20 times (Matthew 11:28)
and kept thinking how can he –
Flickr_Charles Roffey
Jesus – take our pain away and
replace it with joy again?”
Help take the pain away
After a few sessions, the boy
returned home and told his
mother what had happened, then
and replace it with joy
they read the Psalms together.
“The Psalms gave us both such
Dr. Issam Smeir
a relief from our grief. I wanted
my mum to feel what I felt when
I poured my pain on to the cross
Narrative exposure therapy of Jesus. I wanted my mum to be
G
set free just the way I had been.
eorge still remembers the myself: ‘What’s happened to us?’” they can remember traumatic That lesson was so great, but the
horrendous day when It was this numbed reaction by events without reliving them. forgiveness lesson was the hardest
he was walking to his a suffering people that led George As the war enters its ninth year, one. I cried a lot and finally felt like
mother’s house and a shell fell and to develop a plan to involve there is no one in Syria who isn’t something came out of my heart;
hit people. What most shocked Syrian churches in helping locals traumatised. Some families have it felt like I was in captivity and
the general secretary of Bible overcome their trauma. young children so depressed they now I am free to fly ... Now I am
Society in Syria was the calm Today there are two Trauma have tried to take their own lives. confident that our God is with me
reaction of the crowd. Healing Programmes up and Others have run for their lives from and giving me more capacity to
“Some were killed and some running. The project trains Syrian snipers. Nearly all have lost at help the desperate people around Will you help bring healing to war-ravaged Syrians?
injured! Nobody was crying, health workers to run healing least one friend or family member. me by using his word.”
nobody wailing and there were groups in local churches, for all Millions are living as refugees in Thank you for your past
GIVE NOW
no hysterical people rushing out Syrians, regardless of religious neighbouring countries. Most have support for our Syria-related
of their homes. Everybody was affiliation. The sessions use a story of a bombing near their projects, such as literacy for
dealing with the injured and killed narrative exposure therapy, workplace or home. young refugees last winter. Could Please call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537), use
without emotions, just a matter which helps trauma victims to One Syrian who lost his you continue to help Syrians the donation form on the back page or visit
of fact! I was shocked and said to reprogramme their brains so that younger brother when a rocket through this trauma healing biblesociety.org.au/sowheal
project?
8 9
Eternity (as a writer to begin with) within
a week of finishing my final-year
Maegraith, saw to the ads and I
produced the paper, and that’s
We’ve got people with a wide
range of experience – a number
scores
exams. how it started, GREG CLARKE ON NICK CAVE & BONO NAOMI REED FLEES NEPAL
MARK A HADLEY ON CHE MICHAEL JENSEN ON CALVIN
YOUR NEW
NOVEMBER 2009
NUMBER 1
NOVEMBER 2009
of them with commercial news
experience – working on the
FREE
I started as a writer then right there on
CIRCULATION
100,000+
CHRISTIAN
PAPER
I became art director for the my kitchen paper. So we’re treating it
its first
Sydney papers. So I was looking table. And we seriously because Christianity
after the designers. In fact, I very cheekily deserves in media terms to
was part of inventing their idea distributed be treated just as seriously as
century
of newspaper design and later to churches Steve Addison meets a church
planter in a tough town
Wayne Pickford believes, “Wrestling is the
opera of the working class.”
Wrestling is an important part of his strat-
egy for reaching working class people in the
steel mill town of Berkley, NSW.
©iStockphoto.com/MAICA
Most weeks we’re the only people who visit.
One lady has only months to live. We were
the only people to visit her on Mothers’ Day.
What has been the community response?
We don’t have enough workers to cover
every neighbourhood so we have people
asking us, “When are you going to start
everything else. In fact, because
right around it’s true, it deserves to be treated
How did you get involved in church plant- visiting our street?”
information graphics. And I ran
ing? I grew up working class and became a What was the initial strategy? method of evangelism. He just wanted to A guy came up to me recently and said,
prison officer. Through those experiences I’d read about Matthew Barnett’s Adopt A tell people even if they didn’t want to hear. “When are you going to start a church
God gave me a heart for working-class Block approach. He’s pioneered it in some I wanted him to learn that true evangelism service?” I asked him how he knew about
people. I saw the disconnect between the tough areas of LA. I thought we could adapt is about building relationships and then us. He told me, “Someone visits my wife
way we do church and their everyday life. I the model for working-class Aussies. It’s a taking the opportunities to share that God every week and they’re real people. I want to
wanted to bridge the gap. simple strategy. You release people with a gives you rather than forcing the oppor- come to your church!”
I discovered that Tim Scheuer from the heart for evangelism to become the pastor tunity. He gave up the habits of twenty What resources have been helpful?
Church Army had a vision for a base of of a neighbourhood. years and became another “Adopt A Block” Ralph Moore: Starting a New Church is
evangelism in Berkley, a strong working- How did you start? convert. excellent.
class town. So we got together. I got a team of eight together and shared What does Adopt A Block look like? Mark Driscoll: The Radical Reformission. I
Tell us about Berkley. the vision for “Adopt A Block”. I asked them, It’s simple. Two people go out to 30–50 read all his books.
The people are Australian-born and work- “Do you think this would work in Aus- homes each week. Usually they give away What are you learning?
ing-class. They have a history of working in tralia?” Then I let them go away and think bread. Sometimes it’s other gifts like a T- In church planting you have to trust God
those teams for a long, long Australia. more seriously.
the steel mills. There’s chronic unemploy- about it and come back with ideas. shirt. We gave away chocolates for Mothers’ 100%. I set out with my plans then God
ment. Some families are second and third How did the team respond? Day. We go out to serve the community and intervenes, and we end up in a totally differ-
generation welfare recipients. They watch a I remember one guy’s face turning white. to wait for opportunities to share the gospel. ent direction.
lot of TV, especially sports on Foxtel. It was like I had told him to go sell George We’ve been visiting three different peo- www.movements.net is Steve Addison’s new
There’s a local Salvation Army church but Bush T-shirts in Baghdad. ple with terminal cancer for the last few website. Eternity’s church planting survey
no other churches have survived. Another guy was big on a pre-packaged months. They don’t ever leave their homes. starts on page 6.
John Sandeman, time, working on designing the After about I think we’re newsier than
second from right,
with the Eternity papers, hiring, firing – quite a big a year and a half, along comes other Christian media in
team. staff – an exhausting job. Bible Society and says “Hey, Australia. Compared to other
I ended up starting Eternity we’ll actually pay you to do this Christian media, Eternity’s
E
after Fairfax decided they work.” David had moved on to privileged to be broad. We’ve
ternity, a What shaped me was called Christian Endeavour. And didn’t need my services, and it other things and I was happy to got a licence to talk to many
monthly having an adoption experience it was a movement encouraging happened that I ended up with become part of Bible Society, types of Christians … I have the
Christian but also growing up in a kids to explore their own faith no mortgage and I could pre-pay and it’s been a great friend to feeling that I could declare it a
newspaper very conservative – almost and that worked for me. my second child’s school fees. Eternity ever since. success and hand it on to others.
published by fundamentalist – church. It I studied architecture in So there I was mid-50s, able to It was an initial success. I It’s robust enough not to
Bible Society showed me how to accept Adelaide. I was involved in the have a new beginning. mean, the shocking thing about need me. I mean, that’s a
Australia, chalks contradictory thoughts in my EU – the Evangelical Union – And so I was sitting in what Eternity is that nobody had fantastic indicator of success
up its 100th head at the same time. That’s which was a really wonderful was then the Cafe Paradiso, really done it before. And there in journalism. I think it is. Every
issue in March. the sort of person I am. experience. I was involved in the outside the old Fairfax building were people who said “well, it’s time we do an audience survey,
The paper is distributed free to I was an incredibly shy child. Australian Union of Students. in Darling Park, and talking to not possible.” There’d been some it comes back the audience love
churches of all denominations I was the sort of child who found And I ended up becoming the Rob Forsyth, then Anglican attempts, but the secret formula it. That’s wonderful.
across the country. Here, we it hard to make friends at school. editor of National Student, which Bishop of South Sydney. He said to Eternity – there is a secret
introduce Sower readers to I would go home and just read was a national paper. to me: “You’ve got the ability to to Eternity which I can now
its founder and editor, John book after book after book. I entered journalism and do something dangerous.” reveal – is: scale.
Sandeman. We had a house with a huge spent a huge chunk of my life And I thought “I’m going We gave it a target
I come from a very strange garden and I spent lots of time working inside the grim great to start a national Christian circulation of 100,000 and
family. I come from a family that in there, just playing with the fortress that was Fairfax. I sent newspaper.” It’s a bit of a sent it out to lots and lots of
was assembled from adopted neighbourhood kids. out a little newspaper about dream I’d had. And I could do churches. What we did was treat
boys and one natural daughter. I first trusted Jesus when I myself and Evan Whitton, everything on the paper. I could it like real media and do a wide-
I’m half Japanese, half American, was about 12 and there was a who was a great editor of the write, I could design it, I could ranging circulation.
brought up by British parents movement – which sadly is not National Times, interviewed me. lay it out and get it ready for And now we’ve got a very,
and I live in Australia. around so much these days – And so I had a job with Fairfax print. A Christian guy, David very professional website.
10 11
AUSTRALIA
as a follower of Jesus, coming mate. The first moment I sat with “See, I have not forgotten
you, I have carved you onto
to a much clearer understanding him, he came with a very angry
the palm of my hand.”
Lives
of salvation through Jesus by face and explained that he is Isaiah 49:16.
regularly attending church and very angry with himself because
completing a church-run prison he committed triple murder and
changed
programme. he cannot forgive himself. This
“I can honestly say that, made him all the time depressed
through God’s grace and and not coping at all.
by the
intervention, I have changed “After a few sessions looking
my life,” says this prisoner – one into the Bible to explain that
of scores of people who testify God ‘shed his blood on the
word
pixabay / StockSnap
to lives turned around by God’s cross not for the righteous but
living word. for the sinners,’ and explaining
Chaplains in frontline that the Lord made it clear
ministries such as prisons and that the healthy do not need
hospitals can testify to the life- a physician but the sick, he
pixabay / StockSnap
A
changing impact of bringing calmed down and his heart
prisoner in Victoria felt palm and I will do the same’ the Bible. I started to believe the word of God to people who was enlightened and he was
so ashamed of being and we would feel close to each in God and became a follower are struggling and searching for baptised.
in jail again that he felt other.” of Jesus. “As I read the Bible meaning at a time of crisis in “He felt great after baptism.
almost suicidal. When a chaplain When the chaplain gave the over the following months and their lives. The officers noticed the change
came to him in prison and asked inmate a Bible the next day, learned to pray, I started to feel Those who have lost their in him. He is now added to the
him how his family was, he along with a list of things to pray a peace inside I had never felt way in life have the time and Bible reading and attending my
broke down in tears, thoroughly for, something leaped out at him. before.” motivation – often for the first service, doing Bible courses by
ashamed of having left them to He explains: “It had a picture However, he was not immune time – to discover what the story correspondence while in jail.” GIVE NOW
fend for themselves. of the palm of a hand with a to setbacks. “Once, when I was of the Bible is and how it speaks People in difficult places can
He says: “When she asked Bible verse written on it: ‘See, I feeling pretty low spirituality to them in their situation. feel overwhelmed when God is $44 provides the life-
whether I believed in God, I told have not forgotten you, I have and wondered whether I’d ever Fr Tadros el-Bakhouni, who absent from their lives. changing word of God
her I was pretty sceptical. She carved you onto the palm of my again get a sign from God, a serves the Christian Orthodox Will you help bring people
to four people who are
offered to get me a Bible and hand’ [Isaiah 49:16.]” visiting pastor stood up and inmates in correctional centres to Jesus through his word in
seeking.
suggested I consider asking God Stunned by the coincidence, made a speech starting with all over NSW, says “The word Australian hospitals, prisons,
to make himself known to me. he phoned his fiancée and told Isaiah chapter 49, verse 16: ‘See, of God is the strongest way to refugee communities, children’s
Please call 1300
“That night, with a little her about the Bible verse that I have not forgotten you, I have touch the human soul and help camps, ESL groups, seafarers, BIBLES (1300 242
trepidation, I did just that. My reflected their special ritual with carved you onto the palm of my people change their lives. drug and alcohol rehab groups 537), use the donation
fiancée and I had a ritual where, the palms of their hands. hand.’ You could have knocked “There was a non-Christian – and this year, for the first time, form on the back page
if we were apart for some “Was this God making himself me down with a feather.” Irish inmate in his 50s, who graduates of the Alpha course or visit biblesociety.
reason, we would say: ‘At such- known to me? We agreed I Since that experience, this noticed me around the jail – he which introduces people to org.au/sowchange
and-such a time, look at your should spend more time reading prisoner has continued to grow was introduced to me by his cell Jesus?
12 13
INDOCHINA
So desperate, they wrote it by hand
A
cross Indochina, Christians began to translate the New Testament soon,” says Rut. they can experience God like I hands, that Bible will be more Rut can’t
who belong to ethnic Testament into Bunong, and the It is estimated that among the have been experiencing him.” precious than a piece of gold.” wait to have
the Bible in
minority groups are project has since been extended Eastern Cham, only about five per Vietnam Bible Society’s Christians across Indochina the Cham
looking forward to receiving to a translation of the full Bible. cent are Christian. The majority translation of the Bible into the are waiting to read the life- language.
portions of the Bible in their In Vietnam, Rut*, a 50-year- are Hindu. When Rut became a Cham language is scheduled to giving words of God in their heart
heart language for the first time. old man from an Eastern Cham Christian believer, his friends and be completed this year. language. Will you partner with
In Vietnam and Cambodia, village, has been reading the neighbours stopped talking to In a different part of Vietnam, us to bring the Bible to
the Bunong ethnic minority have Bible in Vietnamese ever since him. But eventually people saw as many as 70 per cent of the communities that have
been waiting for a translation he became a Christian 15 years how his life changed, and how Stieng people have converted to been waiting patiently
of the Bible for nearly 50 years. ago, even though Cham is the God blessed his family. Rut feels Christianity, but they have very for so long? *Name
Informal translation began before language of his heart. “I am that he has been blessed because low literacy levels and no Bible changed for personal
the dominance of communism so excited to know that there he follows God’s word and God to encourage them. There are security reasons.
in the region, but all work was is a translation team currently has been kind to him. He says, hundreds of churches, but pastors
lost in the 1970s and stalled for
four decades. So desperate were
working on translating the Bible
into the Cham language. I can’t
“Now, people want to be my
friends again and they are coming
report that they have to translate
from a Vietnamese Bible in order GIVE NOW
they for Scripture, they took to wait to have the Bible in our own to me for advice. I have a very to preach in their churches. Please call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537),
copying portions of the Bible by language. My heart is already strong desire to own a Cham Bible One pastor says, “When the use the donation form on the back page
hand. In 2011, the United Bible so touched to hear about it and because I know that when I share Stieng tribe holds a Bible in or visit biblesociety.org.au/sowheart
Societies’ Vietnam Partnership I am so happy to have the New God’s living word with others, their mother tongue in their
14 15
Bounty of birthday blessings customers. She did this because
the word of God was the “apple
of her eye” and she wanted to
O
share it with others.
n May 8, 2019, Bible In October 2008, in Orissa,
Society Australia will India, hundreds of Christians were
commemorate 200 years forced to renounce their religion
of Bible work in Tasmania. Alan to become Hindus. Many died
Harris, formerly the Bible Society rather than renounce their faith
State Director, has shared some and thousands became homeless
Trekking for Bibles
stories from the period 1984 to and churches were burned down.
2011. As a birthday gift of praise The Tasmanian Bible Society and
to God, they are a snapshot in its supporters, in partnership
time. In Alan Harris’ words, “They with Empart, provided Bibles for
are a wonderful testimony of persecuted Christians in Orissa.
sacrificial giving.” Sower magazine in 2011 printed
Tas News, the state newsletter a story about a woman called Are you up for a physical and millions of Bibles are printed
in summer 2003-2004, reported Babita, who had received a fundraising challenge? Would each year, thanks to Bible Society
a woman winning a Westinghouse Bible the year before. During the you like to join a group of Bible supporters.
fridge in a ticket draw. After it Betty Owens with her apples conflict she had not converted Society supporters who are Best of all, you will be
was sold, God prompted her to to the Hindu religion. Her family training for an unforgettable helping to provide Bibles to the
give the money to three missions 14 first and 14 second prizes for Then there was the story of lost their home and her Bible adventure, trekking the Great exponentially growing church in
including Bible Society. In 1984, her baking, she sent the prize Betty Owens selling apples at was taken from her. But God had Wall? The four-day trek – China. Each participant is asked
a supporter had allocated some money and proceeds from all harvest time for the Bible Society. not forgotten her. When Babita which will involve clambering to raise $3500 before flying out
money to pay for two trees to be cake sales to Bike for Bibles. This She would place the apples received a new Bible, her face lit up restored and unrestored of Australia on September 21. The
removed. But when the trees fell Bicentenary year, the Bike for in baskets and sell to waiting up, she smiled, cried and praised sections of the Great Wall – will funds raised through Bible Society
by themselves in a storm, she sent Bibles event on February 8-22 is God. Babita held the Bible close. require some arduous walking Australia’s Great Wall of China
the earmarked money to Bible raising funds to help women in Janine and Mike Cranney She was so happy she could read and climbing, but will provide Trek 2019 will help supply Bible
Society as a thanksgiving gift. Bangladesh learn to read. it again. What had been forcibly amazing views of the mountains paper to Amity Printing Press.
In 2007, Mike and Janine Another supporter described taken had been returned as a and valleys north of Beijing. After These Bibles are sold or given
Cranney, two supporters in receiving a Bible Society appeal blessing from supporters from the walk, you will experience the away to those for whom the cost
Wynyard, central Sydney, letter and putting it aside, not Australia. contrasts of ancient and modern of a Bible would otherwise be a
combined their love of bikes intending to act on it. But a few As you read these snapshot Beijing, including Tiananmen considerable financial burden.
and baking to raise funds for an days later, God prompted him to stories of the Tasmanian Bible Square and the grand imperial Participants will be able to witness
annual Bike for Bibles event. Both find the appeal letter so he could Society and its supporters, please architecture of the Forbidden City. first-hand, the impact their
husband and wife participated provide money to support it. He celebrate its Bicentenary by Finally, you will visit Nanjing to fundraising efforts will make.
as a rider and support driver. wrote a cheque to pay for a roll of thanking and praising God! hand out Bibles at a church and Register by March 31:
As a bonus, when Janine won paper for Bibles in China. Joanne Pope visit Amity Printing Press, where biblesociety.org.au/china-trek
16 17
CHINA AUSTRALIA CHINA 60,000 Christians to read by enrichment workshops for
2020 and provide each of them couples, five conferences for
In China, there THANK YOU with a Bible. This will require families and women, two events
are still many a doubling of the number of for Mother’s Day (1200 women
Christians who literacy classes run last year. The attended), one Easter event for
do not have a copy of the Bible. programme received a great children, a December event for
Last year, thanks to donors boost after Emad Selim of Bible 100 women, a Christmas event
from Bible Societies around the Society of Egypt had the chance that attracted 2000 people, and 11
world, subsidised Bible paper to seek the endorsement of Bible Summer Camps for children
was provided for 1,169,075 Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros where 1200 Scriptures were
Protestant Bibles and 100,000 at a meeting in April. distributed.
Catholic Bibles. Through your The Pope promised his ongoing There were also activities for
support of China Partnership, free support and in the next copy of orphans and weekly discipleship
Bibles were distributed in three the official church magazine he (Bible study) for young women.
provinces – 340 Protestant Bibles introduced the programme and
at Luhe (Jiangsu Province), 3620 included Emad’s complete report AUSTRALIA
at Shandong Province and 1000 in the article. This was more than
at Hebei Province. Emad had hoped for and has led We have been THANK YOU
Where you brought hope You also helped to provide
Bible paper to the Catholic Church
to print affordable Bibles. As well,
to a steady increase in numbers. In
2018, there were 2795 graduates,
12,000 students, 650 classes and
overwhelmed by
your support for our
remote and Indigenous projects.
3000 Catholic Bibles and 1000 700 volunteer facilitators. Thanks to you, several new
New Testament Diglot Bibles were resources have been published
distributed free in various Catholic ISRAEL including Bible Engagement
dioceses. “Receiving the free Bible THANK YOU resources for children in the
gives me the greater responsibility It was a big year Northern Territory and a colouring
and duty to spread the gospel and for the Arab-Israeli book based on the Christmas
it gives joy and encouragement Bible Society, which works in story in both the Kriol and
to our hearts,” commented Zhang difficult conditions to provide Kunwinjku languages.
Jianghua, age 39. Bibles, resources and training to As well, a translation of
the local church whose members God’s Story for the Outback
EGYPT are a double minority – a minority was published in the language
THANK YOU among Jews and Muslims. of Kaytetye. This is the first
Thanks to your We are grateful for support translated Scripture in this
support of Egypt’s from Bible Society Australia language. Please pray that these
adult literacy programme, Bible donors, which helped us hold: books will bless the children
EGYPT ISRAEL Society of Egypt has set an 23 workshops for women, eight and their families in remote
ambitious aim to teach at least for abused girls, 10 marriage communities.
18 19BSA updates BSA Diary
Thank you events* Enquiries: events@biblesociety.org.au
Rhiannon on 0417 467 076
April 2 Gold Coast, QLD
April 3 Capalaba, QLD
“I thank my God every time I remember
April 9 Wollongong, NSW you. In all my prayers for all of you, I
always pray with joy because of your
partnership in the gospel from the first
April 10 Shellharbour, NSW
day until now, being confident of this,
that he who began a good work in you
May 7-8 Canberra, ACT will carry it on to completion until the
day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:3-6
May 14 Toowoomba, QLD
May 15 Springfield Lakes, QLD
Bibles for Bubs Richard Johnson talk May 16 Caboolture, QLD
Sweety Mathew says her family has been greatly The Western world is seeing a collapse in people’s
blessed by the Bibles for Bubs campaign. faith in institutions, democracy and even each other.
May 21 Campbelltown, NSW
Sweety was one of 2500 parents who registered Societies are fractured; political norms upended.
their babies, born in 2017, for the Bible Society Polarising debates centre on issues of identity,
programme. This year, Bible Society is giving values and belonging, and tribal voices muzzle May 22 Liverpool, NSW
another 2500 children, born in 2018, the chance to the notion of a common good. In the 2019 Richard
engage with God’s word. While Sweety registered Johnson Lectures held this month in Melbourne and Melbourne Bike for Bibles Enquiries: bfb@biblesociety.org.au
her baby Eva, it was her toddler Anaia, then aged Sydney, Tim Dixon offered a vision for how we might
three, who really benefited from the programme. reunite increasingly fragmented societies. Tim Dixon March 30-31 Around the Bay, VIC
“This Toddler Bible is not like the other Bibles – it’s is a former economic adviser to two Australian prime
very simple to read and simple to understand. I ministers. He also has helped grow social movement See the full list at biblesociety.org.au/events or call Bible Society on 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537)
found it was really relatable to the toddler age,” organisations that have worked to protect civilians in *Thank you events are an opportunity for us to meet our faithful supporters and to say “Thank you” over a light
says Sweety. “It’s been such a big blessing because Syria and address modern day slavery. The Richard luncheon or morning/afternoon tea. You will hear the latest mission stories from Australia and around the world
she knows all the stories now and ... when we get Johnson Lectures are annual events hosted by the and have an opportunity to share your own stories about being part of Bible Society over the years.
halfway through she recites it back to us.” Centre for Public Christianity. Please contact us if you would like to attend one of these free events.
20 21Prayer points this time through The Seriously Surprising Story
(about Easter). Pray that this little book will touch
Singapore: This year we will begin implementing
our new five-year plan. One of our main priorities
June 16-22
Syria: Last Christmas and this Easter will see some
many hearts with the real meaning of Easter. is developing our digital presence so that the Bible of the biggest distributions of Scriptures that Bible
April-June Bangladesh: Please pray that the Adivasi Society of Singapore will be accessible to everyone Society Syria has ever undertaken. Ask God to bless
(indigenous peoples) can read the Holy Bible wherever they are. each recipient with a revelation of himself and that
April 7-13 in their own languages. Ask for the Rohingya these resources may be used to bring many into a
Australia – Remote and Indigenous: Pray that there (nationals of Myanmar) who are living as refugees in May 26-June 1 relationship with Christ.
will be many more translations of Scripture into Bangladesh and facing many difficulties. May God Australia – Church relations: Praise God for the Malaysia: Please pray for the sale, delivery and
Aboriginal and Torres Strait languages as a result of help the Rohingya to overcome them. city-wide Hymnfest that is to be hosted by the distribution of Arabic/English bilingual Bibles
the new Diploma of Bible Translation Course run at Seventh Day Adventist Church in Wahroonga, for migrant ministry. Thank God for the Bahasa
Nungalinya Aboriginal Theological College. May 5-11 in Sydney’s north, and for continued strong Malaysia formal translation of the Bible and Wisdom
South Africa: Please pray that the English Bible for Australia – Tasmania: The first Tasmanian Bible relationships with the SDA church. books. Pray for a smooth process with printing and
the Deaf, to be published this year, will be a blessing Society auxiliary was established on May 8, 1819. Colombia: Ask for lasting peace with the new distribution.
in the lives of Deaf readers. Pray for the planning of Praise God for the many supporters and staff who agreement between the government and the
the celebration of our Bicentenary in 2020. have been part of the work over two centuries. largest insurgent group in Colombia. Pray for the June 23-29
International: May 9 is the United Bible Societies strengthening of the Christian faith in the country. Vietnam: Ask for development of several projects
April 14-20 World Day of Prayer. Please pray for the Bible cause for the hard of hearing, illiterate people and ethnic
Pakistan: Pray for the women’s literacy project that around the world, especially in countries where June 2-8 minorities. Pray also for our relationship with the
is reaching into new areas. Pray that God will bless Christianity faces opposition. Indonesia: Pray for Bible distribution through major churches in the country.
the women as they learn to read the Bible and for distributors, so that we can reach all the regions Namibia: Please pray for the work of the Bible
the improvement of their social standing in society. May 12-18 of the country, including small towns and even Society in a very volatile economy. Pray for funds
Australia – Publishing: We have a couple of great Uganda: Pray for Bible Society of Uganda as it villages. Ask for the publication of the Rote Bible, in for the translation of the new Bible into Oshiwambo
new books that tell fabulous stories of people begins revision of the Bible into Ateso language. early 2019, and for the Yali Nania Bible, in late 2019. and other fund-raising initiatives.
following Jesus. Please pray that we do a good job Pray for God’s guidance and accuracy for the Greece: Please pray for the 200th anniversary of
of publishing and promoting these titles. translation team as they work on the project. the Ionian Bible Society in Corfu, the first Bible June 30-July 6
Brazil: Please thank God for the success of the 2nd Society in our country, to be celebrated on June 19. New Zealand: Praise God for the impact The Field
April 21-27 Year of the Bible in Brazil, which was celebrated Guide to the Bible is having on youth. Pray others
Germany: Please pray for completion of the across the country by churches throughout 2018. June 9-15 will discover this resource and be encouraged to
translation of the Old Testament of the Basic Pray that the new Brazilian government installed in Australia – Mission: Praise God for the Ignition engage with the Bible. Pray also for the Maori and
Bible this year. Ask God for the Basic Bible to be January is guided by the hands of the Lord. events that have been funded to share the love of Tokelauan translations being done locally. The very
published for the first time in 2020 as a full Bible. Jesus with young people. Pray that this initiative will first Tokelauan Bible should go to print in 2019.
Angola: Pray that we will be able to buy a May 19-25 bring the gospel to many youth across Australia. Peru: Pray for the “Bread of Life” and “End to
warehouse to store Bibles, in addition to some well- South Pacific: A great need identified by churches Albania: Pray for the publication of the new Violence” projects, so that children can grow
located land for our future facilities. in the Pacific is provision of scriptural materials translation of the Old Testament and the full up healthy, safe and knowing the Bible. Ask for
and training to help church workers understand Bible into Albanian for the first time based on the translations into Machiguenga and Quechua
April 28-May 4 the Bible in depth so that they may correctly teach the originals. Ask for the beginning of the New Apurímac. Pray also for the evangelisation and
Australia – Missions: Praise God that we have the word. Please pray that programmes can be Testament translation into Gheg Albanian and discipleship initiatives carried out with churches,
another opportunity to reach children in Australia, implemented to meet this need. financial support for translation of the Septuagint. which help to reduce violence and corruption.
22 23The Rugged Cross Follow: Experiencing Famous Last Words Our Work as Worship A Funny Thing Happened
By Tess Delbridge Life with Jesus By Richard Condie By Kara Martin Along the Way in Israel
Writer and editor By Graeme Anderson Anglican Bishop of Tasmania Author and lecturer By Catrina Henderson
Senior pastor, Northside Baptist Pastor, Hillsong Israel
We know you love reading
Week One Week Three Week Five Week Seven Week Nine the Bible. If you would like
APR 7 – APR 13 APR 22 – APR 28 MAY 6 – MAY 12 MAY 20 – MAY 26 JUNE 3 – JUNE 9 to engage in our full Bible
SUN 7 Luke 1:16-17 MON 22 Matt 4:18-20 MON 6 John 14:1-3 MON 20 Gen 1:26–28 MON 3 John 14:6; Matt 4:19 devotional series, why
MON 8 Luke 1:76-77 TUE 23 Matt 5:1-3 TUE 7 John 14:5-7 TUE 21 Gen 2:15, 19–20 TUE 4 Exod 3:7-8 not sign up to receive our
TUE 9 Luke 3:16-17 WED 24 Matt 5:13 WED 8 John 14:8-10 WED 22 Gen 3:17–19 WED 5 Exod 3:1-2
WED 10 Luke 1:30-32 THUR 23 Gen 11:3–5
Daily Bible emails? Each
THUR 25 Matt 5:14-16 THUR 9 John 14:15-17 THUR 6 Exod 13:21-22
THUR 11 Matt 3:16-17 FRI 26 Matt 5:20 FRI 10 John 14:18-21 FRI 24 Luke 4:18–19, 21 FRI 7 Exod 14:13-14 morning in your inbox you
FRI 12 Matt 16:15-16 SAT 27 Matt 5:21-22 SAT 11 John 14:22-24 SAT 25 Eph 2:8–10 SAT 8 Exod 14:15-16 will receive commentary
SAT 13 Matt 16:21-23 SUN 28 Matt 5:43-44 SUN 12 John 14:27-29 SUN 26 Col 3:17, 22–23 SUN 9 Exod 7:16 on each day’s reading
along with a question to
Week Two Week Four Week Six Week Eight Week Ten
APR 14 – APR 21 APR 29 – MAY 5 MAY 13 – MAY 19 MAY 27 – JUNE 2 JUNE 10 – JUNE 16
ponder and a prayer point.
SUN 14 Matt 20:17-19 MON 29 Matt 6:1 MON 13 John 15:1-4 MON 27 Gen 2:1–3 MON 10 Exod 13:17; 23:30
MON 15 Matt 26:38-39 TUE 30 Matt 6:9-10 TUE 14 John 15: 8-11 TUE 28 Gal 5:22–23 TUE 11 John 4:50-53 Subscribe at
TUE 16 Luke 23:20-23 WED 1 Matt 6:19-20 WED 15 John 15: 12-15 WED 29 Matt 5:13–16 WED 12 Exod 16:21 biblesociety.org.au/
WED 17 Luke 23:39-43 THUR 2 Matt 6:25-27 THUR 16 John 15:18-20 THUR 30 Ps 46:1–2, 10 THUR 13 Hos 2:14 dailybible
THUR 18 Matt 28:5-6 FRI 3 Matt 7:1-2 FRI 17 John 16:7-11 FRI 31 John 1:14, 18 FRI 14 Exod 35:29
FRI 19 Luke 24:39 SAT 4 Matt 7:24-25 SAT 18 John 16:19-20 SAT 1 Exod 31:1–5 SAT 15 Josh 3: 5
SAT 20 Luke 24:46-47 SUN 5 Matt 11:28-30 SUN 19 John 16:32-33 SUN 2 Mic 6:8, 10–11 SUN 16 Josh 5:12
SUN 21 1 Cor 15:12-14
Unless we are confident that Jesus What were Jesus’ last words? Not If we think of work as anything The early disciples of Jesus were
Easter is the crowning event invites us towards the best way to live, the words from the cross but the we do with intent or purpose, called followers of The Way before
of the Christian calendar, when we’re not going to take time to learn last words he taught his disciples? then it is the most significant they were ever known as Christians.
we remember our precious from him all of life – which includes These are found in John 14-16. These activity in our lives. This makes This tells us that Christianity is meant
Lord Jesus who stepped in to death. We may learn techniques for good famous last words are filled with sense if we look through Genesis to be a journey, a daily walk, a way to
secure forgiveness and life for behaviour and “right” living, but we will encouragement and challenge for 1–2 and see that work is the first walk rather than a religious institution
everyone who trusts in him. not experience deep, lasting, whole-of- how we live the Christian life. They command we receive from God. or set of behaviours to try to perfect.
Together with millions of other life change. This series focuses on the continue to guide, guard and inspire We were created to work with This study looking at Israel’s journey
Christians this Easter, let’s greatest 15 minutes of teaching of all time his disciples today. Over these two God in stewarding his creation. In from slavery to freedom is designed to
remember with thankfulness – the Sermon on the Mount. What is the weeks, my prayer is that Jesus’ last this series we will look at different simply help you journey with God and
Christ’s great sacrifice for us. life Jesus is inviting us towards, and what words will be left ringing in your ears. dimensions of our work in light of discover great things along The Way.
does it look like to follow him? God’s word.
24
25“
I pray that Bible Societies around the world
this book
will help people
to appreciate the
power of economics
to help us lead more
prosperous and
fulfilling lives,
but also to
understand the Crossing barriers Fijian milestone Easter Island NT
limitations of A new Turkish-Bulgarian bilingual Maumi Village in Tailevu, a district “This is the most beautiful day
economics in of the New Testament is mainly of Fiji, has launched the first of my life because we, the
targeted at the Turkish (mostly complete Scriptures of the New Rapa Nui people, have met the
helping us to Muslim) minority in Bulgaria and Testament in Maumi dialect, of word of God in our language,”
comprehend the Bulgarian minority in Turkey.
A joint initiative of the Bible
which there are just 500 speakers.
The project was part of an effort
Maria Ipacaparat said. Watched
over by Easter Island’s iconic
what life is Societies of Bulgaria and Turkey, to capture and preserve the monumental statues, called moai,
ultimately it took two years to complete.
“May it be a blessing to our two
language and keep the young
people in the village engaged in
Maria joined in last October’s
celebrations to welcome the first
all about.” nations,” said Rady Apostolov, their dialect. This is a milestone New Testament in Rapa Nui. The
Ian Harper
executive secretary of Bible achievement for the village and translation work was undertaken
$19.99
Society in Bulgaria, and Tamar for the Bible Society of the South by Robert and Nancy Weber of
Karasu, executive secretary of Pacific, having taken eight years SIL International, who arrived on
Bible Society in Turkey. from 2010 to 2018. the island 40 years ago.
recommended
retail
author, GPO BOX 9874 in your capital city P: 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537) ISSN 1839-7425
dean of the Melbourne Business School, W: biblesociety.org.au E: sower@biblesociety.org.au ACN 148 058 306
and a member of the board of the
Bible Society Australia is a not-for-profit interdenominational organisation. It’s a member
Reserve Bank of Australia
of the United Bible Societies, a fellowship of 154 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
Available in-store and online at Bible’s message of unconditional love in Jesus Christ.
koorong.com or call (02) 9857 4477 27YES! 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.
Pakistan – Literacy for women Australia – Life-changing words
My gift for (tax-deductible*) 19SWAU1TD (non tax-deductible) 19SWAU1NTD
Syria – Trauma healing Indochina (Vietnam) – Bible translation
(non tax-deductible) 19SWAU2NTD (non tax-deductible) 19SWAU3NTD
Where needed most Where needed most
(tax-deductible*) 19SWAUGENTD (non tax-deductible) 19SWAUGEN
Amount $40 $60 $125 $250 My choice $
I enclose my Cheque (payable to Bible Society) Money order (payable to Bible Society)
OR
Please debit my Visa card Mastercard
Card number Expiry date
/
Name on card Signature
Please Send me a receipt.
Send me information about Bible Society’s regular giving programme.
Send me information about leaving Bible Society a gift in my will.
Name Phone number
Email
Address
Your church
Name Suburb Denomination
Please return to Bible Society, Reply Paid 88900, Sydney, NSW 2001 (No stamp needed).
You can also donate online at www.biblesociety.org.au or by phone on 1300 BIBLES or (1300 242 537).
If these appeals are oversubscribed or a project changes due to unforeseen reasons, we will reallocate remaining funds to similar projects.
*Receipts for tax-deductible donations of $2 or more will be issued by the trustee for Bible Society Foundation. ABN 41 725 839 724You can also read
