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PRAYER CIRCLE
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19 Feb-5 Mar 2018
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'I know everything you have done. And I have placed before you an open door that no one can close. You were not very strong, but you obeyed my message and did not deny that you are my followers.
Rev 3:8 (CEV)
As you pray through the topics today, it is our hope that you clearly see God's hand at work. We are often amazed at what is achieved by small teams with limited resources. Yet we shouldn't be amazed at all - when God opens a door for his obedient followers, no one else can close that door but Him.
Join us in thanksgiving for a new Bible in South Sudan, wide open opportunities in Ukraine and a dream realised in Cuba.
Give thanks for all that has been achieved so far and pray for all that is still to come.
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10,000 People at Bible Launch in South Sudan!
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People of all ages joined together to read the Bible in their language for the first time.
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The people of Mabaan land in South Sudan have known much suffering due to the civil war which broke out in 2013. It's a place where hope is in short supply.
So the people in the town of Buny were intrigued when they saw the pilot of a small aircraft kneeling down on the airstrip. He was praying and weeping for joy next to some boxes that he had just unloaded. The boxes contained copies of the very first Mabaan Bible, published in late 2017, two years ahead of schedule.
Word of this incident got out and made a big impression on the community. Dr Edward Kajivora, General Secretary of the Bible Society in South Sudan shared that, "The sight of this pilot from another culture kneeling to pray because of the Bible led to many people in the area believing in the power of the Word of God," he says.
A local song-writer also got many people interested in the Mabaan Bible. His excitement prompted a song with these words, "...we are going to see the newly-born Word of God... a word of salvation that we, the Mabaan people, have never heard of or taken into our hearts before."
Excitement spread, and on January 13, 2018, more than 10,000 people attended the launch! This included members of different tribes and faiths, refugees, high-ranking government officials and traditional chiefs.
Edward says that churches in Buny already see the new Bible having an impact.
"...many more people are attending church and some are coming forward to accept Jesus Christ."
Praise God for preparing hearts to receive His Word and pray that the Mabaan Bible will continue to change lives and bring hope to the Mabaan people.
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'Year of the Bible' in Ukraine
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Ms Hopko meeting Church leaders and Bible Society staff.
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On the January 31 the Ukrainian Bible Society joined leaders of the Ukrainian Churches to meet Ms Hanna Hopko, the Head of Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs. They met to plan the ways they would celebrate 'The Year of the Bible' which all churches decided to announce in 2018.
As a devout Christian, Ms Hopko shared her vision for this event to honour the role of the Bible in their history and encourage people to follow Biblical truths. She noted that the Church has the deepest influence on Ukrainian society and encouraged Church leaders to take the lead in proclaiming values that would build a successful society. "If we put God in the first place, everything else will be sorted out!" she declared.
The plans for the year include nationwide Bible reading and Handwritten Bible projects to involve people from all parts of the country. During the meeting, the Bible Society presented their work and when Ms Hopko heard that the military were asking for Bibles, she said, "Then the Year of the Bible starts tomorrow as I am going to the frontline and would hand out these Scriptures there!" And just the next day the Bible Society received a message saying thanks for the Bibles - she had given all of them to the military and people living in the frontline areas!
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ostyslav from the Ukrainian Bible Society shared the following: 'Our dear friends, partners and supporters, please keep praying for Ukraine and for all God's servants here, both in churches and in the government! We truly witness incredible things that He is doing in our country - and we need your prayers so that He gives us wisdom to use these extraordinary opportunities for the greatest glory of His Kingdom!'
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Just one of many churches thrilled to own God's Word.
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Cuba's 1 Million Milestone
Cuba has had a rocky past and there are still many shadows. However let's praise God that in terms of Christianity, much is changing. Where there was once a firmly closed door, there is currently a wide open window of opportunity. Praise God that the Bible Commission in Cuba (what the Bible Society there is called) stepped up and have taken every opportunity to spread the Bible as widely as possible!
In 2013, they began an ambitious project to distribute 1 million Bibles. We have just heard that they have reached their target! This is the most wonderful news! How exciting to see God fulfilling the dreams of the team there. One million families, individuals and churches have benefited from receiving the Bible in a language and format that they can understand. They have given Bibles to church leaders across denominations, to young people, to prisoners and many other groups over the last 5 years. Support from Northern Ireland has contributed to this project, so thank you for praying and giving to make this possible.
Praise God for the way he brings dreams to life, for the many people who can now access the Word of God daily. Pray for the ongoing distribution plans and the new targets that will be established for the future to 'reach everyone with God's Word'.
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NEWS at HOME
We really appreciate your prayers for the following meetings and speaking engagements. Pray for safety in travel, encouraging conversations and an impact for the kingdom, no matter what the occasion may be.
Tue 20 Feb -
We are looking forward to a visit from colleagues from the other Bible Societies in the UK: The Bible Society of England & Wales, and the Scottish Bible Society. It is always great to spend time developing deeper relationships within our neighbours!
Mon 26 Feb, 6pm - Pray for wisdom and guidance as the Board meet this evening.
Tues 27- Wed 28 Feb - Visit from Hrayr Jebijian from the Bible Society in the Gulf.
Speaking Engagements
Mon 19 Feb, 8pm - Leah is at Culnady and Swatragh Presbyterian PW.
Tue 20 Feb, 7.30pm - Leah is at Queen's Park Methodist GEMS group.
Sun 25 Feb, 10 and 11.30am - Catherine is at Diamond and Tartaraghan Church of Ireland services.
Sun 25 Feb, 11.30am - Leah is at Downpatrick Methodist.
Tues 27 Feb, 2.30pm - Leah is at Hamilton Road Presbyterian, Bangor PW.
Sun 4 Mar, 10.45am - Leah is at Fivemiletown Methodist.
Amazing Journey
Fri 23 Feb - Crumlin Integrated (tbc) - 150 pupils
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Our Bible-a-month Calendar is proving popular this year.
If you don't already have a copy and would like to know more about giving a 'Bible-a-month', check out our website for more information. |
If you have any questions, give us a ring on
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