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PRAYER CIRCLE
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22 Jan-5 Feb 2018
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Many are coming to Jesus through Bible listening groups in Nigeria.
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'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!
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Mark 9.24 (NIV)
These are the words of a a man who brought his son to Jesus for healing. When Jesus tells him that 'Everything is possible for the one who believes,' the man responds in this way.
This makes me pause. It makes me consider if I have a 'line in the sand' when it comes to faith. If God says 'nothing' is impossible, then he means 'nothing'. If he says 'everything' is possible, then he means 'everything'. For me, there is a challenge in this verse and a prayer to utter often. Perhaps I'm not the only one?
As we pray for ministry around the world, let's pause and ask God to increase our faith, to help us overcome our unbelief. Let's open our hearts to the 'impossible' and learn to live with greater expectation.
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Nigeria - End to End
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This lady is so happy to receive her own Bible after attending a listening group in her area.
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For many people in Nigeria, access to the Bible remains difficult. Some live with poverty, others have never learnt to read. Our colleagues in the Bible Society of Nigeria tell us that this has been a great hindrance to the spiritual growth of many people in the country. In response to this, they launched their 'End to End' ministry. They are working with churches and partner agencies to share the Bible in other formats. Using Faith Comes by Hearing listening materials along with the Jesus film, many people are being reached with the Gospel.
They begin by the showing of Jesus Film to a group, which then becomes a Bible listening group. Bibles are distributed to those who can read them. Church leaders are appointed and trained for each group with the aim of seeing a new church planted!
Praise God that he is using this simple model to call people to follow him. In one region 232 people came to the Lord and in another, 70 more! All in just 2 months.
Many give testimony to their lives being changed through saying 'Yes' to Jesus. One lady called Hannah said, "I was broken after watching the [Jesus] film and had no choice than to give my life to Christ. Since then, there have been tremendous changes in my life."
One pastor expressed incredible joy at how the ministry brought such change, "To the glory of God, 70 people have given their lives to Christ from October - December 2017 by watching the Jesus film," he explained.
Praise God for the move of the Spirit in these regions of Nigeria and ask for more! Pray for the new believers, that they will grow in faith and walk closely with Jesus. Pray for the impact of ongoing ministry, that they will continue to see God move. Thank God for the resources and the people making it all possible and pray for an increase! We are so thrilled to be partnering with the team in Nigeria in 2018.
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Bread of Life in Peru
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A few of the 1,400 children who attend one of the 'Bread of Life' groups.
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You may be aware of The Bread of Life project in Peru which brings a meal and Bible teaching to some of Peru's poorest children. This began in the year 2000 and now operates in 6 different regions and we have been so blessed to partner in this for a number of years now. Children are referred to the ministry if they are in need, some are turning up to school tired and hungry, others are very young but spending most of their days alone as a single parent works long hours. There are many reasons why children are in need but
the Bible Society in Peru is continuing to help.
Each child comes every day, either for breakfast in the morning, or for a meal in the afternoon, often in churches where they can then connect with the church community also. Part of the ministry is teaching the children about God and His love for them. It is wonderful that their mums are sometimes able to join the volunteers who serve the meals, so they are also connecting with the church communities.
We thank God that 2017 saw over 1,400 children helped in this way but we know there are many more who are yet to be reached.
This project could not happen without wonderful partners who help implement the work in various regions. While the Bible Society in Peru co-ordinates the ministry and provides the necessary resources, the volunteers are from churches and partner organisations.
Please pray for the children in the programme who live in a context of material, social and spiritual need. Pray too for the pastors and volunteers who implement the programme in their churches, may they see lives changing as a result. Give thanks for the relationships that build when children return over consecutive years and for the evident growth in their lives.
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Hundreds of thousands of people live in shanty towns in Caracus, many in crippling poverty.
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Pray for Venezuela
Venezuela is a country in turmoil. Among the political unrest, widespread protests and increasing poverty, the Bible Society team continue to minister. Reports speak of increasing poverty and hospitals seeing increasing cases of malnourishment. Many people are struggling to survive and looting is becoming a common problem.
Our colleagues in the Bible Society in Venezuela have asked for prayer as they are facing some huge challenges. A few weeks ago their offices were broken into. The place was ransacked and computers were stolen. Naturally this has a huge impact on their ministry. The team had been planning a trip to some of the Caribbean islands but the government have currently closed the borders meaning that they cannot travel there.
Please pray for the translation teams who are continuing their work to bring the Bible to people who speak langauges that currently have no full translation. Pray for the Currípaco and Uwottuja translators and for safety for the safety for Javier, Marlon and Alfredho - Bible Society team members who will soon be travelling by car into the Amazon region to work with the Currípaco and the Uwottuja translation teams.
Pray especially that the visit to see the Currípacos team is blessed. They just started the Old Testament translation last year and further training is necessary. While there, the team will have the opportunity to speak at the village convention to present the project and meet pastors and key local leaders of this people group.
Let's pray in faith that nothing will hinder the spread of God's Word, not unrest, poverty, closed borders or fear! Pray too that the team will see their offices restored and fully functioning very soon.
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NEWS at HOME
Speaking Engagements
Tue 23 Jan, 3pm - Leah is at Kirkpatrick Memorial Presbyterian, Afternoon Club
Fri 26 Jan, 2.15pm - Leah is at Ballynure Village Friendship Group
Sun 28, 9.30am/10.45am/12pm - Catherine is at Middletown, Aghavilly & Tynan Parish Churches
Wed 31 Feb, 2.30pm - Leah is at 1st Newtownards Presbyterian Friendship Group
Thur 1 Feb, 10am -
Leah is at 2nd and 3rd Rathfriland Presbyterian Churches, Thursday Morning Fellowship
Thur 1 Feb, 8pm - Leah is at Carrickfergus Baptist
Sun 4 Feb, 11.30am - Leah is at Kilbride Presbyterian PW service
Please pray for AJ visits to the following schools:
Thu & Fri 25-26 Jan - AJ2 will reach 400 pupils in Bloomfield Primary
Tue 30 Jan - AJ2 will reach 100 pupils in Blythefield Primary
 Wed 31 Jan - AJ2 will reach 160 pupils in Fane Street Primary
AJ is a series of interactive exhibitions that are designed for primary schools. Run by the Youth Department of the Baptist Churches in Ireland. Bible Society NI partners with AJ by providing Scripture portions for each child and New Testaments where requested.
Find out more about AJ here.
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Word at Work Magazine - Spring 2018
Our new and exciting edition of Word at Work was mailed last week.
If you don't usually receive this magazine 3 times a year, do get in touch! You don't want to miss out on all that's happing here at BSNI and with our partners around the world!
To receive a copy in the post, email
info@bsni.co.uk or get in touch by ph
one on 028 9032 6577.
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If you have any questions, give us a ring on
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