PRAYER CIRCLE
20 Mar-3 Apr 2017
The Bible Society in Guatemala is heartbroken as they help support survivors of a children's home fire.
March 2017
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Bible House

27 Howard Street

Belfast, BT1 6NB

 

t: 028 9032 6577

 

www.bsni.co.uk


 

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"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
Romans 12:9-13 (NIV)

The NIV translation gives this passage in Romans the title 'Love in Action'. We are often moved by the action that people put into place when it springs from a place of love. A love for God is often outworked through our love towards others. A love for God also means we find hope, patience and faithfulness where others may not. When we share with those in need and practice hospitality, we find incredible opportunities to share God's love also. We see this playing out time and again through Bible Society ministries and partnerships around the world. Thank you for praying!
Work continues with children and young people who have been rescued from trafficking and exploitation.
Work continues with children and young people who have been rescued from trafficking and exploitation.
Heartbreak in Guatemala

Guatemala is in mourning for the tragedy that occurred at an Orphanage sheltering more than 120 children and young people. This occurred just over a week ago at one of the shelters that the Bible Society in Guatemala partners with. T hey work specifically with young girls who have been trafficked or exploited. 

It is heartbreaking to report that 30 girls lost their lives in this fire, and 40 children are left injured. So many people have been thrown into intense grief. 

Bible Society of Guatemala is mobilising their volunteers to implement an Emergency Project "Healing the Brokenhearted" which aims to bring hope through God's Word and Humanitarian Aid.

We invite you to join in prayer for strength and comfort, for the parents, children and volunteer teams. Annelisse from the Bible Society in Guatemala says "The pain is big, the challenge is big, but our passion for bringing Hope through the Word of God is even greater, and we believe that we will see the hand of God comforting, healing and restoring the heart of childhood in this country."

For more than five years the Bible Society of Guatemala have been working with children and young people who have been orphaned, abandoned or exploited.You can read more information about the 'Free to Live' project and how you can join us in the fight to help young girls find new life. Read more here.
Ethiopia
Proclaimer in action at a listening group.
Hearing God in Bangladesh

Many Bible Societies around the world use listening groups to share God's Word with people who have never learnt to read well enough to open a Bible themselves. One country with a strong listening culture is Bangladesh. 

Proclaimer devices are used to gather groups to listen to the New Testament. Proclaimers look like a wind-up radio, but they have a recording of the whole New Testament on them. They are also solar-powered and have speakers loud enough for a group to gather around and listen. This recent story from Bangladesh brings home the impact God's Word is having in this format!

Mrs. Momota (pseudonym) is 26 years old. She lives in a village with her husband who works as a day labourer. She has very little education as her family was too poor to give her more than very basic education. Near her home there is a small church. There is a good relationship between the church pastor and Mrs Momota's family. One day Mrs Momota saw a machine while visiting the pastor.  Curiously she asked to pastor about it. He explained that it was a 'Proclaimer' and said - `It is the Bible in audio format. We listen to it together with the church members.' She was surprised and expressed her interest to listen to the Word of God. She began to listen. She is now a regular listener. The verse of John 10:9 "I'm the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved" touched her heart deeply. She decided to receive Jesus Christ as her Saviour. She said, "pray for me so that I may receive almighty God Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I want to be His follower rest of my life."
 
Praise God that this story is repeated time and again as God's Word is being heard. Pray for the listening groups in Bangladesh - that their impact and reach will multiply and that communities will be forever changed as God's Word comes alive. Praise God!
Continuing in Prayer for Lebanon
2016 programme video
Click the image for a brief glimpse into minsitry in Lebanon.

It was such a joy to have Mike Bassous from the Bible Society in Lebanon visiting with us in January. This was a special occasion where we worked in partnership with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Some of you will have had the opportunity to hear him speak at one of the events we hosted. 

This was an opportunity to have our eyes opened as we heard about the ministry to the huge numbers of refugees flooding into Lebanon from Syria and Iraq. We heard how many, many people are becoming 'Jesus followers' as they are reading the Bible, meeting believers and encountering Jesus in dreams! Nothing can stop God. Let's be encouraged that even in the darkest places where Christian witness seems impossible, Jesus is still reaching people with his love.

Please continue to pray for the team in Lebanon as they work on a huge variety of ministries, finding open doors for mission all around. The short video above gives a brief visual glimpse into the variety of work they are doing.

Their programmes include ministries such as trauma healing, kids programmes, bible engagement, christian book exhibitions, hike for bibles, bible engagement and much more... Pray for an increase in partnership, response to the Gospel and continued provision. Give thanks for the impact that the Bible Society in Lebanon has on the United Bible Societies Fellowship also. God is using them to bless, encourage and spur us on to greater things!
NEWS at HOME  
 
 

Bible blog ni

So the latest addition to our Bible blog is from our very own Leah McKibben. Leah is the Project Manager here at Bible Society NI. Click the link below to read her blog entitled 'Simple Faith'.

Speaking Engagements and Events

Catherine and Leah have a number of opportunities to speak over the next few weeks. We are already heading into slightly quieter days as programmes are busy preparing for Easter. Then the end of term is on us before we know. Pray that each chance to share about the Bible Society ministry will be an occasion that glorifies God and stirs excitement for the kingdom!

Tue 21 Mar 7.30pm  Catherine - Templepatrick Presbyterian - PW 
Thur 23 Mar 7.00pm   Leah - 2nd Broughshane Presbyterian - CE 
Sun 26 Mar 10am and 11.30am   Catherine - Ardglass and Downpatrick Presbyterian Churches
Sun 26 Mar 10.30am   Leah - Annaghlone - CE

If you have any questions, give us a ring on 
028 9032 6577 or email i nfo @bsni.co.uk