Prayer Circle from Bible Society NI

PRAYER CIRCLE

12-26 June 2017

Bible Society in the Philippines launched 10 Bible stories in Sign Language. Translation continues!

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Belfast, BT1 6NB

t: 028 9032 6577

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"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."

Eph 6:18 (NIV)

Thanks so much to each of you who faithfully pray for Bible Society ministry. Thank you for praying for people working all over the world, whether they are working on translation or bringing the Bible to people who are on the edge of society. Whether they are developing technology or implementing listening groups - everyone involved in Bible ministry exists to make God known and to see His Kingdom extended.

Thank you for being a vital part of that.

Pray for Sri Lanka and Bangladesh

Cyclone Mora leaves devastation


	Many lost their homes to the power of Cyclone Mora.

Please pray for Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the wake of Cyclone Mora. While monsoon season is a regular occurrence in this region, Cyclone Mora was extreme, leaving devastation in its wake. Just over two weeks ago, the cyclone hit the south-west region of Sri Lanka, travelling on to Bangladesh.

Torrential rains flooded a huge section of Sri Lanka. Mrs. Lakshani Fernando, the General Secretary of the Bible Society there, said that there were reports of many deaths, others missing and huge numbers being displaced. Mrs Fernando stated "The disaster is described as one of the worst-ever calamities since the 2003 floods." Latest reports are saying 212 people lost their lives while a further 79 remain missing. As many as 600,000 people were displaced as they were evacuated or fled for their lives.

In Bangladesh, the refugee camps of Myanmar's (formerly Burma) Rohingyas were devastated. Thankfully, the authorities had managed to move at least 350,000 Bangladeshis out of harm.

Pray for Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as people begin to piece life back together. Pray that the land will stabilise. As the water continues to recede, there is an increased fear of landslides.

Praise God that the staff of the Bible Societies and their families are safe. Please pray for all those who are helping bring restoration in many different ways, from food, water and practical help to repairing infrastructure. Pray for the Bible Society and all those working to bring God's love and comfort in the midst of destruction.

Philippines Sign Language Bible


	DVDs with 10 Bible Stories in Filipino Sign Language

How can God communicate with people when there is no Bible in the language that speaks to their hearts? How can they be reached? These are pressing questions in light of the almost one million deaf Filipinos who are cut off from the Bible, as they can't read the printed text. They need a Bible in their language, which in their case, is Filipino Sign Language.

The Philippine Bible Society is partnering with the Philippine Deaf Sign Language Association (PDSLA). They are working on an ongoing Bible translation for the deaf. Ten Bible stories in Filipino Sign Language have already been recorded and produced in DVD format.

"The deaf cannot understand written words like the normal reader. Letters appear like figures and patterns to them. They cannot study the Bible on their own," says PDSLA President Julius Andrada through an interpreter. He is also a deaf pastor serving in the deaf ministries of three different churches.

As there are unique challenges in teaching and counselling deaf people, providing them with sign language translation in their heart language will help them relate to God more deeply.

The process of making the Filipino Sign Language Bible includes rigorous checking for accuracy and faithfulness to the originally-intended meaning. It also employs facial expressions, a unique characteristic of Filipino Sign Language. The videos were later tested among deaf students and businessmen to check comprehension.

Please pray for God's continued favour on this five-year project to translate 110 chronological Bible stories. It is hoped that 32 stories will be finished by the end of the year. Please pray for the ongoing work and also the plans for distribution. Making it available through mobile applications and online platforms is being explored.

God's Word for All - Ukraine


	Anastasia with a Braille Scripture portion.

The Bible Society in Ukraine has often prioritised making God's Word available and accessible to people who cannot easily access regular printed text. A team was recently able to visit a centre called "Bethany" where a group of blind and visually impaired youth were meeting. The team were blessed as they gave out copies of the Bible editions printed in Braille and large print. The power of the spirit of these young people and their loyalty to God both impressed and inspired the visitors.

One of the young people was 27-year-old Anastasia. She lost her vision through illness when she was 24. She became very depressed in hospital but it was there that she would have a real turning point. Struggling with disappointment in life and a sense of hopelessness, she uttered a simple prayer: "God, I'm in your hands!" The next day a girl arrived in the ward and her minister would come to visit, sharing words of the Bible. The girl began to tell Anastasia about God, reading the Bible out loud. It was through this that Anastasia accepted Christ. She learned to read Braille so she could continue to know the Lord through Scripture. She has also found recordings very helpful.

Scripture distribution to centres such as this is so important to the Bible Society in Ukraine. They also work hard to bring God's Word to others in their community who are often forgotten including people with disabilities, the elderly in care homes, children in orphanages and Boarding Schools as well as Juvenile offenders.

Please pray for the ministries in Ukraine and all the people being impacted by them. May more people like Anastasia discover Christ as His Word comes alive to them .

NEWS at HOME

Word at Work

If you have not read the Summer edition of our Word at Work magazine yet, it is online here.

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Speaking Engagements, Travel & Events

While the speaking engagements are not keeping the team busy just now, we have lots of resources to write and produce. So the summer months tend to stay rather busy for us in the office. Also, Catherine has quite a bit of travelling over the next number of weeks. Pray for focus and guidance as we put resources together and for safety and inspiration for Catherine as she travels and spends time with staff from other Bible Societies.

Speaking

There are no speaking engagements in the next few weeks, although Catherine will be attending the Methodist Conference on Thursday 15 June to present a Bible to Rev Laurence Graham, the incoming President. Rev Graham has a longstanding interest in Bible Society ministry and even travelled to Poland on a Bible Society Study visit in 2009.

Travel

Egypt: Tues 30 May - Mon 5 June - Catherine returned from Egypt inspired and impacted by the enthusiasm and dedication of the team there. She was also blessed to see the range of ministries they are leading and partnering in. Catherine had a real sense of God is at work in this difficult place and felt very privileged that we get to partner with them.

Cambodia: Mon 19- Mon 26 June - Catherine is stopping off in Cambodia before flying on to Sydney to take part in a United Bible Societies Roundtable Exchange from 3-7 July and other meetings with international colleagues in advance of this event. Please pray that her time spent in Cambodia will be helpful and that the discussion with other Bible Society Leaders at the Roundtable Exchange will be guided by the Lord.

If you have any questions, give us a ring on

028 9032 6577 or email i nfo @bsni.co.uk