Sharing the Bible with a carer in Zimbabwe who hasn't been to church for 17 years.

#scripturepicture @biblesocietyni Dear Prayer Partner It is so moving and challenging to hear about people who are full of rejoicing to receive Scripture. Many of us take much for granted. Let's not forget to thank the Lord for the freedom and Scripture access we enjoy. And let's continue to pray for those who do not enjoy the same freedoms as us. We are praying for ministry in Zimbabwe, Kuwait and Fiji.

Difficult Days in Zimbabwe   In January the price of fuel in Zimbabwe nearly tripled overnight. This sparked widespread unrest as many people who were already struggling to get by took to the streets. A number of people were killed in the chaos, many were injured and many more were arrested. The country was effectively shut down for a week. This included the Bible Society offices and shop. That would have been bad enough, but a nationwide internet shutdown also left the Bible Society unable to communicate with its supporters. General Secretary Chipo Maringe (pictured) said it has left them with no choice but to increase the price of Bibles. Yet Zimbabweans are continuing to purchase Scriptures, in fact sales have increased. It is clear that people are turning to God for wisdom and guidance. It is vital that the Bible Society are positioned to help those in need. Research has revealed that families caring for disabled members at home are often isolated, desperately poor and unable to be part of a church community. In this case mothers are usually left at home, unable to even attend church as they don’t have the equipment or access required to leave the house. One mother shared that she hasn’t been to church for 17 years, since her disabled daughter was born. The Bible Society has given them a Proclaimer audio Bible player and are looking at ways to help. They would love to see this mother and daughter becoming part of a church community, rather than isolated. And this is just one example – there are many other families who are in similar circumstances. The project will also involve teaching skills that will help the families earn an income. Pray for Zimbabwe Please pray for the Bible Society of Zimbabwe as it works to make God’s Word available in a difficult context. Pray especially for this project which is in developmental stages, seeking to provide access to the the Bible and fellowship, helping people live life to the full.

Ministry in Kuwait Every year the Bible Society in the Gulf reaches out to migrants working in Kuwait, especially Egyptian migrants who count more than half a million.   Some of these migrants work in fashion and furniture stores every day from 9am to 11pm. The only days they get off are occasional public holidays. This means the only way to reach them is to go to them at work! So the Bible Society in the Gulf has partnered with some Arabic churches in Kuwait to do exactly that. They have been to fashion shops and furniture stores sharing the Gospel and giving out Bibles, MegaVoice Players and other Christian materials.   The team have been so blessed by this as they met with people who were eager to talk and hungry for God’s Word. They have many stories of precious encounters. Kerellos (pictured) is a sales person in a furniture store. He said: “I am the only Christian Egyptian working in this store. The others take time off and do their prayers during the day but not me. But God sent me these angels today. I mean the church leaders who spent time with me talking about Jesus and gave me a Bible. I can have some special time away from the eyes of my colleagues and read it. I am so happy. I am not alone anymore. God’s Word is with me. Thank God for the Bible, the most precious book”. Pray for Kuwait Praise God for this rewarding and successful initiative. Pray that the people being reached through this project would be able to find time to be in God's presence. Pray for the families who remain in Egypt, separated from their loved one. Pray that they would also encounter God in their daily lives. Pray for the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit in carrying out such plans in Kuwait. Pray that the team would know God’s favour and protection as they travel and visit people in their places of work.

A New Testament in Fiji Fiji’s Maumi people now have a New Testament. They belong to the Waimoro tribe – one of the island’s fiercest warrior tribes, sought after by chiefs of old for their protection and service. Until January, this ancient people group had very little Scripture in their language. This changed with the launch of the Maumi New Testament. Community leaders, Christians and Church leaders joined the staff and board of the Bible Society in the South Pacific at a church in Maumi Village, central Fjii. Here they dedicated the New Testament and celebrated this significant milestone. They also looked back on the years of work that led to this point. It was in 2007 when the then General Secretary of the Bible Society in the South Pacific, Solomone Duru, a Maumi speaker himself, created a draft of the first chapter of James in Maumi. He gave a copy to both his tribal chief and his spokesman, who were overwhelmed. “We saw something that neither our eyes nor our imagination ever thought of seeing: Scripture in our own language,” they told him. Work on the translation began in earnest in 2011, and in 2012, three portions of Scripture in Maumi were launched: the Gospel of Mark, the Book of James, and the story of Abraham in comic book format. Hundreds of Maumi speakers gathered to welcome the first Scriptures in their language. Not only would it enhance their Bible knowledge but it would also help to preserve their language. On January 27, 2019, the Maumi New Testament was launched. As the event closed, the Maumi New Testament was distributed to each head of the clan, who in turn made distributions to their respective clan households, all of whom will now have God’s Word in the language of their heart.   Pray for Maumi Speakers Maumi is spoken by over 3,000 people in Fiji. Please pray that this New Testament will help them to experience meaningful engagement with God’s Word. Pray that work will progress well on the whole Bible, so that another launch will one day take place celebrating a full Maumi Bible. Pray for the Bible Society of the South Pacific who are based in Fiji but work across 16 islands to make Scripture available in various languages and formats.

Pray for Neels Janse van Rensburg on his appointment as CEO of Bible Society New Zealand, starting April 1, when Francis Burdett retires after nine years of faithful service. Anders Göranzon, has also just been appointed by the Swedish Bible Society's board to succeed Anders Blåberg as General Secretary from the end of August. Please continue to pray for the Bible Society in Venezuela as they attempt to continue ministry in a time of incredible unrest. Pray for protection and peace. Pray for wisdom for the team who seek to serve the people with God's message.

Pray for the team We are looking forward to having Andrew Dickson join the team here in Bible House in a new role of Community Relations Manager. Do pray for Andrew as he finishes in his role as a Youth Pastor and makes the transition to work with the Bible Society NI. Andrew will begin with us on April 1 st . Pray for Catherine as she has a number of speaking engagements in the coming weeks.

Speaking Engagements Sun 17 March, 10.30am & 12noon – Catherine is speaking at Sandholes & Pomeroy Presbyterian Churches PW Services Wed 20 March, 7.45pm – Catherine will be speaking at Abbey Presbyterian PW in Bangor Mon 25 March – Catherine is speaking to the ladies of St Polycarps MU, Finaghy Sunday 31 March, 10.30am – Catherine will be speaking at the MWI Service in Comber Methodist Church Tue 2 April, 2.30pm – Catherine is speaking at Ballymena MWI Sun 7 April, 12noon – Catherine will be speaking at Mosside PW service Sun 14 April, 11.30am – Catherine is speaking at Ebrington Presbyterian, Londonderry

BIBLE SOCIETY NI www.biblesocietyni.co.uk

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