Prayer Circle from Bible Society NI

PRAYER CIRCLE

9-23 July 2018

New Testament Revision team from Vanuatu are eager for the New Testament launch.

reviewers with Dorothy Dewar_ former Trans Coordinator for Vanuatu with BS South Pacific..jpg

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"N o weapo n forged against you will prevail,

and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,

and this is their vindication from me,'

declares the Lord ."

Psalm 19:8

We know all too well that there are forces at work to stop the spread of the Gospel and the growth of the Church. However, as the Lord God Almighty promised, no weapon can stand against Him. Nothing can stop the Lord. We have seen this over and over again in places where trials have come - whether through government, natural disaster, corruption, violence or countless other causes - yet the Word of God continues to be spread.

Be encouraged as you read these examples of Bible Societies working with other Christians in great efforts to make the Bible available to all people everywhere! Thank you for praying.

New Testament for the displaced of Vanuatu


	The weight of the volcanic ash has crushed churches and homes.

Last year Havakinau-speaking Christians in Vanuatu were excitedly waiting for the launch of a revised New Testament in their language. When plans were being put in place and 1,000 New Testaments had arrived, disaster struck. A volcanic eruption caused an urgent evacuation to neighbouring islands.

Jack Titek is the Vanuatu Branch Manager of the Bible Society in the South Pacific. He stayed in close communication with the Havakinau church leaders and elders. One of the things that kept them going through this stressful time was the thought of returning home and celebrating the arrival of their revised New Testament.

Just when people had been returning home and plans were being put in place for the launch of the New Testament for the second time, the volcano erupted again. In April, the government announced the urgent and permanent evacuation of the whole island. People from Vanuatu are now in various settlements on neighbouring islands.

Many of the Havakinau speakers are now living on the island of Espiritu Santo. Please pray for the new plans to launch the revised New Testament among the community there in August. Pray that the launch will be able to happen and that nothing will hinder it this time.

Pray that the New Testament will bring hope to people as they build new lives and homes on other islands. Around 8,700 people speak Havakinau. The New Testament has been revised as the old edition contained errors, and the language's spelling system has changed.

Bibles for Henan - China


	66 year-old farmer, Zhang Xiufu, is overjoyed to have a new Bible with larger print.

China's Henan province is home to over 95 million people, many living in rural regions, often in poverty. The Bible Society team in China speak of tremendous spiritual hunger and a need for more Bibles among the rural poor.

Distribution trips are always encouraging as people respond so warmly to receiving God's Word. Yet, these trips also expose the great need that remains despite the millions of Bibles that have been distributed in China in recent decades. These brief testimonies remind us what a treasure the Bible is:

Zhang Xiufu (pictured) is a 66-year-old farmer who attended a Bible distribution event to get a new Bible with bigger print. His current Bible is 20 years old and quite tattered. So he was very happy to receive a new copy. The Word of God is very important to Zhang. His favourite verse is John 3:16 as it talks about God's love and grace.

Jiang Mingchen, is 78 years old. He came to faith when his mother-in-law and sister-in-law shared with him about Jesus. His Bible which has been in use for 20 years is most precious to him. He shares with conviction, "If you depart from the Bible, you have no road ahead." To the donors of the Bibles, Jiang says, "Thank you for giving us the Bible. God's Word gives strength to our lives."

Continue to pray for Bible distribution in China. While there are opportunities, there are also restrictions and not everyone finds it easy to access the Bible. Pray that God will continue to make a way and that churches will experience the freedom believers continue to hope for.

NEWS at HOME

Pray for good rest and relaxation as staff get some opportunities to take a break throughout the summer, and a sense of recharging for the next busy season. Despite some time off, there continues to be lots of work to be done. The new General Data Protection Regulations have created an increased administrative workload and there are a number of resources currently in preparation. Pray that we will be efficient and productive in these weeks and that God will be glorified as we give our best efforts to him.

The Office will be closed on 12th and 13th July.

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028 9032 6577 or email [email protected]