Dear Prayer Partner

Your prayers bring such encouragement to us and our Bible Society partners around the world. Thank you.

The image above shows people queuing to buy food in Venezuela where daily life is increasingly difficult. Let's pray for this and the other items highlighted below.
Prayers for Indonesia
 
Thank you for praying for the Bible Society team in Indonesia. There is a team in the devastated Palu region who are doing all they can to join in the relief mission in their community.

Alicia Chandradewi from the Bible Society in Indonesia shared the following: "We were finally able to make contact with our Supporting Working Group in Palu on October 1. We are so grateful that the group members and their immediate families are safe, but many of them are still waiting to hear news of other relatives. Those who are safe are now working alongside the government to serve people in shelters."

At least 1,400 people have lost their lives, with many still missing. Over 70,000 people are now living in temporary shelters, desperate for help and hope.

Alicia says "Our Bible Society volunteers tell us that people need water, tea, coffee, rice, sugar, canned food, eggs, cooking oil, milk, baby food, biscuits, instant noodles, medicine, vitamins, blankets and Bibles. Our office staff in Manado are collecting goods that we can deliver to Palu. Please keep us in your prayers.”

Pray for Relief efforts in Indonesia
  • Praise God for protecting the Bible Society team and their families.
  • Please pray for the team and all those they are serving beside. Pray they will know God’s empowering presence in the midst of such trauma.
  • Pray that basic needs will be met and that disease will not take hold among the survivors.
  • Pray that those in positions of government will be given great wisdom and help as they make decisions that impact so many.
Migrant with MV.jpg
Responding to Jesus in the Gulf

Dr. Hrayr Jebejian from the Bible Society in the Gulf recently conducted some research among migrant workers and church leaders in the Gulf. “Several interviewees said that they had become “new” in Jesus and that their lives had changed by engaging with the Scriptures. They also said that they wanted to "stay focused on Jesus,” "tell others about Jesus,” and “share their faith with others””. - Hrayr

Hearing how people are responding to Jesus through His Word is such a blessing to us, especially since we have been partnered with the Bible Society in the Gulf in their efforts to minister to migrant workers. They are finding that new Christians and church leaders alike are attending their seminars and workshops. September saw two seminars that focused on increasing the biblical knowledge of church leaders and preparing them to spread the Good News of the Gospel.

Hrayr shared this story with us. “A migrant worker I interviewed for a study in the Gulf explained hope thus, “Hope gives me comfort when I am in difficulty. Recently, I had a lot of family problems. Often, I felt like a loser and wanted to commit suicide. My family told me that I was useless, and I always felt rejected. However, after attending church, reading the Bible, and learning about Jesus I came to know about real hope in life. Now, I feel loved and cared for, as Jesus is helping me to solve my problems”.”

Pray for Migrant Workers in the Gulf
  • Please keep praying for the many migrant workers who are hearing about Jesus while they are working and living far from home.
  • Pray that the love of God and the hope He brings will fill many hearts with peace in trying circumstances.
  • Ask God to continue to provide open doors, resources and great relationships with churches and other organisations to enable many to be reached with the message of God's Word.


Image shows a migrant worker receiving Bible passages on a MegaVoice audio player so he can listen to God's Word.
Hope is fading fast in Venezuela

The leading photo shows people queuing around the block at a supermarket in Caracas, Venezuela. This has become a common sight as the economic meltdown continues.

Venezuelans from all walks of life are suffering and in despair as hyperinflation continues. Violence regularly erupts on the streets as people reach the point of desperation.You can see from the image here how the streets around the Bible Society building are not immune from unrest! All of this has led to around 2 million people leaving the country in the last few years having lost all hope of supporting themselves if they remained.

The Bible Society in Venezuela are responding by joining efforts to bring Aid and help where possible. Naturally their main heart is to share God's Word and restore hope where it is gone. One way of doing this is to help equip church leaders to stand on God’s Word and inspire their congregations to do the same. The United Bible Societies Fellowship are helping through partnerships of various kinds – from prayer to finances, resources and even personnel delivering teaching and ministry.

Javier Chacon is the General Secretary of the Bible Society in Venezuela. He comments as follows: “The decisive support offered to us by the United Bible Societies fellowship at this difficult time for our country means a lot to us. We ask you to intercede for us so that God will give us grace and wisdom to stand firm by bringing the precious Word of God to our country.

 
Pray for a Miracle in Venezuela
  • It is difficult to know how to pray for a country so deep in financial crisis but we know God can bring great change. Pray for Godly leaders, wise decisions and new ways forward.
  • Please pray that the efforts of the Bible Society to support church leaders will have a huge impact on the churches and in turn, the communities they serve.
  • Praise God for the United Bible Societies and the partnerships that are helping Jacier Chacon and team to have an impact in this environment. May God's Word be heard.
  • The Bible Society in Sudan held a celebration on 28th September when Bibles that had been held in customs for four years were finally released. Praise God that prayers have been answered!
  • Pray for the Norwegian Bible Society on the appointment of their new General Secretary to succeed Ingeborg Mongstad-Kvammen from December 1. Pray for a good transition as Paul Erik Wirgenes steps into this role.
  • Continue to pray for the efforts of the Bible Society in India as they help believers replace the Bibles that were destroyed in August's floods in the Kerala region.
  • Pray for the National Bible Society in Ireland as they seek to appoint someone in the role of Development Officer. See job advertisement below.
We really appreciate your ongoing prayers for the team here in Northern Ireland. Pray for us as we continue to visit churches, build relationships, communicate the mission in various ways and seek to encourage Bible engagement. Pray also for our Board members and committees as they steer the work.

Speaking Engagements
Mon 5 Nov, 8pm - Leah is speaking at Larne Mission Hall Ladies Fellowship.
Mon 12 Nov, 8pm - Leah is speaking at First Dunboe Presbyterian Women's Fellowship.


Bible Sunday
Sunday 28th October is Bible Sunday in the Church of Ireland. Resources are available on our website. Do let us know if your church takes part, we would love to know how you celebrate!

Bible Society Meetings
Mon 22 Oct - The Bible Society NI Board is meeting.
Thurs 8 Nov - The Bible Society NI Finance Committee is meeting.

Please ask God to make His presence felt in these meetings and to give wisdom and guidance in all the proceedings.
BIBLE SOCIETY NI
www.biblesocietyni.co.uk
Charity Registration Number NIC102557