Extra Insight September

Hi Catherine,

Welcome to the September edition of our Extra Insight email! This month we are talking a special look at some of the literacy projects we support in Cambodia and Pakistan.

Thank you again for joining us in prayer.

LOCAL NEWS

Northern Ireland

We are delighted to have had the blessing of visiting New Horizon and Bangor Worldwide this summer. It was wonderful to chat to many of you and share our work with so many people from different walks of life. Our theme at both of these events was “My Bible and Me”, we were able to have some lovely chats with you all about what your Bible means to you and how important it is that other people have access to God's Word. Thank you to everyone who came along!

Coming up this month we have our Volunteer Lunch for our wonderful Bibles for Babies volunteers. Every week our dedicated team of volunteers gather together at our office and hand-pack each Toddler Bible, praying over this gift and for the child who will receive it. To date our volunteers have packed and sent out over 2,500 Toddler Bibles to children all across Northern Ireland!

We're Hiring!

Could you be our new Project and Data Administrator?

If you’re organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about sharing the Bible, this could be the perfect role for you! As our Project and Data Administrator, you’ll play a crucial role in providing admin support to our staff team and managing our database.

We’re looking for someone with great computer skills, experience of CRM systems/database management and an eye for detail. If you have these skills, we would love to hear from you!

Closing date for applications: 15th September 2023.

Find out more

Pray for the work in NI:

Pray for our volunteer lunch, that we will be able to bless our volunteers through it. Ask God to also bless the Bibles for Babies programme as we send out Toddler Bibles every week.
Pray that God would send us the right person for our new role and for the Board as they choose our new staff member.

BIBLE-A-MONTH PROJECT:

Learning through Listening - Cambodia

In the heart of Cambodia, where literacy remains a challenge, an initiative is bringing light to the lives of many. The Learning through Listening programme, pioneered by the Bible Society in Cambodia, is igniting hope by addressing the critical issue of illiteracy in their country. Scripture translation, publishing, and distribution all hinge on literacy, so there is no doubt of the importance of this project.

The Learning through Listening programme collaborates with local churches, to offer approximately 500 literacy classes each year. These classes reach out to both disadvantaged Christians and non-Christians who have never had the opportunity to learn to read or write in Khmer. Upon completion of the course, students receive the gift of a New Testament and New Reader Scripture Portions.

The significance of this initiative is deeply intertwined with the broader strategy of the Bible Society in Cambodia. Literacy emerges as a key objective, enabling both the Society and the Church in Cambodia to provide access to the Word of God.

Amidst a national context marked by sub-standard education and limited government investment, illiteracy persists as a significant challenge. The Learning through Listening programme extends its arms to those who need it most, including church members and new church plants yearning to read Scriptures. The transformative power of education is undeniable, and this programme is not just about words on a page. It's about breaking the chains of illiteracy that keep individuals ensnared in poverty and exploitation. By reaching out to the vulnerable and empowering them with knowledge, the Learning through Listening programme is changing lives through God's Word.

Pray for this project:

Pray that God will use the program to bring salvation to students and spiritual growth to believers.

Pray for the expansion of this project into new provinces and for staff as they travel to implement this project.

This project is our Bible-a-Month project for September. By becoming a Bible-a-Month partner you will help to provide Scripture to people all over the world every month. You will receive a free calendar with information about this and 11 other Bible Society projects. Commit to giving just £5 each month and you will ensure that the Word of God is shared across the world. Sign up here.

The Beacon in the Darkness of Illiteracy

Pakistan Bible Society

The "Beacon in the Darkness of Illiteracy" programme by the Pakistan Bible Society (PBS) has transformed the lives of Christian Pakistani women for over a decade. This programme teaches women how to read and write Urdu, a language spoken by 32 million Pakistanis. Many can speak Urdu but lack reading and writing abilities.

In Pakistan, the literacy rate for women is 64%, lower than the global average of 83%. Christian women's literacy stands at a mere 34%. This programme provides a lifeline out of this darkness.

Haniya, who lost her father in a church bombing, defied odds by joining the programme. Her dedication led to her supervising a local garment factory, generating income for other women too. Beyond practical skills, the programme empowers women to read the Bible on their own.

Beena, a widow, overcame societal obstacles to enrol her family in the programme. She, along with 11 family members, embraced literacy, forming a Bible study group and embarking on a journey through the Bible.

In eight years, over 52,000 women have graduated from the Beacon in the Darkness of Illiteracy programme, and in 2022, 5,655 graduated and received Urdu New Testaments. An additional 3,500 are set to graduate in 2023. This programme has been instrumental in bridging education gaps, promoting self-sufficiency and enhancing spiritual engagement. Pakistan Bible Society’s initiative has illuminated the lives of Christian women in Pakistan, dispelling the shadows cast by illiteracy.

Please pray for:

Pray for the women in the "Beacon in the Darkness of Illiteracy" program, that they may continue to thrive in their learning journey. Ask for God's guidance to open doors for further education and better opportunities, empowering them to be confident and self-sufficient.

Pray for those who have faced loss and adversity, like Haniya, that God may provide comfort and healing. Pray for the families affected by violence and tragedy, that they find strength and hope through faith and education.

Pray for the expansion of the program's impact in 2023. Ask for God's blessings upon the 3,500 Christian women expected to graduate this year, that they may be equipped with knowledge and spiritual insight. Pray that the light of literacy continues to dispel the darkness of illiteracy in the lives of marginalised communities.