Reviving Bible Mission Work in Vietnam

This article was first published in the June 2013 issue of Word@Work.

“My hope is that in 2012 and beyond we will encourage and serve the whole church, equip all national Bible Societies to be more effective in mission and continue to reach out to millions more with the enduring Word of God.”
- Mr Michael Perreau, General Secretary of United Bible Societies (UBS)

The United Bible Societies Service Organisation (UBSSO) was formed to provide support for Bible Societies in great need. The mission of the UBSSO is to work alongside and unite the 147 Bible Societies which operate in more than 200 countries and territories in a large global network. The Bible Society of Singapore is part of this network which helps to pull together the resources needed to plant and support Bible Offices where independent Bible Societies do not yet exist, sowing the seeds of God’s Word into places like Vietnam.

Bible Societies around the world today strive tirelessly to translate, publish and distribute the Bible to all people. However, the work of individual Bible Societies can sometimes be interrupted by challenges which they are not equipped to deal with: such as the lack of financial resources, civil unrest and religious restrictions.

After the change of regime in Vietnam in 1975, religion was forbidden and all religious material banned and confiscated. The Bible Society in Vietnam was forced to close its doors, leaving the Vietnamese people without God’s Word for many years.

This was the situation consultants sent by UBSSO found in the country when they visited Vietnam in 1990. However, after their prayers, support and advice, one of the Evangelical Church pastors in Hanoi managed to obtain permission from the government to import 5,000 copies of the Vietnamese Bible from South Korea. In 1991, another Evangelical Church leader obtained permission from the government to print Bibles in Vietnam, and the first 5,000 copies were printed in Ho Chi Minh City. This was the beginning of the re-establishment of the Bible work in Vietnam. Since then, more than 700,000 copies of the Bible and 2,200,000 copies of the New Testament were printed and distributed to the Protestant and Catholic churches in Vietnam.

In 2011, the UBSSO Country Programme Director Rev Arun Sok Nhep, together with Vietnam’s churches, succeeded in registering the Vietnam Bible Society as a trading company with permission to print and distribute Bibles.  We rejoice with the Secretary for the UBS Asia Pacific Area David Thorne in “giving thanks to God and expressing our appreciation to the government of Vietnam.”

The ministry of the Bible Society exists now in a Vietnam Partnership Programme between the church in Vietnam and UBSSO. Today, UBSSO works closely with leaders of the church in Vietnam to plan the publishing and printing of the Scriptures. Beside Bibles and New Testaments, Scripture portions are produced yearly for youth, children, new readers (especially among ethnic minorities) and visually impaired people.

The UBSSO network supports Bible Societies around the world, ensuring that all nations have access to the Bible even if their national churches lack the numbers, resources, or freedom to support a Bible Society on their own. May UBSSO continue to support the 147 Bible Societies in reaching out to people around the world with the gospel.


The Bible in Laos: My New Weapon

This article was first published in the March 2013 issue of Word@Work.

In Laos where the purchase of the Bible remains a luxury for the 3.3% Christians, Scriptures are going to those in need – thanks to supporters of Bible Societies.

Life in the landlocked Republic of Laos is basic and under Communist rule. But its Christian population has more than doubled in the last 10 years to more than 200,000.

Thaungxay Sanyahak – a reserved man, expresses joy beyond human understanding in his circumstances as a Christian.

In 1988, Thaungxay married Chanda, a strong believer in Christ. He respected her Christian way of life and became a Christian. But he admits he did not take his new faith to heart.

Turning point

One day, a significant event caused him to encounter God.

Thaungxay recalled, “My boat capsized on the river during military training. I made it back to the river bank but all my belongings including my gun, machete and identity card disappeared.”

Soldiers who lose their weapons are severely punished, and would lose their jobs. Thaungxay was the sole breadwinner in his family.

He was distressed and confided in Chanda. She called her mother and they prayed.

“I had never really felt God as a tangible presence and found it very difficult to pray. Yet, I prayed with my wife and mother-in-law.”

Three days later, Thaungxay found his belongings lying on the riverbank, in perfect condition. This miracle led him to read his Bible and pray daily.

“The Bible became my new weapon,” Thaungxay exclaimed, believing that God is His protector.

Challenges to his faith

But life is not easy for Thaungxay Sanyahak, a soldier and Christian in Laos.

His family was ostracised in many villages. They finally found a village to settle in, and were encouraged by a visiting pastor. But the pastor’s kindness cost him his life – he was murdered on his way home. The family cried out to the Lord in despair and God sent the village chief who offered them a plot of land to build a house, along with a supportive community who gave them free bamboo for building.

Unfortunately, the house they built was burnt down and they lost all possessions. But the Lord provided a church that contributed money, clothing and other basic necessities.

As a Christian, Thaungxay is unlikely to be promoted in the army and his family members struggle to get by. Not all his children are able to attend school. His 14-year-old son is an ‘A’ student but had to withdraw from the state school as his father could not pay his fees.

Yet, Thaungxay is joyful in giving…

More blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)

Despite the challenges, his family does not lose heart but is renewed day by day as they put their hope in the Word of God (2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV).

Thaungxay seizes every opportunity to share his faith with others. Besides the two Bibles in the house belonging to his family, there are several New Testaments that he bought to give to friends.

 

Source: United Bible Socieities


Bible Miracle in China

This article was first published in the March 2013 issue of Word@Work.

35 years ago, printing a Bible in China was illegal. But in 2012, Amity Printing Company (APC) in Nanjing celebrated their 100 millionth Bible. China officially became the world’s largest Bible printer.

Many lives have been impacted through APC’s publishing of God’s Word in people’s heart language.

One example is Wang Hai, 29, from the Miao ethnic group. He now distributes Bibles to others in Yunnan.

“My body may ache after riding long distances but my heart is happy,” says Wang who is glad to be God’s tool of service.

This Bible miracle started in 1988 as a joint venture between Amity Foundation and the United Bible Societies (UBS), with a mission and priority to serve the Church in China. On 6 November 2012, the Church in China celebrated the printing and distribution of 60 million Bibles within mainland China since the establishment of APC. Then on 8 November 2012, APC celebrated the milestone of 100 million Bibles printed since they started 24 years ago, of which 40 million are for export and 60 million for China. APC’s service has expanded to serve the global Christian community in over 70 nations.

The 60 million Bibles printed and distributed in mainland China testifies to a strong established partnership between UBS and China Christian Council and Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CCC/TSPM), encouraging God’s Word to be preached and applied throughout the nation, and the world at large.

“This feat would not have been possible if not for God’s bountiful blessings on China and the support of UBS,” Rev Gao Feng, President of the Chinese Christian Council, emphasised during his introduction of various distinguished guests from UBS – one of whom was Rt Rev John Chew, Honorary President of The Bible Society of Singapore (BSS). Other representatives of BSS who attended these historic events were Dr Lee Soo Ann, the President, and the General Secretary.

Another significant milestone is the Bible in China seminar, jointly organised by The Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS) and Centre for Studies of Religion and Culture, with the support of the British and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS) and UBS. This seminar was attended by Chinese local academicians and church leaders to discuss the role of the Bible in modern society. This initiative highlighted the beginning of Bible advocacy efforts in China.

As Dr Lee Soo Ann says, “It is significant that the impact of Bible printing in China has gone beyond the Bible itself, to thinking about what the Bible says.”

We pray that APC’s impact will further influence the Christian faith in China to go beyond simply reading the Bible, to allow the Word to saturate the thoughts of all who read the Scripture and transform lives worldwide.

We rejoice that the Bible miracle by APC has impacted Christendom and believe as Rt Rev John Chew asserts, “If the churches and Christians both in China and globally keep faithful and focused in discerning together what the Lord intends to do… the future of China (and any others) would be unimaginable!”


Source: UBS China Partnership


Overcoming Tribulation: Take Heart

This article was first published in the March 2013 issue of Word@Work.

Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). However, in the same sentence, He tells us to “take heart” in this world of tribulation. While tribulation and suffering is inevitable, Jesus has “overcome the world” through us. As ambassadors of Christ on earth, Christians have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to stand in the gap and help those who are suffering. The Bible Society of Singapore and United Bible Societies have responded to this calling diligently.

Tribulation and suffering in this world come in many forms. Blindness, disease and hunger are some examples. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 34 million people now live with HIV/AIDS and 3.3 million of them are below the age of 15. 285 million people are visually impaired worldwide. 868 million people or 12.5 per cent of the global population were undernourished between 2010-12. Most of those suffering from the above afflictions live in developing countries.

Bible Societies around the world have been reaching out in love to these people, providing them with Bibles so that they may experience God’s love. Bible Societies have also provided donations, infrastructure, education, spiritual and emotional support to those in need, helping to improve their quality of life.

Lives Touched by UBS

Daifa, 10, from China, was abandoned by her parents when she was born blind. Adopted by a home for the disabled at six, she became fearful and distrusting of others. Daifa learned to read Braille and was provided with Braille Scripture from the China Christian Council (CCC) and UBS.

Daifa mentioned seeing God as her “Father in heaven, just like a father on earth,” and Jesus as her “best Friend”. She even has plans to become a pastor when she grows up.

These are just some examples of how the United Bible Societies (UBS) is teaching the blind how to read Braille, providing them with Braille Scripture and encouraging many blind people to be trained in life skills so that they can earn a living.

Bible Societies have helped in areas experiencing chronic hunger. Simon, a young boy from a village in Lodwar, had been living in poverty even before Lodwar was hit by drought. His schooling was hindered as his father had no money to buy any of the textbooks. He often went to bed hungry. After the drought, the family struggled even more as they lost most of their goats: their main food source.

The Bible Society of Kenya took steps to reach out to the people of Lodwar who, like Simon’s family, were unable to produce enough crops or livestock to feed themselves. They managed to deliver 11 tonnes of food which was distributed to 500 needy families. They followed up by sending Bibles to these families who hunger for God’s Word.

UBS is working to bring hope to those suffering from HIV through its Good Samaritan programme. This ministry helps those with HIV come to terms with their situation and encourages them to open up. Winnie Ncongwane from Swaziland received ministry through the Good Samaritan programme.

When Winnie became pregnant, she felt unwell. She discovered that she had contracted HIV from her unfaithful husband. Winnie urged her husband to test for HIV, and when he tested positive for the virus, he turned violent towards her. Winnie’s husband passed away while their daughter (who was HIV negative) was only a few years old.

While searching for support, Winnie started volunteering at the Bible Society of Swaziland, where she first heard about the Good Samaritan programme. Going through this programme sparked a turnaround for her life.

Winnie learnt to be open about her illness, and not hide in the darkness of shame and secrecy. This helped her to deal with her issues and she could help others with the same problems. She spent much time reading the Bible, and found hope and God’s peace. Now, Winnie is employed with an organisation which fights tuberculosis, and continues to volunteer with the Bible Society of Swaziland.

The Work Carries On

However much has been done through our missions efforts to benefit those who are suffering in the dark, marginalised and oppressed by society, much more still remains to be done. There are millions of people with HIV or AIDs and other fatal illnesses living lives of hopelessness, poverty and hunger. Millions more around the world suffer from vision impairment or blindness, but the Bible in Braille currently only exists in 40 out of around 7,000 languages, and audio Scripture distribution is similarly inadequate.

The Bible Society of Singapore (BSS) is doing its part to let those with visual impairment gain access to the Bible. Our Word Intake for Spiritual Edification (WISE) programme encourages the regular hearing of God’s Word through audio Scripture. We have recorded solar-powered audio Scripture in many languages, and these devices have proven very helpful in reaching the blind locally and abroad, especially in rural areas.

BSS has also been helping the less fortunate who do not have access to God’s Word through Bible Distribution Trips. In 2012, we made four trips to Nanjing, Anhui, Myanmar and Cambodia. We rejoiced in witnessing many who received with tears of joy their personal copy of God’s Word. We made trips to countries struck by disaster, like Indonesia and Philippines, to bring hope through the replacement of lost Bibles for free.

Despite the suffering present in the world today, we should still take heart, for the Lord is able to overcome tribulation through the help of His people. We ask that you prayerfully consider joining us in bringing alleviation to a world of suffering.


Scripture distribution remains steady around the world

This article was first published by United Bible Societies.

Bible distribution tops 34 million in 2015

The number of Bibles distributed by Bible Societies around the world has topped 34 million for the first time. Altogether, 34,396,611 full Bibles were distributed across the Fellowship in 2015 – an increase of just under 1.5% on 2014’s distribution total.

Including Testaments, Gospels and other smaller Scripture items, Bible Societies distributed a total of 418.7 million Scriptures in 2015. That’s slightly down on last year’s total – but still up 14% from distribution efforts back in 2010.

The figures are compiled from annual Scripture distribution numbers reported by Bible Societies around the world, and include local sales and exports of Scripture material*.

* Data was collected between February and March 2016. 79% of Bible Societies responded. In the case of non-respondents, the previous three years’ average data was given as their 2015 distribution data.

Global Scripture distribution in 2015

GSDR2015-Europe-MiddleEast

Meeting demand in the Middle East

Scripture distribution in Europe and the Middle East soared in 2015, up by nearly 50% compared to the previous year. It’s the region that’s seen the biggest rise in global Scripture distribution, reflecting the tremendous effort to meet demand for God’s word among those affected by war, violence and conflict.

In total, 8.4 million Scriptures were distributed within the region during 2015, including 1.8 million Bibles. That’s double what Bible Societies distributed in 2013, before so-called Islamic State began its brutal campaign in Iraq and Syria.

In particular, Bible distribution across Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey – the five countries affected most by conflict and the resulting migration of people – rose by a staggering 88% between 2014 and 2015.

GSDR2015-MiddleEast

Bible Society’s bookshop in Syria is always full of people wanting Scripture material, particularly young people.
Bible Society’s bookshop in Syria is always full of people wanting Scripture material, particularly young people.

There’s been a surge in demand for smaller Scripture items, like calendars and booklets, which can be transported and distributed easily by Bible Societies’ network of volunteers. The total Scripture items distributed in Iraq alone has gone up seven-fold in 12 months, and Bible Society in Jordan distributed three times the number of Scriptures in 2015 than in the previous year.

The director of Bible Society in Syria, whose name remains confidential for his safety, said, “The thirst for Scriptures among Christians here has only increased with the unrest. The past five years have been very traumatic. Every family has a sad story. With this loss of hope, people are turning to God’s word for comfort and encouragement.”

More than 44 million Bibles for Brazil

More Bibles continue to be distributed in Brazil than in any country in the world. In 2015, 7.6 million Bibles were distributed here – more than twice the number distributed in China, the country with the second-highest figures.

Since 2010, more than 44 million full Bibles have been made available in Brazil, enough for almost a quarter of the population.

GSDR2015-Brazil-bibles

Millions of Bibles have been given out through Brazil’s large-scale and effective outreach work. Photo: Drew Hood
Millions of Bibles have been given out through Brazil’s large-scale and effective outreach work. Photo: Drew Hood

RS5972_BRA05DJ-16-scrRudi Zimmer, Bible Society of Brazil’s Executive Director, said, “Our Society has always been characterised by the outreach work it develops for populations facing situations of vulnerability and social risk, where the Word of God comes as a breath of hope and solace.”

Brazil is also home to one of the largest printing plants dedicated to producing Bibles and New Testaments – and in 2015 this Bible Press celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Scripture distribution in the Americas outstrips Scripture distribution across the rest of the world by a long way. A third of a billion Scriptures were distributed in this region in 2015; that’s 10 items every second. In fact, it’s slightly less than 2014, but an increase of 15% since 2010. The distribution of full Bibles in the Americas has been consistently around 14.5 million for the last three years.

 
 

Focus on full Bibles in Africa

These villagers in Ghana received Bibles during 2015, thanks to Bible Societies’ commitment to providing full Bibles.
These villagers in Ghana received Bibles during 2015, thanks to Bible Societies’ commitment to providing full Bibles.

More than three-quarters of Scripture items distributed across Africa in 2015 have been full Bibles, demonstrating Bible Societies’ commitment to making the complete Bible available to people on this continent.

By comparison, across the world 8% of all Scripture distributed by Bible Societies have been full Bibles.

Scripture distribution overall in Africa was at its lowest point since 2010. But the distribution of full Bibles has never been higher than in 2015 – climbing 36% since 2010.

GDSR2015-Continents

Fuelling the Church in Asia

Scripture distribution in the world’s most populous region, where only 6% of people are Christians, has been steady. India and the Philippines both achieved their highest ever distribution of Scripture in 2015, with 30.8 million and 15.5 million Scriptures made available respectively.

China remains the world’s second-largest distributor of Bibles, providing approximately 4.5 million Scriptures in 2015.

Download Global Scripture Distribution Report 2015 Annual Progress Report (pdf 2 MB)


One year after Nepal earthquake ‘Christians have remained strong’

This article was originally written by United Bible Societies.

Nearly a year after three earthquakes devastated Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, and surrounding areas, Tej Jirel, General Secretary of the Nepal Bible Society, has been reflecting on how Christians have coped with the tragedy.

“I was in the middle of preaching at a church on April 25 when the first earthquake hit,” recalls Mr Jirel. “I stopped preaching, held onto the pulpit and prayed for the earthquake to stop. Some people dropped to their knees in prayer, and others stood to call out to God.

Shaking really violently 

“That first quake went on for a while. The pulpit fell over and hit the Communion table. The pillars in the church were shaking really violently. As soon as it was over we evacuated the whole congregation and made sure everyone was standing safely away from the building.”

The congregation joined hundreds of people who had come out onto the streets. Some were weeping as aftershocks continued. Mr Jirel and other church leaders reassured people as best they could.

“I felt that, in the midst of all this, we should honour God by going ahead with taking Holy Communion, as we had intended. Between aftershocks, some of us went into the church to bring out the Communion table. So there, outside the church and beside the river, we took Communion in remembrance of what our Lord did for us.”

Powerful and memorable moment

For those present it was a powerful and memorable moment, and typifies the reaction of many Christians to the tragedy caused by the earthquake. Scores of churches were damaged or destroyed in the earthquake, and there were around 500 Christians among the 9,000 people who died. Those who survived have remained strong in their faith, according to Mr Jirel and his team, who have travelled to many of the affected districts.

“Church services in all the affected districts resumed almost immediately, despite the fact that they had nothing to shelter under,” comments Mr Jirel. “A lot of them still haven’t yet been completely rebuilt, due to lack of funds, and services are held with no roof, using tarpaulins or roofing sheets to protect worshippers from the sun or rain.

“But people are holding onto their faith. I remember one elderly man I met, Padam Bahadur Bhujel, who had been buried alive, along with other worshippers, when their church building collapsed on them. They were all eventually rescued. Mr Bhujel told me he’d remained calm because he had complete faith that God would save them. He said, ‘If you have great faith in God, He will do great things for you.’ I felt very inspired by that.

“It was quite a shock to see that church reduced to rubble, along with the rest of the village. We’d run two programs there a few years back, one for leaders and another for youth and career development, and I remembered how nice the church building had been. When we visited after the earthquake we found the pastor and his family living in the middle of a field, with no proper food to eat.”

Having witnessed the urgent humanitarian needs of people in the various affected districts, the Bible Society began working to bring them the items they most needed. Over the past year, they have helped provide roofing, tarpaulins and other materials to hundreds of families who lost their homes, most of them non-Christians.

“We as a Bible Society are seen as a neutral platform, and we had excellent co-operation with all sorts of different churches, parachurch organisations and government officials,” notes Mr Jirel.

Much of this material was delivered to people living in remote areas that are hard to access, with Bible Society staff and volunteers walking up mountainsides with the materials on their backs, or transporting it across rivers on small rafts.

“So many people were thankful for the help we brought, because they hadn’t received any other relief materials like this,” says Mr Jirel. “I remember one widow in particular, who thanked us with tears in her eyes. We told them we were Christians. We pray that one day all these people will come to know and accept Christ.”

In addition to offering practical help to everyone who needs it, the Bible Society has also been helping Christians to replace the Scriptures that they lost in the earthquake. Many hundreds of Bibles, Children’s Bibles and Scripture booklets have been distributed to churches and individual Christians.

“We didn’t want Christians to be without their Scriptures as they came to terms with what had happened,” says Mr Jirel. “They greatly appreciated the Bibles and other materials we brought them, which helped them to hold onto hope in the midst of their grief and struggles.

“Without God there is no hope, and we continue to pray for the many people in Nepal who still don’t know Him. Please join us in praying that many good things will come out of this disaster, and that many more people will come to know the true God and Creator.”