SOWER AUTUMN 2020

God in the Outback 1 Need a Dear job done? friend, with Society CEO Grant Thomson Ask Barb

y earliest memory of connecting with God, to you, and your desire for all people everywhere to arb Mathie is one of those tenacious, quietly reps from all the denominations in the region, was my grandmother, my only Christian be able to open the Bible, more and more people are spoken, salt-of-the-earth people, who are organises three events each year. Mrelative, praying for me as a small child while fi nding a personal relationship with the God of the Bthe lifeblood of the local community. Anyone Barb hosts a fundraising morning tea in her I lay in bed. I know that God used that prayer to universe. wants a job done … ask Barb. Need a secretary for Foxground home, where you will fi nd 44 fold-up nudge open a door into my heart. I am privileged to head up Bible Society Australia, your local committee? Ask Barb. chairs in one of the large purpose-built cupboards. Some years later, and a few other intersections birthed in the very early years of colonial settlement. Barb has been the backbone of the Gerringong, Barb loves to fi ll her house with people. She will with God through Scripture class in primary school Thank you for journeying with Bible Society to this Kiama, Jamberoo Bible Society Action Group (or quickly claim she is no cook. Just bring along a and attending Catholic mass with my next-door point. I look forward to thanking you personally as I various derivations of its name) plate and Barb will provide fold-up neighbour, a good friend asked me to come to his travel to events around Australia. However, the race for more than 50 years. If you tables, urn, kitchen and a home fi lled church. He had just become a “Jesus person.” It was is not yet won. Let us keep going together. want to know about stickability, with God’s love. 12 January 1986. My friend sat me in the front row ask Barb. “I The October 2019 guest speaker at and when the appeal was given to come forward and “But you are a chosen She also is a spotter of the Bible Society event was Reverend give our lives to Jesus, I took that step. I committed feral animals for Feralscan, a always Melissa Lipsett, Bible Society’s Chief my life to the Lord. people, a royal priesthood, nationwide citizen-led group Operating O cer. Over the years, just I was at Hillsong Church, working as a volunteer on the lookout for feral pests about every Bible Society church rep, leader, when I met my wife Heidi. I am eternally a holy nation, God’s such as deer, rabbits, pigs and pray CEO and state director has made a grateful for Heidi’s father, a Navigator, who foxes, which cause so much trip to this very active Bible Society challenged me one day with the question, “How special possession, that devastation to Australia’s chapter, often enjoying the hospitality do you know you are saved?” I stumbled to fi nd farming land. And she is a for Bible of Barb Mathie. a convincing answer. He pointed me to the Bible, you may declare the member of Landcare, assisting “I always pray for Bible Society,” and discipled me, teaching me how to read the in the planting of trees in her Society” Barb says. “I pray for the sta ; I even Scriptures. Seven minutes a day, seven days a week praises of him who called community. pray for the people who appoint the with Jesus and I began to build a habit for reading Barb has notebooks, sta . I pray for the projects that are set out in God’s word. It has been the foundation, the rock, you out of darkness into minutes of meetings and letters all carefully fi led Sower. that I have built my life on since then. relating to her di erent community activities. “I had decided to leave an amount in my will to God has redeemed my life as he has redeemed his wonderful light.” However, her involvement in the local Bible Bible Society, but then I decided, well, it’s going yours. The hope with which we live has been Society Action group is particularly impressive. This to Bible Society anyway, so I might as well give a revealed through God’s holy word, the Bible. Thanks 1 Peter 2:9 ecumenical committee, made up of Bible Society donation every year.”

2 3 Need a Dear job done? friend, with Bible Society CEO Grant Thomson Ask Barb y earliest memory of connecting with God, to you, and your desire for all people everywhere to arb Mathie is one of those tenacious, quietly reps from all the denominations in the region, was my grandmother, my only Christian be able to open the Bible, more and more people are spoken, salt-of-the-earth people, who are organises three events each year. Mrelative, praying for me as a small child while fi nding a personal relationship with the God of the Bthe lifeblood of the local community. Anyone Barb hosts a fundraising morning tea in her I lay in bed. I know that God used that prayer to universe. wants a job done … ask Barb. Need a secretary for Foxground home, where you will fi nd 44 fold-up nudge open a door into my heart. I am privileged to head up Bible Society Australia, your local committee? Ask Barb. chairs in one of the large purpose-built cupboards. Some years later, and a few other intersections birthed in the very early years of colonial settlement. Barb has been the backbone of the Gerringong, Barb loves to fi ll her house with people. She will with God through Scripture class in primary school Thank you for journeying with Bible Society to this Kiama, Jamberoo Bible Society Action Group (or quickly claim she is no cook. Just bring along a and attending Catholic mass with my next-door point. I look forward to thanking you personally as I various derivations of its name) plate and Barb will provide fold-up neighbour, a good friend asked me to come to his travel to events around Australia. However, the race for more than 50 years. If you tables, urn, kitchen and a home fi lled church. He had just become a “Jesus person.” It was is not yet won. Let us keep going together. want to know about stickability, with God’s love. 12 January 1986. My friend sat me in the front row ask Barb. “I The October 2019 guest speaker at and when the appeal was given to come forward and “But you are a chosen She also is a spotter of the Bible Society event was Reverend give our lives to Jesus, I took that step. I committed feral animals for Feralscan, a always Melissa Lipsett, Bible Society’s Chief my life to the Lord. people, a royal priesthood, nationwide citizen-led group Operating O cer. Over the years, just I was at Hillsong Church, working as a volunteer on the lookout for feral pests about every Bible Society church rep, leader, when I met my wife Heidi. I am eternally a holy nation, God’s such as deer, rabbits, pigs and pray CEO and state director has made a grateful for Heidi’s father, a Navigator, who foxes, which cause so much trip to this very active Bible Society challenged me one day with the question, “How special possession, that devastation to Australia’s chapter, often enjoying the hospitality do you know you are saved?” I stumbled to fi nd farming land. And she is a for Bible of Barb Mathie. a convincing answer. He pointed me to the Bible, you may declare the member of Landcare, assisting “I always pray for Bible Society,” and discipled me, teaching me how to read the in the planting of trees in her Society” Barb says. “I pray for the sta ; I even Scriptures. Seven minutes a day, seven days a week praises of him who called community. pray for the people who appoint the with Jesus and I began to build a habit for reading Barb has notebooks, sta . I pray for the projects that are set out in God’s word. It has been the foundation, the rock, you out of darkness into minutes of meetings and letters all carefully fi led Sower. that I have built my life on since then. relating to her di erent community activities. “I had decided to leave an amount in my will to God has redeemed my life as he has redeemed his wonderful light.” However, her involvement in the local Bible Bible Society, but then I decided, well, it’s going yours. The hope with which we live has been Society Action group is particularly impressive. This to Bible Society anyway, so I might as well give a revealed through God’s holy word, the Bible. Thanks 1 Peter 2:9 ecumenical committee, made up of Bible Society donation every year.”

2 3 INDIGENOUS

angatanga grew up on Creator God made it all. You have Elcho Island, a remote to speak to God, and he will guide Disland o the coast you, not the spirits in the rocks or of the Northern Territory. A the trees.” Yolŋu man, he speaks a Yolŋu- For many years, this godly man Matha language called Dhuwa- has been an inspiring leader and Dhangu’mi. pastor in the church in Gove, his He came to know Jesus during community in East Arnhem Land. the Christian revival in 1979, Sadly, there are still very few For whereupon he became utterly Scripture resources available to convinced of the authority of the 10,000 Yolŋu people living in faith Jesus. When the elders told him East Arnhem Land. he should speak to the land, Two of the languages, comes the trees and the rocks so the Djambarrpuyŋu and Gumatj, have land could speak back to him a New Testament , while and guide him, he defended his three further languages, including from decision to worship the Creator Dangatanga’s language, have some God and to renounce the spirits portions of the New Testament in hearing, of the land. written form. Dangatanga replied: “You tell But many remote and me your stories about the trees Indigenous people and the rocks, but I will tell you fi nd written Scriptures hearing the story of Jesus and how he di cult to understand, changed my life.” so they need a more He explains: “If you dig practical means through beneath the trees and the rocks, for hearing the the word you will realise that the Almighty gospel. Two Elcho Island (not to scale) of Christ. Dangatanga with his Romans 10:17 Grandson

4 Translator Tjulyata Tjilya (with her granddaughter Sandrene) was one of the fi rst to see the new Pitjantjatjara Shorter Bible

Jesus changes lives in outback

5 years ago, Global Recordings and the Australian Society for and there was a special touch Network (GRN) went up to Indigenous Languages (AuSIL). as he realised it was his nephew Arnhem Land and recorded the As a result, a project is now who had spoken the words, now Gospel of Mark as it was read under way to make two more playing from his phone.” aloud in the Dhuwa-Dhangu’mi recordings – the Gospel of Mark Dangatanga’s dearest desire language. These recordings have in Dhuwaya, and the Gospel is for young people to hear the allowed many more people to of Luke in Gumatj. The written gospel in Dhuwa-Dhangu’mi, hear the good news in their own have been available so they too will have the language for the fi rst time. for some time, but the benefi ts chance to follow Jesus as he has Bible Society Australia recently of audio recordings are now throughout his life. had the opportunity to visit Yolŋu better understood. A project to make these speakers in Gove, for a recording While in Gove, Paul Kube, audio recordings readily workshop held in partnership with Bible Society’s Northern Territory available is one of the many GRN, the Uniting Church, Mission Engagement Representative, valuable Indigenous projects Aviation installed the 5Fish app on we are asking you to support Fellowship Dangatanga’s phone. This app this autumn to help Indigenous (MAF), from GRN contains the story of Christians share the Bible with Jesus spoken in 5500 languages others in their communities. and dialects. The plan is to distribute “It was a beautiful event to hundreds of audio-playing witness Dangatanga hear the devices loaded with Scripture Scripture in his own tongue for recordings in multiple Yolŋu the fi rst time. We saw his face languages to the many light up as the gospel began to homelands and communities play out loud. He had requested of Arnhem Land. Bible Society to hear his favourite story, the Australia is partnering with MAF Parable of the Sower and the to make this possible. Will you Seed. Dangatanga was consider giving so that more so happy to hear Indigenous people can this in his native hear the Scriptures in their Dhuwa-Dhangu’mi language for the fi rst time,

6 so the next generation can hear Bible. and Northern Territory as well as the gospel, as they too become When an advance copy by Pitjantjatjara speakers living in leaders for their people like of the new edition arrived at Adelaide. With your help, Bible Dangatanga? in Adelaide, many of the Society is now preparing more translators clamoured to have a to meet the demand. A revised Bible look. One of the fi rst people to Pitjantjatjara translators were see it was Pitjantjatjara translator Eager to learn very excited at the publication Tjulyata Tjilya who was soon on Bible Society Australia is partner- of the revised edition of the the phone to all her family and ing with Nungalinya College in Pitjantjatjara Shorter Bible, friends. Tjulyata also took to Darwin in developing and running Tjukurpa Palya, which was made Facebook to share her message a Diploma in Transla- possible by your support. far and wide. tion, which began This new edition includes Here is a translation of with the fi rst inten- several recently translated Tjulyata’s post “This is the new sive last March. Old Testament books such as Bible, you can see the front The fi rst cohort Daniel and substantial sections cover, it’s dark brown and it also of 17 eager stu- of 1 Samuel and incorporates contains the story of Daniel. We dents had previ- revisions made during translated the Pitjantjatjara from ously completed a Pitjantjatjara New Testament English, and it’s great. But the Certifi cate III audio recording workshops in other Pitjantjatjara are on in Theology, 2017 and 2018. the ship coming from China to a prerequi- Bible Society’s Chief Australia, to Adelaide, and then site of en- Operations O cer, Reverend from there to the APY Lands, so try. Many Melissa Lipsett (right), was good!” of these excited to notice several boxes This Bible is widely used and students with the words “Bible Society loved across the APY Lands in had been Australia – Pitjantjatjara Bible” the north of South Australia, in working for while she was visiting Amity communities in Western Australia years as Bible Press in China. Of course, Melissa Reverend Melissa Lipsett holds a opened one of the boxes and Pitjantjatjara Shorter Bible in China cradled a “hot o the press”

7 translators and church/communi- training service to ensure the ty leaders and they represented continued existence of skilled Devotion nine language groups: Burarra, and qualifi ed Bible Translators for Tiwi, Kriol, Gupapyuŋu, Djambar- various language groups. In the wake of the catastrophic bushfi res rpuyŋu, Wangurri, Warramirri, Nungalinya College Principal Always this summer, Jon Humphries, Chaplain and Maung and Dhaŋu’mi. Ben van Gelderen says: Spirit, Religious Education teacher at Ravenswood All the new students were “Beginning the Diploma of God, School in Sydney, o ers this prayer. determined to learn as much as Translating has been an absolute there Christ, they could. “While most of the blessing and joy for the college. You are always with us, students in other courses fi nished Communities have been aspiring Whether we perceive it or not. their classes at 2.30pm, the Bible for an accredited translation You are always working for our good, Translating students continued to course for many years, both to Whether we know it or not. work through to 3 or 3.30pm just support and re-energise Bible You are always there for comfort and help, to ensure they got all the course translation ministries but also Whether we call on it or not. PLEASE work completed – they were that to discover new possibilities of You are always calling us onward in hope, keen,” said Translation Consultant working with digital technologies Whether we listen or not. GIVE NOW Mally McLellan. and methods.” You are always the giver of compassion and comfort, This project has been Around Australia, we’re Will you help our Indigenous Whether we accept it or not. developed in response to requests equipping our Indigenous brothers and sisters open You are not the cause of our troubles or su erings, God’s word to others in from churches, Bible Society brothers and sisters to open Whether we believe it or not. their communities? mission partners and Indigenous God’s word to others in their In all things and at all times your hand is on our lives, translators to provide an updated communities. Will you join us? $40 goes towards printing Whether we feel it or not. and distributing Scripture You are God, for Indigenous communities. Leading us to our better selves and working to $80 helps train a Bible redeem all people and all things, translation student at Whether we have faith or not. Nungalinya College. This simply is, and so shall it always be. $120 helps a community to Amen. record and share Scripture in their heart language.

Use the donation form on the back page, call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537) or visit biblesociety.org.au/opensow

8 9 Devotion

In the wake of the catastrophic bushfi res Always this summer, Jon Humphries, Chaplain and Spirit, Religious Education teacher at Ravenswood God, there School in Sydney, o ers this prayer. Christ, You are always with us, Whether we perceive it or not. You are always working for our good, Whether we know it or not. You are always there for comfort and help, Whether we call on it or not. You are always calling us onward in hope, Whether we listen or not. You are always the giver of compassion and comfort, Whether we accept it or not. You are not the cause of our troubles or su erings, Whether we believe it or not. In all things and at all times your hand is on our lives, Whether we feel it or not. You are God, Leading us to our better selves and working to redeem all people and all things, Whether we have faith or not. This simply is, and so shall it always be. Amen.

9 Remembering the Flying Bible Man

revor Booth, who began the himself in the years to come. West Representative. After Flying Bible Man ministry Trevor served with the prayerful consideration and family Tfor Bible Society, passed Presbyterian Church in his early discussion, he agreed, strongly away in July 2018. His widow, years of ministry. In 1958, he recommending the use of a light Connie Booth, has written this joined Bible Society as a Field aircraft rather than a road vehicle tribute to his valuable work. O cer, spending the next 10 as a means of travel over the vast Trevor grew up on a farm in the years visiting churches and areas involved. wheat belt of Western Australia community groups in WA, After two years of research, at Yearling, near Corrigin. During generating prayerful and fi nancial including experimental runs to the war years, he would see up to support for the ministry at home numerous stations, questions 40 Tiger Moths fl y over the farm and overseas. were answered including: “how on regular training runs, which Early in 1966, John Ridden, will the typical traditionally inspired his fascination with aircraft WA State Secretary for Bible non-religious outback Australian and fl ying. He wasn’t to know then Society, asked Trevor if he would respond to having a Bible that he would fl y over the farm consider serving as the North salesman land on his airstrip?”

10 11 Despite fears of rejection, in properties in their parish. feature was the establishment of almost every case Trevor was Bibles and other Christian local honorary representatives in warmly welcomed and invited to literature were distributed to churches, which helped stimulate call again. thousands of people in remote a deeper interest in the work and Therefore, in 1968 Trevor and areas of Australia, including mission of the Bible Society. the family moved 900km north Fettlers camps on the Trans Bible translation into various of Perth to Carnarvon, to start Australian Railway, with many Aboriginal languages had been “The Flying Bible Man” ministry. opportunities to tell by word of happening for many years. To Trevor’s passion was to share mouth the wonderful gospel story. assist these folks, Trevor would the word of God to people in the He regularly visited more than 500 pick up Bible Society’s Translation Outback of WA and he visited cattle and sheep stations. As a Consultant for Australia from hundreds of communities. result of using an aircraft, he could Darwin and transport him to The fi rst aircraft was a visit four or fi ve stations a day. various communities where he Beechcraft A23 Musketeer, which He also visited major towns and worked as adviser/consultant and served the work for the fi rst mining towns in WA as the mining encourager to these linguists. Remembering the Flying Bible Man seven years. Due to its lack of boom was then in full swing. He Over the 48 years of the Flying performance in the hot conditions would take church services or Bible Man program, Trevor faced and often short station airstrips, meetings where he would screen several hazards that could have it was replaced with a Cessna 182 fi lms and set up a book display. proved to be life threatening, but Skylane. This aircraft proved to be He also spoke at schools, Sunday the prayers of faithful supporters ideal for the type of conditions. schools, women’s groups and were valued, and all incidents As time passed, it was realised service clubs. ended well. that the area of service needed In 1972, the fi fth year of Looking back, Trevor was to take in the Northern Territory operation, it was realised the encouraged to know that there and North Queensland, with borders of the work needed were those who came to the Lord subsequent regular visits to enlarging again. Though based as a result of this ministry. After Darwin, Alice Springs and the in Carnarvon, it extended from more than a decade of outback Arnhem Land Aboriginal Reserve Esperance on the southeast fl ying, promoting and distributing in the Northern Territory. Trevor coast of WA to Mabuiag Island the world’s greatest book, he worked in close co-operation in the Torres Strait. The area returned to Perth to serve as Bible with churches, often taking the covered about three million Society State Director for 18 years local minister on visits to station square kilometres. One important until he retired in 1996.

10 11 TELL KIDS JESUS LOVES THEM Jesus loves the children of the world

on’t you love reading benefi ted from Bible Society “I live in this crowded area and bedtime stories to ’s Bible-based Literacy we are not kind at all towards Dchildren? The way children project. Youstina acknowledged each other, even the street cats gradually move from pointing at that she was a bit of a bully at and dogs. But Jesus was so kind the pictures, to rote learning the church because, unlike the other to the people surrounding him. words, to identifying individual girls, she could not read or write. “I am learning now to be more words, to reading more and more “I saw the girls around me kind to my friends in the church complex books. Their delight in reading, but when I looked at and at school, even those who words. The way it gives them the pages I could not read. are annoying.” confi dence. Opens up their world. So I bothered them,” Youstina Twelve-year-old Urial is mature Our dreams are for our children explained. beyond his years. Given a Bible to go to university, to hold down a “But now that I have taken this by the Nicaraguan Bible Society responsible job and contribute to class, I am so happy I can read all as part of their Project Hope and the wellbeing of society. And it all the words, even the long ones. Smile for Children with Cancer starts with a bedtime story. “I like the stories when Jesus when he was four, Urial was healed This is why Bible Society has met people like me, like the of cancer two years later. He such a strong commitment to Samaritan women, even the kid attributes his healing to God. Eight telling children stories from the who brought the fi ve loaves of years later, he still reads his Bible Bible in a format and language bread and two fi shes, because I and his favourite Bible they can understand. And the feel that Jesus is meeting me too.” verse is John 15:5, for “without di erence it makes in the lives of Mariam, also 10, attends the God we can do nothing” he says. participants is truly extraordinary. same literacy class with Youstina. Even here in Australia, Ten-year-old Youstina is one Mariam wants to be a kind person, where literacy is not such a of 20,000 students who have like Jesus. big issue, children’s ability

12 “I am delighted to be able to everywhere, children such as teach these little children how to Youstina, Urial, Mariam, Brianna fi nd their way around the Bible, and 11-year-old Bishoy, to know, how to read it and grow using the without a shadow of a doubt, word of God and I pray that this that Jesus loves them. is the beginning of their long life “Even though I was struggling walking with the Lord! Exciting and could barely read and write, stu !” I pretended that I was literate,” Nyoongar woman Ros Khan Bishoy told us. believes God has sent her “But now I am free from youngest daughter Brianna to her pretending! I really know how to Marina and Youstina to teach her how to love. Both read and write. I do not need to lie attending literacy classes Ros and Brianna are learning anymore. My favorite Bible story to speak Nyoongar, a language is when Jesus meets Zacchaeus. to engage with God’s word near extinction but slowly being I think Jesus came to Jericho to is important and needs to be recovered by the work of Bible meet him, just as I meet Jesus made easy. translators and others in Western every time I come to church. ‘For Gail, a school Scripture Australia. the Son of Man came to seek and teacher, wrote to Bible Society “I feel as though Brianna’s to save the lost.’ on receiving her order of Bibles from God and teaching me. What “This is my favourite verse and I through our Scripture Grants was taken from us years ago know it by heart, from Luke 19:10. program, “I cannot begin to (the Nyoongar language), and to Thank you for helping me. I am express the excitement and have that (the Gospel of Luke) in not pretending anymore.” happiness I felt when I arrived Nyoongar language, it’s amazing at school last week and all the what God has given us.” Bibles were sitting there in These stories of lives changed GIVE NOW boxes. by the healing power of God’s Please call grace are what makes our hearts 1300 BIBLES beat faster. We live for these (1300 242 537), stories. That is why use the donation we want form on the back page children or visit biblesociety.org.au/ sowchild

13 Bible Society at home Bibles for Bubs

Bibles for Bubs Bike for Bibles International Bibles

Two-year-old Zoe Buchanan loves The Tasmanian 2020 summer People in one in fi ve households the Toddler Bible she received Bike for Bibles ride in north-east in Australia now speak a language through Bible Society’s Bibles for Tasmania was a modest local ride other than English, according to Bubs program. “My husband and of 432 kms over four days – a larger a study this year by McCrindle I read a Bible story every night fortnight-long ride is being planned Research. At Koorong and Bible with Zoe and pray with her,” says for interstate and local riders for Society Australia, we believe the mother Jane, who has lost count 2021. Every year the cyclists depend Bible should be opened to our of the times she has read through on the hospitality of local Christians entire community. We know that the Bible with Zoe. “Her favourite and churches to generously provide people want to read God’s word in story is the Noah’s ark story and meals and billets, which keeps costs their own heart language, whether she loves to act out the pounding down. This year, the BFB team were it be Chinese, Samoan, Hindi, and sawing ... Our nightly routine is treated to great country hospitality, Tagalog, or any of the languages to read a Bible story and then she food and fellowship in Scottsdale spoken in Australian homes. So holds hands with her father and me and St Helens. Despite cool Koorong is promoting a selected as we pray together. This is such a conditions, the team enjoyed four range of international Bibles with relaxing, calming experience she’s days of fellowship and fundraising a 30 per cent discount until April even fallen asleep several times for Scripture-based literacy work 5. Every order of an international while we pray.” On April 20 we will for Pakistani women. The Bike for Bible will also receive a free copy launch the 2020 program so that Bibles event in Victoria, from March of Meet Jesus by Mike Raiter. This babies born in 2019 can receive 28-29 – a 240km ride around Port short new book in easy English gifts and birthday cards for their Phillip Bay – will raise funds for helps migrants and overseas fi rst fi ve years of life. Bible paper in China. visitors get to know Jesus.

14 Bible Societies around the world

Leaving a legacy Breaking barriers 700 completed Bibles

Emmanuel Zhuwao, above, In November 2019 work began As Sower went to press, the agreed to do translation work on recording an audio version of United Bible Societies was on the Chikunda Bible because the New Testament in Chorote, a expected to announce that the he would get to learn the Bible language of Argentina. Chorote total number of languages with very deeply. “I also have a real speakers are eager to listen to the completed Scripture was set passion to help my community,” Scriptures in their language and to reach 700. Unfortunately, he says. The Chikunda Bible, in a break down the barriers that are although there are more than minority language of Zimbabwe, preventing them from knowing 3000 languages with some is due for completion in 2023. God’s word. Sisters Sabina and portions of the Bible, there are still Emmanuel is excited to think of Clara, above, are happy but another 3000 languages that are the legacy he will leave. “I have a nervous about taking part in without even a single translated young grandson and it makes me the recording, so they’ve been verse. That means one in fi ve happy to think of him reading the practising reading the gospels out people don’t have a Bible in the Chikunda Bible as he grows up.” loud together every afternoon. language they understand best.

GPO BOX 9874 in your capital city P: 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537) ISSN 1839-7425 W: biblesociety.org.au E: [email protected] ACN 148 058 306 Bible Society Australia is a not-for-profi t interdenominational organisation. It’s a member of the United Bible Societies, a fellowship of 154 organisations working in more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to achieve the widest possible e ective and meaningful distribution of the Bible; also to help people interact with it and to have their hearts lightened by the Bible’s message of unconditional love in Jesus Christ.

15 BUSHFIRE APPEAL Bibles & roses

ohn Parer was walking along wanted to tell all the people in and its challenge to jump into the his local beach last October OneLife, Taree, the Manning Valley, ocean to help Jesus save people Jtrying to get inspiration for a NSW, Australia and the world that who are drowning. sermon he was giving the next day. he loves them,” he says. “I followed this challenging John, who is pastor of OneLife The strange combination of message with the story about how Church in Taree on the mid-north roses and the ocean reminded I found the three roses on Old coast of NSW, walked north for John of a vision that God gave Bar Beach. God sent me three red 40 minutes, asking God for a Salvation Army founder William roses from the ocean to remind message, then turned around and Booth more than 100 years ago. me how much he loves us.” headed back. The ocean symbolised humanity When bushfi res hit the NSW “It was a perfect day – nice and all the people in the ocean mid-north coast in November, waves, warm water and blue sky. were drowning. Jesus was in the John and his church o ered As I walked, I saw what looked like ocean and calling to those he’d practical assistance to the rubbish on the beach,” he recalls. rescued to help him rescue those community such as donating To John’s amazement he who were drowning. Sadly, many money and delivering water. discovered that this item was who had been rescued were He also coordinated the line- a perfect rose. After staring, too preoccupied with work, fun, up for a huge community carols stunned, at its beauty, he noticed sports and family to respond to night, which attracted about there were two more roses. Jesus’ call. 7000 people. A Sydney NRL team “How did they get there? I am The next day, John told his made an appearance while singers not sure, but I believe God simply congregation about this vision Shannon Noll and Travis Collins

16 CAN YOU HELP? Would you be willing to help Bible Society replace Bibles and assist in supplying ministry resources to churches and came to perform and support the lot of recovery work to be done. people in bushfi re-a ected communities? community. Churches are working together to Early that morning, John drove follow up people a ected, some of Please donate at for four hours from Taree to whom have lost everything. biblesociety.org.au/sowaid, Flemington Markets in Sydney, Along with giving away Bibles call 1300 BIBLES (1300 242 537) where he bought 2,500 red roses. to replace those lost in the fi res, or use the donation form He then drove to Bible Society Bible Society is also supporting on the back page. Australia’s warehouse to load up the provision of water to families with Christmas books, Bibles, New who used what they had, which Testaments as well as The Deadly their livestock also need, to fi ght News, a Gospel of Mark for the the fi res. We’re praying for all Aboriginal community. That night, the communities a ected by during the carol service, the the bushfi res and are working church handed out the roses and with our local partners to Scriptures to share about God’s supply Bibles alongside other love for the community. emergency needs. Please pray The mid-north coast bushfi res with us, and if you are in or were followed early in the new are serving bushfi re-a ected year by the devastating bushfi re communities, then please get in crisis on the NSW south coast touch with us here: and Victoria, and there is still a biblesociety.org.au/relief

17 empowered to read and understand Scripture as well Prayer points as other essential areas of life. Australia: Thank God for Bible Society’s Daily Bible March – June devotion series (available by daily email and through bible.com.au). Pray that people would be blessed in March 22-28 pursuing Bible reading as a spiritual discipline this year. Nicaragua: Please pray that children su ering from cancer in Nicaragua would know God’s love through April 19-25 his word. May they feel God’s love and place their trust Syria: Please pray for the Trauma Healing project, in him, because he is the best doctor and healer. which trains facilitators in Bible based trauma-healing Australia: For Easter this year, please pray as Bible seminars as well as creating trauma healing centres in Society distributes an Easter-themed outreach booklet local churches. Thank God for the leaders trained in that many young lives will be blessed. 2019 and the hundreds of people who received healing through the groups. March 29–April 4 Australia: Please pray for chaplains and gospel Iraq: Pray for Bible Society’s work in encouraging workers in hospitals, prisons, the armed forces, Christian communities in Iraq through addressing their outreach centres and schools. Pray that they may build physical needs for food, medicines and supplies as well relationships and be present in people’s lives with as their spiritual needs. God’s word at the right time, guided by God’s wisdom. Australia: Please pray for unity among all the arms of Bible Society Australia, including Koorong, Centre for April 26-May 2 Public and Eternity. Thank God that we can Slovenia: Please pray for the Bible Helps to Heal work together to help people open the Bible. Wounds and Trauma project, which helps women su ering from trauma to break free of their past April 5-11 through biblical trauma healing. Thank God for the : Thank God that Christian women in Pakistan 16 new facilitators last year and that God would are learning to read and write so they are equipped to strengthen them with his love and peace. lead their households better and understand the Bible. Australia: Thank God for all the ways he is working Australia: Pray that Bible Society would be able to among the Indigenous communities in our country. assist churches, chaplains and other local partners Pray that Bible Society would be e ective in working in bushfi re-a ected communities by providing supporting Indigenous Bible translation, pastoral Bibles and Scripture alongside emergency needs. work and supplying Scriptures for those who need them. April 12-18 Ghana: Please pray for the Literacy for Life project run May 3-9 by Bible Society in Ghana. Please pray that the project Mongolia: Please pray for the work of Bible Society in would be e ective in teaching of new learners in the Mongolia, where they are seeking to meet the need for Komba language. Pray that the students would be a Bible translation from the original languages that is

18 easier to understand for both readers and listeners and Australia: Please pray for the work of the Centre for that has more natural Mongolian. Public Christianity, as it continues to engage the public Australia: Thank God for the Bike for Bibles fundraising with a clear, measured and respectful picture of the initiative, which has been running since 1984. Praise Christian faith and the way it can impact all of life for God for the more than $13 million that Bike for Bibles the good. has raised for Bible Society projects worldwide since it began. May 31-June 6 Suriname: Please pray for Bible Society in Suriname, May 10-16 as they seek to reach children living in orphanages and Vietnam: Pray that illiterate Christians who want to those who have faced abuse. Pray that their visits and read God’s word would be able to participate in the special days of celebration with praise and worship, Learning through Listening classes run in Vietnam dance, and drama would help the children learn about through church networks. the special love God has for them. Australia: Please pray that Bible Society’s publishing Australia: Please pray for Koorong stores around work would connect people to the love of Jesus, Australia, especially for the sta who work hard to through stories that invite and inspire, that build provide a wide range of Christian resources to help and encourage faith. Please also pray for fruitful people in their walk with Jesus Christ. partnerships with churches, schools and Christian organisations to publish special edition Bibles. June 7-13 Cameroon: Thank God that hundreds of girls who have May 17-23 been victims of sexual exploitation have found healing : Please pray for Bible work in South and hope through Project Esther, which is based on Africa, where Bible Society aims to support the biblical principles. rehabilitative care of prisoners by providing Bible texts Australia: Please pray for chaplains who work with and other materials to prisoners, free of charge. Pray young people, and for the Bible Society annual that the Bible, as a book that brings hope, would have Masterclass youth events around the country and the a reformative impact on prisoners. chance to put Scriptures in the hands of teenagers. Australia: Please continue to pray for Eternity News, as the team seeks to reach people around our country June 14-20 with news stories from a Christian perspective. Pray for Cambodia: Please pray that the 600 literacy classes in wisdom, creativity and energy for the whole team. Khmer will help and empower illiterate people, young and old, especially in rural Cambodia, and that they May 24-30 would be able to read the Scriptures. Zimbabwe: Pray for the work of Bible Society Australia: Please pray for the board and senior Zimbabwe, as the organisation is burdened by the leadership of Bible Society Australia. Pray that God uncertainty and instability in the country. Pray too would grant them wisdom as they prayerfully set the for the launch of a project to bring help and hope to direction and vision for our work, and see it through to families caring for disabled children. implementation.

19 LEBANON 2 million+ Syrian/Iraqi refugees Reclaim lost futures aged 75% 3% have a attain a bu Mazen, father of three, with more than half of them aged countries when the time comes to 17 primary university left his country in the 17 or younger. leave Lebanon. years or education level AMiddle East because of An estimated 200,000 refugee Bible Society Lebanon was under or below education war. When the family fi rst arrived children are out of school for inspired to start Bible literacy in Lebanon, he removed his eldest a host of reasons, including courses for refugees and son Mazen from school so that the di culty following the curriculum underprivileged children after nine-year-old could help with the in a foreign language, lack it was approached by a pastor year. In the fi rst half of 2019, in partnership with 25 Christian family’s daily work. of available places in school of a Baptist Church who was 40 teachers were trained and organisations. also meet Jesus and discover the After hearing about the Bible or a belief that work is more concerned for the future of 40 new classes were started in An additional 1000 Iraqi and hope that he holds out to them in Society’s Bible-based literacy rewarding, according to the displaced Syrian children living in collaboration with 13 churches Syrian refugee children took level a situation that seems hopeless. courses, Abu Mazen changed his UNHCR. The UN Refugee Agency the camps near Zahle, Lebanon’s or organisations from various 1 and the vast majority either Will you give so that these mind and decided to enrol his son. also reports that the educational biggest city. Christian denominations. started or completed level 2. In all, children may develop a love of His hope was that his family might attainment of Syrian refugees is Bible Society joined forces A total of 1000 Syrian and Iraqi thanks to support from donors learning and be enabled to go return to their country soon and generally low. Three-quarters have with a school a liated with that refugee children, aged mainly like you, 3875 children benefi ted back to school? And that they he recognised that this program primary education or below and church to train teachers to begin between 6 and 12, attended the from the Bible literacy program would one day be able to return would help his son in the transition only three per cent have obtained three-month literacy programs classes with the vast majority in 2019. to their home countries and play back to normal school. university education. of two to three sessions a week, graduating from level 1. The hope is that these courses their part in rebuilding their As instability in the Middle Lack of education can including reading and listening to In the second half of the year, will give displaced children the communities. East continues unchecked, the reverberate for generations. Bible stories on CD in a safe and successful students were invited confi dence and encouragement Please use the donation form number of Syrian and Iraqi Many of these refugee children positive atmosphere. to move up to level 2, for which 28 to return to the formal education on the back page, call 1300 refugees in Lebanon has now will not be equipped to meet the After positive feedback, the new teachers were trained. Both system. BIBLES (1300 242 537) or visit passed the two-million mark, demands of reconstructing their program was expanded last levels continued through the year As they read the Bible, they will biblesociety.org.au/sowlebanon

20 21 2 million+ Syrian/Iraqi refugees

aged 75% 3% have a attain a 17 primary university years or education level under or below education

year. In the fi rst half of 2019, in partnership with 25 Christian 40 teachers were trained and organisations. also meet Jesus and discover the 40 new classes were started in An additional 1000 Iraqi and hope that he holds out to them in collaboration with 13 churches Syrian refugee children took level a situation that seems hopeless. or organisations from various 1 and the vast majority either Will you give so that these Christian denominations. started or completed level 2. In all, children may develop a love of A total of 1000 Syrian and Iraqi thanks to support from donors learning and be enabled to go refugee children, aged mainly like you, 3875 children benefi ted back to school? And that they between 6 and 12, attended the from the Bible literacy program would one day be able to return classes with the vast majority in 2019. to their home countries and play graduating from level 1. The hope is that these courses their part in rebuilding their In the second half of the year, will give displaced children the communities. successful students were invited confi dence and encouragement Please use the donation form to move up to level 2, for which 28 to return to the formal education on the back page, call 1300 new teachers were trained. Both system. BIBLES (1300 242 537) or visit levels continued through the year As they read the Bible, they will biblesociety.org.au/sowlebanon

21 READ THINK PRAY Our unity, God’s favour & prayer: Our passport to God with Bible Society CEO Grant Thomson

New ways to open your Bible

Unsurprisingly, we at Bible Society are all about Already there are more than 50 fortnightly the Bible. We want people to open their Bible, devotions on a range of topics. If you are not a engage in God’s word – to be refreshed, inspired, subscriber to our Daily Bible, which is sent each renewed by the gift of grace given to us and day via email, our new-look Bible reading pages in revealed in the Bible. Sower will give you a taste of these devotions.

As a Sower reader, you are already an advocate Grant Thomson, Bible Society’s new CEO, has for Bible Society and the Bible, and we are written his fi rst Daily Bible series for Bible Society grateful. on unity and prayer. We invite people to sign up to Daily Bible via email or jump online So we want to share with you the exciting news and read the Bible with Bible Society for a year. that you can now read our daily devotions online via our new web-based Bible app: For more information, go to our website: bible.com.au bible.com.au/plans/#daily-bible Devotion One Devotion Two

For God is not a God of disorder but of How good and pleasant it is when peace – as in all the congregations of God’s people live together in unity! the Lord’s people. It is like precious oil poured on the head, 1 Cor 14:33 running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar No doubt you have seen that toxic condition of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon that invades all groups when we drop our were falling on Mount Zion. For there guard. What is it called? It has many names – the Lord bestows his blessing, gossip, rumour, entitlement, narcissism, dogma, even life forevermore. hurt, jealousy, selfi shness. Psalm 133 We see it in church congregations, in parent bodies, on community and corporate boards, in What a beautiful image this psalm creates. voluntary associations and in the workplace. It is the Bearded or not, we can all feel the luscious oil destroyer of unity and it brings something ungodly cascading down our heads, dripping through our – it brings disorder! hair, over our ears. The word-picture captures the How do we build or rebuild unity? magnifi cence and blessing of unity. God tells us that everything starts with the heart. King David, the Psalmist, tells us that God’s Who is responsible for the condition of your heart? blessing rests on a unifi ed church, a unifi ed family, You are. Ultimately, each of us is responsible for a unifi ed team. How good and pleasant it is! Unity the breakdown of unity. And when we start talking enables God to use us more than when we are to people outside of the group about the problem, fi ghting and contending with each other. Unity you know you have a problem. And you/I/we are grows through a common cause. perpetrating the disorder by gossiping and not Note, too, that there is nothing static in this psalm. working from within! The oil runs down, as does the dew. A united people Think about the choices you make when you start have momentum and this momentum is needed in sowing the seeds of disunity. Our choices either every area of life. Think about your inner life, family, help restore unity or pull it down. Where do you sit? friendships, colleagues. What helps nurture unity? Look what we are promised when we live in unity – Lord Jesus, forgive me when I contribute “for there the Lord bestows his blessing.” to disunity. Help me to be ready to seek forgiveness and contribute to the repair. For you, Lord God, I want to know your blessing on God, are the God of peace. Help me to always work all parts of my life. May your Spirit give me for peace. Amen. insights into my heart and fi ll me with the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-control so that I contribute to unity. Amen. Devotion Three Devotion Four Do not be anxious about Is anyone among you in trouble? Let anything, but in every situation, by them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you present your requests to God. sick? Let them call the elders of the church And the peace of God, which transcends to pray over them and anoint them with oil all understanding, will guard your hearts in the name of the Lord. and your minds in Christ Jesus. James 5:13-15 Philippians 4:6-7 James is leaving us in no doubt – pray, pray In my role as CEO of Bible Society, I am calling and pray. When we face di culties, come to on all sta , board members and supporters to God in prayer. When our hearts are bubbling over prayer, individually and as the body of Christ in Bible with joy, let’s praise God. When we can’t hear God Society. and wonder whether he is there, pray. I believe this isn’t a good thing or a small thing – There is absolutely nothing we cannot pray about. it’s something that is weighty and important. God is listening. He is listening when we are broken. Paul makes clear that we are to be a people of When we are confused. Even when we can no prayer and a team of prayer. longer speak and have no words. God’s love is so My desire is that prayer would saturate our lives. great that he wants us with him no matter what is This passage is powerful. Anxiety is one of the going on and how sinful we might feel. His love is biggest challenges people face. But Paul urges us without end. not to be anxious but instead to go to God in prayer Note, too, the communal nature of prayer. When in every situation! we gather in Christ’s name, he is in our midst. Theologian John Piper writes: “God has It is a presumptive Jesus follower who doesn’t established prayer as the means by which we pray. Do you have a lifestyle of prayer? receive his supernatural help. And without What are some practical steps you could take to supernatural help, we cannot live a life worthy of a good prayer life and discover what di erence the gospel.” prayer makes in our lives?

God, help me to fi nd your peace. Give me Gracious God, I come before you with a the courage to surrender my fears and fully contrite heart, my spirit talking with your embrace your love. I seek your peace which cannot spirit. Please forgive me for my failure to pray. Help be explained for that is the only peace that can me to keep coming before you in prayer. You are conquer fear. In the name of Christ, I pray, Amen. my beloved father who sent your son to die for me. Thank you for your gift of grace. Amen Devotion Five Devotion Six But my brethren, who went up with Above all else, guard your heart, me made the heart of the people melt; for everything you do fl ows from it. yet I wholly followed the Lord my God. And Proverbs 4:23 Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden Over this week we have considered some shall be an inheritance for you and your simple guidelines for prayer, the discipline of children forever, because you have wholly prayer and a culture of prayer. Today, our last in this followed the Lord my God.’ seven day series on prayer we will look at six things Joshua 14:8-9 that prayer impacts: 1. Prayer keeps us close to the Holy Spirit. To Previously, in Judges, we’ve seen the good become like Caleb, we want to become utterly and honest report Caleb gave Moses. Fast dependent on the Holy Spirit, as we can’t do forward 45 years and, as we can see in this last God’s work without him. chapter of Joshua, God’s promise to Caleb has 2. Prayer is the primary way that Christ is formed in come true. Now as an old man, Caleb is as focused us. Galatians 4.19 “until Christ is formed in you”. on God as ever – he is ready to go to war for God. 3. Prayer reorientates towards the Light. We live Note the word-picture: for me I imagine God’s in a complex world with many distractions and deep footprints embedded in the snow, and Caleb strident voices. How do we guard our heart and is treading behind, each of his steps literally in the keep focused on God’s Light? By constantly footprints made by God, for Caleb “wholly” follows realigning our lives to God through prayer. his Creator. There is nothing casual or complacent 4. Prayer is spiritually potent. James 5.17 “Elijah about Caleb’s actions. was a man with a nature like ours and he prayed What might it look like to be as faithful as Caleb? fervently...” Caleb really knew God. There are only two ways 5. Prayer breaks chains. Chains of regret, pain, anyone can know God: through reading his word sin, addiction, brokenness. Prayer keeps God in and through a disciplined prayer life. the right perspective. We don’t get to a clear Tomorrow we will examine how we benefi t perspective on life and the world by trying to through a personal culture of prayer. reposition God in our worldview. Prayer is something as people of the Risen Lord, we Heavenly Father, help me to have the kind of just have to keep practising! Just do it! faith that wholly follows you. Caleb’s passion for his Holy Father had not dimmed in the passing Father God, I want to be oriented towards the years. Help me to be a prayer warrior. Forgive me Light. I do not want to be crushed by chains my complacence, for I am loved by the Creator of of past sins and hurt. Lord have mercy. Christ have the universe. Amen mercy. Heal me of my sins. Let me come to you each day, ready to live for you and in you. Amen. Thanks to you ...

Cambodia literacy a purpose,” she says. Hanna spent a year and ten Seom Rany, 31, is a pastor who lives in Phnom Penh, months in captivity after a military group occupied the capital of Cambodia. She has been a Literacy her village in December 2014. Class Facilitator for children in a project you have “My mum and I were the only Christians among supported through Bible Society. 120 women and children. I didn’t know what had She said: “I noticed that there were some happened to my father and my brothers. No food, children living on the street and collecting trash, no medicines. We were beaten many times; in our so they have no chance to go to school. Many of room a woman died for lack of medicine. We could FOR THE LOVE OF GOD: them are children of migrant workers from other hear su ering voices all around. I was losing hope … provinces who had come to Phnom Penh to work I was hiding a small Bible and trying to read daily. I in construction. I have much compassion for these had to be strong to stand by my mother. There was THE INTERVIEWS children. At their age, they should be in school. a voice inside me that I heard telling me: ‘it is not the When I was about their age, I was already at school end. I am with you. Don’t be afraid!’” studying. They should have the same opportunities When a real war broke out in the neighbourhood, When CPX made its documentary For the Love From Pulitzer-Prize-winning author Marilynne as me, but instead they are on the street collecting with rockets falling from the sky, the armed group of God they spoke to more than 50 experts Robinson on the beauty of religion to Oxford trash. I began thinking about how I could help them. abandoned them and fl ed. After a couple of from around the world, but only a fraction professor Alister McGrath on how science led “When I saw them in this situation, not only did sleepless nights, “our men came and helped us to of those interviews made it into the fi nal him to faith, there’s a gold-mine of wisdom and production. Now, they’re making it all available clarity available to search, download and share I want them to be educated, I also wanted them to leave this area,” she recalls. in 100s of bite-sized videos. with friends at the CPX website. hear the gospel. I invited them to study with me, Although she wanted to leave Syria, she kept even though I had little knowledge since I did not hearing a voice saying, “God is with me.” Whether you want to learn about the invention publicchristianity.org/interviews have any formal education in teaching. I took some “It became so clear to me that I wanted to help of hypocrisy or why non-violent resistance of my time to help them to the best of my abilities.” people receive healing from their traumas. works – whether you want to hear about the “Now I am working with children in Damascus. most important phrase ever coined or how Christians could torture people – it’s all there! Syria trauma healing To me it has been a great opportunity to attend the Hanna from a village near Damascus is a trained initial Trauma Healing Training. A great opportunity CPX has launched this collection with 120 clips psychological counsellor who has joined the Syrian to understand what had happened to me. The ranging from one to six minutes long, but they’ll Bible Society’s Trauma Healing Program to help trauma healing program helped me to understand be adding hundreds more over coming months. people. “I know our great God wants me here for how God introduced himself to me.” Thanks to you ...

Cambodia literacy a purpose,” she says. Hanna spent a year and ten Seom Rany, 31, is a pastor who lives in Phnom Penh, months in captivity after a military group occupied the capital of Cambodia. She has been a Literacy her village in December 2014. Class Facilitator for children in a project you have “My mum and I were the only Christians among supported through Bible Society. 120 women and children. I didn’t know what had She said: “I noticed that there were some happened to my father and my brothers. No food, children living on the street and collecting trash, no medicines. We were beaten many times; in our so they have no chance to go to school. Many of room a woman died for lack of medicine. We could them are children of migrant workers from other hear su ering voices all around. I was losing hope … provinces who had come to Phnom Penh to work I was hiding a small Bible and trying to read daily. I in construction. I have much compassion for these had to be strong to stand by my mother. There was children. At their age, they should be in school. a voice inside me that I heard telling me: ‘it is not the When I was about their age, I was already at school end. I am with you. Don’t be afraid!’” studying. They should have the same opportunities When a real war broke out in the neighbourhood, as me, but instead they are on the street collecting with rockets falling from the sky, the armed group trash. I began thinking about how I could help them. abandoned them and fl ed. After a couple of “When I saw them in this situation, not only did sleepless nights, “our men came and helped us to I want them to be educated, I also wanted them to leave this area,” she recalls. hear the gospel. I invited them to study with me, Although she wanted to leave Syria, she kept even though I had little knowledge since I did not hearing a voice saying, “God is with me.” have any formal education in teaching. I took some “It became so clear to me that I wanted to help of my time to help them to the best of my abilities.” people receive healing from their traumas. “Now I am working with children in Damascus. Syria trauma healing To me it has been a great opportunity to attend the Hanna from a village near Damascus is a trained initial Trauma Healing Training. A great opportunity psychological counsellor who has joined the Syrian to understand what had happened to me. The Bible Society’s Trauma Healing Program to help trauma healing program helped me to understand people. “I know our great God wants me here for how God introduced himself to me.” YES! I want the Bible to be available For those who do not like to cut up their Sower we have provided a copy of this form with your address slip for mailed copies.

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