LIVES CHANGED BY GOD’S WORD

CHRISTMAS 2018

FROM MINNESOTA TO KENYA

One Bible connects two women from across the globe

Page 14

CHRISTMAS GIFT CATALOG INSIDE! Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God …

JAMES 1:17

LEADERSHIP Chairman of the Board A MESSAGE FROM Jeffrey Brown President and CEO ROY PETERSON Roy L. Peterson American Bible Society President and CEO INSIDE Leadership Team Christmas 2018 | Volume 164 | Number 3 Robert Briggs Laura Dabkowski Andrew Hood Steven Kao O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer Whitney Kuniholm Mark Wilson Our spirits by Thine advent here IN EVERY ISSUE Disperse the gloomy clouds of night RECORD STAFF Director And death’s dark shadows put to flight. Tom Mathew Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 6 NATIONAL UPDATE Executive Editor Bran Van Deinse Shall come to thee, O Israel. Police strengthened by God's Word Managing Editor Laura Chan Bibles bless kids at amusement park “God is with us”—that’s the translation of the Hebrew term Emmanuel. At Design 8 INTERNATIONAL UPDATE Jordan Grove Christmas, we celebrate that Jesus came to be with us. One of the things I love Production Caitlin Emas about the Christmas hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is that it frames Acts comes alive for deaf Mexicans the reality Jesus chose to step into: gloomy clouds of night and people who Serbian students get first Bibles CONTACT needed cheering. American Bible Society Record [email protected] 10 QUIET TIME Bible-A-Month™ Partnership Earlier this year, doctors found a cancerous tumor on my lung. I asked God, 14 888–227–8262 Seeing God in uncertain seasons [email protected] What will happen to me and my family? What will this mean for my ministry? BRINGING Catalog or Bible Requests 800–32–BIBLE Can I rejoice even in this? Inspired by Scripture and godly men and women Bibles.com I’ve seen walk this path before me, I went into the surgery with a peace that 11 IN MEMORIAM [email protected] US BACK Gift Planning Programs God would care for me and my family. I’m happy to report the procedure was Remembering our loved ones (for Stock or Real Estate Gifts, Gift Annuities, Charitable Trusts, Bequests, Wills, and free successful, and I had a very quick recovery. I call that the power of prayer. Estate Planning Services) 215–309–0900 or TO MERCY [email protected] 12 PARTNER PROFILE Partner Care Although this issue of Record covers stories of abuse, of violence, of 866–895–4448 Eleanor Wilson's remarkable legacy [email protected] loneliness, we live in the beautiful promise that Jesus has set death’s dark shadows to flight. Through your prayers and through giving Bibles, you give 13 GLIMPSE What is life like 5 years GET UPDATES others the knowledge that God walks with them. Hallelujah! I pray that in What pottery taught Lina about God after Mercy got her Bible? Twitter.com/AmericanBible Facebook.com/AmericanBible this Christmas season, you and your loved ones also sense the presence of Emmanuel, God with all of us. ABOUT THE COVER In 2013, a group from American Bible Society distributed Bibles to New Hope Orphanage in Kenya. Mercy, the 10-year- Serving together, old girl featured on the cover, received her first Bible during that visit. You can read Mercy’s story on page 14 of this issue. Jane McGrath, American Bible Society; BOTTOM PHOTO: Joshua Wann, American Bible Society Joshua Wann, PHOTO: American Bible Society; BOTTOM Jane McGrath, Photo credit: Jane McGrath, American Bible Society

The mission of American Bible Society is to make the Bible available to every TOP PHOTO: TOP person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message. American Bible Society is a member of United Bible Societies, a fellowship of the Bible Societies throughout the 18 world cooperating to make Scriptures available to people everywhere in their own language. FREER & FREER Published since 1818, American Bible Society Record is the official periodical of American Bible Society and the second-oldest continuous publication in the United States. It is published three times a year and is sent to as many of our P.S. I’ll be available to answer your questions live on Tuesday, December supporters as budget allows. From addiction and Postage is paid in Philadelphia, PA, and additional mailing offices. Other 11, 2018. At 8 p.m. EST, dial 1-888-652-0379 to hear how you’re providing publications are encouraged to reprint the text of any Record article, but prior abuse to freedom in Abba, written permission must be obtained from American Bible Society Record to Bibles to the remotest regions of the world. Looking forward to sharing reproduce any images. Publications reprinting the text of a Record article must include a credit line. Please send a copy of the issue to the Record at 101 North Father God Independence Mall East FL8, Philadelphia, PA 19106–2155. with you! Clare Kendall, British and Foreign Bible Society; British and Foreign Kendall, Clare Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the Good News Translation® © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. INSIDE SPREAD: Sharing God’s Love with Foster Children in Phoenix

This year, 3,500 foster children in youth rode coasters, enjoyed cotton Give Me Phoenix, Arizona, got a Bible to call candy, and heard about God's love for Liberty ... their own. Many of these children do them. Volunteers from Calvary Chapel and Faith Philadelphia Police not presently have parents who can Arrowhead made sure every child who Commissioner Richard Ross Jr. displays a provide them with peace and stability— wanted a Bible received one. Did you know that we're commemorative copy of Strength for the Street. qualities their heavenly Father offers Thank you, Lord, that 3,500 launching the Faith in abundance. children and youth received your Word. and Liberty Discovery At a free festival at Enchanted We pray that Scripture comforts them in Center (FLDC) in historic Philadelphia, Island Amusement Park, children and difficult times. Pennsylvania, in 2020? The FLDC explores connections between DID YOU KNOW? U.S. Police Draw faith and history from the founding of the United Strength from Scripture FOSTER CARE IN THE U.S. States to today. Visit faithandliberty.org 437,465 61% to learn more! More than 5,000 law enforcement used by officers in 25 states. Originally “We had a terrible incident where foster children of children are in officers received customized Bibles— developed for the Philadelphia Police we lost an officer,” says one Phila- in the U.S. foster care due to neglect thanks to the generosity of friends Department, Strength for the Street delphia police officer. “Instinctively, I like you. features devotions written by police reached for the Strength for the Street These devotional Bibles, titled chaplains and officers who understand Bibles and resources.” Strength for the Street, are now being the stress and pain of the job.

Saturating New York City with God's Word

Hundreds of churches in New York copies of the JESUS film on DVD, City are working together to bring the tracts, and Christian children’s books gospel message to 8.5 million people and coloring books. Everyone was in 300 neighborhoods, 240 zip codes, invited to download the Saturate and 59 community districts. NYC app, a digital tool developed by In just one month, 2 million Bible American Bible Society that offers resources were distributed by volun- daily devotional content, information teers going door-to-door through on upcoming local events, shared their neighborhoods. They gave away prayers, and more. LEFT PHOTO: Doug Nottage, American Bible Society; RIGHT PHOTO: Kylo, Unsplash.com Kylo, Doug Nottage, American Bible Society; RIGHT PHOTO: LEFT PHOTO:

6 RECORD // CHRISTMAS 2018 Bibles Reaching Nigeria's Unreached Live Call with

More than 4,700 Nigerians are now was no local church. New believers were President hearing God’s Word read over audio invited to join Bible listening groups that and CEO Roy Scripture listening devices called become church plants. The program is Proclaimers. Many of them met Jesus now extending throughout Nigeria. Peterson through the JESUS film, a movie that “The program is helping me grow recounts Jesus’s life in epic form. steadily, spiritually,” said Dennis Abi, a Dial in to hear how In 2018, Bible Society of Nigeria Nigerian farmer. “I am convinced that you're providing attracted 34 new partners that showed if Jesus comes today, I will go to heaven Bibles to the world's the JESUS film in places where there with him.” remotest regions. Have your questions answered live!

“I love [Bible stories] a lot because Tuesday, December 11, I want to learn more about God,” says Ognjen Mitrovic, age 9. “I am 2018 at 8 p.m. EST grateful to the Bible Society because I have my own Bible now.” 1-888-652-0379 Serbian Students Excited to Read Bible Stories

Dennis Abi, a Nigerian You provided 2,500 Bibles to her situation—and the situation will encourage our children to read farmer, shows the Scripture listening Rescuing Girls Serbian students. Teacher Jovica of many teachers like her—they more and to become closer to God device used by his Bible listening group. Radovic said 95 percent of her used your gifts to provide Bibles to and church.” Her students agree! Read from Human students didn’t own a Bible. When thousands of students in Serbia. Jovica Tijana's and Andjela's thanks for these Trafficking in Bible Society of Serbia heard about says, “I believe that this precious gift Bibles below. Guatemala

Bible Comes Alive for Deaf Mexicans 447 girls rescued from “I [did] not have my own Bible and I am very “I have never read the Bible at home because trafficking situations much grateful to the Bible Society for this free I [did] not have it. I love to listen Bible stories One thousand members of Mexico's deaf Without the Bible in their heart language, only received Bibles and copy. I am looking forward to reading Bible during religious lessons. I am so happy to community have the book of Acts in Mexican about 1 percent of deaf Mexicans have ever stories. My favorite one is about Adam and Eve.” receive my own Bible!” Sign Language for the first time. These new attended church. Only half of those identify are now turning Andjela Tesic, age 7 Tijana Purtic, age 10 video translations are part of the Bible Society as Christians. When the project concludes in to God’s Word for of Mexico’s efforts to bring the Bible to life for 2020, all of God’s Word will be available for the healing and a renewed the 300,000 deaf people who use Mexican deaf community. Sign Language. sense of safety. LEFT PHOTO: Jovica Radovic, Bible Society of Serbia; RIGHT PHOTO: Benjamin Mordi, Bible Society of Nigeria Benjamin Mordi, Jovica Radovic, Bible Society of Serbia; RIGHT PHOTO: LEFT PHOTO:

8 RECORD // CHRISTMAS 2018 AMERICANBIBLE.ORG 9 Recognize God A Christmas Song of Praise Mary recognizes God. She calls God “My savior” (1:47) and “Mighty” (1:49) and “Holy” (1:49). It’s as if she’s saying, “I for the God of Scripture know God. I know this God would not do anything wrong or unkind. I can trust him.” BY LYDIA SHELDON When we read Scripture, we also recognize God. Pay attention to his character traits. Ask the question, if God is ______[holy, loving, faithful, all-knowing, good], what does that mean for me? n Mary’s famous song (Luke 1:39–56), she MARY SAID, IN MEMORIAM I celebrates the announcement that she is Recall God’s Promises carrying Jesus, the Savior of the world. The news “My heart praises the Lord; Mary also recalls God’s promises. “He has kept the promise in memory of my husband that she was carrying God’s Son must have been he made to our ancestors, and has come to the help of Hugo Anderson my soul is glad because of God my Savior, daunting, yet Mary’s song shows us that she relied on his servant Israel. He has remembered to show mercy to given by Marilyn Anderson Scripture to face her uncertainty and fear. for he has remembered me, his lowly Abraham and to all his descendants forever!” (1:54–55). For many of us, Christmas can be a difficult season. Mary is comforted that God keeps his word. servant! in memory of my father All the festivity, family celebrations, and tinsel can hide We apply God’s promises too. The apostle Paul writes Jere Lawrence Crook Jr. unmet longings and deep fears. But like Mary, when life From now on all people will call me happy, that Jesus “is the ‘Yes’ to all of God’s promises” (2 Corin- given by Senter Crook feels unsettled, we can rely on God’s Word to refresh us because of the great things the Mighty God thians 1:20). Let that sink in! When you read the Bible, and remind us of a greater purpose. Mary’s song shows look for God’s promises and prayerfully consider how in memory of my friend us how to draw on Scripture to see God at work in our has done for me. Jesus offers them to you. Alice Hine circumstances—at Christmas and into the new year. His name is holy; given by David Holtz Reflect on God’s Mercy from one generation to another Throughout her song, Mary reflects on the mercy of God: in memory of my husband he shows mercy to those who honor him. “He shows mercy to those who honor him” (1:50). “He has Michael Martin given by Sharon Martin He has stretched out his mighty arm filled the hungry with good things” (1:53). Mary’s belief in God’s mercy is founded in repeated exposure to God’s and scattered the proud with all their plans. Word. She understands that the birth of her son is the in memory of He has brought down mighty kings from their ultimate demonstration of God’s mercy—the one that all Erma Seitz & Junior Seitz the Scriptures pointed to. given by Karen Ard thrones, and lifted up the lowly. We also reflect on God’s mercy as we read Scripture. He has filled the hungry with good things, God describes himself as “full of compassion and pity” in memory of Helen White & Norman White and sent the rich away with empty hands. (Exodus 34:6). After searching for examples of God’s mercy in Scripture, begin to look for examples in your given by Carolyn Piper He has kept the promise he made to our own life. Keep a running list. ancestors, and has come to the help of his Honor the memory of a loved one by providing When we read Scripture in this way, we, like Mary, will be servant Israel. Bibles to people who don’t yet have them. amazed by him. Like Mary, we will sing a song of praise Memorials of $500 or more for one individual He has remembered to show mercy to Abraham for our Savior. or family unit will be published in Record. For further details about the memorial process, and to all his descendants forever!” please contact our Partner Care team at: 866–895–4448 LUKE 1:46–55 We’ve created a daily Bible reading guide [email protected], just for you! Download your guide at: American Bible Society 101 North Independence Mall East FL8 ABS.Bible/DailyBible Philadelphia, PA 19106–2155 PHOTO: Rob Birkbeck, Lightstock.com PHOTO: The Legacy of Eleanor Wilson How a faithful partner who went home to glory is still influencing the world for Jesus

BY JACK NEWMAN

Eleanor Wilson followed Jesus faithfully. Eleanor lived in a cottage on a hill with Bible verses and hymns calligraphied over its walls. “The church was her life,” Eleanor’s friend Linda Clement recalls. “I could start any Bible verse, and she could finish it!”

Eleanor Wilson worked diligently. As a girl, Eleanor carried water to the cows on her father’s farm in Maine. She lugged coal to poor neighbors in need of heat. As an adult, she pursued a career in library science when it was rare for women to enter the workforce. She cared for those around her consistently and respect- fully. “She was quiet. She was humble. She loved everyone,” says Linda. In the Potter's Hands

“Instead of buying anything for You helped teen girls in an Israeli safe house recognize their value through pottery and Scripture herself, she would rather share the BY MARISSA RUMPF Word of God.”

In Northern Israel, 19-year-old Lina steps into a ceramic artistic gifts. During this pottery course, she has experi- Eleanor Wilson gave generously. studio to learn from a master potter—and ultimately enced kindness without criticism. She has experienced “She loved American Bible Society,” Linda says. about the true Master Potter, God. The trip is arranged generosity without expectations. In the context of this “Instead of buying anything for herself, she would by the Arab Israeli Bible Society, a special partner of love and care, she has begun to open her heart to a Master rather share the Word of God.” Above: Eleanor Wilson, a faithful American Bible Society partner. the safe house for abused girls where Lina lives. From Potter who can shape her life into something beautiful. Below: Eleanor Wilson (left) and her sister Mary on the front porch Eleanor was always looking for opportunities of their cottage in Maine. childhood, these girls have witnessed discrimination Since 2009, partners like you have provided support to give. She inspired those near her to do the same. against women—in society, in the workforce, and even in for women like Lina—introducing them to God’s love “Eleanor and her family had a big influence on my churches. Lina has experienced the worst manifestations through seminars, conferences, and trips hosted by the values and behavior,” says Eleanor’s cousin Sarah. continued her legacy of generosity by remembering of that marginalization: physical and sexual abuse, forced Bible Society. They receive Scripture, counseling, and American Bible Society in her Will. withdrawal from school after eighth grade. study tools. Ultimately, these women are empowered Eleanor Wilson lives eternally. And through her Will, she is still introducing But today, Lina knows that she is valuable. The clay to become leaders in their churches and communities. Today, Eleanor is with Jesus. When Eleanor people to Jesus through the pages of Scripture— has turned into something beautiful in her hands. The Inspired by God’s Word, they reflect Christ’s heart by entered into glory last year at the age of 92, she the remarkable legacy of a remarkable woman. teacher praises her work, encouraging her to develop her seeing all people as God sees them: valuable and equal. LEFT PHOTOS: Courtesy of Sarah Farnsworth; RIGHT PHOTO: Bassam Yossef, Bible Society in Israel Bassam Yossef, RIGHT PHOTO: Farnsworth; of Sarah Courtesy LEFT PHOTOS:

12 RECORD // CHRISTMAS 2018 AMERICANBIBLE.ORG 13 BY HANNAH DEMARCO BRINGING US BACK TO MERCY

How one Bible connected two women from across the world

ercy kicks up dust on the Kenyan her gifts to be used for God’s kingdom, so roads. After a three-hour bus ride, she launched into a career of storytelling for M hopping onto a motorcycle taxi, Christian nonprofits. and wandering through narrow Here she is—in Kenya for the first time—a streets of tiny villages, she is finally close to camera strapped around her neck, ready to tell her destination. you about what God’s Word is doing in Kenya. Some teens her age would have given She sees the people bustling through the city up long ago—complained about the weather market. She’s struck by the sharp scent of cumin making their hair frizzy, wanted a snack, gone stirred into a stew and the base, slightly bitter to hang out with friends. note of ugali corn porridge. The March breeze But Mercy is determined to get where she’s is cooler than she expected. She feels nervous, going. Because there, she gets to speak her story. excited, and expectant. Here, she’ll get the chance There, she gets to tell you how the Bible you to hear Mercy’s story. gave her five years ago changed her life. “Will she even remember the time my colleagues gave her a Bible?” Kim wonders. “It Why Kim Went to Kenya was so many years ago.” Kim, a fundraiser for American Bible Society, Five years to be exact. Kim has seen Mercy steps off the plane in Nairobi, Kenya. many times—in a photo of her holding her first As a teen growing up in Minnesota, Kim Bible, which she received in 2013. dreamed of traveling as a photographer for “I thought it would it be cool to meet Mercy National Geographic. Then she met Jesus, one day and ask her about her Bible,” Kim says. and her life took a different route. She wanted “I wondered what that Bible did to help her.” PHOTO: Joshua Wann, American Bible Society Joshua Wann, PHOTO:

AMERICANBIBLE.ORG 15 and love written just for her. From that day love the most vulnerable people around her— onward, Mercy cherished your gift to her. including orphans like herself. At first, she says, “I didn’t know [how] to Mercy plans to become a lawyer one day. read the Bible. I didn’t know how to connect the “We are oppressed,” says Mercy, “Now I want to verses.” But then she remembered the first verse fight for justice for such people.” Mercy longs her Mom at the orphanage taught her. So she to fight for and comfort parentless children searched through her Bible for Jeremiah 29:11, who might feel alone, rejected, and confused. found it, and memorized these words: “I alone She wants them to feel God’s closeness the way know the plans I have for you, plans to bring she does. “With God,” she says, “everything you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring is possible.” about the future you hope for.” Mercy knows her heavenly Father well. She God’s Word gave Mercy comfort when trusts his plans for her. She follows his guidance Kim, a staff member at American Bible Society, she needed it most in the to love people well. Thanks to connects with Mercy five orphanage. Mercy started you, his words for her will rest years after Mercy received “SOME PEOPLE her first Bible. reading the Bible every on her bedside table and in her morning and evening. She CALLED ME A BIBLE heart for the rest of her life. stopped reading novels and storybooks because she WORM BECAUSE I Just $5 Gave Hope Hearing Mercy’s Story birth mother died shortly after she was born. couldn’t put her Bible down. Your gift to Mercy changed A phone call, bus ride, motorcycle taxi, and long She does not know who her father is. “Some people called WOULD STAY WITH Kim, too. It changed the way walk later, Mercy and Kim meet. The woman Mercy calls Mom raised her me a Bible worm because I she thought of the power of a There’s no electricity at the orphanage, so with stories from the Bible. But Mercy never would stay with my Bible,” MY BIBLE. EVEN single Bible. “What one Bible Kim and Mercy meet in a dimly lit room. Still, had a Bible of her own. She dreamed of the day she giggles. “Even at night, can do is incredible!” Kim Kim sees the same sparkle she’d have a Bible to write little you can find it beside my AT NIGHT, YOU CAN exclaims. “Just five dollars gave in Mercy’s smile that she’d notes in and read whenever she bed when I’m sleeping.” her hope, you know?” seen in Mercy’s picture “YOU STEPPED IN wanted. She says the Scriptures As she read the Bible FIND IT BESIDE And Kim sees the value for all those years. She “guide you in what to do, so you every day, Mercy learned of her work even more. “The quietly thanks God for this AND HANDED MERCY can't get messed up in life.” what she craved to under- MY BED WHEN I’M better I do my job, the better moment, and then the two Whenever she had the stand: how to live a life I can help another child on women sit: Mercy on the HER FIRST BIBLE.” chance, Mercy would beg to devoted to Jesus. Her life SLEEPING.” the other side of the world,” couch and Kim in a chair borrow a Bible from a friend. started to change. She she reflects. beside her. Mercy is shy and reserved at first, She’d pore over the pages, seeking wisdom obeyed her elders more. She learned how to Your gift to Mercy—one Bible given over but she is also eager to tell her story. Kim turns from the words of God. But these sweet stolen forgive the other children at her orphanage. She five years ago—transformed the way Mercy and the recorder on. moments weren’t enough—she wanted more discovered that God loves her more than any Kim experience God’s Word. Along with us, she is about to hear how one time to discover what God’s Word had to earthly parent could—and that he guides her as You give more than Bibles. You give the Bible gave Mercy the guidance she craved. teach her. a parent would. loving guidance of a Father to a parentless child. Then—during a Scripture distribution trip “When you start doing such bad things, You give the awesome reminder of Scripture’s How Mercy Became a “Bible Worm” to Kenya in 2013—you stepped in and handed you just remember words that guide you, and power to those of us working alongside you. Mercy’s story begins on the steps of New Hope Mercy her first Bible. you stop it and say, ‘My God is not happy when You give the hope and belonging that comes Orphanage, where she was left as a baby. Mercy remembers the moment. She I do these things.’ ” from God’s Word. As Mercy grew up, she assumed that the remembers holding her Bible close to her chest. As Mercy explored God’s Word, she learned woman who took care of her at the orphanage She remembers smiling for a photo, clutching that Jesus calls us to live in service of others. The Give Bibles to kids like Mercy now. was her mother. Later, she discovered that her her prized possession—God’s words of guidance more she read the Bible, the more she longed to Visit ABS.Bible/GiveBibles PHOTO: Jane McGrath, American Bible Society Jane McGrath, PHOTO:

16 RECORD // CHRISTMAS 2018 AMERICANBIBLE.ORG 17 BY WINDSOR

MARCHESI

hristie says the “bad stuff” started when she C was 3. At age 5, Christie was adopted. She remembers the JESUS shocking words her biological father spoke in the courtroom: “I don’t SHATTERED want ’em ... Take my name off the ALL birth certificate.” At 15, Christie sought relief by CHRISTIE’S turning to destructive habits. Drugs. Alcohol. Sex. The men she trusted ASSUMPTIONS only hurt her—badly. For the next 31 years, she suffered through one ABOUT abusive relationship after another. Broken arms. Punctured lungs. A MEN & shattered face. Knives. Guns. Death threats. At one point, she prayed LOVE to die. Christie was arrested on forgery charges. When she got to jail, she weighed just 86 pounds, which landed her the nickname of “Bones.” PHOTO: Jakob Owens, Unsplash.com Jakob PHOTO:

AMERICANBIBLE.ORG 19 THE NEED FOR BIBLE-BASED TRAUMA HEALING IN U.S. PRISONS “I HAVE LEARNED

TO CLING TO JESUS.

WHEN I HAVE STUFF

GOING ON WITH ME,

I TAKE IT DIRECTLY TO THE CROSS.” 97% 100 435 ??? of incarcerated chaplains were inmates have Your gifts can women and 75% trained as experienced help people of incarcerated Bible-based Bible-based find healing. men have a trauma healing trauma healing ABS.Bible/ Bones’s tiny frame was barely background facilitators since 2017. JesusHeals of trauma. in 2017. capable of supporting all her anger. “I hated everybody and everything,” she says. Addictions and a life of crime had taken their toll. She was tired. Tired of the life she’d chosen. Tired of the hurt she’d endured. Looking back, she sees that the Lord was on a mission to set her free—through jail. It took time for Christie to truly new revelation came another step Lord, it felt like he took five tons of trust God and get to know him as of healing. stuff off my shoulders.” A Healing Exchange a loving Father. For so many years, One session involved expressing It wasn’t Christie’s first time in jail. the men in her life had used her. trauma through an art exercise. “I Loved by Abba Or second. Or even third. She knew Harmed her. Betrayed her. But God drew a picture of me in a corner, like Today, Christie refers to God as the drill, and she knew what she’d pursued her—putting people in her a badger in a corner, ready to come “Abba,” an intimate and loving have to stand up against. What she path who led her toward healing out fighting. There is a man behind reference to God that means wasn’t expecting was kindness. But through Scripture. me choking me,” Christie explains. “Daddy.” It reveals the kind of God sent Joy, the jail’s chaplain from Christie was invited to “When I drew that out and saw it, it relationship she has with her Good News Jail and Prison Ministry, participate in Bible-based trauma was like—it was like—oh my gosh.” Father in heaven—one of humble to give Christie a message. healing—a way of experiencing The suffering from Christie’s admiration, trust, and confidence. “One day, when she walked in, I God’s Word and exchanging years trauma-filled life came alive on “He’s the only one who can didn’t see Joy—I saw Christ. He said of buried pain for God’s hope. God’s the page. She realized her burdens change me—m­­an can’t,” Christie to me, ‘My beloved daughter, come joy. God’s peace. God’s freedom. were too heavy to bear. And she says. “Abba Father can from home to me,’ ” remembers Christie. At each session, Christie realized they were no longer hers to the inside out.” Her walk with the Lord began embraced the Bible’s life-changing carry. She says, “When I laid all that Now, Christie leaves her pain, that day—16 years ago. messages of truth. With each sorrow and everything down to the fears, and worries at the feet of Jesus. PHOTO: Joshua Wann, American Bible Society Joshua Wann, PHOTO:

20 RECORD // CHRISTMAS 2018 AMERICANBIBLE.ORG 21 “I’M GETTING FREER

AND FREER EACH AND

EVERY DAY.”

“I have learned to cling to Jesus,” Give God Your Heart Christie wants everyone to Christie says. “When I have stuff Christie knows beyond a shadow know that Jesus, our great Healer, going on with me, I take it directly of a doubt that God’s unconditional offers hope to each of us. “If you’ve LEAVE AN ETERNAL LEGACY to the cross.” love can transform the hardest been abused, if you’re an addict, an Christie is now a successful of hearts. And she doesn’t want alcoholic, a prostitute—if the Lord business owner, active church anyone to stay in a place of pain or comes knocking at your heart, give When you name American Bible Society in your Will, you create a legacy to bless participant, and trusted friend of brokenness for another second. “He it to him,” Christie says. “He’ll make those in her community. She says, doesn’t want us to live in this sorrow you into a beautiful creature, like he’s future generations with the precious gift of God’s Word. “Right now, I have no wants and no or the suffering,” says Christie. done me. Thank you, Jesus.” needs for anything because I depend on [Abba Father] and I depend on PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE REMEMBERED AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY IN YOUR WILL him alone.” Christie now feels free from You can share Scripture’s healing power with people fear. Free to trust. Free to be loved. who are suffering. Visit ABS.Bible/JesusHeals 3 easy ways to let us know: “I’m getting freer and freer each and every day,” she says. Mail back the prepaid envelope

Call 800-549-3328

PHOTO: Joshua Wann, American Bible Society Joshua Wann, PHOTO: Email [email protected] 22 RECORD // CHRISTMAS 2018 NON PROFIT ORG. 101 North Independence Mall East FL8 U.S. POSTAGE Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155 PAID AmericanBible.org American Bible Society Please remember American Bible Society in your Will.

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Many faithful partners like you have already remembered American Bible Society in their Wills— ensuring that the work of sharing God’s Word continues for generations to come.

If you have already taken that important step, we want to thank you by sending you a free, signed copy of American Bible Society President and CEO Roy Peterson’s autobiography, Set Free. His story is powerful, so act now!

OUR GIFT TO YOU NAME  Yes! I have named American Bible Society in my Will. ADDRESS Please send my FREE, signed copy of Roy’s new book, Set Free. CITY STATE ZIP

3 easy ways to request your free gift: PHONE 1. Mail your completed form in the prepaid envelope inside the back cover EMAIL ADDRESS 2. Call 1-800-549-3328 (toll-free)

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