W@ Word at WoW!rk THE MAGAZINE OF THE BIBLE SOCIETY IN NORTHERN IRELAND AUTUMN 2019

THE BIBLE SOCIETY OF LITHUANIA IS PRODUCING A LITHUANIAN BIBLE. PAGES 14-15. Welcome

Catherine Little General Secretary, Bible Society NI ContentsAutumn 2018

3 New Team Meet our new office team. Change is inevitable, it keeps Simon Peter from the Bible Society happening, sometimes we don’t of Uganda to share with us. It will even see it coming, other times we be an opportunity to find out more, can spend our time getting ready and to meet other supporters and to be Local News 4 preparing for change. encouraged about the amazing work Our summer activity, that you are part of through us. ministry report and local Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher, has fundraising activity. been quoted as saying ‘change is Plans for BIBLE 2020 are really the only constant in life’. In our team starting to build – have you signed 5 The Gathering at Bible Society NI we have been up to be involved? You will read Come and join us in High through lots of change over the last more about this on pages 12 and 13 Kirk Presbyterian, Ballymena few months. We have seen changes of this magazine. We are looking on the 8th of November. to our staff team and therefore forward to churches, groups, schools changes to the way we do things in and individuals partnering with us to the office. publicly read the Bible out loud all 12-13 Bible 2020 over Northern Ireland. How you can get involved in our In the Summer Word at Work we new project for 2020. shared that Leah had moved on; in As we reflect on change and how this issue we share that Julie also that makes us feel we find hope moved on to a new job in her church and strength in the Bible – Malachi 16 Bible Sunday in Carrickfergus. With people leaving, 3:6 ‘I the Lord do not change’ or A free resource for your Church. that meant new people joining and Hebrews 13:8 ‘Jesus Christ is the we are delighted to be back with same yesterday and today and for a full team of staff again. These ever’. How we choose to view staff changes have gone relatively every situation is so important – let’s Regular Items smoothly and we are delighted to be people who look forward to see have Andrew and Keren as part of the and focus on the opportunities that Bible Society NI team and family. change brings.

4 News Snippets at Home We are really looking forward to ‘The Thank you What is happening at home. Gathering’ on the 8th November in High Kirk Presbyterian Church in 7-10 Prayer at Work Ballymena at 7.30pm. This is the Weekly prayer pages. first of these events to happen and we are delighted to be welcoming 11 International News Read about big plans for Bible translation globally.

14-15 Summer Appeal – Lithuania Translating the Lithuanian New Testament into Sign Language.

Cover photo shows a translator, translating a passage from the Gospels. Read how you can make a difference on pages 14-15.

2 Executive Director Vilhelmina Kalinauskiene and her team have been working hard to create the first Lithuanian Sign Language Bible. Campbell Moore (Office Manager), Keren Roebuck (Communication and Fundraising Manager), Catherine Little (General Secretary), Andrew Dickson (Community Engagement Manager). New Team for Bible Society NI This year the theme at Bible House has together they served 26 years. definitely been change… two of our team moved on and we have welcomed two new They have both moved on to ministry roles. people to the Bible Society family. Leah has been accepted to train for ordained ministry in the Methodist Church in Ireland In our last Word at Work Magazine we shared starting in September and Julie accepted about Leah leaving and Andrew joining our a job in her own church community in team. Since then we have had more change Carrickfergus. So, whilst we are sad to say at Bible House with Julie moving on from goodbye, we are also excited for the new the role of Communications Manager in April things that are ahead. and Keren joining us as Communications and Fundraising Manager in June. We know that our new team will continue the great work of Bible Society in Northern Both Leah and Julie had been with Bible Ireland and will be involved in bringing new Society in Northern Ireland for a long time, ideas and opportunities for the future too.

Introducing Keren in Mission Africa as their Short Term and Fundraising Officer. I live in Ballymena and I’m a I have always had a heart for member of Ballymena Baptist evangelism, both in Northern Church. I love spending time Ireland and further afield, and adventuring, getting out love the idea of a job that and about exploring nature. allows me to serve God! I love sewing, painting and photography and am also a I’m excited about this role and keen foodie- I enjoy making to use my skills God has given food as much as eating it! me. I appreciate your prayers as I settle into this new I graduated from Ulster job and get to know all the University Magee in July 2018 wonderful people and projects Keren Roebuck, our new Communications and Fundraising and for the past year I worked God is working in. Officer.

3 News Snippets at Home

Special Gifts on a Special Day James and Hannah got We are always amazed at the married on the 31st July this creative ways that people year and decided to donate raise money to support our money for Bibles in China work from sponsored walks, and in Cuba on behalf of their gifts instead of birthday guests. presents and now gifts at They donated money for a wedding. Do you have a 5 Bibles in China and 5 in significant event coming Cuba. As a result, 10 people, up that you could raise families and communities money for our work? Why will have been impacted with not get in touch to see how God’s Word because this we could help you raise young couple thought to be money to help us ‘Reach generous at the time of their everyone with God’s Word’. Congratulations to Hannah and James wedding. on their special day!

Ministry Report A new summary of our that we have at Bible Society ministry activities in 2018 is NI. We want to be good available on our website stewards of the financial www.biblesocietyni.co.uk/ support that we receive from what-we-do/about-us/ our supporters and therefore accounts/ aim to be transparent with what we do with those gifts. Our full accounts are also available to view here as If you are interested in well. It is important to us that finding out more do take everyone understands how a little look at our 2018 we look after the resources Ministry report.

Summer Activity about BIBLE 2020 – more on that later in this magazine – when they led seminars at Summer Through the sunshine and heat, the wind and Madness and New Wine respectively. rain, our team spent time at Summer Madness (Ireland’s largest Christian youth gathering) in A big thank you to everyone who came along to Glenarm; Keswick Convention at Portstewart; say “hello” and encourage us in our work. New Wine in Sligo; Elim’s Wondrous at Ulster University Jordanstown; New Horizon in Coleraine; Bangor Worldwide; and EQUIP – a new conference for University students run by Christian Unions Ireland – at Castlewellan Castle.

At each event, we have been raising awareness of our profile and the work we do locally and globally as well as encouraging people to partner with us prayerfully, financially, as volunteers and making use of our resources. Andrew and Catherine also had the opportunity to share The Bible Society NI stand at Summer Madness 2019.

Join us for an Advent Carol Service in St Mark’s Church of Ireland Date for Parish, Armagh on Sunday 1st December at 7pm with other Mission 4 your Diary Agencies to share the impact of Mission all over the world. Acoli Bible as well as supporting work for Scripture materials for people with visual disabilities. You will remember reading about the Braille Bible projects in the Spring 2019 edition of this magazine. Thanks to your generosity the Bible Society of Uganda have completed the translation of the Lugandan Braille Bible and are now working hard to reach people with these Scripture materials.

The ‘Gathering’ will also be when we launch BIBLE 2020 here in Northern Ireland. You can read more about BIBLE 2020 and how you can get involved on Pages 12 and 13. BIBLE 2020 is an exciting global project which encourages Simon Peter Mukhama, General Secretary of the public Scripture reading and it is a really Bible Society of Uganda. interactive way for everyone to get into the The Gathering habit of daily Bible reading. This will be an evening not to be missed if We would love you to ‘Gather’ with us you want to know more about the exciting at our first supporters’ event on the 8th work of our Bible Society here in Northern November in High Kirk Presbyterian Ireland and our impact around the world. Church, Ballymena, at 7.30pm. This It will be an opportunity to meet our team will be an evening of encouragement and as well as meeting other supporters of our information as well as an opportunity for work. us to say thank you for the many ways in which you support us throughout the year. To help us with catering on the evening please could you let us know if you are We look forward to meeting many of you planning on attending and how many in November when we will gather together people you are bringing with you. Phone to worship and give thanks to God for His the office on: 028 9032 6577 generosity and faithfulness to our work. Or send us an email at: We will hear about things happening in [email protected] Northern Ireland and other Bible Societies around the world. This will be a great way for new supporters to find out more about our work so why Simon Peter Mukhama, the General not encourage a few of your friends Secretary of the Bible Society of to come along too. Keep an eye on Uganda, will be with us as a special our website and social media for more guest to share about work in his information. country and Bible Society. There are many links between Northern Ireland and Uganda, and we are looking forward to hearing about the opportunities that he and his team are facing at this time, as well as ways that we can support work in Uganda further.

We have been supporting projects in Uganda for many years. Currently we are funding a translation revision of the

5 Partnership with Girls’ Brigade in Northern Ireland Over the next year girls all over Northern Ireland will be learning about our work in the Bible Society in Northern Ireland through the Scripture Course in Girls’ Brigade NI.

This exciting partnership developed over the idea of supporting the publishing and distribution of a bespoke book of Psalms to every Senior and Brigader girl in Girls’ Brigade NI along with their leaders. These little books of Psalms are designed to allow each girl to interact with the words of the Psalms, to think about which verses they will memorise and to even have a go at writing their own Psalm.

Our mission statement of next step as well as for the ‘Reaching Everyone with steps ahead. This truth is God’s Word’ fits well with even depicted in the GB logo the aims and values of Girls’ with the lamp reminding us Brigade NI. It has been of the light that we are to be great to not only develop to those around us as well the book of Psalms but to as the light that the Word of also work on some of the God is for us. We love that Scripture course materials as the Bible is central to what well. Girls all over Northern happens at Girls’ Brigade NI Ireland will be learning about and we want to encourage the Mary Jones story as and celebrate that. well as the realities of Bible access around the world Many of you will have been today. involved in GB yourselves or perhaps your own children We are looking forward or grandchildren are still to opportunities that will involved. Do encourage The Bespoke Psalms books that Girls Brigade come from this partnership: them this year as they delve NI and Bible Society have partnered on. for the ways that girls, into the book of Psalms their families, leaders and and find out more about churches will be impacted the work of Bible Society in by them going deeper into Northern Ireland. the book of Psalms as well as what the story of Mary We look forward to hearing Jones will inspire in a new lots of great stories of generation of girls who are Bible engagement from GB wanting to engage with the girls, their leaders and their Bible. churches over the coming months and then sharing In our part of the Scripture them with you in Word at Course we focused on Work. Psalm 119: 105 – ‘Your word is a lamp for my feet and a Do pray for GB companies light on my path’. This verse across Northern Ireland is very familiar to many of and the work that they do us, but it is so practical for to build and develop faith today as well - the Bible in girls from all over our Bible Society NI’s Catherine Little and Andrew provides wisdom for the country. Dickson with Girls Brigade NI’s Lesley Beare.

6 Overcoming Obstacles. We are often faced with many disheartening obstacles when we try to reach people with God’s Word. Thankfully we have a God who hears our prayers and answers us. Thank you for joining with us as we pray for the work going on around the world.

Ways to Pray You can sign up for prayers through our website at www.biblesocietyni.co.uk where the following prayer resources are available: Extra Insight is a single country focus on the 1st of the month, expanding on the projects also in our Bible-a-month calendar. Prayer News is sent on the 15th Prayer at Work of each month with current prayers from Bible Societies around the world as well PULL OUT AND KEEP PRAYER GUIDE as local news and prayer. AUTUMN 2019 Terms & Abbreviations FCBH: Faith Comes by Hearing - A programme providing audio Scripture for listening groups, set up mainly through local churches. Trauma Healing: Bible-Based counselling for survivors of traumas such as epidemics, disasters or war. Good Samaritan Project: A Bible-based HIV/AIDS education programme. Workshop based, multi-media training. GS: General Secretary. CEO: Chief Executive Officer. OT/NT: Old/New Testament.

SEP 29 - OCT 5 OCT 6-12 OCT 13-19 OCT 20-26

Tajikistan Pray for those Eritrea Pray for the various El Salvador Pray for GS Norway GS Paul Erik undertaking the correction Bible translations being Pablo Gonzalez as he leads Wirgenes leads the team work of the existing completed. Pray for work the Bible Society in El in Norway. Pray for the translation of the Tajik Bible. amongst Muslims and that Salvador. Pray for all the distribution of the Word of The church in Tajikistan God will reach these people. children participating in the God to the churches and the is still small and they Pray for those working for the “Fear Not” programme who translation of the Bible into face discrimination and Bible Society of Eritrea and are putting the teachings of the North Sami language. persecution as it is a Muslim- that God would continue to the Bible into practice. Pray Pray for the churches in majority country. Pray also strengthen them. that God will bring peace to Norway so that more people for their children’s camps and the violence in El Salvador. will read and engage with their trauma healing projects, Ethiopia Pray for the God’s Word. that many lives would be Ethiopian Bible Society and Honduras Pray for protection impacted. Pray for Shuhratjon their work lead by GS Yilma for GS Jorge Gomez and the Iceland Ask God to make the Nigmatov as he leads the Getahun. Pray for the FCBH other members of the Bible Bible’s message more widely team. and Trauma Healing projects. Society’s team, as they live known in Iceland. Thank God Pray that publishing projects in one of the world’s most for the work that has been Uzbekistan Pray that the may attract more people to violent countries. Pray for carried out by GS Gudmundur work carried out by the Bible the Bible’s message. the work amongst the police Brynjolfsson and the Bible Society here reaches every force as they share the Bible Society team. Pray that they individual, thus making the Central African Republic with officers. Pray for safety can continue to create strong Bible available in formats Pray for a lasting peace of those carrying out projects connections with churches. and translations that can following many years of here. meet their needs. Pray that war. Pray for the rebuilding Faroe Islands Pray for scriptures would continue to of the Bible Society offices Guatemala Praise God for strengthened relationships be produced in audio, large after they were destroyed. the projects in Guatemala with local churches. Ask God print and children’s editions. Pray for the Bible Society’s helping young people and to spread the Bible’s message Pray also for FCBH groups projects including FCBH, gang members. Pray that at- in this country. Thank God for and for the development of Trauma Healing and Literacy risk children can be reached GS Gunnar Nattestadall, and their website. programmes. Pray for the by God’s Word. Pray that all the people who work with team led by Executive more people will have access the Faroese Bible Society. Secretary Sylvain Ndjendolé. to the Bible in their language. Pray God would bless GS Saúl Sosa Urízar.

Bible-a-month Project: Peru There is a real physical need in Peru- • Praise God for this opportunity to show children are going hungry. Poverty is the love of Christ to so many children widespread in rural areas and often people and families. Pray that people would be are unable to feed their children. The impacted by this. “Bread of Life” project has been a real • Pray for the volunteers who help with the blessing to many of these families. Children programme. Thank God for them and pray are provided with breakfast, but they are He would sustain them. also told about Jesus. They learn how to • Pray for funding for the Bread of Life pray and sing, as well as being provided project. Pray that God would provide all with their own Bible Storybook. that is needed to keep this project going for another year. Your £5 will give a Bible Storybook to a child in Peru.

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the anniversary of 200 Years of children. The Bible Society in OCT 27-NOV 2 Lesotho Please pray for the the Almeida translation. Pray for Senegal is led by Executive ongoing SiPhuthi Oral Bible the Congress, the exhibition and Secretary Ousseynou Ngom. Estonia Pray for the efforts going Translation. It is important that the future Museum House, all on in Estonia to engage the these people have the Bible intended to celebrate the life and secular population with the Bible. available to them in their own work of the man who translated NOV 24-30 Thank God for the weekly radio language. Praise God for the the Bible into Portuguese. Pray programmes which reach so work already being carried out in for the revision of the Almeida many people. Pray that people Lesotho and ask Him that it may Translation and that people The Gulf Thank the Lord for the would be challenged by what continue. The work here is led by would be able to read and opportunity in 2018 to take part they hear and would seek to find GS Inahaneng Tsekana. understand this updated version. in the International Book Fair in out more. Pray for the team lead The work here is led by Executive the Kingdom of Bahrain. There by GS Jaan Bärenson, that they Eswatini (Swaziland) Thank God Director Miguel Jerónimo. are 23 projects for 2019, including would be encouraged in their for the work that has been carried distribution of Scriptures to work. out by the Bible Society in this NOV 17-23 migrants, Trauma Healing, work country, including work on the with young people, hospital Latvia Please pray for GS Valdis Siswati Study Bible. Pray for the visitations, a literacy programme, Teraudkalns and the other staff Leadership Initiative programme Gambia Pray that God would and many more. Pray for and volunteers involved with the as they seek to teach good meet the needs of the Bible strength and encouragement Latvian Bible Society. Pray for the leadership and that God raises Society in the Gambia so that of the team led by GS Hrayr recently started Bible revision, up leaders with Bible-based they can continue ministering Jebejian. that God would give wisdom values. Pray for the team, led by there. Gambia can be a difficult to those contributing to this. GS Ngcebo Mbuli as they lead environment for Christians. Iraq Thank God for all His Thank God for the relationships and work on projects. Pray for the youth and children’s grace. Please pray to relieve the with local churches and pray programmes, literacy classes and suffering of the refugees who that these would continue to NOV 10-16 the Old Testament translation into returned to their homes only to strengthen. Jola. Pray for CEO Michael Ellis find them destroyed. Pray for the and all who work in Gambia, and Trauma Healing Programme, that Lithuania Please continue to pray France Pray for the continued that God would continue to grow it can be expanded to reach all for the New Testament translation development of the first French His church. regions of Iraq. Pray also for the into modern Lithuanian. Pray for Family Bible and that it will be safety of all staff and volunteers, the translation of the Bible into beneficial to families around the Guinea Pray for the ongoing led by Nabil Omiesh and that Lithuanian sign language, and country. Pray for the French Bible translation of the Bible into the people’s hearts would be open to that it would be a blessing to Society, led by GS Jonathan Toma language. Although the the Gospel. those who are deaf. Remember Boulet, in their work to make New Testament is available, the GS Vilhelmina Kalinauskiene the Bible more accessible to Christian Toma people have Iran (In Diaspora) The Iranian and the rest of the team and young people and those with expressed the desire to have Bible Society currently has their translators in your prayers. disabilities. Pray also for this the complete Bible. Pray also for offices outside Iran, but the team increasingly secular society and the FCBH groups in this country. prays that one day they will be NOV 3-9 that God would bring people Please ask that those working able to return to Iran. Pray for back to Him. with the Bible Society in Guinea- those who work and volunteer, Conarky, led by Executive including Executive Director South Africa Thank God for His Spain Pray for work on the Secretary Robert Iffono, would be Nahid Sepehrifard, that they blessings and for donors that translation of the Bible into the strengthened and encouraged. would be kept safe and that they enable projects to be carried Gallego language. There are 4 would be able to reach many out. Please pray that the English official languages in Spain and Senegal Pray that the project people with God’s Word. Bible for the Deaf, which will be Gallego is the last language to to help revive Sunday schools published this year, will be well have an updated translation of in local churches would be received and for its impact on the the Bible available to believers. successful, and that God would lives of deaf readers. Pray for the Praise God for the work in Spain, raise up the future leaders of Pray with planning of the celebration of our led by GS Luis Fajardo, and pray the church. Pray for their literacy Bicentenary in 2020. Pray for CEO that it continues. programmes amongst women expectancy. Dirk Gevers and his team as they and girls in Senegal, and for work on these projects. Portugal Please thank God for ongoing work with vulnerable God is at work!

Bible-a-month Project : Uganda A Braille Bible is a very significant gift for • Pray that this work would be able to someone who is blind. Life isn’t easy for continue, and Braille Bibles would be these people who live in a society where available to everyone who needs them. people who are blind are often ignored • Pray that those who receive these and marginalised. Having a Braille Bible Bibles would understand the message teaches them God wants a personal and the significance of the Gospel in their relationship with them, and recognises lives. they have a place in society. The Bible • Praise God for this opportunity to Society in Uganda often visits schools spread His Word to those with vision for the disabled, sharing the Gospel and impairments. supplying them with God’s Word. Your £5 will give a Bible book in braille to someone in Uganda who is visually impaired.

8 of persecution. Pray for the Sahassawas. Bible Societies around the world DEC 1-7 new translation of the Kazakh enabling them to continue their Bible and the distribution of Myanmar Thank God for the work. Japan Please ask that God’s Word Bibles. Pray that they would be divine provision and protection can touch the hearts of non- able to reach people in remote of His Word through the Bible Seychelles Pray for the trauma Christians, who account for 99% areas. Thank God for the strong Society. Pray for encouragement healing projects and the work of the entire population. Pray for relationships with other Bible for those working for the Bible with children and young people. the translation of the Bible into Societies in the area and pray for Society of Myanmar, led by Khoi Ask that these projects would be , and that Executive Director Viktor Grishko Lam Thang, and praise God for successful and that the Gospel those with a hearing disability as he leads the work. their hard work. Pray for their would be shared. Pray that the would be able to access the work in translating the Bible into presence of the Bible Society in Gospel. The Japan Bible Society Kyrgyzstan Islam is growing more many local languages and their the Seychelles would continue is led by GS Makoto Watabe. and more in Kyrgyzstan. Please outreach into the many ethnic to grow. The team here is led by pray that the country opens up minorities in Myanmar. Executive Secretary Margaret North Korea Christians are still to the true God. Praise God for Maillet. persecuted in North Korea. Please all the work that the Bible Society Thank God for the pray that the peace talks between has been able to do in this work that is ongoing in Sri the North and the South will open country so far. Pray for their work Lanka, led by GS Priyantha DEC 29-JAN4 the doors for the Bible Work and amongst Muslims and migrants. Wijegoonawardane. Pray for the that God’s Word will reach people Pray for Executive Secretary revision of the Tamil Bible and for whom the Gospel has long Roman Fedyanin and his team the translation of Parables into Niger Pray for the Bible Society of been forbidden. as they carry out the work in . Pray Niger as they seek to evangelise Kyrgyzstan. also for their Trauma Healing in a predominately Muslim South Korea Please pray that God projects, working with vulnerable setting. Pray for the many efforts will grant wisdom as the Korean Mongolia Pray for Executive people and helping them with the to make God’s Word known Bible Society continue their work Director Bayarmagnai Bayardalai. message of the Gospel. including, FCBH, literacy work, in Bible publishing and mobilise Pray for the work amongst Trauma Healing and translation support for their Scripture people with physical disabilities, works. Pray for the children donation programme. Pray for including the translations of DEC 22-28 and youth of this country, that the team led by Jae Min Ho. the Bible into Braille and sign they would be reached with the language. Please pray for their message of the Bible. Pray also Taiwan Please pray for the team fundraising activities as they seek Madagascar Thank God for the that Executive Secretary Yaye of staff, volunteers and board to raise enough to buy their own organisation of the General Hama and the team would be led by GS Daniel Cheng. Pray offices. Pray also for the updating Assembly in mid-2019, and for encouraged. for the publication of the CUV of the Mongolian translation of the renewal of the Governance 100 Commemorative Bible and the Bible. body and the preparation of Nigeria The Bible Society in Thanksgiving Service. Pray also the future executive leadership. Nigeria is led by Dare Ajiboye. that the TCV Study Bible, the DEC 15-21 Pray for the Malagasy Bible Pray that God will restore peace Taiwanese Aboriginal Bible and Society as they seek to supply in every part of Nigeria. There the Study Bibles series will all be theology students with scholarly is currently trouble with Islamic published. Ask for more Churches Laos Please pray for the literacy resources and as they develop extremists in this country. Pray to participate in the Handwritten distribution projects. Ask God the Malagasy study Bible. that the Bible translations will Bible project and for good that they will be able to provide transform the lives of the people participation from churches. Bibles to as many people as Mauritius Pray for the team here and that more people will come possible. Pray also for the training lead by Executive Director Gerard to faith. Pray that the literacy of local staff to carry out literacy, Lam Hing. Pray that the Bible programmes and the Nigerian DEC 8-14 translation, distribution and Society of Mauritius would be sign language Bible will help all publication projects. Thank God able to reach as many people as people to interact with the Word Kazakhstan Pray for the work for the staff of the Bible Society possible with the Bible and that of God. carried out by Bible Society in in Laos (Laos Partnership) led lives would be changed. Thank Kazakhstan under conditions by Executive Director Pairanya God for the support of other

Bible-a-month Project: Palestine Many years ago, Jesus Christ was born • Praise God for the opportunity to speak in Bethlehem. Today we want to make to children about Salvation. Pray for their sure that children in this city want to families that, as they go back to their hear the good news. The “Child of homes, God will open their family’s hearts Bethlehem” project is teaching the too. children of Bethlehem all about Jesus • Pray that God will use this work and and God’s Word. Youth camps, events, bring children to Him. puppet shows and school programmes • This work can only continue when the are all used to share Jesus Christ with Bible Society receives funding. Pray that the young people of Bethlehem. Teams the Lord will provide vital funding for this of volunteers are bringing the Bible alive project so that it may continue. This month £5 will give a Children’s as they interact with these children and or Youth Bible to a young person in share Bible stories with them. Bethlehem.

9 Thank God for the team and they celebrate their 70th work in Colombia is led by JAN 5-11 GS Clapperton Mayuni. anniversary. General President Diana Leal and her team. Kenya Pray for the Bible Moldova The work in Sudan Pray for the ongoing Society of Kenya as they Moldova is led by Executive Peru Pray for the “Bread of translations of the Bible seek to supply scholarly Director Anatoly Kirillov. Life” and “End to Violence” into the Otoro language and Bibles to theological Pray for political and projects, so that children that it would be a useful seminaries, Bible schools economic stability in this can grow up healthy, safe tool for Otoro Christians. and universities. Pray for country, and for wisdom and knowing the Bible. Pray Pray for the Trauma Healing the outreach to children for their leaders. Pray for the translations of the programme and that God and young people through for the mobile bookshop, Bible into Machiguenga and would use it to add to His sport and other evangelistic a bus filled with Bibles Quechua Apurímac. Pray Kingdom. Thank God for projects. Pray for their HIV and Christian books, also for the evangelisation the team that works for the awareness workshops in that travels the country and discipleship initiatives Bible Society, led by Ismail churches. Pray for the team distributing them to remote carried out with Churches, Abdulrahman Kanani in led by GS Elizabeth Muriuki. communities. that they will help to reduce Sudan. violence and corruption in Tanzania Thank God for Slovenia Please pray that society. The work here is led South Sudan Please pray for the work of the Bible the Slovenian people may by Executive Director Pablo peace in South Sudan. There Society of Tanzania and find Christ through His Gutierrez. is much fighting and at pray that the team led by Word and that the new times it is very unsafe. Pray GS Alfred Kimonge would missionary programme, Ecuador Pray for the also for the construction of be encouraged. Pray for “Spiritual Growth with the portions of the Bible being the Bible Mission House. the Kiha translation of the Bible,” will help lead people translated into the Kichwa Pray for safety for the team Bible as it is printed and to God. Pray for them as Unificado language and for led by Executive Secretary distributed. Pray that God they develop new strategies the revision of the Quichua Edward Kajivora. Pray will bless the work amongst to spread the Gospel Imbabura Bible. Pray that for their Trauma Healing those with disabilities and through digital media. through these projects more programmes, literacy that they would see the Pray also for strengthening people would engage with projects and emergency love of Christ through these their partnerships with all the Scripture and that they relief to displaced people. programmes. Churches and ministries, would come to know Jesus. and for GS Matjaž Crnivec Thank God for the Bible JAN 19-25 and his team. Society in Ecuador, led by JAN 12-18 Executive Director Daniel JAN 26-FEB 1 Oliva. Hungary Thank God for Malawi Pray for the Lambya the Hungarian Study Bible Bible Translation, spoken by and the Bible distribution Colombia Ask for lasting people living in the furthest to the Romany people in peace within Colombia. north of Malawi, and Yawo southern Ukraine. Please Pray for the many Bible Tazi Bible translation for the pray for their plans for 2020, translation projects ongoing, Thank you for population in the eastern including the Ecumenical including the completion of part of Malawi. Pray for Bible translation and the the Wayuunaiki and Nasa praying for projects supplying Sunday ongoing New Testament in Yuwe translations. Pray Schools with Children’s for the work on the audio- Bible Societies Bibles. Pray also for project. Pray also for their dramatisation of the Bible all around the the Family Engagement supporters and staff, led and that it would challenge Scripture packs project. by GS Ottó Pecsuk, as those who listen to it. The world this year.

Bible-a-month 2020 Each year our Bible-a-month calendar • Pray that God would provide translators shares 12 countries where amazing Bible for the languages that have no Scriptures Society projects are taking place. A gift of yet. £5 each month is enough to give someone • Pray for the many translation projects a Bible in these countries. It can help going on around the world. Pray for people receive the Bible in their heart wisdom for those translating the language and in a format they can use, Scriptures. perhaps for the very first time. • Pray for the millions of people around the world who don’t have a Bible. Ask God If you would like to sign up to our Bible to provide the funding and the resources a Month Calendar please visit: https:// for everyone to one day have a Bible of Sign up to Bible-a-month today and biblesocietyni.co.uk/get-involved/give/ their own. provide someone with a Bible every bible-a-month-club/ for how you can join! month.

10 International News

The Translation Road Map The Translation Road Map is a bold and The Bible Society in Northern Ireland is supporting 7 different ambitious plan from the United Bible Societies translation projects this year. (UBS) Fellowship to reduce Bible Poverty by over 50% by 2033. The driving hope and aspiration is that all people will be able to have the Bible in their chosen language, in their chosen medium and in their chosen time and place.

In the Summer Word at Work we shared the latest Scripture Access statistics which show that over 240 million people in the world do not have any Scripture available in their A group of translators working on the Tinggian translation of the language. This Translation Road Map vision New Testament in the Philippines. has been made possible through partnership our funding will go towards translation projects, with many other agencies involved in in 2019 we are supporting 7 different translation translation work including ETEN (Every Tribe projects. This includes a New Testament Every Nation). UBS celebrates the strategic translation in the Philippines into the Tinggian goals that ETEN have in place – that by 2033: language. Once finished this will be the first time that this people group will have a complete New • 95% of the population will have the full Testament. We have been the sole funders of this Bible project through the generosity of one lady who left • 99.99% of the population will have the New us a large gift in her will and the support of a Trust Testament in Northern Ireland. • 100% of the population will have some Scriptures available. You can find out more and support a translation project for Scriptures into Lithuanian Sign Over the next 20 years UBS wants to Language on pages 14 and 15 of this magazine. complete the portfolio of translations that are currently underway and increase Bible As we look forward we want to support this engagement globally. This will not be easy ambitious Translation Road Map here in Northern – there are many factors that impact on Ireland. It is hard for us to comprehend not having translation for example finding and training a Bible in our own language but sadly this is the the right people to be involved. War, sickness reality for many. Together as Bible Societies and family circumstances can also have an around the world we can change this for people impact on the translation process. groups who are still waiting on words of Scripture in their heart language. Bible translation is a long term and dynamic process as languages constantly change. This work is not simple and requires dedication and commitment from the local community to Sign up for more news like this Would you like to receive updates on Bible see the project through. mission work from all over the world every month? – sign up to receive our monthly Prayer Here in Northern Ireland we have always News email on our website - https://biblesocietyni. co.uk/contact-us/sign-up-for-updates/ made Bible translation a priority. We have made a commitment that at least 20% of

11 The Bible 2020 app will be available on smart phones and tablets. Bible 2020 At Bible Society NI we really care about the Bible. We are website here: www. passionate about “Reaching Everyone with God’s Word”, biblesocietyni.co.uk believing wholeheartedly that the Bible is a gift for for you to view and people of all ages, in every place, no matter their gender, follow along with us! background, life story or learning ability. We believe BIBLE 2020 is Our heart is for people, in Northern Ireland and across a project that has the potential the wider world, to have the chance to access, engage to excite, equip and disciple the local church as well as and respond to the Word of God that they might be send us on mission so that lives will be transformed and transformed as they encounter Jesus and discover his the world changed forever as we share and people hear incredible purpose for their life. the living Word of God. And all of this alongside other believers from across the world and at the touch of a In short, we want to see the world changed by the Word. button.

To help us see this dream come to life we want to invite Can you imagine it? you to get involved in an exciting global Bible reading and speaking project throughout all of next year known as Everyone, everywhere reading the Bible aloud Everyday BIBLE 2020. throughout 2020? The eternal impact as seeds of faith and life are sown and God’s Spirit moves as you and BIBLE 2020 is a Bible engagement app for smartphones other individuals, churches, groups and schools, full of and tablets which has the vision to see everyone, boldness and excitement, engage with the Bible every everywhere reading the Bible aloud every day in 2020. day; speaking it out; praying for the Kingdom of God to If you don’t have access to a smartphone or tablet, come alive in your local area – and all as part of a wider don’t worry; the reading plan will be available on our global community?

12 Lives will be changed! Like our colleagues in other Bible Societies across the world, we are really enthusiastic about this project and the potential of it all and we want to encourage you to be part of this with us.

As part of BIBLE 2020 you and your church/group/school will have the opportunity to:

• Engage in a short daily Bible reading; • Read the Bible in a variety of languages and versions; • Have the chance to video record yourself speaking aloud the daily passage; • Upload your video to your social media – mobilising mission – as well as to a global wall where you can watch the videos of other participants from around the world who are involved in BIBLE 2020; • Establish community groups to enable accountability, discipleship and more, and; • See, join and create events to put the Bible into the public sphere in your area.

We want to see individual Christians, Churches, Groups and Schools proclaiming words of hope, purpose and life over our communities, nation and beyond.

Will you join with us as an individual and say “Yes” to reading your Bible and speaking it out loud every day in 2020?

Could your church, group or school community come together and be:

• 1 of 5 in Northern Ireland who will take on the BIBLE 2020 : 365 Challenge of reading, speaking and sharing the Word of God everyday next year?

• 1 of 12 to take on the BIBLE 2020 : 1 in 12 Challenge who will read, speak and share the words of the Bible every day for one month in 2020?

• 1 of 52 who commit to the BIBLE 2020 : 1 WEEK Challenge as you read, speak and share the Bible every day for one week next year?

If you are interested, we would love to hear from you and begin this journey of impact, discovery, discipleship, mission, community, action and more, as you read and proclaim the Bible over your local area.

Let’s go change the world with the Word through BIBLE 2020. For, as God says, his Word “…will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

13 Lithuania Appeal

to the deaf community, but to God to carry out this Translating the Bible translation. So far, they have completed the translation of the Gospel of Mark and are currently working on the into Lithuanian Sign Gospels of Matthew and Luke. From Text to Actions - The Process of Translation Language The translation of each passage begins with Andrius examining the Bible text and putting it in a way that Over 5% of the world’s population, around 466 million is more understandable for the deaf. Andrius also people, have hearing loss that is debilitating. Yet none marks some particularities that need to be addressed. of the 135 different Sign Languages around the world Sometimes he films himself on a smartphone to show has its own complete Bible. how he envisions the translated phrase or passage. Tomas, who shows the text in gestures, ensures that Most countries do not share the same sign language the video looks “alive”, conveying the richness and as their spoken language, thus making it even harder multiple layers of a passage. The team strives for the for people with hearing loss to understand the Bible. highest standard of translation without distortions and This leaves deaf people isolated from the rest of the gaps, but also in an aesthetic and attractive way. Christian community and unable to fully grasp the message of the Gospel. Most hearing people have little understanding of how different any Sign Language is from the spoken one, The long-term aim of the Bible Society in Lithuania is how complex and challenging the process of translation to translate the New Testament into Lithuanian Sign is. For example, the gesture for the verb “touch” Language, beginning with the Gospels, for use in the includes the way of touching (what part of the arm community of 8,000 people who use Lithuanian Sign was used) and the place of touch (what part of body language as their native and only language. was touched). When translating a mood of a person, meaning is conveyed by employing the whole body and The Translation Team facial expressions. The translation of the Bible into Lithuanian Sign Language began in 2015 when a man named Andrius To be able to serve their audience, the translators Barisevicius reached out to the Bible Society with needed to gain a lot of specific knowledge on the a vision for making the Bible accessible for deaf context of a passage and creatively find a way to Lithuanians. Andrius is a hearing Christian who works express tricky phrases. For example, the gestures for as a Religious Education teacher in a school for deaf the phrase “sat at the table” need to safeguard the children. He is helped by another member of the reader from the impression of using chairs and other translation team, Tomas Ivanauskas, a deaf translator modern furniture in those ancient times. It is these who teaches Sign Language in University. Both men complexities which makes the translation into Sign are Believers who feel that it is their duty, not only Language a longer process.

It takes much care and creativity for Lithuanian Sign Language users to A screenshot from a video of Tomas translate a passage of Scripture. Ivanauska signing a Bible passage.

14 Use of the Translation The full Gospel of Mark and part of Matthew have already been translated and are accessible to all through the deaf community’s website. It is a simple, user-friendly website that allows the viewer to watch the sign language video while following along with the written Word. You can have a look at the videos of the Gospel of Mark and Matthew on the Lithuanian Sign Language website here: biblija.surdo.It

The Bible Society of Lithuania have recently had the opportunity to present the Gospel in a school for deaf children. The children were thoroughly engaged with the slides and videos and had no trouble understanding their message, including the fingerspelt places and Biblical concepts. What was more important though, the children kept discussing the Bible passage and its meaning for their own lives, even after the lesson ended.

Will You Help Bring Hope to the Deaf in Lithuania? God is using the Bible into Lithuanian Sign Language to reach those who cannot hear, but this work needs the support of the Bible Society in Northern Ireland. There are two things you can do to help the Lithuanian Bible The Bible Society of Lithuania had the privilege to present the Gospel in Sign Language to a group of students. Society:

1. Pray: • Pray that the Lithuanian Sign Language Bible would reach the hearts of all those who encounter it. Praise God that His Word surpasses every disability. • Pray that the team that is translating the Bible would be encouraged by the reception of the first translated Gospels. Pray that they would be given the strength and enthusiasm to continue in this work until the full Bible is available. • Pray for the people who are already benefiting from the Gospels translated into Lithuanian Sign Language. • Pray that schools would continue to share them with the pupils and that lives would be changed.

2. Donate towards this project: • £10 will fund an individual translator to work for one day on the Lithuanian Sign Language Bible. • £50 will fund an entire team of five translators to work for one day on the Lithuanian Sign Language Bible. • £250 will fund an entire team of five translators to work for a week on the Lithuanian Sign Language Bible.

If you would like to help us support the Lithuanian Bible Society in this work, you can donate by simply filling in the form that came with this magazine, or visit our website at biblesocietyni.co.uk/project/lithuania-sign-language-new- A group of students learn to sign the Lord’s Prayer. testament

15 Good News

Bible Sunday

Every year the Bible Society Northern Ireland produces a resource to help churches run a “Bible Sunday” service. This resourse focuses on our access to the Bible and what a blessing it is to have it so available to us. We also take a look at those around the world who do not have access to the Bible, and what Bible Societies across the globe are doing to help bring God’s Word to all people. This pack is free and can be adapted to any style of service.

The Bible Sunday 2019 resource is a free pack for your church. Have a look at www.biblesocietyni.co.uk/ resources/bible-sunday for more information and to download a pack.

Word at Work THE MAGAZINE OF THE BIBLE SOCIETY IN NORTHERN IRELAND 27 Howard Street, Belfast, BT1 6NB AUTUMN 2019 Telephone: 028 9032 6577 email: [email protected]@bsni.co.uk web: wwwwww.biblesocietyni.co.uk.bsni.co.uk Find us on FaFacebook,cebook and Twitter Twitter & Instagram Charity Commission No. NIC102557 Published in January, May and September. Circulation 6,500