Bible-A-Month Prayer Partnership Calendar 2013

2013

Bible-a-month Prayer Partnership

Placing Scripture each month

10967 CD Desk Calendar 2013 BSNI.indd 1 01/11/2012 11:28

Our Mission

Contact us:

The Bible Society in Northern Ireland27 Howard Street • Belfast, BT1 6NB

Tel: 028 9032 6577

E-mail: [email protected]

Follow news of our work at www.bsni.co.uk

Charity No: XN 46187

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The Bible Society in Northern Ireland joins with our global partners as the United Bible Societies to achieve the most effective translation, publication and distribution of the Bible in all the languages spoken today. We aim to reach everyone, recognising the special formats (audio, video and digital) that are needed to ensure that no-one is excluded from God’s Word.

Scripture texts from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189, USA. All rights reserved.

Millionsof people will never have a Bible unless we change things.

• Many are illiterate or have poor reading skills, because poverty denied them an education. They need simplified texts or, failing that, the Bible in the form of an audio recording.

• Many could use a print Bible but low wages mean that feeding their family is the first priority. The Bible is a luxury they could never afford.

• For speakers of many hundreds of languages, God does not yet speak in their heart language. They are waiting their turn to receive a Bible in a translation that they understand.

You can change things.

please see reverse >>>

Commit yourself today to help people in 12 different countries to secure their

personal copy of Scripture.

As a Bible-a-month Partner, with at least £4.00 per month, you will enable at least one person to have the copy of God’s Word that they long for. Each monthly card will give you examples of what your gift can achieve.

Our Word at Work magazines contain regular Bible-a-month country updates. Our prayer/news updates in our magazines and by e-mail help you to be informed about what our 146 sister Bible Societies are accomplishing in God’s service.

You can send gifts for each country month by month:• By Direct Debit (a mandate is set out on one of the cards) – a simple

way for you to control how often and how much you give to this work.• By Cheque/Postal Order through the post to BSNI, 27 Howard Street,

Belfast BT1 6NB, quoting your membership number on the back.

If you always quote your membership number, we will be able to record your gift and report back to you on your giving whenever you ask. Write your membership number here so you have a record of it


Response Card

Please complete and return this card to join us in the fight against Bible Poverty.

Full Name & Title:

Address:

Postcode:

In case of query, my tel. number:

My e-mail:

I wish to give: monthly/quarterly (delete one) by Direct Debit

(My authority to my bank is on the Direct Debit Instruction card)

£4 (1 Bible) £8 (2 Bibles) £12 (3 Bibles) £ (other amount)

We will send you written confirmation as part of our Direct Debit guarantee.

I intend to support Bible-a-month projects by cheque each month.

I enclose a gift of £

I would like Gift Aid to be claimed on my gifts

and have completed the Gift Aid Declaration overleaf.


(Please complete your details in block letters and tick the appropriate box)

Full Name:

Address:

Postcode:

Your declaration:

Please treat

The enclosed gift of £ as a Gift Aid donation; OR

All gifts of money that I make today and in the future as Gift Aid donations; OR

All gifts of money that I have made in the past 4 years and all future gifts of

money that I make from the date of this declaration as Gift Aid donations.

Signature:

Date:

NB. I confirm I have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. I understand the charity will reclaim 28p of tax on every £1 that I gave up to 5 April 2008 and will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I give on or after 6 April 2008.

Gift Aid Form


Direct Debit Instruction

Please fill in the whole form using a ballpoint pen and send it to:

The Bible Society in Northern Ireland27 Howard StreetBelfastBT1 6NB

Name(s) of Account Holder(s)

Bank/Building Society account number Branch Sort Code

Name and full postal address of yourBank or Building Society

To the Manager Bank/Building Society

Address

Postcode

Reference Number: Office use only.

Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay by Direct Debit.Originator’s Identification Number

OFFICIAL USE ONLYThis is not part of the instruction to your Bank or Building Society

Instruction to your Bank or Building SocietyPlease pay The Bible Society in Northern Ireland

Direct Debits from the account detailed in this

Instruction subject to the safeguards assured by

the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this

Instruction may remain with The Bible Society in

Northern Ireland and, if so, details will be passed

electronically to my Bank/Building Society.

Signature(s)

Date

9 6 2 5 6 2


Giving hope to the abandoned children of Ukraine.

please see reverse

>>>

With just £4 this month, you could give an orphan their first present.

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january 2013

Ukraine


Ukraine

The aim of this project is simple, to give orphans encouragement and hope by introducing them to God’s love through Bible stories. There are over 1,000 orphanages in Ukraine, housing approximately 20,000 children. Without adequate funding for these orphanages these children feel abandoned and isolated, and for many the future doesn’t hold much hope. The Ukrainian Bible Society wants to change this by giving each child a specially printed children’s Bible – perhaps the first gift that these kids will receive!

Pray that the orphans will know God’s fatherly love through the care of the staff and volunteers.

We rely on support from our Bible-a-month partners to make Bibles available to the orphans in Ukraine. Please consider how you can help:£4 - could provide two children’s Bibles; £8 - could provide four children’s Bibles;£12 - could provide children’s Bibles and part of the cost of travelling to an orphanage.

Photo: Member of the Sunday School at the Life’s Water church in Kharkov, Ukraine. (Norwegian Bible Society / Dag Smemo)

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!”

1 John 3: 1


Reach out to communities in outlying islands of the South Pacific with God’s Word. >>>

This month, £4 could supply a Bible to those who have suffered from the effects of natural disasters in the Pacific.

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february2013

Fiji


Fiji

The Dayspring Yacht Mission Project will continue its visits to help build the spiritual lives of people in villages and smaller communities of the South Pacific, who suffer from natural disasters such as tornados. The mission focus will involve distributing Scripture materials to islands such as Fiji, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Tonga, and Samoa. Many people and churches have already been blessed by the ministry of this project, which will also work closely with churches to identify and produce relevant materials such as Scripture portions and study aids.

Pray for safe journeys for the yacht and that people hungry for God’s Word will receive a Bible of their own.

Your gift will help bring Bibles and Scripture materials to the people of Fiji:£4 - could supply a Bible to someone who is desperate to read God’s Word;£8 - could help supply fuel for the Dayspring Yacht;£12 - could help towards the staff cost of this project.

Photo: Two boys read the Bible they received from the Dayspring Ministries team. The team travels on the ‘Seahawk’ yacht to deliver Bibles to remote Fijian islands. (Bible Society in New Zealand)

“Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant.”

Psalm 119: 76


A revision of the Quechua Bible is needed due to changes in language. >>>

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march2013

Bolivia

This month, £4 could supply a Bible in a relevant and up-to-date translation.


Bolivia

Quechua is the mother tongue for over 2 million people. Yet it is spoken by more than 12 million other people throughout Latin America. Like any living language, Quechua is changing constantly and dramatically. As the language changes, so does the understanding of how Scripture is translated.

By government decree, public servants must speak the native language of the region they represent and it is common to hear various Christian and secular programmes in Quechua on radio and television. The mission of the Bolivian Bible Society is to deliver the Word of God in the language the people understand. This makes a new, up-to-date and relevant translation necessary.

Pray that this translation will engage more people with God’s Word. Also pray for the team of translators involved in this important work.

Your gift will help change the lives of people in Bolivia:£4 - could supply a Quechua Bible to someone who will find reading it so much easier;£8 - could help supply translation materials;£12 - could help towards the staff cost of translating.

Photo: Quechua women and children attend the dedication of the New Testament in the North Quechua language, in traditional costume. Chuma, western Bolivia. (United Bible Societies / Tito Lahaye)

“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.”

Colossians 1: 9


So many children are caught in a cycle of begging and abuse. Please help change this. >>>

This month, £4 could help a child return home.

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april 2013

Senegal


Senegal

Many children in Senegal are sent to the city to learn the Koran. In return for this education, the master forces the Talibes (child disciples), some as young as five, to beg on the street and give him the money as compensation. These children can be recognised as they carry their empty tomato cans, sitting on the side of streets, approaching taxi drivers, or collecting rice to sell to the local women. If they do not return to their master with enough money they are severely punished.

Pray for the Bible Society in Senegal as they work to sensitize the families, churches and teachers, and pray that the Talibes will be encouraged to return home.

Many Talibes are lost from home. Make a difference in their lives by sharing God’s message with them:£4 - could provide 12 Scripture booklets in French;£8 - could provide 30 Scripture Selections in Puular;£12 - could provide 36 booklets in Wolof or Arabic-Wolof.

Photo: A group portrait of five little children in a sandy street in Toubab Dialau, Senegal. (United Bible Societies / Andrew Mathewson)

“‘We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’”

Luke 15: 23-24


People are desperate to know God but are waiting for an introduction. >>>

You can help make God known to people in Kyrgyzstan by giving just £4.

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may2013

Kyrgyzstan


Kyrgyzstan

Times are hard for people living in remote areas of Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet Republic. Unemployment is high and people are living in despair, looking for a God they do not know. The Bible Society is working to bring the Good News to these people by distributing the Gospels in the Kyrgyz language. With colourful brochures and illustrated Gospels the churches pray that people will come to know God and find hope and joy in the materials they receive.

Many people long for God but do not know where to look. Pray that by introducing Scripture materials these people will meet with their Father.

Giving just a little this month could do big things for people feeling alone and without hope:£4 - could provide 16 copies of an illustrated account of Jesus’ ministry;£8 - could provide 32 people with Selections from the Gospels;£12 - could provide Selections for 48 people.

Photo: Elderly couple with two children, Kyrgyzstan. (United Bible Societies / Dag Smemo)

“… how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”

Matthew 7: 11


Providing an interactive Bible Adventure for young people.

>>>

This month, £4 could help engage young Philippinos with the Bible.

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june 2013

Philippines


Philippines

The project will provide an opportunity to encounter God’s Word in an interactive and exciting way and help young people, including those with visual impairments, realize that the Bible is relevant to them.

Computers and other interactive technology will let them travel back into and experience the world of the Bible. The Bible Society aims to raise their interest and help them begin a deeper journey into the Scriptures through regular reading and studying, allowing the Holy Spirit to touch and transform their lives.

Pray that the project will engage and encourage young people in their relationship with God.

Your gift will help engage young people in the Philippines with God’s Word:£4 - could provide a young person with their own Bible;£8 - could help supply someone with an audio Bible;£12 - could help support the technology required to deliver this project.

Photo: Children enjoy a summer camp for blind children run by Resources for the Blind, a partner organisation of the Philippine Bible Society. Manila, Philippines. (Resources for the Blind)

“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.”

Psalm 78: 4


Breakfast and Bibles for kids in Peru. >>>

Remember that by giving just £4 you can help a child grow spiritually in Peru.

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july 2013

Peru


Peru

The ‘Bread of Life’ project in Peru has been set up to show love and kindness to kids who may not experience it at home. Many children living in shanty towns in the cities of Peru live in shacks rather than homes, don’t have enough food, don’t get to go to school as they’re sent to work to get money for the family, and are affected by domestic abuse. These children are welcomed into centres and offered a daily breakfast while being taught from God’s Word.

Pray for the kids and volunteers who are involved with this project, that God’s love would be felt by all.

John Doherty from BSNI visited this project in July 2011 and saw how effectively it meets both the physical and spiritual needs of hungry children.£4 - could provide Sunday school materials and a daily breakfast for a child for 3 weeks;£8 - could provide 25 children with the book ‘Crece y Apprende’ (Grow and Learn);£12 - could provide a Bible plus a nutritious daily breakfast to a child for 7 weeks.

Photo: A volunteer helps serve soup to children at a ‘Bread of Life’ project in Lima, Peru. (Bible Society in Northern Ireland)

“Give us today the food we need.”

Matthew 6: 11


“Christianity is about actions, not just words ...” >>>

Have you remembered to send this month’s gift? It could change a life!

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august2013

Zambia


Zambia

“…The Good Samaritan did not stand by the roadside and pray for a miracle for the beaten man. He got practical by lifting him up, bandaging him and taking him to an inn to be attended to. We also should care for those infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS.” Konstanse Raen, originator of the Good Samaritan Programme.

The Good Samaritan Programme works with churches to combine prayer and action, teaching HIV and AIDS awareness and helping the infected and affected deal with this pandemic. Pray that as the Bible Society makes materials available in 3 local languages, churches will gain understanding of how to show God’s love and power to those with HIV and AIDS.

Will you combine prayer and action to help those in Zambia?£4 - could provide training for a church leader to use HIV materials in a church setting;£8 - could provide training and HIV/AIDS prevention course booklets for one church;£12 - could provide training for two people and all materials for one church.

Photo: Children at Gripis (Griffs) Compound, a village a few kilometres east of Lusaka, Zambia. (Danish Bible Society / Christian Kistrup)

“Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.”

Luke 10: 34


Not just owning God’s Word but engaging with it. >>>

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september2013

Lebanon

This September, you could help Lebanese people of all ages and backgrounds know God better.


Lebanon

The Bible Society in Lebanon is trying to make the Bible central in society, and so is using three different pathways to help people engage with God’s Word. They are:

• putting the Bible in the public sphere through politics, art, music and exhibitions;

• serving underprivileged communities through distributing Scripture;• providing practical assistance and contextual materials to migrant workers.

Pray that doors will be opened for this wide variety of programmes to happen, and that Christ will become the focus of society in Lebanon.

What could you do this month to help this project? Prayerfully consider the steps you could take:£4 - could provide Scripture Portions to 3 people;£8 - could reach 6 people with Arabic Scriptures;£12 - could provide 4 people with a full Bible.

Photo: A schoolgirl at the Bible Society in Lebanon’s renovated Bible World exhibition shows her delight with the Scripture Portions she has been given. (Bible Society in Lebanon)

“Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”

Hebrews 12: 1-2


Engaging Laotian youth with the Bible in a country which does not enjoy religious freedom. >>>

This month, £4 could supply a Bible to a new young Christian in a difficult cultural situation.

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october2013

Laos


Laos

Despite a lack of religious freedom, there is a growing number of Christians in Laos, especially among the youth and young adults. Only very few Scripture materials for Laotian children and youth have been published, so the Bible Society aims to develop more for this target audience.

The youth in Laos may not have as many financial resources as their western counterparts. Nevertheless, many are media savvy, therefore it is important to develop and provide materials that cater towards the specific needs of young people. By reaching out and addressing this group the local Bible Society is bridging the communication gap through the presentation of Scripture in an age-appropriate format.

Pray that the church will continue to grow in Laos and that freedom will be given to allow people to live out their faith more openly.

Your gift will help bring Bibles and Scripture materials to the people of Laos:£4 - could supply a Bible to someone who is desperate to read God’s Word;£8 - could help supply youth-specific Scripture materials; £12 - could help supply the Bible in a New Media format.

Photo: Soldier Thaungxay Sanyahak and his children inside their simple bamboo house. (Vietnam Partnership / Grace Smith)

“For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

2 Corinthians 3: 17


Providing tools to help people learn to read and enable them to understand and engage with the Word of God. >>>

This month, £4 could supply a Bible to someone who has just learnt to read.

s m t w t f s 1 23 4 5 6 7 8 910 11 12 13 14 15 1617 18 19 20 21 22 2324 25 26 27 28 29 30

november2013

Haiti


Haiti

It is essential that people learn to read in order to be able to have a personal contact with the Word of God. In Haiti however, the rate of illiteracy is very high at 65 per cent. The Haitian Bible Society is providing tools to help people learn to read. In partnership with local churches it is opening reading centres. After someone has completed a literacy course they are given their own Bible.

The literacy programme includes a whole range of people of all ages, Christians and non-Christians alike. “The joy of seeing someone read a portion of the Bible makes all our efforts worthwhile,” says the Bible Society’s Literacy co-ordinator.

Pray that this project will result in many people having an encounter with God through His Word. Also pray for the staff of the Bible Society of Haiti as they reach out to those who cannot read.

Your gift will help change the lives of people in Haiti:£4 - could supply a Bible to someone who can read for the first time;£8 - could help supply teaching materials;£12 - could help towards the staff cost of teaching someone to read.

Photo: Students practising their writing skills at a literacy class. Cité Soleil shanty town, Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (United Bible Societies / Joaquim Dassonville)

“As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ.”

Ephesians 3: 4


“Shepherds play such an important part in society here, yet they are marginalised.” >>>

This Christmas you could give a gift that lasts.

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december2013

Lesotho


Lesotho

When Jesus was born it was the shepherds who first visited him... now Jesus is being brought to the shepherds of Lesotho. Some only young boys, the shepherds work and live in remote mountainous regions. After receiving Scripture audio cassettes in 2000 there has been an increasing desire for God’s Word and for literacy skills. The Bible Society is continuing literacy work with the shepherds this year and is reprinting and distributing New Reader materials to more shepherds who have not yet been reached.

Please pray that this marginalised group will come to know Christ and learn that they have a place in His world.

Share Jesus with shepherds in southern Africa this Christmas:£4 - could provide simplified Scriptures for 6 shepherds;£8 - could reach 12 shepherds;£12 - could reach 18 shepherds and their family circles.

Photo: A resident of Mateanong, where the Bible Society in Lesotho distributed literacy materials for shepherds in January 2010. (United Bible Societies / Francois Sieberhagen)

“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them.”

Luke 2: 8-9


Documents

Bible-A-Month Prayer Partnership Calendar 2013