The Living Word Transforming Lives · The Living Word Transforming Lives Spreading the Secret Gospel Muslim Woman Discovers God’s Voice…p.14 Strong and Courageous Transformation

New BeginningsLetter from the President…p.2

Slaves No MoreJoseph Escapes from Poverty…p.4

JoyreportSpring 2016

The Living Word Transforming Lives

Spreading the Secret GospelMuslim Woman Discovers God’s Voice…p.14

Strong and CourageousTransformation from Lebanon to Canada …p.12

FREEDOM and JOY in CHRIST

MINISTRY NAME | COUNTRY

2 JOY REPORT JOY REPORT 3

BIBLE LEAGUE CANADA | BIBLELEAGUE.CA SPRING 2016 | JOY REPORT

MINISTRY NAME | COUNTRYMINISTRY NAME | COUNTRY

Our Mission:

We are called by God to provide Scriptures and training worldwide, so that people prepared by the Holy Spirit will be brought into relationship with Christ and His Church.

The Joy Report is published four times

per year to inform you about what God

is doing in the lives of individuals we

support and about specific results of your

gifts and prayers. Permission is granted

to copy, re-publish and/or distribute the

information in this issue as long as Bible

League Canada is credited. Additional

copies of this newsletter may be obtained

by contacting us at 1.800.363.9673 or

[email protected]

Bible League Canada is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as a charitable organization, registration

number 10822-2084-RR0001

Box 368, Grimsby, ON L3M 4H81.800.363.9673 bibleleague.ca | [email protected]

Dear Friend,

Spring—it’s the season of new beginnings. Each bud and blossom reminds me of God’s sovereign power and his tender love for us.

Jesus came to save and not to condemn—His compassion and mercy never fail. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Without Jesus, all of us would still be walking in spiritual darkness. But thanks to Him, we all have the opportunity for a new beginning as we become children of God through His amazing grace!

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13 (NKJV).

My heart’s deepest desire is to see more and more people experience a new beginning in Christ—the true freedom that is more powerful than any fears or challenges that we face inlife on planet Earth.

Thank you again for your compassion for men and women around the world who don’tknow Jesus.

Your generous support enables us to reach so many with the living Word of God through starting new churches, adult literacy, children’s programs, and ministry to persecuted Christians. Yours in Christ,

Paul RichardsonPresident, Bible League Canada


BIBLE LEAGUE CANADA | BIBLELEAGUE.CA

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT




Though slavery has been abolished for more than a century in the United Kingdom, Europe, and North America, millions of people are still trapped by this inhumane practice. Adults, and sadly children too, must endure forced labour and even the degradation of sexual slavery.

Parents Resort to SellingChildren into Slavery

4 JOY REPORT


4 JOY REPORT

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY | INDIA

With an estimated 14 million slaves, India has more slavesthan any other country in the world—including captive children like Joseph.

Born sickly, Joseph’s father told his mother that it would be better to let him die and bear a healthier child—but she refused. By the time he was eight-years-old, Joseph was working alongside his illiterate mother for 15 cents per day picking chili peppers. His family did not earn enough to survive and two of his siblings died in childhood.

Sold into Slavery

Then, when he was 10, Joseph’s father sold him to a landowner as a bonded slave for $2.50 per year plus a few cigarettes! Unfortunately, this is not uncommon. Thirty-five percent of Indian children do not attend school—often these children must help to support their families. And many families have at least one child that has been sold into bonded slavery.

Joseph worked from sunrise to sunset. If he was late, the landowner beat him. With no shoes, he tied cardboard around his feet to protect them from the hot ground. Unable to afford rice, Joseph ate the same grain that was fed to the animals. After two years, Joseph ran away from his slave owner.

Free to Learn

The young boy was all alone, until a school for orphans took him in. At the school, Joseph had food and shelter and he learned to make crafts. A kind teacher took an interest in Joseph. Noticing that he was intelligent, the teacher taught him to read and write.

Today, Joseph has an undergraduate degree in Indian history and a master’s degree in social work. Knowing first-hand the power of literacy to transform a life, Joseph now trains adult literacy workers through a Bible League Canada joint ministry partner.

With your help, Joseph and the other staff of this Christian organization, operated by Indian believers, are working to change the lives of some of the 300 million illiterate Indians. Joseph is passionate about teaching his people to read and write so that they can provide a better life for their children and no one feels the need to sell their child into slavery.

Please Pray:

For Joseph in his work training fellow Indians to teach Bible-based adult literacy classes

God would show Indian parents that there is a better way than selling their children into slavery

That Indian adults and children would discover Jesus as they learn to read and write

To support children’s ministry In India and other children like Joseph, please give by completing and returning the enclosed form. Or you can donate online at www.bibleleague.ca or by calling Tanya, our Donor Relations Associate at 1.800.363.9673.


MINISTRY UPDATES

1. Pray for our joint ministry partners in Canada and also around the world. As we are living in extraordinary times, please pray for wisdom, safety and grace for them to bear fruits.

2. Pray for revival in Canada. We long to see the body of Christ in Canada to experience the deep love of our Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father.

3. Pray for our team at Bible League Canada as our ministry could face more challenges in light of ever-changing political and economic climates at home and around the world.

Please Pray...

HEART” “WORDS

with Bob Beasley

thefrom

Words from the Heart is a daily 5-minute e-devotionalthat is available for free subscription.

To subscribe, please visit

http://www.bibleleague.ca/resources/words-from-the-heart

THROUGH YOU WORLDWIDE GOD IS MOVING

UKRAINE Bible Literacy

I WANTED TO DIE!

“I used to drown my life in drugs and alcohol. I wasted almost 10 years on this evil. I lost it all—my family, two houses, and relationships with friends and acquaintances. My life was a mess. Living on the street, I prayed to God. I wanted to die.

Miraculously, the Holy Spirit touched me and I began to read the Bible.

At first I couldn’t understand it, but gradually God began to open His Word to me.Now, four years later, I have finished my third year at the Zaporozhye Bible Institute. I lead a small house church and we are in the process of starting a second Bible study. I reach out to people on the street and help at drug and alcohol rehab centres. We are also

beginning evangelism in a hospital. I try to preach God’s Word wherever possible.”

– Constantine



SPRING 2016 | JOY REPORT

PERSECUTED CHURCH the LIGHT of TRUTH

[Armenia] “When I was young, I lost my parents and my sister in a car accident. Though I didn’t think I could survive the loss, God gave me incredible strength to keep on living. Later, I went to Armenia for medical school where I met many Christians

and began attending

worship. My faith in Jesus grew. Wanting to bring the gospel back home, I returned to my country.

Doors closed because of my faith. People started threatening me and I could not get a job. Some of my relatives accepted Jesus, but not openly. One day, a government official whom I knew, told me to leave the country or I would be imprisoned. God directed me to return to Armenia.

I feel very welcomed by the Church in Armenia, and I know I can do a lot for my people from here.

I ask the Lord to help me serve my home nation, and to bring them the light of Truth.” -- Persecuted Believer

When the mayor in his region sent a letter urging schools and kindergartens to avoid evangelical Christians because they were false believers and dangerous to children—Jelio was shocked.

Jelio is a regional coordinator of Children’s Ministry with a Bible League Canada joint ministry partner and had begun a successful outreach with a local kindergarten.

Though the letter was a blow to his ministry, Jelio trusted the Lord and persevered.

Just one week later, Jelio had a scheduled meeting with the director of the kindergarten he had been helping. Remembering that she was a former member of the communist party, Jelio was worried about her response to the letter.

When he arrived for the meeting, the director held up the document and tore it apart, saying, “Don’t worry about that letter! I know who you are, I remember what you did for us. I know that you are neither bad nor dangerous people.”

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY - Bulgaria


Stay Away from Evangelical

Christians —They’re Dangerous



STARTING NEW CHURCHES | EL SALVADOR

THROUGH YOU WORLDWIDE GOD IS MOVING

Thank you for your generosity and prayerful support of this ministry. Without you, we would not be able to

share the gospel with millions of people around the world. Together we are fulfilling Jesus’ commission to go

and make disciples of all peoples. There is still much work to be done and the need for Bibles and resources is

increasing. By God’s grace, and with faithful followers like you, we are confident that all things are possible. Come

and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! Psalm 66:5 (NIV)

THROUGH YOU

Bible League Canada is laying groundwork for a powerful revival in our nation as we collaborate with Canadian ministries. We celebrate our partnerships with One Hope Canada (Children’s Ministry), Crossroad Bible Institute Canada (Adult Prison Ministry), and C2C Network Canada (Church Planting). These organizations, reach men, women, and children who don’t know Jesus. With strategic funding, we help them expand their impact across the nation, develop and train new leaders, and most importantly, introduce more Canadians to the Living Word of God.

Join us as we pray that our nation will be transformed by the love and hope of our Lord and Saviour.

Please visit www.bibleleague.ca/where-we-work/canada for more information.

Partnering forREVIVAL in CANADA

Complete and return the enclosed form Donate online at www.bibleleague.ca Call Tanya, our Donor Relations Associate at 1.800.363.96733 W

AYS

TO

GIV

E

Canadian Ministry

At first her pastor was worried when Anda told him she was going to preach

the Word of God in Bado Marin, El Salvador—an area known for gang

activity. “But I know the same God who allowed me to work in other places

preaching His Word is the same one who will go with me,” Anda says.

A church planter trained by a Bible League Canada joint ministry partner, Anda holds Bible studies in her home. She also gets to know people in the community and visits their homes. At first people were resistant to the message—so Anda prayed, sometimes for an entire day. “I prayed for the people of this community, asking God to turn their hearts toward Him.”

The first answer to her prayers came when 16-year-old Flora gave her life to Christ.

“Before knowing God, I felt an emptiness I couldn’t fill,” says Flora. She sensed something changing when Anda began to teach her and others in her village about God. Flora adds, “Now I feel a sense of happiness that I cannot explain”I talk to my friends about God and also to my dad who is not yet a Christian.”

Flora’s walk in this new Christian life is not easy—sometimes she feels judged, or even persecuted, for choosing a different path. But she says with a smile, “I believe God is the only one who can save. I can’t give up.”

Anda is discipling Flora along with others in the young church. It is a joy for her to see Flora grow in the ways of God.

Please give by completing and returning the enclosed form or by donating online at www.bibleleague.ca or by calling Tanya, our Donor Relations Associate at 1.800.363.9673.

Persistent Church Planter BRAVES DANGEROUS NEIGHBOURHOOD

Church planter, Anda, sits between Flora and another church member.

As a new Christian, Flora, feels a “sense of happiness she can’t explain”.


BIBLE LEAGUE CANADA | BIBLELEAGUE.CA WINTER 2015 | JOY REPORT

JOINT MINISTRY | BFM

Batoul emigrated from Lebanon to Scarborough, Ontario in 1991 with her mother and cousins. She met a young man while working in a coffee shop and they later married.

CONTROLLED BY FEAR AND ABUSE

In 1997, during their first week of marriage, Batoul’s husband moved them to Calgary without consulting her. Isolated from her friends and family, she felt completely alone when he started physically, emotionally, and sexually abusing her.

Though neighbours routinely called the police and Batoul’s husband was regularly arrested, she would never charge him. Her husband controlled Batoul by threatening to kill her and cut her up in tiny pieces if she laid charges. Even when she and her daughters were placed into a long-term shelter, her husband found her and stalked her.

THRIFT STORE BECAME A REFUGE

Then, in 2006, her husband left. To clothe her family on a limited income, Batoul went to the Calgary Bibles for Missions Thrift Store. “One day, one of the volunteers noticed that I was upset and asked what was wrong….I broke down and told her everything,” says Batoul. “I had never felt so comfortable talking to someone about my problems. She reminded me of my mother. She comforted me and made me feel better.”

Batoul began frequenting the store—even when she wasn’t shopping. She got to know the volunteers and was soon asked to become a volunteer.

“Everyone was so kind and I felt so happy. They were my second family.”

SPRING 2016 | JOY REPORT

&STRONG Courageous!

Today, Batoul is a happy single

mother to four beautiful

daughters. But five years ago, she was

in a lot of pain.

FINDING JESUS

At the time, Batoul did not have a faith. “I didn’t really believe in God,” she says. “But I knew that all the women and men at the store were Christians.” While working at the store, she learned more about God. As her interest grew, Batoul researched Christianity. “I began reading the Bible. If I had questions, I would ask one of the volunteers.” Gradually, Batoul and her daughters discovered what it means to be a Christian.“We saw how amazing Christian people are and how incredible the stories of the Bible were.”

Several of the volunteers attended the same church and invited Batoul and her girls. They loved the church immediately! “My daughters and I have learned more about Christ and become so much stronger in our faith.”

Though her body is damaged by years of abuse and she still struggles every day, Batoul says, “But I always have hope. I know that God is there with me.”

*Interested in volunteering at a Bibles for Missions Thrift Store? To learn more about BFM Foundation (Canada) and the 48 Bibles for Missions Thrift Stores operating across Canada go to bfmthriftstores.ca.



ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM | KENYA

THE BIBLE—God’s Voice to Mankind

Jaha, a former Muslim, showed no hesitation as she shared her testimony of becoming a Christian. She is among 18 former Muslims, who completed an Adult Literacy Program with a Bible League Canada joint ministry partner in a Nairobi slum.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or

terrified because of them, for the

Lord your God goes with you;

he will never leave you nor

forsake you.”

After attending the Adult

Literacy Program, Jaha was

able to read and write basic

English. She later started

attending weekly Bible study

sessions and reading Scripture.

“I used to view the Bible as any other form of literature, but through the Bible studies—with the help of our program leader and other Muslim converts—I realized that the Bible was God’s voice to mankind,” she said.

Jaha’s favorite Bible story is the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead. “This story helps me to understand the depth of God’s love for man,” she said. “Jesus had so much compassion for Lazarus’ sisters that he wept before resurrecting him. I believe God loves me with the same level of compassion.”

Jaha, a mother of three, has been secretly sharing her new experience asa Christian with other Muslim women

in her neighborhood to avoid persecution.

“I will not stop this secret Gospel,” Jaha said, “because I have a strong conviction that God wants the other Muslims in my neighbourhood to experience His unfailing love and give their lives to Him.”

To support adult literacy programs in Africa, please give by completing and returning the enclosed form. Or you can donate online at www.bibleleague.ca or by calling Tanya, our Donor Relations Associate at 1.800.363.9673.

* Names have been changed for security reasons.


Box 368, Grimsby, ON L3M 4H81.800.363.9673

bibleleague.ca [email protected]@BibleLeagueCAN Bible League Canada

BFM Foundation (Canada) is a voluntary, non-denominational organization that operates 48 Bibles for Missions Thrift Stores across Canada (and growing). BFM Thrift Stores convert donated used goods into cash so that BFM Foundation (Canada) may, in Joint Ministry with Bible League Canada, transform people through the Living Word of God. As we prayerfully receive God’s blessings for the growth of newly developed BFM Thrift Store, we are seeking passionate volunteers to contribute to our BIG HOLY AUDACIOUS GOAL (BFM Thrift Stores will raise enough money so that the Joint Ministry of BFM Foundation (Canada) and Bible League Canada may reach all peoples everywhere, with the Living Word of God).

We presently have over 4,200 devoted volunteers working from coast to coast, and this is why they choose BFM as a workplace and a way to give back to their communities.

Do your Part…

Meet new People…

Join the Excitement...

Be a Positive Influencer…

Raise Awareness…

Develop new Talents…

Grow from the Experience…

Learn and Serve…

Personal Satisfaction…

Work for a Cause…

Be part of a Team…

Face new Challenges…

Pass along Wisdom…

Preserve the Environment…

Keep Active…

Have Fun...

Share your Vision.

We thank God for abundantly blessing the BFM Stores. Lives are being changed for a purpose greater than what we might think or imagine, through our Joint Ministry with Bible League Canada.

We trust God for volunteers. Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field” Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV).

BFM Foundation (Canada) is taking the recruitment and succession of volunteers very seriously. They have formed a Task Force of committed individuals to achieve the secondary goal to increase the volunteer base with a lower

average age.

To learn more about volunteering for BFM, please contact:

BFM Foundation (Canada)[email protected] Free: 1-855-204-4980,or visit your local BFM Thrift Store and ask to fill out a Volunteer Application Form!

A MESSAGE FROM BFM FOUNDATION (CANADA)...

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The Living Word Transforming Lives · The Living Word Transforming Lives Spreading the Secret Gospel Muslim Woman Discovers God’s Voice…p.14 Strong and Courageous Transformation