Le Livre de Vie tells young
people
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| Even those who are not school students appreciate Le Livre de Vie (Book of Life). Unfortunately, the Haitian Bible Society, even with O-21 funds, does not have the resources to share it with those outside the school system. These two young men are fortunate to have been given a copy by a sympathetic staff member. Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Photo: UBS/Larry Jerden (HAI01DJ-72) |
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Thanks to a partnership of Book of Hope International, Assemblies of God and the Haitian Bible Society, thousands of children and young people in Haiti are receiving the O-21-funded book Le Livre de Vie (‘Book of Life’) in French and Creole. Containing the four Gospels plus study questions, it aims to help them apply the teachings of Jesus to the contemporary issues that concern them.
At Collège Catherine Flon, a private school located at Carrefour, students were given copies of both Le Livre de Vie and the New Testament. Student Julien Vladimir thought they made a good combination. “About some subjects, like sex, love and the family, Le Livre de Vie clarifies the New Testament,” he said.
Another student, Simeon Dony, said he had never been prompted to consider Scripture seriously before. “I thought the New Testament was just a book like any other… I was very surprised to discover it had such an interesting message. I think that reading [Le Livre de Vie] can help young people change their lives.
“I appreciate the questions at the end of each chapter very much,” he added. “ They help me to understand and memorise certain verses. The book helps me to understand that life is not just a question of sex; it gives me other things to think about.”
Readings on radio
At the same time, the Haitian
Bible Society continues to work with the churches in providing Scripture
on audio cassettes in Creole, in partnership with Hosanna, via the Faith
Comes By Hearing program, also funded by
O-21. The readings can also
be heard daily on local radio.
One churchgoer, a Mrs Guerrier, described the effect Scripture in this format had had on her and her husband.
“I am a Christian but my husband wasn’t,” she said. “I can’t read, so it was a real pleasure for me to participate in listening to the Word of God and for my husband to do the same. Two months later a great change has appeared in his life. He has stopped smoking and now he goes to church with me. I think that this program can bring a lot of changes for the good in other Haitian families.” (SR 29/12 - 4/5.02) [PHOTOS]