Power-Walking Miracle Woman (New Zealand)

Musical ‘Safari’ Brings in Bible Funds (New Zealand)

Used-Car Salesman Donates Profits to the Bible Cause (Namibia)

Stewardship Responsibilities (Turkey)

ROTORUA, New Zealand — In April this year, twenty-six year old Tara Blackler decided to power-walk the Rotorua marathon. It took her 6 hours and 8 minutes to complete the 42-kilometre course, and she raised more than NZ $250 for Bibles for China.

Tara chose to sponsor Bibles during the marathon because she loves the Word of God and because a New Zealand Bible Society representative, Mel Bowen, himself a marathon runner, helped her plan her training schedule. But three years ago no-one would have thought this possible.

Just days after the birth of her daughter Holly, Tara suffered a severe stroke and went into a coma. Doctors told her husband Tony that there was little hope for Tara’s survival.

“I was devastated,” said Tony, who felt he could do nothing but pray that his wife would not slip away. But the following day the unexpected happened... “At 7.15pm, Tara opened her eyes and I could see life in them!” said Tony. “I found out later that our church had held a prayer meeting for Tara that night. They had met at 7pm, and after 15 minutes of singing, the whole congregation had started to pray. That was 7.15pm.”

Tara’s recovery has been slow and difficult. Initially she suffered from amnesia, and did not even remember that she was married or had a baby. Her movements were slow and uncertain. But today, three years later, Tara is a bright and bubbly person, who says her recovery is “a miracle of God”.

 She quotes her favourite Bible verses with enthusiasm: “With God, nothing is impossible” (Matthew 19:26), “Jesus said, ‘Do not worry about your life . . . your Father in heaven will take care of you.’” (adapted from Matthew 6:25-34). “And,” says Tara, “I prove the truth of those verses every day.” (WR 332/35 - 7.98) [PHOTOS]

WANGANUI, New Zealand — Wanganui is a city on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Like many New Zealand cities, it was originally settled by God-fearing men and women from the United Kingdom. They brought with them their Christian faith, and almost the first building they erected was their church.

As a result, most New Zealand city centres have a number of churches, all within walking distance of each other. Little did the founding settlers of Wanganui know when they built their churches, but they were paving the way for a very successful Bible Society fundraising effort more than 150 years later!

The Wanganui Action Group of the Bible Society in New Zealand chose a Sunday afternoon in April to hold their fundraising venture. This took the form of an ‘Organ Safari’, the idea being that people go from church to church listening to organ recitals, and hopefully donating money to the Bible cause. During the course of the afternoon, more than 100 people visited the Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic and Presbyterian churches, each of which has its own pipe organ and an organist capable of displaying the instrument to its full capacity.

Each recital lasted about 20 minutes, then the group walked a few minutes to the next church for another 20-minute recital, and so on. Participants were charged for a programme containing information on the churches to be visited, the route to be taken between churches, and the music to be played. They also had the opportunity to make a financial contribution to Bible work during the ‘safari’.

As it happened, the best organist in the city was the one who performed last, which was an excellent ending to a very successful afternoon. Many new people were introduced to the Bible Society through taking part in the ‘safari’, and the event also strengthened relationships between the Bible Society and the churches. The financial result was that over US$500 was raised for the Bible cause. (WR 332/36 - 7.98)

WINDHOEK, Namibia — “Many people believe their doubts and doubt their beliefs, but we should never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God!” says Jan Kritzinger, who runs a second-hand car dealership in the centre of Windhoek, the Namibian capital.

Tall, with white hair and a beaming smile, 49-year-old Mr Kritzinger is no ordinary salesman, and the Bible on his desk and picture of an open Bible on the wall are clues to what motivates him and his work. “It is for the Kingdom of God,” he says, and he is so convinced of the importance of the Bible that he has committed himself to donating the profit from the first car he sells every month to the Bible Society.

Room for God

After years of working in partnerships selling first car-parts, and then used cars, Jan launched his own business in March 1996, with the aim of making room for God in the workplace and giving money to Bible work. “I started registering and applying for permits, assured that the money from the business would go to the Lord’s work,” said Jan.

“However, I wanted to make sure that the idea was really of God, so I turned to the Bible for guidance. I read the Second Book of Chronicles, chapter 7:12, 15-16, where God speaks of blessing the temple that Solomon had prepared for him. And I was moved to tears as I realised that through his Holy Spirit, God can use anyone he chooses to do his work. As I sat there all alone, asking ‘Who am I Lord?’ I knew that although I was no-one, the Living God had revealed himself to me! “I needed ‘clearance’ that morning, and God answered me directly through His Word!”

The second-hand car business may not be regarded as anything but secular, but Jan sees his business as a Christian enterprise, and where possible he runs it according to biblical values. And the painting of the Bible open at 2 Chronicles 7 which hangs in his office is a constant and living reminder to Jan of the grace of God. (WR 332/37 - 7.98) [PHOTOS]
 

The excitement and enthusiasm shown by the representatives from the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, who have just started raising money locally, was contagious. It was also inspiring to learn that Russia will soon be launching fundraising initiatives to help support its own programs. Bible Societies like Lebanon, Jordan and the Gulf are also starting new innovative schemes.

Church visits

The conference started on Sunday, with delegates visiting local churches and speaking about Bible Society work in their respective countries. Each day the meetings opened and closed with devotions, during which we gave thanks for the many volunteers and donors who support our work through prayer and financial gifts, as well as giving up their time. We also focused on the special stewardship responsibilities we have as fundraisers.

Fundraising advice

Over the next four days we heard about the work of the Bible Society in Turkey, as well as fundraising endeavours in England, the Netherlands, America, Malta, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Germany. A special guest, Christopher Carnie, from Factory Europe, provided advice on the types of fundraising programs that would work well for Bible Societies.

Small regional groups met and reported back to Barbara Walkden, the new UBS Millennium Facilitator, on programs which they felt would have significant fundraising potential for the forthcoming Millennium Project in their respective countries.

We were all delighted to learn of a special gift being given to the UBS fellowship by the Danish Bible Society (DBS). Mia Faber explained how the DBS has been grateful to the UBS for the help received several years ago in providing Denmark with fundraising software. Now they wanted to give something back to the fellowship, by donating the development funds for new Bible Society fundraising software, which will be made available to all Bible Societies in the year 2000.

New software

The software will be state-of-the-art and is being developed by David Warnock, President of Sundayta Ltd, who is a former employee of the UBS Europe-Middle East Regional Service Center. David did an excellent job of developing the initial software, which is currently being used in Denmark as well as in some other European countries. The new software will be designed for use in Bible Societies of differing size and language. There will be three product sizes: light, standard, and professional; these will be available in English, Arabic, Spanish, Russian and Danish.

It was encouraging to see so many countries commit themselves to helping close the financial gap, which of course translates into a Scripture gap. Most delegates were aware that for some time the UBS has been unable to meet the worldwide Scripture needs. Bible Societies continue to face an unprecedented demand for Bibles, but being unable to supply them is disheartening.” (WR 332/38 - 7.98)