Students throw out a Lifeline to Young Offenders (Australia)
Hoopoe Bird Helps Children Discover the Bible! (Germany)

The Eisteddfod, a Welsh word for a cultural concert, was a spectacular performance by youth from seven high schools. They recreated the seven days of the ‘Creation Story’ at the Hills Centre in Castle Hill in early May. Through music, dance, drama, and dramatic lighting and costumes, the presentation was a powerful witness of God’s creation of the world.

As well as encouraging young people to read and study the Bible, proceeds from the Eisteddfod will be used to provide much-needed Scriptures to chaplains in the Juvenile Justice Centres.

Juvenile Justice Centre Chaplain Christine Gyllies said, “A 16-year-old boy said to me, ‘While you are locked up, you might as well listen to what God has to say in the Bible. I’ve got one of the Year 2000 Sports New Testaments, and it would be good if the other boys could have a copy too.’ When another young offender was told about the eisteddfod, he said, ‘It’s great to know that somebody cares.’”

‘While you are locked up, you might as well listen to what God has to say in the Bible. I’ve got one of the Year 2000 Sports New Testaments, and it would be good if the other boys could have a copy too.’

The event also featured prizes for participating groups, including an overall winner’s prize of AU$1,000 and 60 free cinema passes, all donated by local merchants. “This production surpassed all our expectations,” said producer Christine Leaves of Youthforce, “with not only the highest standard of performance, a powerful Christian witness to the kids and the audience, but also the wonderful and committed teamwork of production crew on the day.” (WR 341/23 - 6.99)

STUTTGART, Germany — More and more children in Germany are being introduced to the Bible from a very young age, thanks to the efforts of the German Bible Society (GBS).

“The best way to introduce children to the Bible is through their family or a group in which they feel at home,” said Peter Walter, Fundraising Information Officer of the GBS. “It also works well if the material includes colourful pictures, activities and toys,” he added.

The GBS’s new program has two main aims. Firstly, to ensure that children have fun while they discover the contents of the Bible. And secondly, to make them aware that there are other children in various parts of the world who would love to have such attractive material to read and toys to play with but who cannot afford them.

As from this summer, parents will be supplied with copies of the new Christening Memorial Bible to read to their children. The stories are not in chronological order, but are organised according to the celebrations of the church calendar – the idea being to make the stories more relevant to everyday life.

The second aim is to familiarise children with the Weltbibelhilfe project. This is the GBS’s fundraising program to provide Scriptures for needy people throughout the world. Children will be supplied with folders containing contemporary stories about children from other countries telling of their experiences with and need for the Bible.

“Our goal is not to take the children’s money,” said Mr Walter, “but to open their eyes to the purpose of the Weltbibelhilfe project. When people are taught something during childhood, they are more prepared to support the cause actively in their youth and financially in adulthood.

“The GBS is attempting a synergy between the Christening Memorial Bible and the Weltbibelhilfe folder,” Mr Walter continued. “Both these publications are illustrated by the artist Ruediger Pfeffer, and include colourful craft activities to occupy the children as they learn.”

The material also includes a soft toy, called Wido Wiedehopf, which is a reddish-brown hoopoe bird. Although the hoopoe bird is only referred to once in the Bible, it is known to be a faithful companion of people all over the world.

The ultimate goal of this GBS project is that many children, in Germany and elsewhere, will discover the Bible to be their faithful companion. (WR 341/24 - 6.99) [PHOTOS]