Latest News Summaries

Summaries of stories which have been e-mailed in the Latest News series since the publication of World Report 386:

WORLD — Christians across the world were united on May 9, the United Bible Societies Day of Prayer, by their desire to thank God for the achievements of the Bible Society movement over the last 200 years and to commit the future growth of the ministry to him. In countries as far apart as South Africa, Venezuela and Oman, special events including church services and prayer breakfasts spanned every time zone, creating a round-the-clock wave of prayer. By providing a range of promotional materials and gaining the support of church leaders and Christian organisations, Bible Societies ensured widespread participation. e-279, e-281 and e-284, May 13, May 27 and June 10, 2004 (WR 387/29 - 8/9.04)

WORLD — National Bible Societies around the world have continued giving accounts of Scripture-based resources they have provided for people who have been to see Mel Gibson’s controversial and record-breaking film The Passion of the Christ. They include Societies in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, the Gulf, France, Scotland, India and New Zealand.
e-280 May 20, 2004 (WR 387/30 - 8/9.04)

DR CONGO — The Bible Society of the Democratic Republic of Congo has called for prayer support from the United Bible Societies fellowship as the country’s security situation deteriorates. Riots have broken out in all major cities, including Kinshasa, where the normally peaceful atmosphere at Bible House has been shattered. General Secretary the Rev Christophe Kongo is considering moving Bible Society operations to a safer location outside the city until calm is restored. e-283 June 7, 2004 (WR 387/31 - 8/9.04)

Edward Mutema, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Zimbabwe (right), hands a copy of the Tonga New Testament on audio cassette to a local pastor on May 4, 2004. Binga, Zimbabwe. Photo: BSZ (ZIM04DJ-10.JPG)

ZIMBABWE — Edward Mutema, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Zimbabwe, presented the Tonga New Testament on audio cassette to a group of pastors in Binga on May 4. The Binga region is home to speakers of Chitonga (Tonga), often called “the forgotten people” because they lived in total isolation for many generations. Mr Mutema watched the pastors’ faces “beam with joy” as they listened to some Bible stories and realised that here, for the first time, was God’s Word in a medium which all speakers of Tonga could understand. e-280 May 20, 2004 (WR 387/32 - 8/9.04)

People were anxious to get a copy of the Revised Vietnamese New Testament following its launch on Easter Sunday, 2004. Danang, Vietnam. Photo: UBS Asia Opportunity Program (VNM04DJ-4.JPG)	The Revised Vietnamese New Testament was launched in Tin Lanh Church on Easter Sunday, 2004. Danang, Vietnam. Photo: UBS Asia Opportunity Program (VNM04DJ-10.JPG)

e-282 June 3, 2004 (WR 387/33 - 8/9.04)

Zhang Wan Long standing alongside his woodcarving depicting the "Life of Christ". Nanjing, China. Photo: UBS/Larry Jerden (PRC01DJ-7.JPG)

HONG KONG — The Hong Kong Bible Society is helping to organise an exhibition displaying the Bible ministry in China. The exhibition, which is being put on by the China Christian Council and the National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement of Protestant Churches in China, will cover the period from 1949, through the 1960s and ’70s when churches were closed and Bibles confiscated, to the establishing of the Amity Press in Nanjing in 1987. The exhibition opens in Hong Kong in August. e-285 June 30, 2004 (WR 387/34 - 8/9.04)

CÔTE D’IVOIRE — Several government ministers were among those who purchased Bibles and other items from the Bible Society of Côte d’Ivoire’s stall at the fourth Abidjan International Bookfair in early May. This was the second time that the Bible Society had attended this event, which it regards as helpful in raising its profile both nationally and internationally. e-285 June 30, 2004 (WR 387/35 - 8/9.04)

EUROPE — With major sports events taking place in Europe over the summer, several national Bible Societies have prepared special editions of Scripture with sports fans in mind. Among them, both Societies in the Iberian peninsula have published Sports New Testaments in time for the Euro 2004 soccer competition, and the Greek Bible Society has three special publications ready in anticipation of the Centennial Olympic Games. e-284 June 10, 2004 (WR 387/36 - 8/9.04)

BURUNDI — “Celebration filled the air” when the Bible Society in Burundi opened its first Bible House in Bujumbura on May 9, according to Margaret Karangatha, Management Consultant at the United Bible Societies’ Anglophone Africa Regional Service Center. Mrs Karangatha was one of the many guests who first attended a service at St Michael’s Roman Catholic Church and then witnessed the opening ceremony at Bible House itself. Afterwards, a Bible Society supporter declared enthusiastically, “It is a great joy to belong to this Bible Society Fellowship. It is a family.” e-284 June 10, 2004
(WR 387/37 - 8/9.04)

Whether in Haiti or any other part of the world, children enjoy school - and school being out! These smiles also say `thank you` to all who have made the O-21 Book of Life available to the children of Haiti. Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Photo: UBS/Larry Jerden (HAI01T-14.JPG)	Unfortunately, not every child in Haiti is able to attend school. More than one-third are left out of the educational process. Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Photo: UBS/Larry Jerden (HAI01DJ-19.JPG)	Haitian children living on a sugar cane plantation in the Dominican Republic share the Word of God. Dominican Republic. Photo: BSDR (DOM01DJ-2.JPG)

e-284 June 10, 2004 (WR 387/38 - 8/9.04)