May news update

Dear Friends,

“Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.’” Luke 18:27

I often think of the Bible as being both a mirror and a window: a mirror in which we can see a reflection of our true self and a window through which we get glimpses of an all knowing and all powerful God.

Without access to a Bible, we only have our imagination or perhaps the word of others on which to rely: in some ways it’s like being sight impaired - spiritually. Life’s challenges seem bigger and we can limit God’s ability to intervene.

In this edition of E-news you’ll read about Gloria, who when faced with what may have seemed an impossible situation to many, stood strong in her faith just as she had learnt from God’s Word.

Millions of Christians around the world still do not have a Bible. Unlike Gloria, who God had made strong through His Word, these Christians severely disadvantaged.

Your continuing partnership with Bible League International will help these Christians grow in their love and knowledge of God, and become strong, just like Gloria?

Every blessing,
      

Grahame Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Bible League in Australia



MEXICO: Faith that moves mountains

Vincent and Gloria longed to share God’s Word with people in their village but they lacked the money needed to buy Bibles and Bible study resources.  Their story of hardship, tears, and triumph exemplifies their deep trust and faith in the Lord—a faith that has moved mountains.

“The Lord called us to provide God’s Word throughout our village,” Vincent said. “But we suffered great financial hardship because Bibles are very expensive here in Mexico.

“We traveled to a Christian bookstore and pleaded, ‘Why do you charge so much for Bibles?’ They answered, ‘business is business.’”

Although hesitant, Vincent and Gloria purchased Bibles from the store for a short time.

“When we could no longer afford Bibles, our hearts filled with sorrow,” Vincent said. “We sobbed and embraced each other.”

Then God intervened and led a Bible League-trained Christian to find the couple.

“He asked about our trouble and explained that he was on his way to the Bible League office and could help meet our need,” Vincent recalled. “It was then we knew God heard our prayers.”

Soon, Bible League in Mexico trained Vincent and Gloria as Bible study leaders, equipping them with the Bibles, resources and training they needed. They soon began to lead Bible studies throughout their village—providing God’s Word to more people than they ever imagined!

However, when their lives began producing spiritual fruit, Vincent suddenly fell into a coma. Medical specialists gave him little hope for survival, yet Gloria remained by his side in prayer—standing strong in her faith just as she had learnt from God’s Word.

Then a miracle happened. “After three days I fully recovered!” Vincent exclaimed. “And today, after many prayers, Gloria is pregnant.”

As Vincent and Gloria live their lives for the Lord, they are seeing Him provide in ways they never imagined.


CHINA: Embracing her Heavenly Father

Five years ago Meng, from China, was a rebellious and lonely16-year-old. Her parents ran a business and left her to care for herself most of the time.

“I had all kinds of material things but I needed and wanted their time, care, and love. I hated my parents because I was lonely,” she said.

But that time proved to be a turning point in their lives as her parents came to know the Lord.

“There were no longer fights and quarrels at home,” Meng said. “I began to respect and love my parents again.”

She also watched carefully as they went to a Project Philip Bible study, led by a Bible League-trained church planter. Still an unbeliever at the time, Meng didn’t understand why they were going, but her love for them continued to grow.

Then, that very same year, her dad died and Meng’s relationship with her Heavenly Father began.
“In my grief, I turned to the Lord for comfort and support,” she said. “He lifted me out of my darkest days with His mighty arm. I started to go to church regularly and I began going to the Bible studies. As I studied God’s Word, I came to understand why my parents changed for the better after they came to know the Lord.

“I’m grateful that my dad helped lead me to the Lord,” Meng said. “I am grateful for God’s love and compassion. I’m grateful for His Word. He has transformed my life.”

Today, Meng continues to study the Bible so that she can grow in her faith. “I want to study hard so that I can help spread [God’s] love and His teachings,” she said.

Will you help provide Bibles, Bible study materials and training so that through your gift new believers will grow in their faith and others will come to know the Lord? Please donate here.


Read more at http://www.bibleleague.com.au/