‍September - October, 2021 | Volume 20: Issue 5 

You may recall that, for about a year now, Bible for Children has been offering Bible story eBooks in 240 languages on an Internet channel called WhatsApp. This has only been possible because a WhatsApp programmer from South Africa, by the name of Petrus, presented the concept to us and set up the channel.

We are thankful to the Lord that Petrus has now taken ownership of the channel. This takes a huge load off us, and allows BFC to concentrate on adding more languages to our website. Our part will be to supply Bible story eBooks to Petrus in new languages, which we will freely and joyfully continue to do. Petrus has plans to add other Biblical offerings to the channel, such as a daily Bible reading.

Please pray for Petrus to be able to reach many of the two billion people who use WhatsApp. And let us praise God together for the manner in which He, the magnificent Conductor of all Gospel ministry in this world, directs every member of His Orchestra to play their part in harmony with His will and purpose. “God does all things well.” 

Every language can convey . . . . . . God’s love in  Christ Jesus.

We thank and praise the Lord for leading the way to 350 languages on our website.  And we also thank and praise the Lord for a large donation that allows us to add another 50 languages. Pray for us as we identify the languages, find translators, and bring the stories online.

It had seemed impossible for us to get all these languages.  We approached the United Bible Societies, with offices all over the world.  Only a few UBS countries helped us (which we greatly appreciate), and often the translations could take many months before the specific projects were completed.

Then God touched the heart of a dear brother in Dominican Republic.  Yeral has a Christian translation ministry, and we had hired him in the past for a few languages with a lower translation cost.  Other languages were too expensive.

Then the Lord gave Yeral the vision of reaching children around the world with the Bible stories in their own heart language.  He approached his translation team with the vision, convincing them to translate for a low fee.  Very few have refused him.  And just as amazing, Yeral usually sends the translations to us within one or two weeks!  Please ask the Lord to richly bless our dear brother.

When, by God’s grace, we reach 450 languages, we will be reaching all people groups with a million or more speakers. What then? We trust the Lord will show us.  Another 230 languages would reach people groups with as low as 500 thousand people. Then another 900 languages would reach people groups with as low as 100 thousand people.  Please pray that the Lord will direct our steps.

Mail from Around the World 

Myanmar: . With due respect I would like to ask you, is there any way to re-edit the Rohingya translation of the Bible for Children?

As the Rohingya language is being developed since just a few year back, now some biblical terms and word writing systems have been developed. Therefore I would like to re-edit it.  John

Bukina Faso: (translated from French) - I am responsible for a Christian Structure that has a Biblical education program. We want to correspond with you in order to have Bibles for children who participate in our program. Thank you and remain blessed in Christ, the rock of our salvation!  Yougbare

Philippines: (translated from Tagalog) - Good day! I'm asking for permission to use your stories in our passion to teach children. Thank you so much for your goodness. Our Lord will bless you.  Teacher Phia

Uganda: I am a linguistic that is, I am much fluent with many languages here in Uganda both in speech and writing and would love to serve with your ministry of Bible for Children as translator for the languages you may need from Uganda.

I also believe that those materials would help the children’s church here in Uganda to grow since we have a large number of children in rural areas who can’t read English but can read their local languages.  Carlos

Ethiopia: We need some hard copy Amharic material for Sunday school purpose. Is that possible in your side. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.   Betelehem

Yucatan Peninsula: I request beloved brothers of the childrens Ministry. Bibles for children who are evangelized for Summer Bible School and Sunday School.  Rev. Orlando

Appreciative Facebook Posts also came from Nepal and an unidentified, Arabic-speaking country.

Prayer & Praise

‍A Special Prayer Request

My wife and I are at the stage of life where dear friends are going on to be with the Lord. We have been to two funerals in one weekend. You may be in a similar place.  We know the appointed time is coming for each of us, and the only way to prepare is to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Many children around the world are leaving this earth at very young ages.  We must do all we can to share God’s truth with them before their time comes. Thank you for caring and thank you for praying!  Greg

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Prayer from this PrayerLink issue.

· Petrus, our co-worker in South Africa.

· God’s comfort for those who sorrow.

· Help to locate, translate and add another 50 languages to our website.

‍Heart to Heart

Bible For Children staff members, volunteers and fellow-supporters join in sharing our deeply-felt heart pangs at the recent passing of two dearly-loved pillars of this work who, from the beginning, prayed with us, encouraged us and served the Lord heartily through BFC. While we rejoice in their present blessings, we cannot but grieve the loss we feel. But this loss also sharpens our love and appreciation for those precious friends who remain.

We thank God for John R. Hayes, a dear brother who, for 8 years, served willingly and wisely as BFC’s  first Board Chair; and, for our dear sister Helen Hill who contributed to the development of BFC outreach in many unique ways.

We (shall) thank the Lord upon every remembrance of both of these dear friends.