The Bible in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, 70% of the population is either semi-literate, or totally unable to read. The development of reading and writing skills has been a long-term priority of the Bangladesh Bible Society. Over the past decade more than 200 church-based literacy groupshave been established, using the Bible as their text. Now, an advanced literacy scheme is being launched, where churches will run programmes for local communities.
20 classes will be held for a total number of 400 students, each of whom will attend for 1 1/2 hours each day, six days a week, for two years. It’s hoped that by 2010, there’ll be 50 groups, with 2,000 students.

Siberian Scriptures
Libraries are an important part of Siberian society,because few people can afford to buy books. Solibrarians and readers alike have been delighted atthe decision by the Bible Society in Russia, to providefree Scripture books to boost their stocks of books.
In the town of Iskitim, librarian Irina says – ‘The Children’s Bibles are most popular. The adults often prefer to borrow the Children’s Bibles too, either for themselves, or to read the stories out aloud to their children or grandchildren.’
Over the next few years the Bible Society hopes to distribute parcels of biblical materials to all of Siberia’s 2,600 libraries.

An Innovative Initiative
St Maurice in Switzerland is a popular site for tourists, with many spectacular walking trails and the oldest surviving abbey, north of the Alps.
Four years ago, the abbey approached the Bible Society to beinvolved in an innovative initiative, promoting the Bible. Together, they have established a special centre in the abbey, where the Bible is presented in a number of creative ways. Onthe walking trails, a series of panels featuring Bible passages and illustrations have been set up.
One visitor wrote – ‘We are leaving enriched by the wonderful words of the Bible, superbly presented.’

‘True Words’
East Timor, one of the world’s newestindependent nations, is to benefit from one of theworld’s newest Bible translation projects.30,000 speakers of the Fataluka language willbe able to read the Bible in their own language,thanks to a special Bible Society initiative. UBStranslation consultant, Dr. Stephen Pattemorewas impressed by the strong local determinationand their initiative in setting up the project.
It will be a significant translation for thepeople of this tiny nation – Fataluku literallymeans ‘true words’!

A modern-day ‘Good Samaritan’
In Ethiopia, Mohammad Nasir was initially scared of his father’s reaction, when hestarted listening to Bible stories of Jesus. His father was a leader at a local mosque.But Mohammad loved the stories, and two years after he first heard of Jesus, he became a Christian. He says his father was initially angry, but they have been reconciledand Mohammad is determined to maintain good family relationships, to demonstrate his love for them.
Now, Mohammad proclaims the good news of Jesus in street preaching, often using a megaphone. He says – ‘It’s important to be a “Good Samaritan” – perhaps it’s more often our deeds than our words that bear witness for us.’

The Good News in Israel
For the first time, school children in Israel are learning about Christianity, thanks to a joint programme run by the Bible Society and the Israeli Ministry of Education.
They are studying the culture and traditions of the firstcentury, to see how the Christian faith developed.We hope this introduction to Christianity in the land of the Bible will contribute to a better understanding between the Jewish and Muslim majority and the small Christian minority. We hope and pray that many hearts will be open to the good news of the gospel.

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