Nov - Dec 2023   Volume 22: Issue 6

The Next 1000 Languages!

Not in our lifetime!  No one at Bible for Children dreamed that we could be adding another 1,000 languages to our Bible stories.  Of course, no one ever dreamed that we would have 450 languages already.  God is full of surprises!

God revealed this next amazing step in this way.  Our existing Bible stories cover all people groups with at least one million people.  It was getting more difficult to find translators for smaller people groups.  And even when we could find them, the cost was growing.

When we attended a Bible conference recently, we investigated whether Artificial Intelligence could help us.  AI may be able to help one day, but not now.  Then the Lord showed us a new approach.  We rewrote our 7 main Bible stories using only Bible verses.  We call them Scripture Bible Stories.  They use the same pictures and storyline as before.

Then we linked up with Bible translators, such as Wycliff and Pioneers.  They have given us permission to use the Bible verses from their Bible translations to create Bible stories.  Many of the languages have only the New Testament translated, and so will have only our 4 NT Bible stories.  

We have now begun this new advance, which we expect may take a couple of years.  A huge advantage of this new approach is that our cost per language is now about $100, significantly lower than previously.  And of course, the translations are the best possible!

Please praise the Lord with us, and pray that we can get these Bible stories online as soon as possible.  You may be surprised to know that even people living in grass huts in the jungles now have cell phones.

 Spain

We would like to request your kind consideration for a possible donation of Explorer Club books and Bibles to support our educational programs. We firmly believe that the resources you provide are valuable for the spiritual and educational growth of the youth we serve.  If you would like to learn more about our organization or discuss how your donation can make a difference, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are willing to provide any additional information you require.  - Natalia

‍Malaysia

‍I would like to purchase the Sunday school materials in Malay.  Please do advice me how to purchase it and the payment mode.  - Clara 

‍Zambia

We live in an environment where Christian literature is rare and impossible to find. The servants of the Gospel of salvation that we are have nowhere to recharge their batteries to supply their calling and shepherd the flock of God for which the Holy Spirit has established them.  We ask you for Christian literature in pages printed by this route. - Pastor Mutombo 

‍Israel

‍Thank you for creating this site with simple Bible stories.  I’d love to use your Hebrew stories as Hebrew teaching materials on my YouTube channel, among other materials. Those videos will be free for everyone of course, but the channel will probably be monetized with YouTube. Since it’s important for me to do it ethically, please tell me if it’s ok with you.  - Arik

Brazil

‍I’m a narrator from Brazil and I’m writing in regards to Bible for Children stories.  I’m planning to record bible stories for children in brazilian portuguese and make it available online at streaming platforms. I’ve read your adaptation in portuguese and I think it communicates very well with children. I’m wondering whether I could record bible storytellings using your version.  I would mention Bible for Children at the description of each episode. Am I allowed to do so? - Felipe

New Website

We have been working diligently to improve the BFC website.  There are new icons and a new look.  The major change is the addition of a clickable map of the world.  Users can select any country and see a list of all the languages we have in that country.  We believe this will be a great help for people who have difficulty with looking up languages by their name.  This new look should be up before Christmas.

New BFC Video

Our dear friend Randy at ICFilms has created a video portraying the ministry of Bible for Children.  In fact, he has made 3 videos with lengths of 1 minute, 3 minutes and 5 minutes.  We showed the 5-minute video at our recent Celebration Banquet.  We plan to deliver all 3 videos to churches in our area, asking them to consider showing one of them at a “Mission Moment” in their churches.  We want the churches to know about our free Bible stories for children, which they may use themselves, and also inform their missionaries about this valuable resource. 

As we care for the children of the world, we also care for our own children, and grandchildren.  And we have two grandchildren that we had never met.

So Mary-Anne and I found ourselves on a plane heading South – way South.  About 30 hours later we arrived in Paysandu, Uruguay.  The last part of the journey was by taxi, and the driver got lost!  But after an unexpected adventure, we knocked on a door and were greeted by our son, his wife and 3 little girls.

For the next two weeks we were reminded of the busyness of a household with girls who are 5, 3 and 1 year old.  And we loved every minute of it!  Our 5-year-old granddaughter even learned some English for us!  Otherwise, we were in a Spanish world.

I had printed some of our BFC Spanish Bible stories, and had the joy of giving them to corner store owners, taxi drivers and others we encountered over those two weeks.  May the Lord bring some to salvation.

Mary-Anne says we are getting too old for those long trips.  I hope she changes her mind in a couple of years.

Celebrating 20 Years of God's Faithfulness

On October 20th, 2003, Bible for Children was born.  No big fanfare.  Not even very big dreams.  Simply obedience to God’s call.  We had no idea what was coming!

Edward Hughes has written a book to capture the marvelous ways God has led this unimposing ministry.  “Let Them Know” is available on Amazon, but we can provide a free eBook to those who may be interested.

God's Gift

In some corners of our city

On that special Christmas morn;

While believers are rejoicing

That the Bethlehem Babe was born,

There are kids who have no knowledge

Of God’s Gift sent from above,

For they’ve never heard of Jesus 

Or of His redeeming love.

Let us share the news - let’s make sure they know

That Jesus died to save them, for He loves each child so.

- Edward Hughes

‍Bible for Children, Inc.