Zimbabwe
Up until the 19th century, the area that is now known as Zimbabwe was under a series of indigenous kingdoms. In the 1880s, the country became a British colony, called Southern Rhodesia, which lasted until 1965. It was now known as Rhodesia. In 1980, Zimbabwe gained independence.
In the lead-up, most farms owned by whites were seized, and land was redistributed, leading to a collapse of the agriculture-based economy. Today, Zimbabwe is an impoverished nation with hyperinflation and an unemployment rate that is over 90 per cent!
Partnering with churches, the Bible Society of Zimbabwe is seeking to encourage Christians, who make up 84 per cent of the population, to engage with Scripture by providing digital players (Proclaimers), which are preloaded with an audio Bible recorded in the Zimbabwean Shona and Ndebele languages. The Proclaimers give Christians who are either illiterate or suffering from sight impairment access to the Word of God.
Recently, Bible Society travelled to Matabeleland, south Province to implement the Faith Comes by Hearing project. People flocked from different districts to participate. One woman walked twelve kilometres from her village.
As a steward in her church, she was excited to go back to her church and community and share the gospel with others. She was very confident that the audio Bible would touch and change many people’s lives. In these times of economic hardships, she was hopeful that with the audio Bible both young and old would find their refuge in Jesus Christ.
Your gift to Bible a Month Regular Giving will help to support this project this month.
View the PDF version of your Member’s Report here.
Prayer Points for Zimbabwe
Give thanks that the Church has grown in numbers and passion amidst great trials, even as the country disintegrates around it.
Pray for a nation where suffering has reached unprecedented levels, and where people are ravaged by malaria, HIV, and malnutrition.
Pray for strong, spirit-filled leaders in churches, and purity in doctrine for the Church, as the majority of people combine Christianity with indigenous beliefs.
Pray for Zimbabwe’s economy as it has high national debt, soaring inflation and an unemployment rate over 90 per cent.
Pray more with us here.
FURTHER BIBLE MISSION PROJECTS
Kazakhstan
In the seventh and eighth centuries Christianity reached Kazakhstan with the arrival of Assyrian Christians. In the 19th century, the expansion of the Russian Empire saw the arrival of the Russian Orthodox Church.
In 1936, Kazakhstan became a Soviet republic. The Communist Party sought to eradicate religion, and despite its collapse, anti-religious sentiment has remained strong. In 2011, the government of Kazakhstan enacted its Religion Law that outlines strict registration requirements for religious communities.
The Bible Society of Kazakhstan is working on a new translation of the Kazakh Bible, it is providing children’s Bibles, and it is distributing Bibles to families and to people living in remote places.
Botswana
In the mid-1870s, Christianity was brought to Botswana by mission organisations, such as the London Missionary Society (LMS). Regional hereditary tribal chiefs called Dikgosi converted to Christianity, followed by their tribes. During the last part of the 19th century, Christianity became the official religion of five major Tswana states: Kwena, Ngwaketse, Ngwato, Tawana, and Kgatla.
Today, Botswana is a Christian-majority country, but the country is officially secular, and complete freedom of religion is allowed. The Bible Society of Botswana is working to translate the Bible into Botswana sign language, it is partnering with churches to provide Bibles to COVID-19 patients, and it is providing New Testaments to vulnerable youth.
Nigeria
In 1807, Bible mission began under the auspices of the British and Foreign Bible Society.
The Bible Society of Nigeria was founded on 8th February 1966 through the pioneering efforts of the late Dr. Francis Ezeogo Akanu Ibiam, the first indigenous Governor of the defunct Eastern Region.
Today, the Bible Society of Nigeria is reaching out to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are living in camps. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) there are currently 2.2 million people living in camps. The reasons for the displacement include social unrest, inter-ethnic conflict, and natural disasters. Bible Society is supporting them by distributing Bibles, school bags, bedding, clothing, and toiletries.
Albania
In the first century, Christianity reached Albania. Between the 15th – 19th centuries, the rise of the Ottoman Empire saw Christianity supplanted by Islam as the country’s main religion. In 1912, Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire.
During World War II, it was occupied by firstly Italy, followed by Germany. In 1944, communist partisans took over the country. In 1967, the Communist Party banned all religion. In 1990, the ban on religion was lifted.
Today, the Interconfessional Bible Society of Albania is working to provide children’s Scriptures for children in summer camps. It runs a “Friends for Life” sports centre where children receive coaching in football and tennis and do Bible engagement activities.
Kazakhstan
In the seventh and eighth centuries Christianity reached Kazakhstan with the arrival of Assyrian Christians. In the 19th century, the expansion of the Russian Empire saw the arrival of the Russian Orthodox Church.
In 1936, Kazakhstan became a Soviet republic. The Communist Party sought to eradicate religion, and despite its collapse, anti-religious sentiment has remained strong. In 2011, the government of Kazakhstan enacted its Religion Law that outlines strict registration requirements for religious communities.
The Bible Society of Kazakhstan is working on a new translation of the Kazakh Bible, it is providing children’s Bibles, and it is distributing Bibles to families and to people living in remote places.
Botswana
In the mid-1870s, Christianity was brought to Botswana by mission organisations, such as the London Missionary Society (LMS). Regional hereditary tribal chiefs called Dikgosi converted to Christianity, followed by their tribes. During the last part of the 19th century, Christianity became the official religion of five major Tswana states: Kwena, Ngwaketse, Ngwato, Tawana, and Kgatla.
Today, Botswana is a Christian-majority country, but the country is officially secular, and complete freedom of religion is allowed. The Bible Society of Botswana is working to translate the Bible into Botswana sign language, it is partnering with churches to provide Bibles to COVID-19 patients, and it is providing New Testaments to vulnerable youth.
Nigeria
In 1807, Bible mission began under the auspices of the British and Foreign Bible Society.
The Bible Society of Nigeria was founded on 8th February 1966 through the pioneering efforts of the late Dr. Francis Ezeogo Akanu Ibiam, the first indigenous Governor of the defunct Eastern Region.
Today, the Bible Society of Nigeria is reaching out to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are living in camps. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) there are currently 2.2 million people living in camps. The reasons for the displacement include social unrest, inter-ethnic conflict, and natural disasters. Bible Society is supporting them by distributing Bibles, school bags, bedding, clothing, and toiletries.
Albania
In the first century, Christianity reached Albania. Between the 15th – 19th centuries, the rise of the Ottoman Empire saw Christianity supplanted by Islam as the country’s main religion. In 1912, Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire.
During World War II, it was occupied by firstly Italy, followed by Germany. In 1944, communist partisans took over the country. In 1967, the Communist Party banned all religion. In 1990, the ban on religion was lifted.
Today, the Interconfessional Bible Society of Albania is working to provide children’s Scriptures for children in summer camps. It runs a “Friends for Life” sports centre where children receive coaching in football and tennis and do Bible engagement activities.
Faith Foundations
10 Essential Christian Truths
Whether we’ve been Christians for years, discovered faith in Jesus recently, or are still wondering what it’s all about, we share similar questions about why and how to live out our faith. We wonder: What are we made for? What does it look like to know God deeply? Why are we called to reflect his light to those around us—and how do we do that? Join author and pastor David Platt in his ten-session series as he examines foundational truths for becoming mature disciples of Christ.
EMPTY HANDS
BIBLE POVERTY
EMPTY HEARTS
BIBLE ENGAGEMENT
EMPTY MINDS
BIBLE LITERACY
