BI: Scripture Advancements

Imagine the excitement of a people group receiving the first Bibles in their language. The Rhema* people of Asia knew that joy through the work of Bibles International (BMM’s Bible translation society) and their national translation partners. The Zomi Bible (Myanmar) and the Sango Bible (Central African Republic—see p. 10) were also received with celebration by their recipients. The people of several Creative Access Nations rejoiced over receiving Scripture portions: Choros* (Genesis and Psalms 1-10), Isotes* (Psalms 1-72), Krupto* (Mark, James, 1, 2, 3 John), Muslim Tat (Mark), and Ingiloy (Acts). In the Philippines, the third edition of the Tagalog New Testament provided language updates for an already excellent translation.

Bibles International knows the value of getting Scriptures into people’s hands, but if Scripture can’t be read, it will be of little use.

This year, BI’s literacy and Scripture Engagement departments helped readers by publishing the Mbum- Nzakambay reading primers in Chad (printed by Sola Publishing, see pp. 8-9). And Old Testament Storybooks were printed for Myanmar’s Falam Chin people, the Sideros* people, and displaced children in Asia.

In August, BI welcomed Dave and Ruth Kimmel serving as its new Finance and Operations manager, along with new translation consultant Bethany H., and several new national consultants. Additionally, BI hosted seven summer interns who served in Mexico, Benin, Chad, and Eurasia.

*Pseudonyms

EBI: The Race for Children’s Hearts

You may be familiar with the statistic that 80 percent of Christians came to Christ before the age of 14. What a strong incentive to reach children with the gospel, especially when it comes to missions. In Latin America alone, 24 percent of people are under 14—that’s 157 million children. Statistician George Barna has said, “In the race to a child’s heart, the first one there wins.”

For nearly 65 years, Editorial Bautista Independiente (EBI—BMM’s Spanish publications ministry) has published doctrinally solid theological resources, often for adults. This year EBI accelerated its efforts to equip Spanish-speaking parents, pastors, and local churches with gospel-centered, visually attractive children’s resources.

The EBI team is working on The Gospel Storybook Series by Jared Kennedy. Three of the five books are already published, with a fourth to be released in January. The All About series introduces children to Jesus as they learn about Christmas and Bible animals. And a fiction book, Is God for Real by Jeriah Shank and Theresa Hemmings, answers kids’ questions about God.

Our team at EBI is raising funds for production costs for these transformative books (https:// english.ebi-bmm.org/promo-kit). Their goal is to win the race to reach the hearts of the next generation of Latin Americans.