Manna Publications (UK) Bible teaching commentaries in easy English for translating and printing overseas Newsletter No. 69 Manna Matters April 2015 – July 2015 Author: Fred Morris (Manna USA) www.manna-publications.org.uk “Manna has helped to raise a new generation of believers to feed.” A STRATEGY FOR NEW BELIEVERS IN BURMA Back in January, Manna supporter Audrey Yates, Northampton, had recently returned from ministry in Burma (Myanmar). She told us: “Just like the lioness born in captivity, we need to ensure that the next and all subsequent generations of Christians are free from dependency on us… Those who we call our ‘Oaks of Righteousness’ and ‘Shining Stars’, are the salt of the earth; they would be serving Jesus with or without our help, but we can encourage them by teaching, by providing teaching materials, and by helping them establish income-generation projects, whilst of course throwing a compassionate lifeline to those who are really struggling with poverty. But most of all we want to see them winning and discipling new generations of converts.” In March, Audrey was delighted to tell us that Joseph, her Manna publisher in the capital Yangon (Rangoon), has now reprinted 600 copies of Mark part 1 for what she calls his “second-generation believers” – people she and her co-workers are not working with directly but are evangelised by and supported by their own people. So the publishing strategy now is to print 500 copies of new first-time titles (currently Revelation part 1) for first-generation believers and 600 reprints (currently Mark part 1) for the second-generation believers. A strategy for growth. And a strategy for sustained growth! 1000 km from the Burmese capital, in the Chin Hills bordering India, Rev E. prints Manna Bible books in three languages for a group of churches. Photo shows 500 Mark part 1 in Ngawn Chin dialect printed in November. UK donors funded 500 Mark pt 2 in April. TESTIMONIES FROM CAMEROON TRAINING STUDENTS IN ETHIOPIA Brenda Piper, Redhill, in white above, returned from Ethiopia in February and described to us her training programme for young Sunday School Teachers, some of whom go on to become church leaders, evangelists and ministers. This is the second year she has used Manna Bible teaching commentaries to supplement her own training material. The Manna books were printed for her in Amharic and Oromo languages by SIM printers in Addis Ababa. The Lord gave her strength to speak at meetings nearly every day for 4 weeks, often in remote parts of the country. It required much travel over difficult terrain and living in accommodation that sometimes offered bedding on mud floors amidst insects and vermin! The General Secretary of the group of churches is delighted with the ministry offered through Brenda and others. The group is seeing 2,500 converts a year, and new church plants are continually being added to the 220 Christian Brethren Churches established since freedom of religion was reintroduced in 1991. Manna books are a welcome resource for nurturing and training new believers. Recent testimonies sent to Manna publisher David Mifang in Cameroon: From Rev. Enouh Jumbuin, Buea, “Our discipleship training programs for church planting and laity training need series of the Manna Bible Commentaries. You are aware of the great spiritual impact created during your presentation at last year’s training in Kumba. Members of churches have been requesting these books as well. This note is to let you know that we are always in need. Please do well to keep me informed about any development. Remember this is not for us but working to train young church leaders to mount the front as biblical giants.” From Pastor Bernis. “I am the senior pastor and the principal of the ELECT of God Mission International Bible School. My time with you has spiritually enriched ELECT school and members of the congregation through the recent Bible commentaries you contributed for the church and school. The works are incredible and very rich in Bible understanding of the minds of Bible authors. We trust that you will stay longer with us to reach and train younger generations to carry on with the vision of the church. God bless you.” BLESSINGS in D. R. CONGO Pastor Umba wa Bondo Kazadi says, “I am done with the translation of Revelation part 1 into Kiluba. Many Pastors and Christians are so interested with this book; and when I was translating it I had met wonderful message which is spiritual benefit in my Christian life. I hope our Christian brethren and sisters will be blessed too.” This title was printed in Dem Rep Congo in December along with the French version. Acts part 1 in Kisongye and French have also been reprinted recently. MANNA RETURNS TO INDIA Manna Publications has restarted operations in India with a new distributor. Manna supporter and missioner Charles Pocock put us in touch with Prakash Doddamani to recommence publishing in the Kannada language. Prakash writes, “Thank you so much for your prayer support. Manna Publications is a wonderful ministry and people are knowing deep truths, and are really growing. I will pray for Manna volunteers to get more involved in this ministry. Brother William and brother Jim they always [keep in] touch with me and help me in the corrections. I translated the Manna book Message to Seven Churches, Revelation Part 1. Hope soon we will print this book.” 1000 copies were printed in March funded by Manna USA. Colourful young Ghanaians reading Manna MANNA RETURNS TO GHANA Some UK Manna supporters may remember Enoch Mani from Ghana. Seven years after his retirement, the Manna ministry has resumed under the leadership of Emmanuel White Bruce. He printed Mark part 1 Bible commentary in easy English in November 2014 and in January said, “People have been asking of Mark part two. They said they can't wait to have it.” He printed 500 copies in time for Easter. “It is a transformational book. Bless you in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ!” Front cover of Ghana Mark part 2 Some of the Manna Bible commentaries printed by Pastor Prakash in Karnataka APPRECIATION FROM ARMENIA We received this message from Armenian Ministries, Holbeach, Lincolnshire. “Michael Harrison has arranged to print 1000 copies each of Mark pt 1 & 2 from money received from Manna UK. We appreciate your help with this and trust the books will be an encouragement, challenge and blessing to all who receive them in Armenia. It is a joy to work with you all and we look forward to continuing this in the future.” LATE NEWS Braille books. 640 Braille Bible commentaries have now been printed in Malawi, courtesy Torch Trust for the Blind, which are distributed free by the Malawian Post Office. Torch Trust plans to extend the distribution of Braille Manna books into Zambia. These books have been funded by a Manna USA donor. UK Funding and publishing. We thank God for a 13.5% increase in donations from Manna UK and France supporters in the first 6 months of year 15 (to March 31st 2015) over the same period last year. This excludes additional funding from Manna USA and the local books sales money in various countries. During this same period, Manna publications printed 20,620 Bible teaching commentaries at the point of need in 11 countries. New title. The Manna Bible teaching commentary based on John’s Gospel chapters 1 –11 is now ready for publishing after editing into Easy English in the UK. A copy can be purchased from Manna publisher Jim Norman by sending two second-class stamps to 2 Chapel Pound, Oakley, Bedford, MK43 7RQ. Congo (Katanga Province): Request received for printing 1500 books on Romans in French and Kiluba languages in April. This is currently awaiting funds. PRAYER REQUEST. Please pray for God’s provision and guidance for a positive outcome of the Manna USA Board meeting on April 25th. Delegation and changes in administration are necessary resulting from the retirement of key volunteer Arvid van Dyke who has worked faithfully with author Fred Morris for a number of years. Also, Fred’s failing sight now hinders his computer work for the ongoing publishing of his Bible teaching books around the world. Chris Carlisle (North Carolina), as President of Manna Publications (USA), will be responsible for overseeing changes in operation and personnel. Please mention Manna Publications to your friends and at your prayer meetings. Speakers can be arranged: please ask. Manna Publications (UK). Email: [email protected] Affiliated to Avail, Leeds (Registered Charity 1017386) Parent organisation: Manna Publications (USA) Inc. Manna Publications (UK), established Oct. 2000, is a non-profit organisation run by unpaid volunteers, in association with Manna Publications in USA and France. We edit low-cost Bible commentaries by Fred Morris into Easy English and French, then send electronic copies by email to believers in the developing nations to start translating, printing and distributing their own teaching books. Typically, £1 donated in the UK pays for printing 4 forty-page books overseas; £10 per month will fund 500 books a year; £30 will pay for 10 books in Braille; £40 pays for translation of one title into a local language. Gifts should be made payable to Manna Publications and sent to the treasurer, Mr W. Russell, address below. If you are a UK income tax payer and wish tax on your gift to be reclaimed, please make cheques payable to ‘Avail’. Secretary: Mrs Angela Russell, Stoneycroft, Blacksmith Lane, Boothby Graffoe, Lincoln LN5 0LQ. (tel. 01522 810438).
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