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).