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CHILDREN’S BIBLES SPREAD HOPE
The team that visited the children had greetings from their fathers or mothers who are serving time in prison. Every child received a Christmas gift, which included a toy, a Children’s Bible, and a Christmas card which was written by their parent. The children usually live with their grandparents or other relatives while their parents are serving their sentence. However, there are children who live in state-owned institutions, such as a children’s home, boarding school or a special school. “The Angel’s Christmas Tree” is a party for the children
“The Angel’s Christmas Tree” is a party for the children. They are excited and try to appear more grown-up and look very nice for the photograph which will be sent to their beloved Mummy or Daddy. A child does not want to miss out on a Christmas present or a little festive occasion. Very often a relative or guardian holds a grudge against the imprisoned parent. At one visit a mother shouted at her thirteen-year-old son, “Will you accept a Christmas present!? You can just go ahead and go to your Father. I never want to see him again!” The Children’s Bible is the children’s favourite present
36 Prisons
On one such occasion a Christmas present was given from a mother in prison to her two-year-old, Valeria. The next day when the team visited the prison they met the mother. They recognized her from the photograph Valeria’s grandmother had shown them. When they told of their visit to her little Valeria, she was unable to hold back the tears. The women prisoners watched the video clips of their children with some anxiety. They wanted to be photographed and have their photos given to their children. There is a spiritual hunger It is evident there is a spiritual hunger among the prisoners. They absorb every word about God. Through this project the prisoners hear about comfort, love and hope. One woman said, “Now when I sit in prison I have started to believe in God. I am thankful to God that I got nailed. If I were on the outside I do not know where I would be today. Either I would have been an alcoholic or someone would have murdered me. Previously I never thought about God or a normal life. Quite simply, I was plain stupid. But now I sit in prison and have started to ponder the reason for life, about my child and my responsibility as a mother. Please tell my son that I think about him. He does not know that I am in prison. He has been told that I am working in order to buy a car for him.” Another woman wrote to the prison ministry, “Thank you so much for what you do. You help us to reunite with our children so that we can share in their Christmas celebration. In the beginning I was very sceptical. I didn’t believe in what you were doing. Then you came and showed me photographs. My mother has written to me and I saw my child with gifts and that made me feel very peaceful. It feels good to know there are people on this earth who want to help. I have a daughter five years old. She lives with her grandmother in the city of Pushkin. She received a very nice present, everyone was surprised. My daughter was very happy, she had a real party. I think this project should continue. It means a lot for many women, especially those who have children in various children’s homes. They are often very worried and do not have good contact with the personnel at the children’s home, and the contact with the child suffers. Even a little child loves his Mummy and waits for her. This is where you help. Sometimes I have the opportunity to phone and talk with my child, but many do not have that possibility. What you did was a reminder that the children are not forgotten and deserted, but that someone loves them and thinks about them.” A male prisoner greeted his children in a video film, “Hello my children, hello Natasha, hello Sergei! I know that I am an awful person, I have done many terrible things and I have caused many people to suffer. Now I understand that. I am certain this is my last time in prison. I know that for sure. I have become a Christian, I have been baptized, and go to meetings. I do not want you to be the way I have been. I ask you to forgive me. Forgive me for everything I have not given you and that I have not been with you when you needed me. I will soon be with you and will always stay with you.” Through this project the lives of many prisoners have been transformed. As this father said, he does not want his children to follow in his footsteps. The Children’s Bible plays a big role here. For many of these children this is the first time in their lives they read the Bible. Many thanks to all of you who have contributed to this project and prayed. With your gift to the project of the month you can support the translation of the Children’s Bible into other languages. The Project of the Month In commemoration of IFB’s 35-year celebration in 2008, we launched a new project. Children’s Bibles in 10 new languages: Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Kabardian, Komi-Zyrian, Persian, Somali, Swahili, Swedish and Turkish. Of these, the Kabardian version is already printed and the Chinese version is at the printer’s. You can support our Celebration Project through your gift to the project of the month. |
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Institute for Bible Translation
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Institute for Bible Translation
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