AP

BIBLE TRANSLATIONS PROGRESSING FOR AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES

Bible translation projects in Australian Indigenous languages are progressing under the guidance of Bible Society Australia. The translation into Pitjantjatjara is well on the way to completing the first full Bible in an Australian Indigenous language. Many Bible books are undergoing final checks before moving to consultant review.
In the Noongar language, translation in Matthew, John, Psalm 23 and the Creation account in Genesis have been drafted. Amy Cruickshank, Noongar translation consultant says there has been a lot of dictionary searching as they come across words not used in everyday Noongar. Dr Cruickshank says they are rediscovering old words from the language and bringing them back into use. [Source: Bible Society Australia Sower magazine]

GROWTH IN THE CHURCHES IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Christian Leaders Training College in the highlands of Papua New Guinea is a vital part of church development in that country. The church is growing everywhere and this year CLTC experienced a 40% increase in student enrolment. Currently, the college has 250 students in theological studies and 35 in its Early Childhood Education program. This year’s increase in enrolment is a testament to the demand for quality theological and vocational training. Through video streaming and online platforms, CLTC has extended classes to its campuses in Port Moresby and Lae. [Source: New Life]

A PROPOSED REPORT TO HIGHLIGHT THE EFFECTS OF ABORTION ON WOMEN
UK – A Bill entitled ‘Complications from Abortions (Annual Report)’ has been introduced in the British House of Lords. A Government Review released in November 2023, revealed that abortion complication rates are likely much higher than has been previously reported in the annual abortion statistics, which are based on reporting from abortion providers. The proposed Bill would be required to include data from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), which are not currently published in the annual abortion complication data reporting. The annual report would then include the complications and medical procedures that result from women taking the oral abortion pill Mifepristone, which occur much more frequently than acknowledged (excessive bleeding, incomplete abortions, and sepsis). Such a Report – in the words of one of the Lords supporting the Bill – would surely be  “in the interests of any woman considering an abortion to have the best possible information about the possible risks involved”. It is not clear whether the report will also include the psychological and emotional harm that some women experience following an abortion. [Sources: LifeNews.com and media reports]

CHRISTIANS EXPELLED FROM VILLAGES IN LAOS
Eight Christian families (about 60 people) have been expelled from their village in Savannakhet province because they left the traditional spirit cults to follow Jesus. District authorities gave the families thirty days to find themselves new homes outside the village. Elsewhere in the same province, a deputy village chief ordered the closure of a church of 18 Christians. Although the Lao Constitution guarantees religious freedom, this is followed only in more urban areas. In rural areas there is much hostility towards what is perceived as a foreign religion. Please pray for Christians in Laos, especially those who are being forced out of their homes and livelihood. [Source: Barnabas Aid]

STRENGTHENING CHINA’S CHRISTIANS
Chinese Christians continue to meet challenges from their communities and authorities because of their testimony to Jesus Christ. Some Christians are isolated or discriminated against when people see their faith as an act of disloyalty to their ethnic community, their family beliefs, or the national government. Church leaders see an urgent need for teaching on persecution preparedness to equip believers for a biblical response to oppression and hardship. [Source: Open Doors]

CHRISTMAS NATIVITY DISPLAYS SIDE BY SIDE WITH SATANIC BAPHOMET?
USA – In recent years, secularists and Satanists have sought to have their own representation, especially when Christian symbols are put on display in public places- such as nativity scenes at Christam. In recent weeks, the City of Concord in New Hampshire released a statement on social media,  explaining that The Satanic Temple received a permit to have its display join the nativity display in the public square. It continued, “Under the First Amendment and to avoid litigation, the city needed to choose whether to ban all holiday displays installed by other groups, or otherwise, to allow it.”
Subsequently, the Satanic Temple posted the “unveiling” on social media, proclaiming, ‘Hail Satan!’ before removing a black covering over the Baphomet (a gnostic idol structure representing satan). The statue, which had yellow eyes, included a tablet with the Satanic Temple’s ‘7 Fundamental Tenets’. Three days later, vandals  reportedly destroyed the Satanic display for the second time.
While some argue the display is an example of religious diversity, Mayor Byron Champlin takes a different view, seeing The Satanic Temple  as implementing what he called a “very calculated political effort.”  While not condoning the associated destruction, the Mayor said he doesn’t believe the display should have been permitted to be placed outside of the New Hampshire State House. “My preference was to deny the permit and accept the risk of the threatened lawsuit. I oppose the permit because I believe the request was made not in the interest of promoting religious equity but in order to drive an anti-religious agenda.” [Source: CBN News]

THE GOSPEL COMES TO THE UNREACHED IN THE AMAZON
Until the 1960s, the Wayana and Trio people of Suriname were shrinking in number and had little contact with the outside world. Then, Missionaries Ivan and Doris Schoen and their family brought them the good news of the Gospel. Today, the tribes are preparing to use radio for discipleship and evangelism deep in the Amazon Rainforest. Clay Perry with Trans World Radio (TWR) says they are working with Tom Schoen, who continues to serve alongside these tribes. He told Mission Network News they are building radio stations to reach more than 100 uncontacted tribes in the jungle. Tribal Christians will record their messages and broadcast them to isolated people supplied with transistor radios. A documentary of the Suriname ministry can be seen at twr.org/lifted. [Source: Mission Network News]

– compiled by Guido Kettniss