Scripture Distribution Bible Society Vietnam

Project 8825

The purpose of this project is to provide 900 Vietnamese Bibles to ‘the Bible Ladies’: devoted women who passionately share the gospel and God’s Word within their communities and surrounding areas. The targeted area is Central Vietnam.

Central Vietnam includes the North Central Coast, the South Central Coast, and the Central Highlands. At present, this region is experiencing significant growth in the Christian faith. The Bible Ladies are a primary driving force behind the growth of the churches in these regions.

The Bible Society Vietnam has identified a key need: many of these Bible Ladies do not yet own a personal copy of the Bible. Although most of them have strong memories and can recall numerous Scripture verses, they deeply desire to read and see the biblical text for themselves in printed form. Having a personal Bible would enable them to read longer passages, understand Scripture more fully in its context, and grasp the meaning of individual verses within the broader narrative.

Most of these women serve in multi-ethnic contexts. By equipping them with Bibles, we are also supporting the spiritual growth and unity of diverse ethnic communities, helping them draw closer together in the love of Jesus Christ.

Partner with us

Our partnership target by the end of 2026 is $16,666

If we receive extra funds, this will go towards the following year’s target.

South East Asia Church Based Literacy Project

Project 8818

‘I am so very happy … Now I can share my knowledge and help teach other children about Bunong literacy so that they can read the Bible and sing songs to worship God like I do.’  Mhat, Koh Nhek District

Most people in the Bunong communities in Mondilkiri, Cambodia, cannot read or write, even in their own language. This means their language is in danger of dying out, their cultural heritage could be lost, they have difficulty interacting with government authorities, vital health information is missed, they struggle commercially, and those who are Christians are unable to read Scripture and worship songs.

The Northeast Community Education and Development Organization (NCED) is committed to helping Bunong communities with this need, with funding help through Wycliffe Australia and Entrust Foundation. NCED runs literacy programs through 12 Bunong churches with participants of all ages – children, youth, adults and elderly people.

As a result of this funding partnership, Bunong teachers are being trained and equipped, and their capacity to teach others is being strengthened. Literacy materials such as hymn books, early reading books and Bible story books are being printed and distributed to individuals who attend the classes, and also for use in mobile libraries. Solar lighting systems have been installed in churches that hold literacy classes to facilitate evening meetings, and leaders are trained in using and maintaining these systems.

Mhat was a grade 9 student using the National language in school, but she was sad that she didn’t know how to read and write in her own Bunong language.

After attending literacy classes at her church, Mhat says, ‘I am so very happy because at this time I can already read and write my own language. … Now I can share my knowledge and help teach other children about Bunong literacy so that they can read the Bible and sing songs to worship God like I do.’

Ambon Scripture Engagement Project

Project 8817

The Ambonese Malay New Testament has been published and was officially launched in September 2022! But publication is not the end of this story. God has brought together an enthusiastic team of local Scripture engagement workers to promote the new translation and help people to use it and apply it in their lives.

The Ambonese Scripture Engagement team is passionate about seeing God’s Word at work among the people of Maluku. The team is highly sought after for their training workshops that are designed to meet the needs of local churches. Topics include trauma healing, parenting, overcoming addiction, using local language in ministry, conflict resolution and more. At each workshop the team teaches, prays and leads worship in Ambonese Malay, enabling participants to experience the impact of God’s Word in their own language.

An important part of their work during 2024 will be running a series of workshops to introduce the newly published Ambonese Malay New Testament to churches and showing how it can be used in teaching and discipleship.

2023 Update

The completion of the Ambonese translation of the Jesus film was a highlight for 2023. The Scripture Engagement team had previously worked on the Ambonese translation of the script and, in this period, worked with other partners to audition voice actors and record the film audio. The movie is now released to the public and provides a free contemporary audio-visual way to interact with the story of Jesus in Ambonese Malay. LPMI (the local Indonesian branch of Campus Crusade for Christ) in Ambon have plans for screenings and outreach and follow-up in dozens of locations in 2024. The Scripture Engagement team has also made good progress on Old Testament translation, particularly exegetical reviews and community testing of the translation of Genesis, and drafting of selected Psalms. This translation will be an important addition to the New Testament when it is completed and published electronically.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Partner with us

Budget target: AU$16,000 per year

Excess funds will go towards the following year’s target.

Bunong Old Testament Translation

Project 8327

The Bunong communities in Cambodia celebrated the completion and release of their New Testament in May 2016. As Christians noticed the big difference that reading the New Testament in Bunong made, they began discussing how they might also have an Old Testament.
When different groups met together they discovered many people were excited about the prospect of having the Old Testament in their own language. In a proposal to their larger church body, they requested help and outlined their commitment of time, energy, food and funds towards an OT translation. The church authorities passed on the request.
The desire by the local church to translate the whole Bible, along with their commitment of resources to help make it possible, excited the Australian team who will once again be contributing both resources and skills to assist the local team.
As a partner, Wycliffe is planning to make an annual contribution of $7,500 towards travel, accommodation and meals to help teams of Bunong translators gather together each year.

Partner with us

Our partnership target by the end of 2025 is $12,206

If we receive extra funds, this will go towards next year’s target.