Delighted with the New Testament which the Bible Society of Mauritius (BSM) had given him, Sir Aneerood, a Hindu, stressed that this New Testament would appeal to young people for whom Creole is the main language.

The Minister for Arts and Culture, the Honourable Mookhesswur Chonnee, for his part ordered 10 copies of the New Testament to give to friends.

Gathering everyone together in the Father’s house

BSM had organised two ceremonies for the launch. The official ceremony on February 19 in the town of Vacoas was arranged to coincide with International Mother Language Day. The former President of the Republic, Karl Auguste Offman, was the guest of honour, and representatives of the Churches also attended.

Last week four staff members were part of special emergency response teams which visited homes to ascertain needs and offer further follow-up help and counselling where it was required.

One of the team, Bible Society Marketing Manager Silke Hendel, said of the experience, “With the continuing aftershocks, there are still so many traumatised and needy people. It was good to be able to be there for them, even if it was sometimes just to listen and give them reassuring hugs.

Evidence of God at work

“It was also an incredible opportunity to be part of a group of people willing to put their love for God and people into action. It really reaffirmed my faith to see such clear evidence of God at work through his people and for his people.”

“I don’t like being in the hospital because it hurts so much when I have my chemotherapy treatment,” says Francella, 13. “I feel desperate and afraid. It’s hard to breathe. I can’t even describe how bad I feel.

“But when I get like this my mother reads the Bible to me and it calms me. It somehow makes me feel less uncomfortable and more peaceful. I can feel God’s love for me.”

Francella’s mother, Maria, says that when her daughter was diagnosed with stomach cancer six years ago she felt absolutely devastated.

After more than 20 years’ hard work by the translation team, the Quichua Cañar Bible was dedicated on March 18 and 19 in the twin cities of Tambo and Cañar. More than 20 local churches participated in the celebration, along with the board and staff of the United Bible Societies in Ecuador, a government representative, United Bible Societies’ Americas Area Secretary Melvin Rivera and retired Translation Consultant Dr Bill Mitchell. They were joined by many foreign guests who had supported the project.

The main program began at the hall of culture in Tambo. Music groups and choirs from many local churches provided traditional singing and music, while Norwegian Bible Society General Secretary the Rev Stein Mydske preached and several missionaries and local pastors offered prayers and words of thanksgiving.