He says, ‘When we think of reaching out to our brothers and sisters in the third world or in the mission field we tend to think of more immediate aid: food, water, clothing and so on. However, what we have discovered over the years is that they have spiritual needs and these needs are best met with the kind of Christian resources we can provide. The feedback we get from the recipients of Bible Alive subscriptions, Bibles or books is really encouraging and shows that people have many different needs, and through International Faith Outreach we are doing just that, reaching out internationally to encourage people in their faith.’
Mike hopes that his gesture of throwing himself out of an aeroplane (admittedly strapped to his instructor) will encourage readers of Bible Alive and beyond to give generously to the work of International Faith Outreach and enable this work and mission to reach ever more people around the world with faith resources which give hope and encouragement.

International Faith Outreach has a very simple goal – to support missionaries, catechists and parish workers anywhere in the world in their faith. One of the best ways we have found to do this is by encouraging our very generous readers to send us funding so that we in turn can provide missionaries, catechists and parish workers with:
Subscriptions to Bible Alive

• Bibles
• Christian books
• Other Christian resources

Through the generosity of our readers we have offered this service since 2005. The demands on the fund continue to increase and grow. We are keen to reach out to more and more missionaries, catechists and parish workers with Christian resources which will help them in their work and mission; we do so in a spirit of friendship, fellowship and support.
Our new goals for International Faith Outreach are:

• To send subscriptions of Bible Alive to faith communities in parts of the world where resources are sparse and in short supply.
• We believe that it is a basic human right for everyone in the world to  have a Bible if you indeed wish to have one. The Bible is the Word of         God, freely given, freely received.
• We believe that books change lives and Christian books not only change lives but build and encourage people in their faith. We want to send books and resources to missionaries, catechists and parish workers who labour and serve in the third world.

Since the launch of International Faith Outreach in 2005 the feedback we receive from missionaries, catechists and parish workers is what convinces us of the need to make available subscriptions to Bible Alive, Bibles and other Christian resources because they are valued in a way we [who can often take such things for granted] find difficult to appreciate. Furthermore the recipients are so thankful and grateful and express their thanks and gratitude in very moving and powerful letters to us.
We are committed to raising our voice on their behalf and sometimes all that is required is that we provide a platform from which they can share with us something of their outreach and mission and, as they so often do, express their sincere thanks and gratitude to you are readers, who in your generosity reach out to them.

Sr Cynthia Mendis
Sri Lanka

Bible Alive has brought the scriptures home to us in our day to day life as sisters. It has enabled us also to share the scriptures with lay groups and those who gather in our convent for Bible Study. Our greatest need is catechetical material – including Lenten/Advent resources – as these are published in Sinhala/Tamil (local languages). Today many children study in ‘International’ Schools in English and we struggle to find material in English.
We have always looked forward to ‘Bible Alive’ as a community of religious sisters for our own daily scripture reflections. But the joy was also in sharing new insights and practical suggestions with lay people who consider our convent their ‘second home’. So, a large ‘family’ here loves ‘Bible Alive’.
To be honest, Bible Alive arriving is a high point for us, as we are a community that has no fixed income. We call ours an ‘open house’ and so it is – different groups of people – economically rich and poor (even from the slum gardens in our parish), young and old, a group of widows, men, women and children,

irrespective of race and religion have made it their ‘second home’.
On a weekly basis we have a Prayer Group meeting, a Bible Study Class, free classes for economically poor kids, and we teach Catechism in the parish in English and in Sinhala. We are always available to share their joys and sorrows. We are only a small community of sisters of our Lady of Perpetual Help, a diocesan Congregation, and have trusted in divine providence as our foundress taught us to. We have always had enough to live and even to help others being conscious to accept only what we truly need. God’s providence has blessed us spiritually and materially. Bible Alive was paid for us by a British couple who lived in Sri Lanka for a short–term business contract.
They have moved to another part of the world, and for two years or so we were starved of Bible Alive. Now to receive a letter from you that your subscription is ‘Good News’ indeed and another sign of God providing our spiritual needs. We are grateful to the donor and you, the publishers. It is a precious gift that our ‘extended religious family’ will treasure. May your own faith and love for God’s word grow as you share it with others.

Sr Veera Bara shmc
Uganda
Just yesterday I got Bible Alive for June and I am so glad that I want to write a few lines to you, expressing my sincere gratitude for your generosity for selecting me to be on your subscription list. Thanks a lot. May the good Lord reward your work.
Yes I find Bible Alive very helpful and full of faith resources. What I like best in Bible Alive are the daily reflections, features, catechesis and saints. Bible Alive has helped me very much to understand the Bible better. It also helps for the proper meditation. It helps us to share the good news with others. It deepens the love for God and others.
I am a missionary from India in Uganda for 15 years. As Formator, in the formation house for the young girls who are preparing themselves for religious life. I also give direction to the candidates for the faith formation of the children, adults and sick people. I am very happy to learn that you are willing to help us to meet the needs for faith formation. I would be happy and willing to receive any kind of books that would assist my young African women who are willing to follow Christ by knowing, and learning through spiritual books. The books in Africa are very expensive and we have little resources for it.
If Bibles are available for adults, sick people, and children it would be very helpful in my mission. Yes the Bible Alive means to me the source or a well where I can draw waters of life, love, peace and happiness.
I have been getting Bible Alive since 1996 I had felt as if I was very rich to discover where and how to know God more and share in the lives of the saints / heroes of faith who are very inspiring and supporting my faith. For some time I could not afford to get it and I was a bit disappointed and hoped for it from someone, so that I would not miss out on that which gives me more life.
Sincerely speaking I read every line from Bible Alive. It has helped me conduct many
meditations, prayer services, adorations and gives me reflection for recollection. Thanks so much for International Faith Outreach.

Mrs. Marjorie Simpson
Australia
In May this year 2008, we renewed our annual subscription for ‘Bible Alive’, through the kindness of my sister in London who ordered it on the internet. I feel it is timely I write to thank you sincerely on behalf of the Kawana Parish, sunshine coast, Queensland, Australia, for this most wonderful and useful book that has given us such spiritual enlightenment, and has also given me a difference in my life. To tell you a bit of our story, in 2005 I was visiting London to meet and spend 16 days with my nun sisters (Little Sisters of the Poor) who was coming from Clermont, Ferrand, France to celebrate with her family her 50 years in his service. As my nun sister and myself came out of Church after weekday Mass we were browsing the piety stall when my sister suggested I buy Bible Alive. She impressed me when she assured me that it gives the daily reflection. I bought Bible Alive and soon after on returning to Kawana Parish it became so very useful for weekday Liturgies on a regular basis.



Sr Clara FMDM
Fatima Mission
I would not change anything about Bible Alive it is extremely well written and is most popular here within our mission. Reading Bible Alive has helped me to understand the Bible better. The commentaries on the readings are full of true Catholic teaching (much in need at this time of so many strange sects starting up) they are lively, interesting and full of wisdom for daily living, they help us to aim daily to live more Christian lives. The youth in the area (all of whom can read English, if they have been to school) are too quickly joining other sects, they see no difference between them and the Catholic Church. Bible Alive truly means making the Bible come alive to us all. The priests have begged us for copies as they find them a great resource. The local people love the Bible, they are enriched by the authentic Catholic teaching it gives, all love the stories on true Christian living.
Our people in Fatima Mission – made up of 15 Out-centres, of rural villages throughout 70 miles of the mission – are very difficult to reach for purposes of evangelisation. They are quickly swayed by other churches because their foundation in the faith is minimal. Very many youths are asking for Bible Alive. They even wrote letters to you, but post here is impossible, we can only post when a sister is going to England. May God bless the great work you are doing for so very many Priests, sisters and people, with sincere thanks.

Malcolm Dyer, Son of Divine Providence, Kenya
I like  the daily reflections. It is about six years since I last received Bible Alive. I am very happy to receive it again for deepening my life in Christ through meditating on daily Mass readings from the Bible. There is a great need to deepen faith of all by new evangelisation. I am very happy to receive it again after about six years. The daily reflections are very helpful for prayer and preaching. Thanks very much to sponsors for enabling me and my community to receive it. We are a religious community of the Sons of Divine Providence founded by St Luigi Orione (Don Orione). We have communities in Up Holland and Kingston–on–Thames in UK. Here in Kenya we have a parish at Kaburugi where I am writing from. We have eight churches and their respective communities. We estimate about 6500 Catholic Christians. There are many children in our area which has a population of about  60 000 of all ages. There are many nursery schools, about 12 primary schools with about 8000 children and about 10 secondary schools with about 4000 pupils. Our area has many members of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, the Anglican Church of Kenya are the African Independent Church. We have 6 catechists in our parish but we need more because the work of teaching and explaining the faith to children and adults is very important. One day I hope we can have a local radio station to facilitate this work. Bible Alive can be a very good assistance to our catechists. We also have 5 nursery schools and a day centre for mentally challenged children. We collect them and take them home every day, that is, the mentally challenged children. Our other community is at Langata, Nairobe where we have students for the priesthood and where we run a parish in the Massai area. Thankyou very much for your support. We appreciate. God bless you all.

Poor Clares, Monastery of the Holy Church, Uganda
I like best the daily reflections about Bible Alive, the material given is so helpful. By using daily events you bring God to be real in our life. The Formation of Sisters are in need of spiritual books and tapes. Bible Alive strengthens our faith in Gods active presence in our world and lives – it refreshes thirsty souls seeking to hear God’s word.

Emmanuel N. Otteh
I thank you for the copy of ‘Bible Alive’ of June 2008. It is some time now since I saw a copy. We used to get copies before but suddenly they stopped coming. It is a long time. Every part of Bible Alive is very rich. The daily reflections are very useful. They are useful not only for priests but also for lay people who use the reflections for their spiritual nourishments especially those who do not attend morning Masses.
I was the Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese in Nigeria from 1997 to 2004. I was the auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Onitsha from 1990 to 1997 when I was transferred to Issele-Uku as its Bishop. Having reached the retiring age of 75, I retired in 2004. My successor was ordained and installed in February 2004. I retired to a parish within the diocese. Thank you for everything.

Fr Michael Melican
I most certainly find Bible Alive a helpful resource. I like best the daily reflections and features. I wouldn’t change anything about Bible Alive. Reading it has helped to understand the Bible better. Bible Alive is simple, relevant to my life, easy to pick up and easy to read. We are always busy here with parishes (4 churches) hospitals, schools (sewing) etc so there is a need for time spent in reflection and prayer, Bible Alive helps me. My needs are met by being continually sent Bible Alive. I find the daily reflections quite helpful and insightful. The gospel was never meant to be difficult to grasp and understand – living it is the problem!! Bible Alive is simple, insightful and encouraging. I was pleasantly surprised to receive this copy of Bible Alive. I am sincerely grateful to you and the generosity of your readers.

Sister Caroline
Zimbabwe
I like the daily reflections the best in Bible Alive. So far so good I find every contribution made very helpful and useful. Yes reading Bible Alive has helped me understand the Bible. The reflections, though based on scripture give examples of real life experiences and stories which leads me to understand better the scriptural message. I have the opportunity to prepare student readers for daily and Sunday masses. The reflections assist me to explain certain things to students. As a counsellor I will really appreciate any material in the line of guiding students to make the best choices for life. Apart from using it with my students, my community sisters also share it with me. There are postulants or formatees living with me and they greatly benefit from every aspect especially the catechesis.
Thank you for the free Bible Alive subscriptions afforded me. It had begun with your Advent issue which came on time and the three copies were in pristine and excellent condition. Again, three copies of the January issue came on time and in excellent condition. I very much look forward to receiving the subsequent copies! Bible Alive is my daily reading before I go to bed. It gives me nourishment for reflection during the night and again in the morning, ready for 6am mass. Then in the evening we in the community refer to it again at out evening prayer. Now my copies are used by our staff at work in Lubhancho House, a diocesean HIV/AIDS Service Provider. Eventually the old copies are passed on to the Prison Outreach (for both male and female) by Lubhancho’s House Testing and Counselling department. God bless you and your team for what you do in making the Word of God truly Alive in our daily living, making the Word of God become Flesh in each other.

Fr Cephas Gumbo
Zimbabwe
I would like to extend my profound gratitude towards your generosity in sending me the monthly copy of the Bible Alive. Thank you very much. Wonderful work indeed! Please continue sending a copy to me and other reading material that you can afford. Since January 2008 I was transferred from St Aldoph and appointed new Rector of our St. Bernard’s Minor Seminary. It is located about 5km from St Aldoph Ludigo’s. Continue using St Aldoph’s address to avoid inconvenience. May the love of the Lord be with you always.

Fr A. Mariadas, parish ministry
and catechism in 4 schools, India
Yes I find Bible Alive a helpful resource, I like best the daily reflections and catechesis. Yes reading Bible Alive has helped me understand the Bible. Bible Alive makes me alive to the Bible.

Msgr. Augustine D. Towoni Damongo, Ghana
I wish to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for trying to relocate subscribers of your very important publication. I gave up the subscription because I could no longer pay for it. Express my heartfelt thanks to all who are paying for my subscription. I always enjoy reading the articles from the issue and particularly the daily reflections which help me in my daily celebration of the Mass. I have filled in your questionnaire ad and  will post it to you. I will email to you photos of the work I am doing. Once again thank you very much and I am constantly with you in my prayers.

Fr Norbert Khangelani Nyathi, Zimbabwe
Greetings! I would like to thank you for the copy of Bible Alive which I receive every month. I use the reflections for my prayer in the morning and for my sermon in Zimbabwe. I wish to extend my profound gratitude to the parishioners of St Mary’s Bambes bridge in Preston for subscribing for me Bible Alive. Secondly, I wish to thank through Bible Alive the parishioners of St Mary’s in Chorley for the great financial assistance they render to my parish at Holy Cross in Zimbabwe. Through the help I get from St Mary’s Chorley Parish, I am able to feed orphans, the elderly and all who need great help at parish level in these very difficult times in my country. May God bless you all at Bible Alive. May God bless the parishioners of St Mary’s Chorley. Please pray for us in Zimbabwe.


Fr. Angelo Ison, OFM, Jerusalem, Israel
As the name implies Bible Alive makes the Bible alive in daily living. I am involved in the pastoral care of migrant workers and also I am pilgrims guide to the Holy Land. I get information and ideas when I read Bible Alive which I share with the pilgrims. Bible Alive gives me a whole new idea about what the Bible says today. The Bible is through Bible Alive becoming more alive in our time. Bible Alive is an excellent source for daily homilies.

Sr Franca Fusato, Kampala, Uganda
The daily reflections help me to deepen my understanding of the liturgy of the day thus providing useful material for meditation and sharing. I am involved in the formation of religious sisters. I am a Comboni missionary sister and our charism is in the training of local church personnel, in our case religious Sudenese sisters. We train them in Uganda and send them back to Sudan among their own people to evangelise and care for them. The congregation we are forming is called missionary sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We have already communities in Khartoum, Yambrio and Jube. I love the way Bible Alive links the word of God with our daily experience. I also like to read about events and facts, witnesses of our faith, the lives of Saints. Bible Alive brings joy to our and the community of African sisters I am living with. We place it in our small chapel and we all read it. It opens our hearts and minds and brings us together. Thankyou very much!

Fr Gerard Mukwaya,
Masaka, Uganda
Bible Alive has become a companion to me in helping me to understand the daily readings from Mass. I’m a parish priest of a parish of 10,000 people in a rural area and I teach the faith and the Bible to different groups both young and old. I am also the Chaplain for the Laity in Masaka Diocese, a diocese of 48 parishes with a Catholic population of 800,000 people. Receiving Bible Alive means to me life, body and soul, it gives me knowledge. I was ordained 44 years ago in 1956. I worked as a curate for 5 years then I was sent to Melbourne Pastoral Institute on Youth Apostle. When I came back I was made a Diocesan Youth Chaplain the work I did for over 10 years. I was appointed National Youth Chaplain at Uganda Catholic Secretariat for 12 years then five years ago I was made parish priest of St Bruno Ssaza Parish. I really enjoyed the work of the young people getting to know them working with them gave me much joy and among the youth I worked with I have some who became bishops and priests, Religious Government Ministers, Members of Parliament and many business people. I had a lot of difficulty to convince the young people each to have a Bible and also Bibles are expensive. Thank God this time we have a joint bible version for Catholics/Anglicans but still it is expensive. On top of being a parish priest I give Catholic half hour on two radio stations. Radio Sapeintia as Catholic Secretariat/Nsambya/Bunday Homily and Equator radio (private) in Masaka Town. So reading Bible Alive will help me improve on my homilies and help the listeners as well. Please convey our dear thanks to all who have contributed to make the subscription possible. Please be assured of our prayers.


Mandlenkosi Ndlovu,
Africa
Dearest friends in Christ, I am a Catholic man currently training for the priesthood and nearing the reception of Holy Orders. I have been reading your informative and edifying monthly publication. It is for this reason that I wish to be a regular recipient. I promise to share it with other seminarians. The reception of this publication will definitely deepen my spiritual and scriptural aptitudes and make me to be a well integrated person in my future ministry as a priest. I hope that you shall favourably consider my well intentioned request. Let us pray for each other!

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Please sponsor our Leap of Faith Challenge No matter how small, every donation helps, every penny of sponsorship makes a real difference.
Thank you and God Bless you.

Please see page 65 in Bible Alive for our sponsorship form or call 01782 745600.