Sri Lanka

Bible smuggling and translation

Danish couple on vacation in Sri Lanka: distributing Bibles to poor Christians

Ellen and Alex Nielsen from Odense contacted Danish European Mission before their vacation trip to Sri Lanka. They asked if they could get in touch with local Christians and help with our Bible distribution project for poor Christians in the country.

By Samuel

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Top image: Ellen and Alex with happy recipients of Bibles.

Image right: Bible brings joy in Sri Lanka

Ellen and Alex tell us: We had the opportunity to visit a congregation in the town of Anuradhapura, which is about 200 km from the capital Colombo in an area that is mainly Buddhist.

The purpose was to distribute Bibles to the congregation. Many in the congregation are so poor that they cannot afford to buy a Bible themselves.

Ellen and Alex encouraged the congregation

- When we arrived at the church, we were welcomed by the pastor and some of the congregation. First we participated in a prayer meeting and then we were able to give a Bible to those present.

One of the congregation thanked for the Bibles and Alex had the opportunity to bring a greeting. He mentioned the words from Psalm 121, verses 1-2: "I lift up my eyes to the mountains, from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." Before we said goodbye, we sang the blessing for them in Danish.

Image right: A boy can now read the entire Bible

The pastor explained that he came to the area in 1976, when the church started with very few members. Now there are around 150 people attending services, and there are other small churches in the area that are also well attended. They also gather around in smaller cell groups.

Great gratitude for Bibles from Danish European Mission donors

Several of those who received a Bible got a box to take home to their area. They were very grateful to be able to delight even more people with a Bible in their own language. They transported them home on a scooter!

It was a great experience to see the joy and gratitude of receiving God's word. This is a church that needs help so badly because the resources are so limited.

Thanks to the loving support of Danish European Mission's donors, 5,690 Bibles were distributed among poor rural Christians in Sri Lanka in 2014. The Bibles bring encouragement, and by reading God's Word they can be strengthened in their faith in God.

You can ensure more Bibles are distributed to poor Christians in Sri Lanka. It costs DKK 40 to ensure that a poor family receives a Bible.

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Support Sri Lanka: Bibles for poor Christians