MANAGUA, Nicaragua, October 3, 2002 — In an historic vote in the Nicaraguan Parliament politicians voted July 15 by 75 to 1 to declare September 29 "National Day of the Bible." The last Sunday in September will now be a National Holiday in this Central American country of 5 million people.
According to the Houston, Texas-based ministry Global Vision, "There was very little debate. The way had already been paved in closed door meetings with the Liberal and Sandinista Parties. Each had sought the advice of Rev. Freddy Fonseca, the National Director of the Nicaraguan Bible Society. Oddly enough, these private sessions revolved more around questions of personal salvation than around the political ramifications of this bill. Freddy was ready and willing to give his testimony."
An article about the declaration, posted at the ministry's website (http://www.g-v.org/newweb/news/news2.htm) says: "The irony of the moment was not lost on observers who had lived through the communist regimes of the 1980's. The Sandinistas, a historically atheistic party, raised their hands in near unanimity to support the declaration of the last Sunday of September as the National Day of the Bible, a lone vote was the only reminder of the past.
| "Chaos broke out on the floor as members of Parliament scrambled to acquire their copy of the Word of God." |
The article says that after the vote, the Nicaraguan Bible Society handed out Bibles to the members of Parliament. "Chaos broke out on the floor as members of Parliament scrambled to acquire their copy of the Word of God. One member, confronted with the three Bibles he already in his hands, bleakly replied 'I needed five - one for each member of my family.' "
The Nicaraguan government, immersed in a deep crisis of corruption, stands at the edge of dissolution, the website says. "Many speculate that the President will not finish his term. Funds drawn from the national budget in order to cover losses from a banking scandal have been diverted from social programs, putting the population at the brink of another revolution. In the midst of this all, hunger for direction, for spiritual guidance, deepens. Not only the parliament, but the entire nation scrambles for some hope in the midst of this despair."
Two Global Vision employees, John Medendorp and Larry James, were privileged to witness these events and to join in the celebration of this stunning victory for God's people at the National Assembly. Global Vision has been given the honor to be the first official sponsor of the National Day of the Bible on September 29 of this year.
Source: Michael Ireland, ASSIST
|
