YEMEN, April 5, 2007 — “We desperately need Bibles.” This was the message that Hrayr Jebejian, Executive Secretary of the Bible Society in the Gulf, and Babu Ganta, the Society’s Information Officer, heard frequently during their recent visit to Christian communities in Yemen. Everywhere they went in Aden and Sana’a, they found Christians of many different nationalities who are very eager to learn more about God’s Word.
Yemen is one of seven countries in the Arabian Peninsula for which the Bible Society in the Gulf is responsible. It has coordinated Scripture needs in this country, located at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East and Asia, since 2003 through Christ Church in Aden. This church, founded in 1854, is officially recognised by the government, as is the Roman Catholic church. Christian meetings also take place in other venues, including schools and private homes.
Photos: Bible Society in the Gulf/
Babu Ganta
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At Christ Church, services are conducted in several different languages to meet the needs of worshippers from 30 different countries. The church also runs Bible studies, a ministry to sailors and an eye clinic and has links with Christian communities in other towns. All these ministries are greatly assisted by Bible Society materials, the visitors were told.
In Sana’a, 1,500 people of African origin meet for worship each week in a modest building made from metal sheets. “We desperately need 3,000 Bibles,” the priest told Mr Jebejian and Mr Ganta. “We cannot afford the full price, though. Most of our members are very poor. Those who have jobs earn between US$75 and US$125 a month.” He explained that, along with Bibles, children’s materials and CDs in the worshippers’ mother tongue, this Christian group would like to receive English materials, as some of the children are being educated in English.
At another church, the visitors presented the pastor with a MegaVoice player. “I have never seen anything like this audio Scripture gadget before,” he said. “Can we please have these units in our languages? We need at least 2,000.”
There is also a Roman Catholic community in Sana’a consisting of around 500 people who meet in the basement of a house. The priest explained that, to sustain the faith of worshippers who have left their homes in many other parts of the world, there is a great need for Bibles.
Mr Jebejian and Mr Ganta concluded their visit by attending a meeting of the International Church in a restaurant. “It was a strange feeling to worship in a restaurant, but it also felt quite appropriate,” says Mr Ganta. “After all, the Word of God is ‘food’ which is served to all who come to the table. There are many hungry people in Yemen waiting to be served and many who need daily nourishment from God’s Word.”
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