2. At Bible Society Australia, our mission is to translate, publish, distribute and engage people with the Bible. We're a global fellowship of 154 Bible Societies working in more than 200 countries – and together we’ve been at the forefront of Bible ministry for more than 200 years. In 2016, Bible Societies assisted in the completion of translations in 61 languages spoken by over 428 million people.
Around the world, Bible Societies distribute more than 30 million Bibles annually. We help change lives by teaching people to read and write through Bible-based literacy classes - a programme that has received UNESCO recognition for helping people with literacy.

3. Groups are powerful when they work together to help others
Groups are powerful when they work together to help others. That’s what Bible Society’s Get The Word Out is all about. We’re asking church, school and community groups like yours to team up and share Bible Society’s mission of telling the world the Good News found in the Bible. Every year we pick a different country to support and engage with the word of God, and we ask your help in fundraising for that country throughout the year.
Your partnership has helped Bible Society Get The Word Out across the world; from Rwanda to Lebanon, China to South Africa, and last year, in our Bicentenary – we had a special focus on Australia.
In 2018, we’re getting the word out to Nicaragua.

4. Nicaragua, located between North and South America, is one of the region’s poorest and least-developed nations.
Three-quarters of its six million population lives on less than $2.50 per day, and accessing basic services like health care is a struggle.
The team from Bible Society Nicaragua runs an inspiring project at the “La Mascota” Children’s Hospital.
It’s the only hospital in Nicaragua that offers treatment for children with cancer, caring for 4,000 of them each month.
Their families often travel great distances and they also need a lot of support through a very difficult time.
In fact, the project began when the head of Bible Society Nicaragua saw parents sleeping on the pavement outside La Mascota hospital and decided that something needed to be done.

5. Bible Society is pairing faith and action at La Mascota
Bible Society is pairing faith and action at La Mascota. Through the generosity of people like you, Bible Society Nicaragua has been taking God’s word into the hospital, training pastors and volunteers to offer spiritual care for the sick children and their families. Thousands of Bibles, children’s Bibles and Scripture portions have been given out, and volunteers pray with families and read the Bible with them, helping them to walk in faith. Bible Society also offers practical assistance to families in need, helping them with transport, accommodation and nutrition which they can barely afford.
It’s a team effort, but Bible Society staff and volunteers can’t do it alone, and that’s where YOUR team comes in.
You can pair faith and action, too, and help us Get The Word Out to Nicaragua in 2018.

6. Bible Society Nicaragua says it assists in practical ways as neither the Health Ministry nor local charities can fully meet the great need.
The hospital’s Head of Oncology has called Bible Society’s work at the hospital “essential”, sometimes making the difference between life and death. He says:
“Before the Bible Society helped with transport costs and overnight stays, 30 per cent of children didn’t continue with their treatment. Those children would have died.”
“The children not only receive healing from medicine, but also from God’s word. It’s important because they can pray and be positive.”

7. Just recently, in December 2017, La Mascota Hospital sent Bible Society Nicaragua this letter (point to screen) requesting that the programme be expanded.
The letter says: “ We want you to continue to work with us. We understand the financial limitations you have. However, you are people of faith, and we are certain that if we unite our efforts, we will improve the quality of life for these children.”

8. In 2018, we’re inviting you to join the team
In 2018, we’re inviting you to join the team. Help Bible Society offer spiritual and practical support to thousands of sick children in one of Nicaragua’s most-overwhelmed public hospitals. Fundraise together, and Get The Word Out to Nicaragua!
With your help, this is what we can do this year: Spiritual Support:
Train over 360 pastors and volunteers to lead devotions, pray and offer spiritual support to children with cancer and their families.
Provide 8,400 free Bibles for patients, family members, doctors and nurses and Bible Society volunteers to use on their visits.
Distribute over 32,000 Scripture portions to hospital outpatients and their families.

9. Practical Support:
Help supplement the children’s daily diet, ensuring they receive enough nutrition so they can withstand intensive treatments.
Provide financial assistance for families struggling to pay for medications needed once their child leaves hospital.
Provide free transport from the hospital to treatment centres.

10. Sharon stayed at La Mascota hospital for a whole year receiving treatment. In those first months of intensive treatment, Sharon’s mother Mayerin felt as if she was losing hope.
Bible Society volunteers read the Bible with the mother and daughter, sharing devotionals and prayers and giving them a Bible of their own. Bible Society also helped Mayerin live close to the hospital during Sharon’s treatment.
Mayerin says: “God prepared and strengthened me every day to move forward alongside my daughter. It was through the Bible stories and prayers that I was motivated to look for him and believe in him.”
A year after Sharon was first admitted to La Mascota, she is in remission. Mayerin is praising God for his mercy and vowing to continue her prayers and build her faith as they return home.

11. Another grateful mum, Ana Collado, says with thanks: “Your prayers and support have been important for us, teaching us how to trust in the Lord.”

12. Will you join the team in 2018, and help us Get The Word Out to Nicaragua – and to the children and families at La Mascota?
LEARN
Read the Get The Word Out booklet to know more about our work in Nicaragua. You can also find details online at biblesociety.org.au/gtwo18
Find a team
Make a plan with others in your church or community group.
Fundraise
Work as a group to raise funds to provide Bibles and resources, and help Nicaragua learn about the living God!
You can also set up an online fundraising page at eventsforbibles.com
Share
Tell your friends, family and churches about Get The Word Out – and ask them to be part of the team too!

13. Your children and children’s groups can also form their own teams – what could be better than children helping other children!
If you lead a children’s group, you’ll find really useful resources to help you at biblesociety.org.au/gtwo18kids

14. One of the activities that we would love your kids ministry to get involved in is to make cards for the children in La Mascota.
Pictured here is the wonderful effort by the kids from Kalgoorlie Church of Christ.
You’ll find in the GTWO Leaders Booklet a translated message that your kids could include in their card.

15. Pray that God fills the lives of these children and their families with his comfort, strength and the hope of Jesus, who can bring light in darkness.
Ask that God be with the doctors and nurses working to make the children better, that in his mercy he will heal many and comfort the families of those he has called home to himself.
Pray for continued funding for Bible Society as we seek to sustain and expand this project at La Mascota.

16. Thank you, and may God bless your efforts as you pray, plan, fundraise and GET THE WORD OUT TO NICARAGUA!