Rewards and Joys

It was rewarding to spend three days at Missions Fest in Vancouver. Let me share two particular joys I experienced while working with Dan, Norma and Martha at the LifeLight Ministries exhibit. By the time people got to our exhibit at the far end of the display area, their eyes were nearly "glazed over" from the sheer number of booths and volume of information.

I found I could stop people walking by with a question like, "Have you seen these Bibles especially published for outreach?" It brought me great joy to see a genuine look of interest come over their faces as they turned toward our display and picked up a New Testament. Many expressed surprise to find copies of the Scriptures written in contemporary English that they could afford to give away to a friend or neighbour.

The second experience of joy was having people coming by and telling us that they had already been using the Bibles we provide and that they really appreciated them and wanted more. I assure you, talking with these people was a great blessing.

Missions Fest was definitely a great opportunity for LifeLight Ministries to get out the message that God's Word is very available. We need to be willing to give it away.
Ken Strom

You can contact John and Marilyn at 519-426-0066 or email: j.m.vanessen@myexcel.ca.

The Greatest Treasure

“…whatever It takes" was the theme of the Vancouver Missions Fest. It is estimated that a total of 35,000 people attended the three-day event, January 31 to February 2. The festival included plenary sessions, with speakers such as Tony Campolo and Rick Love, youth rallies, children's sessions, a variety of seminars, and 230 mission exhibits.

What a joy to be surrounded by thousands of other believers for three days and to worship together! Many different denominations, nationalities and ages were represented – but we were "one in the Lord"!

I had the privilege of working at the LifeLight exhibit, and it was a great experience to meet many people who desire to share God's Word with others. I encouraged people to pick up Scriptures and give them away. Two men took this very literally! They returned to our table with a big basket and jokingly said, "You told us to pick up Scriptures and give them away freely!" We distributed about 550 Scriptures and received many orders for Bibles from individuals, churches and other ministries.

One young woman shared with me her struggles with bipolar disorder and the break-up of her marriage. She and her friend decided that they would get the same Bible (How to Find God) so they could study together. I noticed one teenaged girl wistfully paging through the How to Find God NT. She checked her wallet, but put it back in her purse. I presumed she didn't have enough money for the suggested $5.00 donation. When I handed her one of the Scriptures and told her she could have it, she thanked me and, with a radiant smile on her face, clutched it to herself, as though it were the greatest treasure she had ever received – and it probably was!

Let's do "whatever it takes" to share this treasure with others!
Martha Kroeker

Jean sent us this note a few days after Missions Fest: "The "LifeLight" New Testament I received at Missions Fest is beautiful! I was looking at it but knew I had no money for a donation. The lady at the table said, "Take it!" I had such a blessing; it ministered to me more than anything! I gave it to a Muslim friend, and now I need another one for a Jewish friend. God's rich blessings to you!

Michael wrote: I am writing to give you my heartfelt thanks. I am a recovering alcoholic. A year ago I found myself desperate, having given up hope of ever having a decent life. I cried out to God and begged him to help me. Well, help me He did, more than I could ever have thought possible!

About eight months ago a friend gave me a LifeLight Bible, and about that time I gave my life back to Christ. The Bible I had was a King James Version, and I was having a hard time understanding it. Since then I have used the LifeLight Bible on many occasions to help other recovering friends to understand the Scriptures.

I am involved in street ministry, helping desperate souls find Christ. Having LifeLight Bibles has been a great way to share the Good News in a very readable form.

Last weekend I attended Missions Fest in Vancouver…. my heart was warmed to see the sign at one of the exhibits which I have grown fond of: "Canadian LifeLight Ministries." After a pleasant conversation with the people there, I received a number of Scriptures from these generous people. Well, I left feeling that there are still good folks in this world!

I Can Understand Everything!
Dan and Norma Koop attended Missions Fest in Edmonton. They had many experiences they could write about, but here is just one. There will be a more complete report in the next issue.

We explained the various Bibles to David and Marty, and they were so enthused about the different versions. Marty said, "I think Arley needs a new Bible.” Well, they got one and gave it to Arley the next evening. She ran to her room and soon returned: "Mommy, I have read three chapters, and I can understand everything. Tomorrow I want to read half an hour before I go to bed. This is so good!" Well, Mom and Dad were very pleased!

It is sometimes difficult to get children to read the Bible. The New International Readers Version uses only 700 English words and makes the Bible so understandable. It is heartwarming when children want to read the Scriptures!

The LifeLight of God’s Word for this Generation

The Donate Bibles Website
www.donatebibles.net