. Barnabas Aid partners delivered and distributed Bibles in two tribal Ethiopian languages- some pupils were released from schools for the occasion and other believers in rural areas walked two hours to receive the Bible, what a blessed walk that would have been! Hopefully this shows us what a priceless treasure the Bible is and how easily us in the West have access to a Bible and how we take this for granted.
. We learn of pastor Gabriel in Mozambique in a settlement cap in Mozambique, to establish a church pastor Gabriel worked farming jobs, only receiving payment in bamboo, which he used to build a church. Now the church, in the displacement camp, with it's dirt floor, sounds with the song of worship and praise. The displaced families worshipping in the church have little possessions but they still thank God for His blessings and they are rich in their trust of the LORD. What a difference to pompously dressed churches with dead services and biblically unqualified leaders!!!
. We learn of an individual Barnabas Aid has helped, an elderly Egyptian widow. We learn through her words that aid given to brothers and sisters like her remind them that their church family has not forgotten them. We learn in Egypt many widows rely on support from their churches (a charitable lesson for us). In the dry and parched land, streams are rising in the desert, for God has not forgotten His people.
. A wonderful exposition on Psalm 95- we learn of worshipping and trusting in God even in the hardest times- joy in the Lord does not mean a perpetually happy face. Worship is never to be half hearted and must be reverent- we are approaching the sovereign creator of the universe, not a drinking buddy. Political idols will die like men, and all their honour will be laid to dust.
