Volume 12, Issue 2, Fall 2007

Bracelets that tell a story…

What comes to your mind when you read: Black, Red, White, Yellow and Green? For many of you who have worked in children’s ministries, you will think of the “wordless book”.

A few years ago EBI translated the tracts used in the Atlanta Olympics for adults and children. When the Olympics were over we decided to continue to print the children’s tract. The tract explains the plan of salvation using the colors of the wordless book. But instead of a little book with different colored pages, there is a bracelet that accompanies the tract. It is made with leather lacing and the same colored beads as in the wordless book. It is ideal for witnessing to children and adults. Over the intervening years we have distributed more than 40,000 of these bracelets and tracts.

If, when we asked the question above, you thought the “wordless bracelet”, it may have been because some of you have been involved in making those bracelets for us. We want to thank you and encourage you and others who have prayed for us about what the Lord is doing through our ministry. Here is a quote from a group that used the bracelets and tracts in a short-term ministry:

“Our trip to Ecuador went very well and the bracelets we purchased were put to good use. They were a hit with the kids and really helped us reach out to them. I am including some pictures so you all can see how your ministry at the editorial office is able to reach around the globe. I am thankful God led me to your office and look forward to doing business with you again in the future.”

We are confident that God has used this ministry to bring many boys and girls to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Someone said that a picture is worth a thousand words, well then, here are 3,000 words.

Sunday school packets are a blessing…

We have a program designed to acquaint Hispanic churches with our Sunday school lessons. We put together a packet of lessons that is sent to those who express interest and also to different targeted countries. Each packet contained three teacher’s manuals and five student books. One course is for adults, one for junior high, and one for junior age children. In January EBI gave Rick Shields, a missionary in Mexico, 100 Sunday school packets to take to a pastor’s conference in the mountains of Mexico.

After the conference Rick wrote this note to EBI:

“Thanks for your prompt response to the Sunday school order. Pray for us at the Chalchocoyo pastor’s conference, March 5-8. We hope to share more material there. Also, my son Matthew has started the same ministry down in Zacatecas. We thank you for helping us to minister in this way. Enclosed are a few snapshots of the Chinampa conference where the majority of your packets were given out. With the packets, word of mouth testimonials from those who use our publications, and our new promotional emphasis, we are seeing our customer list grow every month. Each new customer represents a church that we are able to help remain true to the Word of God through our publications.”

Foreign postage hits hard…

We are all aware that the postage rates went up earlier this year. However, you may not know that foreign rates have more than tripled! The primary reason for this is that the USPS discontinued its surface mail service to foreign countries. All mail now goes by air. This is not a bad thing if it speeds up delivery, but it has put a financial burden on our foreign customers. In some cases the postage for an order exceeds the cost of the order. For example, our pastor’s library (27 lbs) used to ship to Latin American countries for around $30. Now it costs $114.

To help lighten this burden, EBI has felt the need to underwrite some of the postage on shipments to foreign countries. On the average, it costs about $4 a pound to ship these packages. The EBI staff has voted that any shipments to foreign countries will be charged up to $2 per pound, and EBI will pay the remaining amount. This will mean a significant increase to our shipping budget. Therefore, we are asking for your help. If you would like to help, please send a gift to the BMM home office designated for the EBI Foreign Postage Assistance Fund. I know our foreign customers will greatly appreciate this assistance since so many have such limited funds that even paying minimal postage is a strain.

All of us at EBI want to thank you for your prayers for our ministry.

Memorial gifts…

In Memory
Edna Lionberger

Given By
Anne Lewis
Jackie Barlow
Rev. and Mrs. Joe Bower
Mrs. Jean Perger