q Children’s ministry continues amidst unrest in Lebanon

The start of 2008 witnessed exceptionally
active children’s ministry by the Bible Society in Lebanon, despite the uncertain political climate in the country.
In 2007, the number of children who visited Bible World, the Society’s Bible engagement attraction (see World Report 391/22 and 375/34), was the lowest since this program was launched in 2003. As a result of political unrest, only 1,266 children visited, compared with the annual average of 4,000.
But all this has changed in 2008. More than 930 children
visited Bible World in the first quarter of the year, defying the unstable political climate. March 18, when Saint Jean-Baptiste School brought 48 children to visit Bible World, was a wonderful day! We could see in the children’s eyes how excited they were, and their comments in the visitors’ book also expressed their joy.
“We felt as if we had visited the whole world from the beginning to the end in one day. Thank you!” wrote nine year- old Fadi.
“I loved this trip because it taught us about Jesus’ world. I wish all children could visit this place, so they can learn more about the history of the Bible,” said Eliane (10).
Sister Marie-Ange, who is responsible for Christian education at the school, told Bible Society staff that she had been preparing for the visit for two weeks. “I visited Bible World two years ago with another group of children and decided to bring all the primary classes this time,” she explained. “The children have been counting the days until the visit! Even the parents were telling us how excited the children have been. They could not stop talking about Bible World at home.”
Notre Dame de Loueizé School also decided to face the challenge of taking children outside the school to visit Bible World. This was the first outing for the children for two years.
Registered users of the UBS Intranet can find more news about Bible Societies’ work under Latest News in the Communications section “I won’t forget this day. I loved everything!” wrote 10-year-old Jean-Paul.
“This is the best place we have ever visited!” added another boy from the school.
For schools which are still unwilling to take children on outings, the Bible Society has been offering the services of Auguste the Clown, a French-speaking Swiss pastor who visited Lebanon in November and again in February to present the Gospel message through tricks and jokes. During his first visit, 12 shows were presented at Francophone Roman Catholic schools, reaching an audience of 1,400 children of different ages and from different backgrounds. A further 19 shows, reaching 3,100 children, were presented during his second visit. Following a very positive reaction from children and teachers, the Bible Society is now planning to host Auguste the Clown again in November.