While on study leave in Australia, David Painter will serve on the SparkLit Council. In 2019 he will resume his pioneering work in Christian publishing and theological education in Cambodia.

 

David and Leoni together with their two children, Joshua and Grace, have served with the Church Missionary Society in Cambodia since 2001. David has taught at the Phnom Penh Bible School and worked with local Christian publisher Fount of Wisdom.

 

“Books are essential for communicating and consolidating the gospel in Cambodia. The Buddhist mind naturally interprets the Bible as a works-based philosophy: ‘Do good and receive good, do evil and receive evil.’ To correctly understand and interpret Scripture, Cambodian teachers, preachers, church elders, Bible study leaders and thoughtful Christians need all the assistance they can get. They do not enjoy the resources we take for granted in the English-speaking world.”

 

In Khmer culture, books, reading and writing are revered. However, the devastation wrought by the Khmer Rouge in three and a half years will take generations to reverse. Among other tasks, Christian publishers are helping to recreate a national literature.

 

Publishing Christian books is especially challenging in a culture in which many fundamental Christian theological principles find no natural equivalents. This became apparent when David began to translate the IVP New Bible Dictionary and Moore College Preliminary Theological Certificate curriculum into Khmer. With the help of a group of young Church leaders and a linguist, David compiled a Khmer glossary of more than 6000 biblical words and theological terms. This glossary has been published by Fount of Wisdom, and is used by other publishers and translators. The glossary reflects current usage in the Khmer Scriptures and local churches. It streamlines translation and aids original writing, making it easier for Cambodian Christians to read Christian books from different sources.

 

Systematically articulating Christian theological ideas in the Khmer language is a gift to the Cambodian Church of enduring and far-reaching significance.

 

David plans to return to Cambodia equipped for a new season of service. “In an attempt to answer some very Asian questions, I have commenced a masters degree researching the relationship between the living and the dead.”

 

Please pray for the SparkLit president, Bishop John Harrower, and the members of the National Council as they guide the work of SparkLit and support our national director. Pray that we will develop and guard an ethos that kindles local initiative, reinforces achievement and empowers our partners.

Simon has worked in the book industry for over twenty years and is currently the Managing Director of ALS Library Services, an Australian business supplying public libraries.

 

“Twenty years in the trade has taught me that people still read. While technology and devices compete for our attention, reading is still valued and powerful in shaping our collective beliefs and culture.”

 

Simon is married to Melinda with four children under 13 and is studying for a bachelor of theology. He reads widely but particularly enjoys theology, business and young adult fiction. He serves as a leader in the Vineyard Church where he worships.

 

“Books condense knowledge and wisdom into a convenient package that can be used at any time and as many times as needed. In training, discipleship and evangelism, books can create focal points for conversation and can be delivered to people when an open conversation might be difficult or even dangerous.”

 

“SparkLit trains and equips God’s people to create books in their own language. This enables them to multiply knowledge of the truth in their culture and do the work that God has called them to.”

 

Please pray for Simon as he serves on the SparkLit Council. As he reviews and authorises our overseas grants, pray that he might be given discernment and wisdom.

On Saturday 12 November SparkLit Council member the Revd Dr Paul Barker was ordained and consecrated as a Bishop in the Diocese of Melbourne.

 

Paul recently returned from South-East Asia after six years as a visiting lecturer in Biblical Theology, Old Testament and Homiletics, and as the regional coordinator for Langham Preaching and Langham Scholar Care.

 

“I hope that my experience in Asia will keep me living simply, loving the poor and keeping the big picture of the gospel my big picture. I also hope that it helps me to be more sensitive to the needs of the Asian immigrants among us in Melbourne.”

 

“Pray that God will bring to completion the ministry and work begun in Asia. Pray that I am endowed with godly wisdom, courage and boldness, godliness of character and a quick and deep love for the people I am to pastor and shepherd.”

 

 

Photography by Janine Eastgate, Anglican Media Melbourne.

Jane Dowling describes how Jesus’ words brought her back to life.

 

At the age of twelve I was caught in a rip. As the force of the water sucked me under, scenes from my life flashed vividly before me. “I’m going to die!”

 

Suddenly, the arm of a surf lifesaver grasped me around my waist. I regained consciousness on the beach, spluttering out the water from my lungs as the life-saver resuscitated me. I will always be thankful for receiving that breath of life.

 

Writing Child, Arise! has been a life-saving experience for me. While attempting to grapple with the impact of childhood sexual abuse, I was caught up in a powerful spiritual rip. Its force overpowered me and sucked me down into a very deep, dark hole. In this place of sheer terror and utter despair God’s grace beckoned me, through the Holy Spirit, to put pen to paper. In this chaotic place, the Holy Spirit first whispered to me the title of my book: ‘Child, Arise!’

 

These are the same words Jesus speaks to a young girl in Luke 8:54. The power of Jesus’ words is so strong that the girl is raised back to life. This miracle magnificently reflects my own experience of what Jesus did for me.

 

I started writing by falling at the feet of Jesus in prayer. Like Jairus, I begged him to come to my child—my inner self, the young girl who had been sexually abused and was dying. Through his Word, Jesus promised me his faithful presence. This was the impetus to begin writing.

 

Like Jairus, I too heard voices muttering, ‘The girl is dead. Don’t trouble the teacher any longer!’ Precisely at these times, Jesus implored me, ‘Do not fear, Jane. Only believe and the child will be saved.’ So, believing in Jesus’ promise, I kept writing even while ‘weeping and wailing’ as I processed my trauma.

 

Each word I received from Jesus was a breath of life that revived my spirit in the deepest part of my being, transforming darkness into light, fear into courage, despair into hope, sadness into joy, and pain into healing. I prayed the Word of God and strived to live it with integrity. I knew Jesus was doing for me what he had done for Jairus’ daughter. I felt him gently take me by the hand and call out to me, ‘Child, arise!’

 

As I found the courage to stand in the strength of God’s Word, I was reminded that it is the Spirit who gives life and that the words that Jesus has spoken to me are spirit and life (John 6:63).

 

Writing Child, Arise! has reaffirmed for me the incredible healing power of God’s Word to transform even the most painful and tragic experiences into something of rich beauty and an overflowing of grace upon grace. I know that it is by grace that I have been saved through faith. It is not my own doing. It is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).

 

2016 Australian Christian Book of the Year

Child, Arise!
The Courage to Stand: A Spiritual Handbook for Survivors of Sexual Abuse

 

Jane N Dowling

David Lovell Publishing
ISBN 9781863551533

 

Are you a writer too? Fill out an entry form.

Australian Christian Book of the Year Award

Young Australian Christian Writer Award

Australian Christian Teen Writer Award