You can help Nora Mishriky meet the need for good Christian books in Arabic.

 

My name is Nora Mishriky. I was born into a Christian family. As a child I attended an Orthodox church and earnestly observed all the rituals. I yearned for an intimate relationship with the God Most High but was taught that he was far away in heaven. When I was just five years old, my father went to be with the Lord. This made God seem even more remote.

 

At high school, a friend showed me that God is not far away but promised to be with us always. I came to know Jesus as my personal Saviour. However, while our eternal Heavenly Father loves and cares for me so much and is ready to take all my distress and turn it into joy, it took many years to heal the loss of my physical father and to trust God as the provider of all my needs.

 

God is trustworthy

 

When I was 40 years old, my husband went to be with the Lord. I was left to look after our two sons and the family printing business. I was working as an administrator at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo and knew nothing about printing. By the grace of God, for 17 years I have successfully managed the business. Throughout this journey I have seen God’s hand in every detail of the life of my family. I know God is trustworthy.

 

Five years ago, I stopped to rethink what I wanted to do with my life. I dreamed of starting a publishing house. In many fields there are no good books in Arabic. The church contributes little to issues facing our society. I wanted to use our printing business to help the church do its part by publishing books that are really needed.

 

We have already published nineteen books on neglected topics including a series of ten illustrated books on life skills for boys and girls from 8 to 12 years old. Seven of the books are for preteens and three are for parents and care givers. This series meets a need for psychologically sound books that teach parents how to raise their children to be followers of Jesus. The series tackles emotional intelligence, boundaries, mental health, sex and relationships.  These colourful books have become popular training tools in churches and counselling programs.

 

God is faithful

 

There are great opportunities for Christian publishers in Egypt. We need to have one eye on the church and the other on our society. To address issues facing our church and community from a Christian perspective, we need to nurture and encourage local Christian writers.

 

When God puts a vision in our heart he also gives us guidance and the strength to act.

 

Please pray that we will form strong partnerships with local and international writers and publishers. Pray that we will develop effective marketing channels and sustainable finances.

 

Nora Mishriky has a masters degree in counselling and is the director of Sparkle Publications in Cairo.

 

You can help Aleksander Saško Nezamutdinov publish a Polish translation of The Book of Common Prayer.

 

I was raised by my mother and my great-grandmother. My great-grandmother took me to an Orthodox church. When she died, my mother and I started attending a Greek Catholic Church. When I was twelve, I was invited to movie nights and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at Protestant churches. I started to read and study the Bible. In Acts chapter 17, I learned that religious images and objects can obscure the person of Jesus. I was shown the way of salvation and within a few weeks I trusted Jesus as my Sovereign Lord and Saviour.

 

My mother didn’t want me to join a “cult” and wouldn’t allow me to attend the services or meetings. But, thanks to God, after some time she stopped arguing with me. Jesus had changed me and my mother noticed the difference.

 

Words shape us

 

In my high school, I started an International Partnership evangelistic ESL ministry called Life in Christ. After graduating, I decided to go to university to study foreign languages. However, after passing the entrance exams, I realised that God wanted me to study at a Bible College. 

 

My journey into Christian publishing began as I learned how literature shapes faith communities. As a church planter, I was frustrated by the lack of decent Christian books in the Polish language. Especially books that build bridges between different Christian traditions. We are currently translating The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) into Polish. This is the third attempt to publish the BCP in Polish.

 

The first full Polish translation was published in London in 1836. This was followed by an abridged edition produced in Warsaw in 1931. Given the growing interest in Anglican theology and liturgy in Poland, we believe the time is right for a modern translation of the complete text.

 

Words unite us

 

The Book of Common Prayer is a unique connection between Catholic and Protestant traditions. It offers a familiar yet refreshing approach to worship that honours tradition while embracing Reformation principles. This translation will give Polish-speaking Christians access to one of the most influential works of Protestant literature. 

 

An accessible Polish edition of BCP will also serve as a valuable resource for theological education in seminaries and churches. It fosters meaningful dialogue between different Christian traditions, creating pathways toward greater unity in the body of Christ. I hope that it will provide a model for similar projects in other countries. 

 

Please pray that this prayer book will find its way into the hands of those who are hungry to deepen their connection with God and their neighbour through the disciplines of prayer and praise. 

 

Aleksander Saško Nezamutdinov is the founding editor of Wydawnictwo MW (MW Publishing House) in Kraków.

 

Chakreya Choun has a passion to communicate God’s grace to people of all ages.

You can help Thit bring the good news to the neglected Kavet ethnic community.