Norwegian church shares gospel with refugees through Google Translate and Bibles

A Church in Norway was able to give refugees Bibles in both Arabic and Farsi in time for Christmas after receiving a generous donation. 

Elias Samer Nema, a refugee who arrived in Norway last year, started attending the Seventh Day Adventist church shortly after arriving in Vadso, having crossed the Russian border.

Elias Samer Nema (right), a Syrian refugee, with two other refugees who received Bibles in Arabic news.adventist.org

He was keen to tell other refugees about Jesus and help them to get Bibles.

One of the elders at Vadso Seventh Day Adventist Church, Hilde Huru, told the Norwegian Bible Society about Nema's request, to which the Bible Society responded by giving a number of Bibles in both Arabic and Farsi for distribution.

"We see a deep gratitude in the eyes of those who received Bibles. This is really important to them," said Huru.

The church has sought to engage with the refugees, giving them Bibles and using smartphones in order to communicate through Google Translate to overcome the language barrier.

They have also developed a multi-lingual Sabbath School, translating each lesson's handout into both Arabic and Farsi.

For one refugee, the Bible he received was the first he had owned. He had belonged to an underground church in Iran and was unable to own a Bible out of fear that his Christian faith would be discovered, putting his life in danger.

"I have never met anyone in the Middle East with such a love for God as you have," said one of the refugees

related articles
Fears of crackdown against Bible Society in Malaysia
Fears of crackdown against Bible Society in Malaysia

Fears of crackdown against Bible Society in Malaysia

New \'dyslexia-friendly\' Bible makes scripture accessible for all
New 'dyslexia-friendly' Bible makes scripture accessible for all

New 'dyslexia-friendly' Bible makes scripture accessible for all

Reading the Bible will help stop war crimes, says Serbian officer
Reading the Bible will help stop war crimes, says Serbian officer

Reading the Bible will help stop war crimes, says Serbian officer

Senior British soldier admits democracies fight \'with one hand tied behind our back\'
Senior British soldier admits democracies fight 'with one hand tied behind our back'

Senior British soldier admits democracies fight 'with one hand tied behind our back'

News
Young people more grateful to God, study finds
Young people more grateful to God, study finds

A new survey has suggested that 18 to 34 year olds are more likely to believe in God and have transcendental experiences.

Nigerian government accused of being in denial about persecution of Christians
Nigerian government accused of being in denial about persecution of Christians

How can thousands of slain Christians not be persecution?

Turkey arrested 115 suspected ISIS members, thwarting Christmas and New Year plots against non-Muslims
Turkey arrested 115 suspected ISIS members, thwarting Christmas and New Year plots against non-Muslims

Turkey has been relatively successful in preventing attacks since 2017.

The pope that is remembered each year on December 31
The pope that is remembered each year on December 31

In many European countries, December 31, also known as New Year’s Eve, is better known as St Sylvester’s Day or simply Sylvester, named after a pope from the time of the Council of Nicaea. This is the story …