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Thank You for your prayers with us for the Cairo Bookfair! We have had unusually warm weather and my wife was blamed for it. A staff member overheard someone yesterday: "Rebecca prayed that the rain would stop so that people would come to the bookfair. This heat wave is all her fault!"
In spite of the economic and political and religious tensions, this was the most peaceful and pleasant bookfair yet, one of the most encouraging years ever. All customers from all backgrounds were respectful and courteous, and the Bible Society staff was happily busy with people who were not contentious but rather, were eager and hungry to receive God's word. We know this is the result of your prayers, and rejoice in God's rich mercy poured out so graciously. |
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Some of our Customers
Selling the New Testament with good discount attracts many customers. 2 sisters purchased the NT at last year's bookfair as a gift for a friend. Before giving it away, one of the girls read some. Her sister discouraged her, saying, "No you might understand it wrong." They gave the gift, but this year they came back to purchase one for themselves.
Another two women, mother and daughter came to buy Bibles. They had seen our billboards on the highway, promoting: "The Bible is the Best Gift for Every Occasion." They bought 4 New Testaments and one Bible as gifts for 5 special friends.
One lady shared, "I grew up in a boarding school, and each night, the nuns would read us a Bible story before we slept. From time to time I remember these stories. When I saw your book stand here, I was so happy for the chance to get myself a Bible so that I can read those same stories again to myself now!"
A young accountant, interested in religion, expressed his ignorance. He felt that all he knew about Christianity came from non-Christian sources. He purchased a Study Bible to read and find out for himself. Another seeker, an elderly man, bought the Bible saying, "Now I am very old, and soon I will be in God's presence. I want to be ready." |
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We had many new products for children this year as well. One little girl came into the booth with her mother towards the end of the day. Going directly to the Kingo products, she stated, "I already have all the videos." Looking at the Kingo activity books, she found 3 that she did not have. When her mother was ready to go, she was told that after a long day at the bookfair, there wasn't enough money left to get the books.
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The girl burst into tears as she set the books down. Meanwhile, another little girl who had been browsing the Kingo products as well saw all that happened. Fully empathizing with her, she quickly took permission from her daddy, purchased the 3 books and ran after the girl and handed her the treasure. The mother returned to the booth, profusely thanking everyone for the gift and for making her little girl happy with Kingo!
Keep Praying!
While the Bookfair is over, the special offers are available in all of our bookshops till the end of February. This is our peak sales season, and so we ask for you continued prayers that many people will continue to purchase the Scriptures. Our desire is simply that all would be blessed according to the promise in Revelations 1:3, "Blessed is the one who reads… and those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."
Please click on this link for our Annual Report 2009.
Sincerely grateful for your partnership and prayers,
Ramez |