The first module of the first United Bible Societies – Academy of Leadership and Management (UBS-ALM) was held in Vila Santo Agostinho (St. Augustine) Hotel, Sao Paulo, Brazil from September 28-October 2, 2009. Rev Khoi Lam Thang participates among 13 other participants.

1. Gillean Smiley         (CEO, Bible Society, South Australia)
2. Otto Pecsuk           (General Secretary, Hungarian Bible Society)
3. Emilia Iorgandopol   (Program Manager, Bible Society of Romania)
4. Elizabeth Muriuki     (General Secretary, Bible Society of Kenya)
5. Ato Yilma Getahun  (General Secretary, Bible Society of Ethiopia)
6. Clapperton Mayuni  (General Secretary, Bible Society of Malawi)
7. Roberto Miranda     (General Secretary, Bible Society of Peru)
8. Grace Njuguna       (Management Coordinator, UBSSO Africa)
9. Matjaz Crnivec       (General Secretary, Bible Society of Slovenia)
10. Vera Mitic            (General Secretary, Bible Society of Serbia and Montenegro)
11. Paulo Teixeira        (Translation and Publishing Secretary, Bible Society of Brazil)
12. Sergio Furtado        (Regional Secretary, Bible Society of Brazil)
13. Armin Elisa              (General Secretary, Netherlands Antilles Bible Society)

The course will take 18 months comprised of four modules.

Module #1 Sao Paulo, Brazil, 27 September - 2 October.

Module #2 Sao Paulo, Brazil, 24 November - 28 November.

Module #3 Sao Paulo, Brazil, 15th March - 26th March 2010.

Seoul, Korea  two days prior to the WA 20th –24th September 2010. 

Module #4 Sao Paulo, Brazil, 17–21 January 2011

This academy is particularly designed and purposely meant for young leaders of National Bible Societies with in the global fellowship and led by Julie Farrar and Steve Tarpey.

Miss Aye Aye Chit (Translation Secretary) and Rev Khoi Lam Thang (Translation Officer) are working hard with translation teams of different translation projects. The Translation Committee for 2009-2010 composed of five other leaders who support and advise for the improvement of the translation tasks. The Committee members are (1) Rev Nyi Nyi Swe (2) Bishop Thang Ok (3) Rev Kyaw Tun Lin (4) Sayama Khin Nyein Aye and (5)  Rev Dr Zau Latt. The present status of translation projects in the Bible Society of Myanmar are as follows:

During 2008-2009 the following projects were completed and ready for distribution

(1)   Jinghpaw Bible (Common language)

(2)   Lhaovo Bible

(3)   Lacid Bible

(4)   Asho Chin Bible

(5)   Pao New Testament

(6)   Zaiwa New Testament

(7)   Lisu Study Bible New Testament

(8)   Hakha Study Bible New Testament

The following projects are currently under typesetting and will be completed soon

(1)   Lisu Study Bible Old Testament

(2)   Sgaw Kayin Study Bible New Testament

(3)   Myanmar Study Bible New Testament

(4)   Tedim Study Bible New Testament

(5)   Falam Study Bible New Testament

(6)   Kayah New Testament

(7)   Ngochang Bible

There are 14 on going translation projects (2009)

(1)         Myanmar Bible (Judson version) Revision

(2)         Wa Bible revision

(3)         Lahu Bible re-edition

(4)         Cho Chin Old Testament

(5)         Pwo Kayin Old Testament (Common language)

(6)         Khumi Old Testament

(7)         Hawa Naga Old Testament

(8)         Zotung Old Testament

(9)         Zo Old Testament

(10)     Ngawn Old Testament

(11)     Khualsim New Testament

(12)     Sgaw Kayin Study Bible Old Testament

(13)     Myanmar Bible (BFBS version) Revision

(14)     Zophei New Testament

The following translation project will soon be (hopefully) started

(1)   Jinghpaw Study Bible New Testament

(2)   Lhaovo Study Bible New Testament

(3)   Lacid Study Bible New Testament

(4)   Kaang New Testament

In partnership with the Faith Comes By Hearing Ministry, the Bible Society of Myanmar recorded New Testament in 5 languages. Recently in June 5, 2009, one each of the “Proclaimers-Myanmar” distributed to MBCU, Kachin, Shweli Shan, Southern Shan, Home Mission, Akha, Wa, Naga, Lisu,   Eastern Shan, Lahu, Karen, Pwo Karen, Northern Shan, Asho, Tedim, ZBC, Mon, Emanuel, Judson.

“Wa” Bible Revision team is at its good speed. The team base in Lashio “Wa Baptist Convention” headquarters. After the celebration of 100 years of the gospel this year, they prioritize the Bible Revision Project and targets to complete in 2012. The main revisers are Rev. Ainap Tao (Now WBC GS) and Saya Arun Shwe. The team has been helped by Saya Ai Khun Saik (WBC-Treasurer), Rev Sam Lao (WBC-AGS), Saya Nyi San (New BTh graduate from Naungnang) and Sayama Ye Nwe Yawn (BARS Graduate). They are working very hard for the project. The Translation Officer met the team at Lashio during July 1-7, 2009, and gave them some technical help on Computer.

United Bible Societies – Triennial Translation Workshop (UBS-TTW) was held at Royal River Hotel, Bangkok Thailand. Sayama Aye Aye Chit (Translation Secretary) and Rev Khoi Lam Thang (Translation Officer) represented the Bible Society of Myanmar.

During the workshop, the orientation on Paratext 7 of ICAP (Institute for Computer Assisted Publishing) was held on June 12 and13, 2009. The TTWorkshop started on June 15 till 25, 2009. Prof Sugirtharajah (Birmingham University) and Christiane Nord (Prof. em. Of Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal) were the main speakers at the workshop. Apart from lectures and responses, the Global Translation Officers were assigned to 7 different working groups and discussed for further improvement in various translation concerns.

 

Singapore Bible Distribution Team comprised of 14 members led by MR YEO ENG CHENG as Team Leader came to Myanmar to distribute Bibles and School kits to children in Nargis effected area during May 29-June 3, 2009. The team, accompanied by Rev Khoi Lam Thang and Sayama Aye Aye Chit, went to Pathein and Laputta for distribution. During the trip, 3712 copies of Bibles, 1002 copies of children Bibles and 1000 school kits were distributed.

Team members are as follows:

1.      Mr Yeo Eng Cheng (Team Leader)

2.      Mr Nehemiah Lim Khay Tham Nehemiah (GS of SBS)

3.      Mr Richard Yap Wah Ann

4.      Mr Choy Kam Seng Ricky

5.      Mr Wong Liang Chwee, Richard

6.      Mr Tan Eng Hoe Michael

7.      Miss Chen Sin Yee (Chen Xinyi)

8.      Miss Ang Cheng Leng

9.      Mr Daniel Lee Sang Kee

10.  Ms Magdelene Chia Lee Chin

11.  Miss Leong Lai Fong Erin

12.  Miss Low Boon Geok Christine

13.  Mrs Sim Victor Nee Tan Peak Luan, Doris

14.  Mr Sim Yeow Kheng Victor

The trip was ended with a fellowship dinner hosted by the Bible Society of Myanmar on June 2, 2009. At the fellowship Rev KD Tu Lum (President of MCC and BSM Board Member), Rev Dr Saw Shwe (Chairman of BSM), Bishop Zothanmawia (BSM Board Member), ArchBishop Stephen Than Myint Oo (BSM Board Member), Rev Saw Shwe Lin (General Secretary of Myanmar Council of Churches) and many other ecclesiastical heads from different denomination were attended.

The First Lisu New Testament Study Bible was launched on May 29, 2009 in Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo). The launching function was attended by Lisu Christian Leaders from different denominations, Rev Dr Gam Seng (Retired UBS Translation Consultant) and Rev Dr Saw May Gay Gyi (General Secretary of BSM.

The annual Commencement of Myanmar Institute of Theology for 2009 was held on March 7, at Phu Tha Phyu Hall, Seminary Hill, Insein.

At the auspicious occasion, the Honorary Doctorate Degree (Doctor of Divinity) was deservedly conferred to the following 5 church leaders:

1. Rev Mahn San Si Htay

(Chairman 2006-2009– The Bible Society of Myanmar)

(Archbishop retired, The Churches of the Province of Myanmar)

2. Rev Saw Mar Gay Gyi

(General Secretary – The Bible Society of Myanmar)

3. Rev Tha Din

4. Rev Win Tin and

5. Rev Arthur Ko Lay

One of the BSM staff, Rev James Min Dein (Secretary of Distribution) also earned his M. Min degree at the same occasion.

The 35th General Assembly of Bible Society of Myanmar was successfully held at the Cushing Hall of Myanmar Baptist Convention on March 6, 2009. Delegates from member ecclesiastical organizations were well attended.

Started with worship Service

The Assembly started with worship Service at 8:30 am. Rev. Dr. Simon Pau Khan En (Principal of Myanmar Institute of Theology preached on the theme of BSM “The Word of God: Source for Comfort and Strength”.

Rev Arun Sok Nhep

At the Assembly, Rev. Arun Sok Nhep (UBS Program Consultant – Asia Pacific Area) and Dr. Daniel See (UBS Translation consultant) attended representing the UBS. The Assembly was formally chaired by Archbishop Mahn San Si Htay, reports were read by Rev Saw Mar Gay Gyi the General Secretary.

Elected officers 

The Assembly could newly elect the followings officers for the future leaders of the Bible Society of Myanmar:

1. Chairman (2009-2011) …    Rev Dr Saw Shwe (Methodist Lower Myanmar)

2. Vice Chairman (2009-2011) …      Rev Nyi Nyi Swe (Evangel Church AOG)

Rev Khoi Lam Thang (Translation Officer of the Bible Society of Myanmar) is also anonymously elected to be the General Secretary of the Bible Society of Myanmar starting from 2010 February. The current General Secretary Rev. Dr. Saw Mar Gay Gyi will complete his second term by the end of January, 2010.

 

At the end of General Assembly, the new elected Chairman Rev. Dr. Saw Shwe gave a short speech and one day meeting was closed by the prayer of Rev Dr Joshua Leme (Church of Christ) at 3:00 pm.

 

Rev Arun Suk Nhep (UBS program Consultant – Asia Pacific Area) visited to Myanmar Bible Society. During his stay in Myanmar, at the Translation department office he met the Translation Secretary, Translation Officer and CAP (Computer Assisted Publishing) staff on February 5, 2009. Rev Arun talked about important and necessary information about type-setting, different sizes of Bibles cover page, front page and copyright page.