To view a powerpoint presentation containing photos from the launch, click here.
Reflections from the Arabic Fire Bible Launch in Lebanon on December 2, 2008.
Beirut is a city of mixed cultures that haphazardly blends Christian and Muslim influences. We found the Lebanese people to be extremely kind, friendly, and helpful. The city is still recovering from the war two years ago so construction is underway on almost every street corner. It is a bustling business city built on the Mediterranean Sea that exudes determination and a true potential for prosperity.
We had been prepared by the Arabic Bible Society to expect a small number of people to attend the launch. However, we were pleasantly surprised when over 140 people arrived to fill the ball room we had rented at the Metropolitan Palace Hotel for the occasion. Some of the most startling guests were the bishops and archbishops of the Greek Orthodox and Marionite Catholic churches. Dressed in their full black regalia, they were an impressive sight and certainly stood out from the crowd. It was a moving experience to see them eagerly accept their gift of an Arabic FLSB.
After the ceremony, many of the evangelical Christians who attended the event commented about how thrilled they were to have this Bible in Arabic. Everyone who attended the event seemed impressed with the presentation and were excited about the potential for this Bible not only in Lebanon but in the entire Arabic speaking world.
After the dedication ceremony we enjoyed sharing a typical Lebanese dinner with our hosts from the Arabic Bible Society. It was a great time of sharing delicious food (about 20-25 different dishes) and rejoicing together over the success of the dedication.
The day after the launch we were privileged to visit the ancient town of Byblos, about 20 miles outside of Beirut. This city dates back over 5,000 years. While we were looking in the souvenir shops we happened to talk with the owner of one shop about our reason for being in Lebanon. He was amazed and started laughing and told us excitedly that his sons were Pentecostal pastors. He ran to the shop next door and brought them to meet us. We had a wonderful visit with them as they told us they read the FLSB in English every day and use it to prepare for sermons. They were amazed and elated to learn that our purpose in being in Lebanon was to dedicate the FLSB in Arabic. One of the brothers has been trying to establish a church in the little town of Byblos for over 8 months. He has met great resistance and asked us to go with him to the place they are using to start the church. We walked with him about 5 blocks and there we all gathered around him and his youth minister and laid hands on them and prayed that God would give them open doors in the city and that their desire to start a church would become a reality. It was truly a special blessing for us to be able to encourage a Lebanese pastor in this way.
Terri Gibbs, Director of Product Development, Life Publishers International