Asia is home to four out of five of the world's 4.4 billion people who are not believers. Locally created and produced Christian literature helps build the church and introduce Jesus to people without hope.
MAI has provided training in India, Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Philippines and Singapore.

Here's how we've helped...

• Raised more than $16,000 toward the 2,000-page Chinese Study Bible
• Trained budding writers in India, Nepal and Myanmar
• Provided strategic development consulting to publishing houses in Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Hong Kong/China
• Led editorial training for Christians in Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines
• Trained children's writers in Indonesia
• Coordinated the publication of a book of author journeys featuring Christian writers in Asia, An Asian Palette
• Brought together hundreds of men and women to two LittWorld conferences in the Philippines

Of Mice and Men in India

MAI-Asia trustee and prolific children’s author George Koshy spent three years writing a children’s Bible, the first of its kind to be originated in any Indian language. When a local publisher rejected it, Koshy filed the manuscript in his cupboard.

Two years later, the same publisher decided to publish it. George opened the cupboard and discovered only shreds—mice had eaten his manuscript! For the next two years, he worked day and night to recreate the manuscript.

Last Christmas, Samaritan’s Purse distributed 58,000 copies of this Bible in Kerala, India. Recently, George learned that two Hindu children became Christians and now attend church after reading a copy. “This is a product of much pain,” Koshy says, trusting God for additional eternal results. 


-Alyssa Keysor, MAI intern

Even the Dogs Bark in Poems! 

The people of this Central Asian nation love poetry. At a recent MAI writer workshop, leaders marveled when two women stood to sing their original poems. At the end, both women were teary-eyed and the audience cheered. “Even dogs in this country bark in poems!” joked one writer.

Despite their passion for poetry, the people suffer from a vacuum of locally written Christian titles. Influence from fundamentalist Muslim groups in this predominately Muslim nation has made it difficult for individual Christians to publish legally. Only a handful of officially recognized churches have the right to do so, and most of them are hesitant to publish for fear of losing their right to gather as a fellowship. The country has no functioning Christian publishing house.

A group of 17 writers, including pastors, translators, a newspaper editor, and even a former fortuneteller, gathered for the three-day writer workshop in October led by Roger Palms, former editor of Decision magazine, and Ramon Rocha III, our director of publisher development. Sessions focused on how to share the Christian faith through writing that is attractive to general readers.

A nationally-known poet expressed the desire to incorporate his Christian faith into more of his poems.

Another writer envisioned, "I see [the country’s] Christian literature flourishing in the future because nonbelievers need it, not only the churches. I see our people are hungry for God's word especially if the stories are written from our cultural background.”

Witnessing the group’s enthusiasm, Roger Palms said, "We'll look back many years from now and say, 'These are the writers that started this movement, fired up by the Spirit of God.'”

The writers met again in November and decided to form a writer group to critique each other’s work. They plan to submit articles to a website and are attempting to start a Christian newspaper.

Pray that they continue to encourage one another and that their love for traditional poetry can be a vehicle to the hearts of their own people.

>>View the photo slideshow

By Emma Stencil, MAI intern

Feeding the Chinese Church, a Bittersweet Battle

Nourishing China’s swelling Church with quality books is akin to the Chinese proverb, “You must eat the bitterest of bitter in order to taste the sweetest of sweet.”

Paul Peng, founder and CEO of Enoch Communications, faces formidable challenges publishing from the bustling city of Chengdu.  Each of the 35 to 40 titles that Peng hopes to hand readers this year must be government-approved, a process ranging from 1 month to 7 years. Then, Enoch must purchase an ISBN number from a government-registered publishing house. Currently, 15-plus titles are awaiting numbers from 6 publishing houses.

Other challenges include razor-thin margins, rising production costs and low retail prices. Peng’s team of 20 will be grateful if God allows them to release 20 titles this year, given the hardships.

The question behind each title is not about profit or meeting reader needs, it’s one of survival. Peng told our trainer, “We ask, ‘Is this title worth our passion, our time, our sacrifice? Is this title worth putting our very existence at stake?’”

But Peng’s team tastes sweetness too. Since 1999 Enoch has survived and thrived, achieving a laudable balance of publishing translations and manuscripts by Chinese authors. Profits from the bestselling title The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman has helped them publish books by local authors. Enoch has a healthy "stable" of at least eight prominent Chinese writers, mostly professors in prestigious universities. The books of three authors were banned from further publication.

Editorial director Colette said, "There's just so much hunger and thirst for more information about the Christian faith in churches, the books we publish are usually sold out." Print-runs average from 3,000 to 5,000 copies.

Future relevancy in China depends on more training, Peng believes. “I thank God for Enoch’s editors. In the next 5 years, we would like to develop and nurture more editors who are willing to count the cost and are passionate about the printed word.”

>>More about Enoch Communications

“When I hear what God has done at A Grain of Salt magazine, I think of the 12 baskets leftover from the 5 loaves and 2 fish,” said Bernice, to the group of 20 writers, editors and designers gathered in a closed country of Asia, April 5 to 7.

Rewind three years earlier to 2008, when a handful of visionary women gathered for MAI’s first training there, led by Bernice, a veteran editor from Singapore. Within months the five-woman editorial team, all novices, had launched the Christian women’s magazine targeting both churched and unchurched readers.

The first issue’s 1,000 copies sold out within days.  Now in its eighth issue, the magazine has reached a circulation of 8,000.  “People tell us the magazine is a healing product in a chaotic society,” said Mary*, the workshop coordinator.

Mary and her editorial team organized and hosted the recent writing and design workshop co-led by Bernice, Dawn Jewell of MAI headquarters and designer Kun Gim Peh of Singapore. Participants included the editor/designer of a large church’s monthly newsletter, an evangelism speaker, an event-planner, an aspiring novelist and more.

During the workshop, participants practiced outlining articles, edited actual submissions to the magazine, wrote modern-day versions of Paul’s testimony and discussed design principles.


Tina, a petite woman with a ponytail, has designed and edited her church’s monthly newsletter for the last 14 years. “This is the first time that I have had the opportunity to be in a workshop in my field that was held by servants of the Lord,” she said.

Tracy, 35, recently published an article in A Grain of Salt. She leads evangelism and discipleship workshops around the country. She has also discipled recovering drug addicts and hopes to write a book of their testimonies. “God keeps giving me opportunities to write and ideas, but I rejected them, thinking my training ministry was more important. Now I know writing is my calling too,” she said. 

Ken’s company sent him to learn how to launch an online Christian publication for youth. He dreams of being part of a writer club. On the workshop’s last day, participants decided to form a writer club and create a blog for it.

Local Christian book publishing is in its infancy, but Mary and her team aim to tackle that next, starting with a book of women’s testimonies compiled from those published in A Grain of Salt.

The authorities have repeatedly denied Mary's requests to legally register the magazine. But God keeps multiplying the publication’s loaves and fishes.  Rachel, one of the magazine’s editorial team, exhorted participants, “As David approached Goliath in the name of God, it is our duty to show the world we have a God. We don’t rely on our strengths or talents, but on our Lord.” 

*Names of all workshop participants have been changed for security reasons.

Watch a short video interview with "Mary" on Youtube.

Bernice had traveled to this closed country of Asia three previous times without incident. She wasn’t worried about her safety or that of church leaders joining her writing and editing workshop in August. So, when Rev. Z warned pastors to keep the workshop a secret on Day 1, Bernice was amused by his extreme cautiousness. 

But the next day, the police arrived unannounced at the workshop. Why were 30-plus church leaders from dozens of locations gathered here?  The surprise visit “showed me how little I appreciated the risks they were taking,” Bernice wrote. Thankfully, the officers did not stop the workshop.

Rev Z leads three staff who oversee newsletter production and a website. At the workshop’s start, discussions revealed that many pastors found the language and articles in the newsletter too high-brow theologically. That explained poor sales among the average reader in the pew. Rev Z had been oblivious of the readership profile.

Bernice focused discussions on reader needs and how to involve more people in producing the newsletter. “When I saw the growing excitement among many of the pastors, I was reminded, ‘Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!’” (Ps. 133:1). 

Your prayers and support enable us work in the world’s difficult places, where the power of the written word to transform lives and nourish believers is most evident.

Top photo courtesy of sxc.hu, tome213

Behind the Bamboo Curtain

Esther* is a public health worker in a closed country of SE ASia, one of the world’s most repressive countries to Christianity.  She first heard the Gospel in 1998 while on scholarship as a medical doctor in the former Soviet Union.  Korean believers witnessed to her in the Moscow airport, and she converted while reading the Russian Bible they gave her.  

Esther flew home in 1991, and has endured many challenges since as the only believer in her family living behind “bamboo curtain.”  But she has also experienced miracles of God’s help and intervention, and wants to write about them.

MAI has awarded Esther a modest scholarship for her book project. “We have no stories of this kind written in our language,” she said.  “Most of the few available publications are Bible stories or translations.”

We give priority to training in countries having limited Christian publishing or witness. MAI stimulates creation of written materials that strengthen the national church and impact society.
 
* pseudonym used for security reasons

Photo above courtesy FreeDigitalPhotos, Sujin Jetkasettakorn

Heroes of the Faith Arise

“The writer workshop was a success and 14 eager newborn writers are writing seriously,” says author Hwee Yong Tan, who hosted MAI’s August 2010 training in Malaysia. Participants included church and lay leaders such as Sheila*, a Bible translator and pastor’s wife; Alan, a recent university graduate; and Lily, who helps pastor a church comprised of university students.

Guided by MAI Trainer Dr. Miriam Adeney, each writer selected a biblical hero of the faith to illustrate Christian living in contemporary society. Creativity and fun infused their writings. Pastor L wrote about how King David was tempted by Bathsheba because she used “Follow Me” shampoo, a popular brand in Malaysia. 

“Fourteen books are underway,” Miriam says. “Writers were teachable, well-grounded in Scripture, and eager to develop skills. 

Please pray that Christ-honoring manuscripts are published to impact Malay society.

*Names of participants changed for protection. 

Truth Is Costly
By Miriam Adeney
 
From Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon they walk in, sit down, and plug in laptops or lay out pens and paper. These 17 writers are each working on a book in Arabic in the Christian Arab Writers’ Initiative, a joint effort of MAI and Ophir Publishers of Jordan.

Topics include women's oppression in the Christian home. Covenant Theology for everyday Christians. Fiction stories. And a handbook on how the Church can use new media. 
 
Rashid is writing a novel. One evening he stood before us and read about a young woman who was kidnapped and raped repeatedly for two months. Her parents sold everything, even their home, to pay her ransom. Yet when she finally escaped, people shunned her. Even her family felt awkward around her.   
 
Nuns helped her work through her trauma. "Come, help us with the other girls," they invited her. But the "other girls" turned out to be Muslims. No way was she going to serve them. It was Muslims who had grabbed and hurt her so badly. 
 
Over time her heart softened. Eventually, when she was offered a ticket to Australia, she declined. Why? She wanted to stay and help more rape survivors in months to come--even the Muslim girls.
 
Rashid is from Syria. This is where the apostle Paul became a Christian and some of the earliest Christians lived. Last year 5,000 of Rashid's fellow countrymen were killed in violent confrontations between the military and ordinary citizens. For 10 harrowing days Rashid's brother was jailed and interrogated. Two of Rashid’s friends were shot and killed. Rashid was threatened, and fled the country last July.

Other writers in the workshop face their own challenges and uncertainties. The Egyptians headed to Lebanon one day after parliamentary elections: What does the outcome hold for Christians in their nation?

While words of truth and hope are penned in Beirut, the Arab Spring seethes around us. Writing the truth is a privilege, but it can also be costly. 

Trainers for this workshop included Stephen and Alice Lawhead and Dr. Miriam Adeney.

<<Watch a 1 minute video from Beirut
"I discovered I have great potential to write," said Ruba Abbassi, director of Arab Woman Today Ministries. 

<<Watch the video: What Christians are reading in the Middle East with Lebanese publisher Sawsan Tannoury of Dar Manhal Alhat in Beirut. 

Background
This workshop was the second in the three-year “Christian Arab Writers’ Initiative." Participating authors receive specialized training that will increase their writing skills and impact in the market. The program also involves coaching, as well a writing contest that aims to encourage them to complete and submit quality book manuscripts. Judges will select the top three manuscripts, and the winning writers will be awarded cash prizes. In addition, all good manuscripts have a chance to be published by different Christian publishing houses in the region.

Book publishing in Arabic lags behind much of the world and depends extensively on translated works from other languages, according to Director Sinan Sweis of Ophir Publishers in Jordan. 

"Middle Eastern cultures are traditionally oral," he explained. "Most people do not have much formal training in writing since the educational system favors oral communication over written." Arabic-language Christian publishing in the region also faces challenges from the surrounding religious culture.

Without training for writers and investment in publishing, Arab literature will continue to trail behind the rest of the world," Sinan said.

"I discovered I have great potential to write," said Ruba Abbassi, director of Arab Woman Today Ministries.  

Mongolians Seek to Strengthen Nation's Young Church

When the Soviet Union collapsed and the Russians withdrew in 1990, only four known Christians may have inhabited Mongolia, a country the size of western Europe. Two decades later, more than 40,000 believers fill an estimated 400 churches, half of them in the capital (Operation World 2010). Seventy-five percent of the population is under age 35, and churches reflect that youthful demographic.

The nation’s rapid church growth has resulted in an urgent need to deepen the faith of new believers amid a vacuum of locally-created Christian literature. Only 300 Christian titles are available in Mongolian, and the vast majority are translations.

Past missionaries have produced evangelistic materials, but the Church needs meat. It lacks books and articles on Bible teaching, discipleship and pastoral care. Books about family relationships are the most sought after topic, said one Christian bookseller. Other issues that local Christian authors need to address include:  child-rearing, alcoholism, personal finances, and more.

In September 2010, MAI sent trainers Michael Collie and Owen Salter of Australia to lead workshops for designers and editors respectively in Ulaanbaatar, the nation’s capital. The three-day workshops, September 1 to 3, were the second part of MAI’s three-year commitment to equip and encourage Mongolian Christian publishers.

Host Timothy Byambatogtokh of Family 104.5 FM Christian radio station invited men and women from the nation’s six main publishers, plus additional authors and groups in publishing. Eight editing participants and three design participants represented four of the key publishers.

Workshops covered:  cultivating healthy working relationships on a publishing team, creating covers that sell, managing the editing process, composing books using Adobe Creative Suite software, and developing and mentoring new writers.

Both trainers encouraged workshop host Timothy to put feet to his vision to turn material from his popular daily talkback radio show, “Love Project,” into a book.  In a recent email to Owen, he wrote, “I've started working on the Love Project book to finish it before Christmas.  Please pray for God’s wisdom.”

Another couple consulted with Owen and Michael about dreams to launch a family magazine. The field of Christian periodicals is largely untapped in this highly literate society and can play a vital role in nurturing new writers.

“The Mongolian Church is facing critical challenges,” says Michael Collie, director of SPCK Australia. “The social disintegration after the collapse of the communist regime is profound, and the enthusiasm of first generation believers will soon be tested by the hazards of affluence: individualism, indifference and apathy.”

But, the Church includes many potential writers—converts to Christianity include articulate people from academia, the media and the arts. One participant wrote, “My most valuable discovery during the training has been the courage and motivation to finish what I’ve started. I’ve already developed a working plan for my project.”

The time is ripe for investing in Christian publishing in Mongolia.

>>View the photo slideshow from Mongolia. Photos by Michael Collie.

>>Read "Interview with a Mongolian Renaissance Man"

With material from Owen Salter and Michael Collie

Publishing in Myanmar

"When I became a Christian I didn't have any books to tell me how a Christian should live, only one translated novel," James says (not his real name). The vacuum of Christian literature in James's native Myanmar troubled him for years. After graduating from Bible college in India, James returned to Myanmar and launched a Christian publishing ministry and bookstore in 1991. Only one year earlier, there weren't any Christian bookstores to serve the nation's 42 million people. Today, he has published more than 100 titles to nurture the growing church in this predominantly Buddhist country (90% of the population). He also pastors a growing house church.

But life under Myanmar 's military dictatorship isn't easy. "Many times I've wondered why God allowed me to be born here after seeing so much freedom when I travel abroad," James says. "But now I'm glad God has called me here to proclaim the Gospel through the printed page."

Until now, James' staff have focused on translating literature into Burmese, but James' vision has broadened. "I think it's best to train writers so that we can produce literature in the context of Myanmar ...We need to train writers of theology books, Christian fiction, family life, and so on."

Singapore bustles with nearly five million people, a melting pot of Asians from China, Malaysia and India, but Christian writers in Singapore are few.

MAI partnered with host Armour Publishing to hold a three-day workshop for beginning and published writers in Singapore in August. Thirty-six writers came for training, encouragement, and the opportunity to present their ideas to other writers and publishers.

Armour Publishing has been closely connected with MAI since its founding in 1991 by Christina Lim and Bernice Lee, who met at a writer’s workshop. Armour Publishing holds a high reputation both in Christian and secular circles for producing quality books in content and appearance.

At the beginning of the workshop, MAI president John Maust asked the attendees who their favorite authors were. Thirty-three different authors were named, but only three were Asian. Someone wondered aloud, “Why aren’t there more Asian authors?” John replied, “That’s why you’re here.”

During the workshop, each writer outlined a book proposal, learned how to submit it to a publisher, and wrote one personal experience and one devotional magazine article for possible future publication. One woman said, "I found new courage during the workshop because of the encouraging testimonies I heard about Christian writers and publishers in different parts of the world, using their gift of writing to make a difference in God's kingdom work."

Aspiring writers left the workshop feeling equipped and encouraged. The writers continue to stay in touch with one another for prayer and encouragement through email, Facebook and blogs.

One woman responded to the idea of a writer’s club, "It would be a fantastic way to encourage, support, share, and pray with each other.  Until then, I leave us all with a verse I've been holding close during this 'roller coaster' of a writing journey, 'For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.'(Isaiah 41:13)"

Read the article "Aspiring Authors Gain Skills in Singapore Workshop" in the right column of Words for the World newsletter.

Read more from one pastor’s blog reflections on the workshop.

"That was my very first [writer workshop], and it went a long way to encouraging my aspirations of putting things in print. The workshop actually sparked an idea I've never seriously thought about - re-conceptualizing Bible stories for a secular readership."  -Seng

"I have so many new ideas swarming around in my heart and head now... a book proposal WILL be birthed by the end of this year, in Jesus name! For, 
'Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.' (Hebrews 11:1)" -Ali

"The book-writing process has been a challenge and a rather lonely road (especially since I'm new at this!) but being able to meet like-minded Christian writers like you has encouraged me to press on, and to keep writing for the glory of God." -Jiamin

"For the lessons learnt
For the ideas planted
For the dreams awakened
For the purposes intended

We commit these to you God
The author and perfecter of our life."
-Linda

What participants said:

“Dr Miriam was delightful to listen to as she read many scripts from different writers to give us a feel of different styles of writing. She took us through a guideline on how to work out a frame work or skeleton and explained how one should flesh it out with content. The guideline was a good tool to discipline writers.”

“Dr Miriam spoke on different cultures, and how one should write in distinct styles to suit the culture of the reader.”

“Ms Yna taught us to be sensitive when editing as writers write their manuscripts with great passion. I found the ‘inverted pyramid’ technique very useful when evaluating and editing written documents.”