Scriptures Designed for Mobile Phones, Computers
Contact: Dianna Gibney, 208-498-0778, dgibney@maf.org
KATMANDU, Nepal, Dec. 15, 2010 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Nepal Bible Society launched two exciting new electronic Bible products in a recent ceremony that honored MAF's (Mission Aviation Fellowship) Tim and Karen Chase for their role in developing them.
Photo: MAF's Tim Chase addresses the Nepal Bible Society at the dedication of two new electronic Bible tools. Chase was honored for his work in developing the products, which will make the scriptures more easily accessible to Nepali language speakers.
Tim Chase, who serves as a pilot for MAF, worked for IBM for 10 years before joining the Idaho-based mission agency. Earlier this year, an opportunity arose for him to assist the Nepal Bible Society with technology solutions to problems that had vexed the scripture organization.
"The Nepal Bible Society wanted to have some electronic Bibles, but they didn't have the ability to do it," Chase said. "So, when I came in the door and said, 'Do you want to try to do something like this?' they were really excited."
Chase spent nine months creating custom software and converting files to make the project work. The result was an "e-Bible" for computers and a "go-Bible" for cellular phones.
With more than 300 people gathered to celebrate the unveiling of the two products, NBS honored the Chases, presenting them with a framed letter of appreciation. Elder Tej Bahadur Jirel, general secretary of NBS, wrote the following on the organization's website:
"Thank you for joining with the Nepal Bible Society in the release of the Nepali Bibles on computer (e-Bible). With the generous help of Mission Aviation Fellowship, we are able to provide a software product that will greatly help Nepali Christians in the study of the scriptures."
Chase explained that an electronic version of the Nepali Bible is important for security reasons, as many Nepalis reside outside Nepal. "Some of them are living in the Middle East, where it might not be popular to carry around a hard-copy Bible," Chase said.
The electronic version of the Bible provides a way for people to share verses with others through e-mail or text messaging, Chase said.
Founded in 1945, MAF (www.maf.org) is a Christian ministry organization which transports missionaries, medical personnel and supplies, performs disaster relief work, and conducts emergency medical evacuations in remote areas. MAF also provides distance learning services, as well as telecommunications services such as satellite Internet access, high-frequency radios, electronic mail and other wireless systems.
