WANAWAKE WA IMANI – WOMEN OF FAITH

A few days ago Soma Biblia launched a podcast online called Wanawake wa Imani. Wanawake wa Imani is six audio programs aimed at women of Tanzania; for the mother of little children in the village, fighting for daily bread. It is for the grandmother, who is a little bit better off, but who cares deeply for her children and grandchildren. It is for the young girl, studying in a town a long way from home. 

The vision of the program is to lead women in Tanzania to gain a personal and liberating trust in Christ alone, as Savior, Friend and Lord in their everyday life - with the Bible as the source.

The programs want to point out the listener that the Bible is more than a book to carry under the arm to church, but that it also has a relevance and is a resource in their daily walk with God. In the Bible they can find strength for their faith and relationship with Christ. 

Inge-Marie Thise Roager is the heart, writer and presenter of Wanawake wa Imani.

The speaker in the programs, missionary Inge-Marie Roager, is beautifully presenting the different themes with a presence and honesty that makes you feel that she is right there next to you, mentoring and advicing with a mothers love. She is curious and not afraid to be open and use her own life as an example. 

The six programs can be used in women’s Bible-study groups or any other women’s groups, or they can be listened to individually. The first four programs have questions at the end, that can make good discussions in a group. 

We pray and hope that the programs will be a blessing and be a helpful tool in leading women to Christ. The programs are free of charge, and we encourage spreading them. Any misuse of the programs, or anyone trying to make money on them, will however be reported. 

All the six programs can be downloaded on our website: www.somabiblia.or.tz/wanawake-wa-imani

They are also available on Apple Podcast (iTunes), just search for WANAWAKE WA IMANI.

They can also be listened to on Youtube. 

If you want the programs to be sent to you on Whatsapp, please send a message to the Soma Biblia web editor, +255 744 629 575  

ENLIGHTENMENT AND INSPIRATION - Seminar for Soma Biblia workers 2018

23rd-27th of May, we the workers at Soma Biblia met for our annual workers seminar, this year held at Amabilis conference center in Morogoro. Workers from all of Soma Biblias branches in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Iringa, Mbeya and Mwanza came together. And we were also visited by some special guests from the Tanzanian Bible Society, and Pastor Oswald Ndelwa from Iringa, blessed us with two inspiring Bible lessons. 

There was also room for recreation at the seminar.

One of the purposes for this annual seminar, was to be together and evaluate our work in the past year, to exchange experiences, discuss and share ideas on how to reach even further with the gospel of Jesus Christ. But there was also room for recreation; to play games and to visit various attractions, like the animal reserve in Mikumi, and the Uluguru mountains. Most importantly we had time for sharing and witnessing for eachother, which touched us and encouraged us; even if we are put through tests and trials, we are still on the winning team. 

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Pastor Oswald Ndelwa from Iringa

Pastor Owald Ndelwa taught and reflected together with us over word of God in 2 Cor 5: 11-21, and reconciliation. And how the way reconciliation in our African society is different from that of God, who gave His only son to die in our place for our wrongdoings. This gives us a responsibility; a responsibility to bring people to Jesus, to witness to them, spread the gospel in various ways including spreading the Word of God. 

At the seminar we also had time to share from our daily work; the upsides and the challenges we face in each and every branch. This is a very important exercise, as all can contribute with their views and ideas of how to solve different problems. 

A special tradition was started at the seminar this year: the recognition of the workers who have worked for Soma Biblia for 10, 20 or 30 years. Four workers were this year recognised and given a special certificate and a gift of appreciation. Among the four, were three who have worked for more than 10 years, and one who have worked as long as 30 years with Soma Biblia. This was a real encouragement also for the other staff, as they see that their work is recognized and appreciated. 

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The workers at Soma Biblia Mwanza took the victory and the Soma Biblia cup home!

Every year in the months leading up to the seminar, there is a competition between the branches to wee who are best at distributor of a chosen item or items. This year the competition was on which branch could sell the most books produced by Soma Biblia. The competition was hard, and everyone really did their best, but in the end it was the workers at Soma Biblia Mwanza who took the victory and the Soma Biblia cup home! 

All of this is a motivation for the workers, showing them that their work is not taken for granted, but that they are recognised and appreciated. Praise, honor and glory are to our God, who has enabled us to do all this.

James Sabuni, Editor Soma Biblia

"Tumwabudu Mungu Wetu" - the Lutheran songbook

The Tanzanian Lutheran song- and liturgy book, Tumwabudu Mungu Wetu, is again available.

It can be bought at all Soma Biblia bookshops in Tanzania: Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, Mbeya and Iringa, and also through our mobile bookshops.

Price: 12 000 Tsh

Contend for the faith

RIZIKI is a magazine in Kiswahili for those who work in ministering for Christ, especially pastors and evangelists. It is meant to be a source of inspiration and knowledge, with interesting articles about different aspects of the Christian life and Biblically sound reviews of the Word of God. 

In the first issue of 2018, we take a look at the book of Jude, especially Jude 1:3, which is a good introduction for the Apostles Creed, that we will thoroughly go through in the coming issues this year.

The RIZIKI magazine comes out four times a year, and it is free of charge. If you want it to be sent to you by post or by e-mail, please do not hesitate to contact us on: editor.somabiblia@gmail.com

Book writing competition

“You can make anything by writing”

— C. S. Lewis

Soma Biblia is looking for ways to reach youth and young adults with the Word of God. We therefore invite all gifted writers to join our competition in writing a book for youth aged 13-19 years. 

Terms for the manuscript: 

• It must be written in Swahili
• The target group is youth age 13-19, and the manuscript should be worded thereafter
• The manuscript should be a story or a parable
• The size should not exceed 50 pages, with 400-500 words per page

Terms of Soma Biblia: 

• The winning manuscript will have it printed at the expense of Soma Biblia
• Together with the honor of being the winner, the winner will also receive a 10% royalty
• All other manuscripts will be returned to the author with comments. The manuscripts will not be used without permission from the author. 

Send your manuscript to:

Soma Biblia, P.O. Box 2696, Arusha

      Or

   publishingmanager.somabiblia@gmail.com

Final deadline is March 31st, 2018 

"When your faith is tried" - RIZIKI magazine #3 2017

Our special magazine for priests, pastors, evangelists and other workers of the church, RIZIKI, has now a new edition out: IMANI IJARIBIWAPO meaning "when faith is tried". 

The magazine is free, and can be read and downloaded by clicking here: