Sierra Leone: In honour of Mary Jones (a lady who saved for six years and walked for 25 miles in search of a bible), and as part of their 75th anniversary celebration, General Secretary, Bible Society of Sierra Leone, Christiana A. Jones, disclosed that the fulfilment of the celebration of Bible Societies across the world is the Mary Jones Walk.
She made this statement just after the Mary Jones Walk on Saturday 1st May 2021, at the Radisson Blu Hotel at Aberdeen Road in Freetown.
She said the Mary Jones walk was part of the celebration of their 75th anniversary, adding that Bible Societies all over the world embarked on Mary Jones walk because of a young lady who walked for over 35 miles in search of a bible.
She continued that, the walk was another way of bringing the word of God to the people in the street. She spoke of several other events which the Society intends to embark on. Key among these events is, but not limited to a bible exhibition of the first bible (the Bullom translation) which was done in 1815, as well as exhibiting people who have served, and memorable events.
The walk started off from the National Stadium unto the Radisson Blu Hotel at Aberdeen in Freetown with approximately, 400 people came after the Bible Society launched its Independence Bible which has some unique features and is sold at Le 500, 000 at the Bible Society’s Office on Signal Hill Road, Congo Cross.
Participants, during the walk were reciting bible verses in different languages, music was being played, food and drinks were also being served at the Radisson Blu Hotel, a copy of different kinds of bible were also given to each and every participant.
Board Chairman, Bible Society of Sierra Leone, Ransford Wright, said the walk covered thousands of miles, noting that it was a very good form of exercise for the participants. He urged all and sundry to support Bible Society of Sierra Leone and get a copy of the bible which he said is our life guard.
National President, Christian Reform Churches, Sierra Leone, Reverend Moses Jawara, a resident of Kabala, said the walk gives him and Christians an opportunity to remember Mary Jones who walked for 25 miles in search of a bible. Jawara said he finds it difficult to embark on such a walk, noting that the walk was not meant to only remember Mary Jones, but sees it as a form of exercise.
Chairman 75th anniversary, Victor Babar Richards, said the walk was geared towards celebrating Mary Jones noting that that was the start of what is today known as the bible society, which he said started as a bible club.
He said there is the United Bible Society where all the Bible Societies in the world belong to, adding that Sierra Leone is a member of that society. “The walk is very relevant, it is our key and our light, and that the bible is our guide as Christians,” he opined.
He further opined that the walk is going to have a huge impact on people’s lives, for according to him, it gives Christians an opportunity to reflect on the importance of God’s word which is documented in the Holy Bible. SKS/05/05/2021