<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Trebuchet MS&amp;amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;">Maria Martinez sits with her parents in her small room reading a Bible from Bible Society. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Trebuchet MS&amp;amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Trebuchet MS&amp;amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;">At La Mascota Hospital in Nicaragua, Maria&rsquo;s parents were told her leukemia was terminal, but, in fact, she has improved. They smile as she tells of how the Bible has given her strength to go on with her treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Trebuchet MS&amp;amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;">Fifteen-year-old Maria says, &lsquo;Oh you have given me the best and most beautiful gift. My favourite part is Psalm 91 because through this Psalm we can recognise Jesus Christ loves us a lot.&rsquo; </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Trebuchet MS&amp;amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Trebuchet MS&amp;amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;">Every child at La Mascota Hospital is given a Bible along with offers of prayer and Bible studies. Bible Society also pays for practical things like food and toiletries.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Trebuchet MS&amp;amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Trebuchet MS&amp;amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;">Today, 20 more children with cancer will arrive at La Mascota Hospital needing to hear the Bible&rsquo;s message of hope and comfort. Next week, 150 mums like Maria&rsquo;s mum Petrona, will need someone to pray with them and counsel them through their worst fears.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Trebuchet MS&amp;amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Trebuchet MS&amp;amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;">Bible Society is reaching out to families living through their worst days right across the world. This is why I&rsquo;m running the Bristol 10k, to help bring the Bibles&nbsp;to those who are so desperate to receive it. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Trebuchet MS&amp;amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Trebuchet MS&amp;amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;">&pound;8 could provide 2 Bibles for children like Maria</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Trebuchet MS&amp;amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;">&pound;50 could provide 500 Scripture leaflets to help mums like Petrona facing difficult times</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Trebuchet MS&amp;amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Trebuchet MS&amp;amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;">Please sponsor me and help let the Bible&rsquo;s light shine in the lives of children and families in Nicaragua, South America and around the world.</span></p>