YANGON, JAN 6 (UCAN) -- A weekly Bible-sharing program open to people of all faiths in Yangon has saved at least one woman from suicide.

Matthias Rani, 58, a mother of two, had tried to take her own life after being driven to despair by poverty. "Unable to bear the burden, I planned three times to kill myself," she told UCA News.

A Hindu until she converted to Catholicism, Rani says the Bible-sharing group at St. John's Catholic Church gave her hope to carry on. She said during the weekly sessions she heard how God had given her life, which is precious, and that she must live for him.

"From that time on, I decided to live for God and work for him by sharing my experiences from the Bible program with my neighbors.”

The program aims to help Christians gain more knowledge of the Bible and live out their faith, according to U Joseph, 56, who initiated the program last May.

However, people of other religions started joining the program after hearing how the lives of participants had been changed as a result. Now about five Hindus and three Buddhists take part regularly out of about 120 people.

The program teaches participants how to live their lives according to the Bible, how to relate to others and how to acquire the virtues of patience and love.

At each Bible-sharing session, held on Saturdays, the group starts with some prayers followed by several praise songs. A leader then talks about the Bible passages for the day.

Gloria Hnin Powar Htun, 29, who was Muslim until she married a Catholic and converted, attends regularly. She said that her married life had been difficult with much friction with her in-laws. The Bible program helped her overcome that.

"I realized the power of patience and understood that the right way to treat others was to follow Christ's actions. My relationship with my husband and parents-in-law has completely changed," Powar Htun told UCA News.

Another participant, Rita Joseph, 51, said she used to explain some Gospel passages to her husband who is Buddhist.

"He refused to listen to me at first, but he finally agreed. Now instead of opposing me, he even accompanies me to the Bible-sharing sessions when he is free," she said.

A similar Tamil-language program is held each Saturday at St. Anthony's Church for about 120 people. It is attended by up to six Buddhists and 40 Hindus.