News headlines for March 7th 2003

(China)–We begin today in China where a Christian relief organization is mobilizing to help the victims of last week’s powerful earthquake. More than 250 people were killed and thousands were left homeless in the harsh winter conditions in the northwestern part of the country. Food For The Hungry’s[1] President, Ben Homan, describes the scene. “Some 500,000 Chinese (are) affected by the quake. Many villages (are) destroyed. This kind of a remote place, it’s very difficult to get relief, but it’s one of the things that we’ve committed ourselves to at Food For the Hungry is to make sure that the people of the Xinjiang Province know that they’re cared for, they’re remembered and the God loves them.” Homan is hoping to raise 75-thousand dollars to help. He says this enables them to do more than physical assistance. “Disaster situations, wherever (they are) in the world — the physical presence of someone who cares — that becomes a very powerful opportunity for moving on and talking about other issues that come up.” [2]

(Ethiopia)–Meanwhile, water is the tool competing for souls in Ethiopia. Drought is affecting the lives of millions and water is desperately needed. President of Living Water International[3] , Gary Evans says they just started a water-drilling program with the local church to help. “Living Water is a service organization that comes along side of missionaries to help provide a cup of water in Jesus name. We provide safe water systems at churches, schools, hospitals and orphanages.” The goal is to lead people to Christ. Evans says your 10-dollar gift provides water for one person. He says they’re raising two-million dollars because

the need is great and the competition for souls is intense. “Islam is making a big push to take Ethiopia for Islam. And, the Islamic outreach is to put a Mosque with a water-well every 20 miles. So, we’re having a lot of competition, if you will. We certainly need to be bathed in prayer.” [4]

(Congo–Kinshasa)– World Vision International[5] is in the process of shipping one of their largest food deliveries to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The rations are comprised of maize, oil and salt. World Vision says thousands of people in Ankoro had been “in urgent need” of food aid ever since December 2002. If the convoy succeeds in delivering the food, the next shipment would consist of non-food items such as clothing, building materials and medical supplies. World Vision shares the hope of Christ as they work to meet both physical and spiritual needs.

(Ivory Coast)–Elsewhere, the crisis in the Ivory Coast is no respecter of borders. As the violence plaguing the area spills into neighboring countries, some mission groups have found themselves faced with a stalled ministry. Yet, the indigenous churches of the Ivory Coast are more active, because this is an issue of ‘community’ to them. SIM’s[6] Mark Rogers explains. “When the church doors are open, it’s expected that everybody will be there. ‘Group’ is so important in Africa, and group activities and opportunities for oral teaching,[that] if you don’t support your group, if you don’t make yourself available for oral teaching, then you are saying that you do not care to follow Christ.” In difficult times, believers are coming together for prayer and outreach. Rogers believes their gathering speaks volumes of their testimony. “They’re saying, ‘If you are a Christian, your life will be different’, in that, you enjoy being with others of your own kind, with your Christian family. So, that is their way of getting people together and also of teaching as often as possible.”

(USA)–And, the Voice of the Martyrs[7] and Oklahoma Wesleyan University have launched an unprecedented partnership combining rigorous academic study, research and service to focus on the persecuted Christian church in restricted nations. Beginning this fall, Oklahoma Wesleyan University will offer the only undergraduate degree program in North America dedicated to the experience and theology of the persecuted church.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=FFH [2]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/03-07-03BenHoman. rm [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=LWI [4]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/03-07-03GaryEvans .rm [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WVI [6] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=SIM [7] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=VOM ———————————————————————

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