News headlines for October 24th 2002

(Ivory Coast)–We begin today in the Ivory Coast where a cease-fire is in place after more than a month of violence brought on by rebel fighters. The attempted coup last month has left hundreds dead and many mission organizations wondering about their future. However, Africa Enterprises'[1] Ernie Smith says they’re proceeding with their planned outreach in Abidjan. “We’re going to do a scaled down version and not take in the full sized team that we were initially planning. We’ve decided that it would be much more of a church based mission rather than a full scale city wide evangelistic outreach.” Smith says the church needs to be part of the country’s healing process, but he’s concerned. “My concern is that they’ll become so absorbed and inward looking because of the problems and they forget about the role that they have to play. And this is mainly what is motivating us to go is to actually encourage them to get out of the that frame of mind.” [2]

(Ivory Coast)–Next, despite the continued presence of soldiers, and persistent military clashes, the situation in Abidjan seems to be settling down. That’s according to HCJB World Radio’s[3] Sub-Saharan Africa region director. Most schools and businesses are running, and, while some missionaries were forced to evacuate the area, others are already returning. “Frequency Life”, a partner radio ministry operated by SIM and partner churches in Abidjan, has remained on the air. Please continue to pray for the safety of those in the area.

(Africa)–Growing up on the mission field is the reason an American Ophthalmologist is heading to Africa to help give sight to the blind. Doctor Devin Harrison with Christian Blind Mission International[4] says the need is great. “In Africa, there’s probably one Ophthalmologist per one million population. And, where I am in Seattle it’s probably on Ophthalmologist per 15,000 or so. So, there’s so many patients who don’t have access to care at all, especially in Africa, probably more so that any other part of the world.” According to Harrison, helping these people see physically can be a great tool for evangelism. “I can provide good quality care to people, especially in areas, for example – Muslim areas that are not normally open to the Gospel. When you treat their physical needs patients may be more accepting to learn more about Christianity.”

(Norway)–Meanwhile, a radio ministry that’s teaching the Bible around the world has a new pastor in place to reach Norway. Insight For Living International’s[5] Rolla Goodyear. “In January of course, we lost our Norwegian field pastor Ola Bjorland to a tragic and sudden death. We have, since that time, found a new field pastor, Johnn Hardang, and he will be starting soon, right after the first of the year and we look forward to having him on board and having him translate the English broadcast.” Goodyear describes the spiritual status of the church in Norway and how Insight For Living hopes to help. “It is a country that has a lot of professing Christians, and yet I think there needs to be a great awakening there. The ministry has an opportunity to apply the Biblical text to their daily lives and live out their faith and not just profess their faith.”

(Indonesia)–And, the first Association of Christian Schools International[6] Indonesia teacher conference begins November 1rst in Surabaya. Pray for a strong beginning and that through the conference, ACSI will be able to reach all the Christian schools and Christian educators in the region. Pray too, for the salvation of unbelieving students and their families, and for opportunities to share the Gospel with them throughout the year.

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

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/10-24-02ErnieSmit h.rm [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=HCJB [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=CBM [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=IFL [6] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=ACSI