News headlines for November 14th 2002

(Haiti)–Topping the news, the economic situation in Haiti continues to worsen, increasing the people’s desperate struggle to survive. The Haitian government, as they look for more ways to generate income, is now implementing a large fee for all visitors entering Haiti. STEM International’s[1] Jim Levin (leVEEN) thinks the tax will have an impact on their outreach. “Say, for instance, if that team decides not to go there, that means that a church doesn’t get built; that means that the medical team, for instance, we had one working with our missionaries there last week that ministered to 900 people, and those kind of things are going to be cut back, or, it can be a discouragement our outright barrier that keep our teams out of Haiti.” Levin asks for believers to support their work. “We would look for prayer that the Haitian government would find ways of helping their economy, helping the average Haitian, without “shooting themselves in the foot” by discouraging some of the very people who want to come in there and help the people.”

(Nepal)–Next, Christians around the world are being asked to pray for a missionary in Nepal. Native missionary Manja Tamang was convicted earlier this year on murder charges, a crime he didn’t commit. He’s currently serving a 20 year prison sentence. However, Tamang has appealed his case to the Supreme Court and his first hearing is today. Gospel For Asia[2] reports his time in prison has been a mixed blessing. At least four inmates have come to Christ because of his testimony.

(USA)– Electronic greeting cards may be responsible for pointing many children to Christ. That’s the word from Compassion International[3] , who is broadening its on-line relationship with DaySpring-dot-com, a leading Scripture based greeting card company. As part of the agreement, on-line guests will be encouraged to sponsor children through Compassion. Because Compassion works through the local church, sponsored children are ultimately exposed to the Gospel. Pray that many children will benefit from this new agreement.

(USA)–Meanwhile, it’s been six years since Habitat for Humanity International[4] last used a public service announcement campaign to draw attention to a need. Habitat’s Kim Moore now is the time for a new voice, new vision and new hands, because: “Some people don’t see how the other half of the country lives. One in six children lives in poverty in the United States. And, Habitat for Humanity International is working to solve that problem.” Moore adds that through this work, they can penetrate areas with the love and hope of the Gospel. “Each house is an example of God’s love. While we don’t preach to people, we simply live our lives and show God’s love for them, through each house that we build. It is an amazing example what Christians can do just to reach out and to help people in need of a simple, decent and affordable place to live.” Moore hopes that the PSA’s will inspire believers to respond either with their time, tithe or talent.

(USA)–And finally, retirees are being encouraged to use the second half of their lives and their skills on the mission field. That’s the focus of a conference, sponsored in part by The Finishers Project[5] . The Finishers Project’s Nelson Malwitz says retirees need to consider sharing their knowledge overseas. “The nations want people to come over, not only to tell them that Jesus saves, but they’re asking, ‘Can you send any Christians over that can do anything?’ And, as a result, the Finishers Project really was put together born out of a mixture of needs. And so, we stand in the gap between sending organizations and people in the pew as they consider what they might do with the second half of their life and turning it over to Jesus.” Malwitz says the conference is scheduled for November 22nd and 23rd at Los Gatos Christian Church in Los Gatos, California. “There’ll be about 40 to 50 organizations looking for people to come along side their vision and join them in some way. There’s challenge. There’s information. There (are) pathways to move into missions.”

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=STEM [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=GFA [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=CMP [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=HFHI [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=FNP ———————————————————————

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