News headlines for December 13th 2002

(Laos)–Topping the news, according to Open Door’s semi-annual World Watch List, Laos is the third largest persecutor of believers. Communist government authorities accuse Christians of causing religious division, and in turn, tightly control their activities. FARMS International’s[1] Steve Salowitz says because of the atmosphere, their ministry has been stymied for the time being. “There’s three countries that surround Thailand that are restricted. One of them [potential projects] we’ve held off and said ‘you’re better off not doing anything there unless you figure something out that would work because you don’t want to bring unwanted persecution, or unwarranted persecution upon people’.” Salowitz asks prayer for an open avenue of ministry. “[In] one of the countries, there’s been cross border activity, where the people are actually benefiting from Farms’ programs. They would like to do more, but we have held off with doing any more there.” FARMS International is a Christian ministry that serves the church by equipping families in poverty with the means for self-support.

(Myanmar)–We turn next to Myanmar, also known as Burma. It was there that a new contemporary Gospel of John was released this month. Walk Through the Bible’s[2] Roger Massey believes it will serve as a great tool for a spiritually hungry people. That also means there is a need for caution because: “We understand that Myanmar is a great deal like China in its views on Christianity and birthing and planting new Christian churches in the area….so, much of the work has to be done carefully.” Massey explains that releasing the Gospel of John will be instrumental to the small but growing churches. “The government would be quick to move in and close down new works. It’s much of the same problems that churches are facing in Russia and Eastern Europe when new Christians groups go in and start to try to establish a beachhead. But, what we’re mainly concentrating on is getting the Word of God into this area in an easy-to-read format.”

(Haiti)–Their goal: to saturate Haiti with the Gospel through solar-powered radios that are fix-tuned to Christian radio station 4VEH. Men For Missions'[3] Warren Hardig says thousands of souls are at stake. “It’s a spiritual warfare-it’s a deep, heavy spiritual warfare. And, the other thing is it’s an economic thing for them. It’s a very poor country, perhaps the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Per capita income is under 400-dollars a year, and for many of the people in the country, it’s lower than that.” Hardig says they’re hearing reports that even the witch doctors are coming to Christ through their outreach. That also increases the danger for mission workers who become the targets of resentful Haitians. “Pray for protection for the missionaries and for the pastors. We have a situation right now in Haiti, near our radio station in Vodry, where several Christians leaders, their lives are being threatened, and some of them are wanting to leave the country because they’re fearful for not only themselves, but for their families.”

(Albania)–Elsewhere, Bethany Christian Services[4] is sharing the hope of Christ by providing social and medical services in clinics in many areas of Albania. They work through pregnancy counseling, medical care, psychological services, child development education, job placement and shepherding home shelters. Please pray for continued safety for the staff, and wisdom as to how to deal with the local people who are recovering from painful situations. Pray too, that as the opportunities arise to share the Gospel, that the staff would be bold and strong in their witness.

(International)–And, a collaboration of American and International Christian leaders, churches, and organizations are joining forces to launch the largest real-time prayer network in history. The World Prayer Center will use their staff and facility in Colorado Springs to help coordinate the worldwide prayer effort. Believers from around the world will be able to use the Internet to pray for the instantaneous requests that are received.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=FARMS [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WTTB [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=MFM [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BCS ———————————————————————

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STORIES ABOVE, EMAIL US AT OR CALL OUR RESOURCE LINE AT 800-995-4828!

Mission Network News, a service of Cornerstone University of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. http://www.MNNonline.org

SUPPORT MISSION NETWORK NEWS at http://www.MNNonline.org/support or write Mission Network News 1159 E. Beltline NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 USA

Visit our Short Term Missions Database at http://www.stmdb.org to find short term opportunities around the world.

— Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).