News headlines for December 17th 2002

(India)–In the headlines, there are growing fears that the Hindu-nationalist win in Gujarat state elections threatens secular India. Not only that, but opponents believe the elections were won by stoking religious tensions. Mission India’s[1] John DeVries concurs. He says in the days ahead, they are expecting mounting obstacles for their work, along with higher risk for their workers. “We can probably expect anti-conversion laws to be passed by most of the states in India. It means secondly, that there’s going to be tremendous pressure put on all minorities–Christians, Muslims–to conform to Hindu standards. The secular concept of democracy on which India was founded is in serious jeopardy.” DeVries says they are deeply concerned about the believers there. “What we are asking in prayer is that the Christians be strengthened; that they be given courage, that they keep their minds fixed on the Lord for perfect peace and not on the events that are happening, realizing that God is in control and that He has His own purpose in allowing this to come about.” [2]

(Indonesia)–Meanwhile, leaders in Singapore and Indonesia are this week looking at ways to root out the terrorists seeking shelter on their countries’ shores. Book of Hope’s[3] Rob Hoskins says they’re watching the events closely. In light of the recent bombings in Indonesia, he says there is an exciting story of a young tour guide who accepted Christ after a Book of Hope distribution in Bali. “‘Not only has the Book Of Hope brought salvation for my soul, but it literally saved my life; because, had it not been for my conversion, I would have been in the nightclub the night of the bombing, and I surely would have lost my life. But instead, I was in a local church that I have joined myself to since accepting Christ.'” Hoskins says there is an undercurrent of danger for believers. “We need daily in our prayers to pray God’s protection covering over them. And then of course, to pray that God will continue to open hearts and lives to receive the message of hope and life.” [4]

(South Africa)–Water levels are again dangerously low in the Southern Africa Region. The International Mission Board[5] says local missionaries have asked that the world pray for rain to fall on Southern Africa. Relief projects continue but many fear that the lack of rain will again force another disastrous harvest season. Some 63-hundred sub-Saharan Africans die every day from AIDS and the hunger situation has only complicated their crisis.

(International)–Next, a former teacher finds herself in education yet again, but this time, the classroom is much bigger. World Concern’s[6] Sarah Congdon says she’s leading a team of missions educators to Honduras in February for a practical lesson on short term missions. “We’re taking them down on a vision trip that is meant to inspire them and also begin an equipping process so they can come back and begin mobilizing the children they teach for missions.” After many people had expressed an interest in such a real-life learning experience, Congdon says the rest of the trip’s function fell into place. “What we’re hoping to do is to take people that are teaching our kids now, our children in our churches and our schools, and plant in them a vision that really is a lively one of how much God cares for the poor and people who are unreached around the world, and for them to see how He’s working now around the world, and for them to grasp the concepts about how their kids could be equipped so they can be part of the work of reaching those people.” [7]

(USA)–And, “Here’s Life Inner City”[8] continues their holiday “Box of Love” distribution. More than 25,000 boxes fed some 150,000 people nationwide over Thanksgiving. National Director, Ted Gandy, says they have now turned their focus to the needy at Christmas. The group is planning to use college students attending Campus Crusade conferences to distribute another 43-hundred boxes in six more cities. For details, go

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

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/12-17-02johndevri es.rm [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BOH [4]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/12-17-02robhoskin s.rm [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=IMB [6] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WCI [7]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/12-17-02sarahcong don.rm [8] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=HLIC ———————————————————————

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