News headlines for December 20th 2002

(Bhutan)–We begin today in Bhutan where there’s word that camps of north-eastern insurgent groups are building up. With the new threat to peace growing, neighboring officials are pressuring Bhutan’s government to act. East West Ministries'[1] John Maisel says the response may worsen a difficult situation for mission work. “Bhutan is an official Buddhist country. Everything else is illegal if you live in Bhutan; (and) you’re shut down and you’re imprisoned if you try to do anything, especially try to proselyte–win a Buddhist to Christ–or if you’re aggressive in any other type of faith other than the Buddhist faith, it has enormous consequences.” Maisel says there is a lot to pray for as far as ministry in this area is concerned. “A lot of people don’t hear about it, but it’s one of the most difficult countries in the world to work in, just because of the Buddhist mentality of it being a Buddhist kingdom.”

(China)–Next, China is ranked 12th on Open Doors'[2] “World Watch List” of countries where Christians are the most severely persecuted. This week, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Affairs, completed high-level talks in Beijing with Chinese officials. China watchers were hoping that the fair treatment of house church Christians was also high on the agenda. According to reports, China has agreed to meet the leaders of the U.S. Commission of Religious Freedom in the spring.

(Brazil)–The challenge is to bring the hope of Christ to a culture steeped in witchcraft. New Tribes Mission’s[3] Joel and Gwen Hartman are doing just that in an isolated village on the border of Brazil and Colombia. Gwen describes their work’s progress as both steady and encouraging. “Missionaries have been working among the Yanomami Indians in our location for almost 40 years-and it’s only in the last 10-15 years that we have actually been able to establish a church. We have a group of 80 believers now amongst a tribe of 250 Yanomami.” In fact, because of the growth, Hartman says they are working on getting Scripture to the people. Their biggest needs for prayer are: “…for faithful leaders amongst the Yanomami Indians. For the translation of the word of God, which involves a lot of hours of work, a lot of steps. We need actually, specific wisdom from God, because it’s a huge, huge job; a huge challenge.” The Hartman’s are staying at D&D Missionary Homes[4] in Florida until they return to Brazil next month.

(Southeast Asia)–Meanwhile, the Hmong people have lost a dear Christian friend and pastor. Earlier this month, Far East Broadcasting Company’s[5] Hmong broadcaster, John Lee died of a heart attack. Lee served the Hmong people by radio for the past 24 years. It was Lee’s Gospel programs that helped create a large Christian movement within the Hmong villages across Southeast Asia. Many referred to him as their pastor as he helped to encourage them in their spiritual walk.

(Indonesia)–And, Christian missionaries are being trained to further the Gospel message in Indonesia. Darla Trout with “Teen Missions”[6] said they are currently operating five Bible mission-training sessions in the country. “The whole school is set up with the purpose of missionary training, to train those that are interested in serving on the mission field. We don’t charge anything for those Bible schools. They go to the Bible schools free of charge. The only requirement is that we ask that they have a heart to serve the Lord full time and that they go through what we call “The Lord’s Boot Camp.”” The boot camp provides spiritual and physical training; after two weeks, the students are sent to help in various mission related projects. “We graduated the first class in October. There was 53, so those 53 that just graduated in October had finished their three years and I believe all of them went on to full time Christian service in ministry in Indonesia.”

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=EWM [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=ODM [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=NTM [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=DAD [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=FEBC [6] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=TMI ———————————————————————

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