News headlines for December 23rd 2002

(Congo–Kinshasa)–We begin today in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the government has inked a power-sharing agreement with rebels. The accord is meant to end the four-year conflict where more than two million people have died as a result. World Vision’s[1] Tex Lanier says they are hopeful, but will continue their work in helping to rebuild the country’s devastated infrastucture. “In everything that World Vision does, we always bring the Gospel to the people. The Gospel, in our view, has two forms: deed and word. We certainly bring the deed to these people by feeding the hungry and helping the poor. The Gospel in word is also quite possible to do.” Lanier asks believers to pray for their workers in the area, as well as for the survivors. “The real thing that I would want people to pray for, is that this peace accord, just signed within the last few days, that it would really hold true, that the parties would honor it, that the Prince of Peace would bring peace, and that that peace would hold.”

(Haiti)–Next, a report from the United Nations suggests that it is the children who bear the brunt of Haiti’s social ills. Coupled with the continued economic and social tensions, the atmosphere for children in poisonous. Worldwide Christian Schools'[2] Dale Dieleman says they’re taking steps to counter that. He explains that the agency is developing a special curriculum for Haiti and its needs. “The goal is long-term; to develop something that all of the Christian schools could use if they wanted to, and would also have an impact in the government school system.” Dieleman says education in only one part of the process-it’s when the process is relational that the Gospel interacts with education. “Part of the goal of this is to do training with teachers; how to utilize this and how to bring out Christian perspectives and values in the classroom along with the curriculum or through the curriculum.”

(Niger)– Evangelical Baptist Mission’s[3] Tim Wright says they’re looking for studio help to grow the radio ministry. However, finding someone with experience in audio production, or radio for a short stint in Niger has proven difficult. But, they’re still looking because: “We only have one mission couple that’s assigned to the radio ministry in Niger, that’s my wife and I. (And) really, there’s a lot more opportunities as far as producing audio/visual materials than I can facilitate myself. So, we’re looking for folks that are interested in short-term or an internship.” Wright explains what will happen if they don’t get the help they need. “Especially like with a project like recording the Zarma Bible onto audiotape, it’s a time intensive project and it’s just going to slow it down by years and years. It’s aimed towards a group of people that only have a 15-percent literacy rate, so even though they have the Bible translated into their own language, they wouldn’t be able to read it.”

(International)–Meanwhile, for the person who has everything, why not give them a goat? Or mosquito netting? Those are among the selections offered in a special catalogue put out by World Concern[4] . People can choose an item to be given in the name of a loved one. The money they send will purchase that item and send it to a needy family in a designated country. The project shows just a few of the ways World Concern is working to bring life, opportunity, and hope in the name of Jesus Christ to hurting people around the world.

(Egypt)–And finally, Christian Solidary Worldwide reports that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has declared Christmas Day a National holiday in Egypt for the first time in the country’s history. Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7th, and starting in 2003, this date will be an official public holiday. In the past, Christian religious festivals have not been designated as public holidays even though Christians represent more than 10 percent of Egypt’s population.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WVI [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WWCS [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=EBM [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WCI ———————————————————————

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