News headlines for January 7th 2003

(Ivory Coast)–In the headlines, under the guidance of France’s foreign minister, Ivory Coast’s government and the main rebel group pledged this weekend to stick to an increasingly shaky October truce. A four month-long civil war has split the country in two. New Tribes Mission’s[1] Guy Sier is waiting to see how the accord plays out. He says the fighting forced them to withdraw their teams from all of their tribal sites in the north. “There is still some work being done in language and translation. But, as far as actual presence or teaching in the villages, that part has had to come to a halt.” Sier explains that’s why keeping the peace accord is critical. He adds that are others to consider who did not evacuate. “We can pray for safety for missionaries who are still remaining in-country. Our missionaries are in Abidjan, but there are a few missionaries who have medical ministries and aid ministries who, by necessity, are out in some of the more fringe areas.”

(Nepal)–Meanwhile, the trial of national missionary in Nepal has been rescheduled. Manja Tamang’s hearing to appeal his case will go before the Supreme Court on January 9th. Tamang is a Gospel for Asia[2] missionary serving his 3rd year of a 20-year prison sentence on trumped up murder charges. Even though Tamang has spent many weeks in prison, he’s still serving the Lord behind bars as several prisoners have come to Christ. Continue to pray for this dedicated missionary and his family.

(Southern Africa)–A new venture begins this month in Africa. Trans World Radio[3] launched a youth outreach for children aged five to 12 years old called “Project Samuel”. It’s part of an overall ministry entitled “A Generation of Hope”. TWR’s Rich Green says this work is necessary because Africa’s youngest generation is facing AIDS/HIV and a severe food shortage, time is short. “Trans World Radio has a tremendous burden through Africa, to not only produce AIDS programming, but to reach the next generation and to teach them about Christ and to teach them how to have a personal relationship with Him.” Green says this project needs support. “We’re convinced that God answers prayer, and so we certainly solicit people to pray that God would move in the hearts of young people all throughout the continent to give their hearts to Christ and then to live pure and holy lives for Him.”

(Middle East)–Next, a Christian soap opera is having an impact on people’s lives in the Middle East. That’s the word from Sat-7[4] , Christians television in North Africa and the Middle East. The program is called “Thirsty Hearts”. Since Christ used parables to share spiritual lessons, Sat-7 and Life Agape International are using soap operas to provide living water for thirsty hearts. The program shows problems of daily lives, while stating what the Bible has to say about those problems. Pray that this will have an impact on many in the region.

(USA)–And finally, with the New Year underway, one ministry is looking ahead to the things it hopes to accomplish. Audio Scripture Ministries'[5] Tom Dudenhoffer explains that they’ve set a goal of recording the Scriptures in five new languages this year. However, meeting that goal may provide a unique challenge as well. “We’re hoping that in spite of the economic problems that have effected so many organizations here in the United States, that we’ll be able to continue to record these different languages and make God’s Word available for both evangelism and equipping.” Dudenhoffer says in order to see these goals come to pass, they are relying on a change of heart. “In some places, people have just overlooked the value of putting God’s Word into audio for the many non-readers, and so, we’re actually looking to the mission organizations to begin to consider the possibility of including some sort of an audio scripture ministry in their program. We just want to help them be successful.”

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=NTM [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=GFA [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=TWR [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=SAT7 [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=ASM ———————————————————————

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).