News headlines for February 26th 2003

(India)–Topping the news, another election is underway today in India, and anti-conversion laws are one element in the campaigns. Dayspring International’s[1] John Gilman explains what’s at stake in terms of government charter. “It’s very sad that this great nation that has a constitution that allows religious freedom, that they’re being restricted, marginalizing Christians, attempting, in some cases, to characterize Christians as ‘guests’ in the country of India. These are people who are native born, that may have chosen to follow Christ.” Gilman says while beatings are common, their film teams vow to continue showing the all-Indian acted story of the life of Christ on film. He asks believers to remember ministry takes place in the shadow of an anti-conversion law. “Pray for this government that presently exists, that there will be a transformation. There are nearly 100 court cases dealing with religious liberty in India and we need to see some movement, that laws of the land and the constitution will be upheld in this country.”

(Venezuela)–Meanwhile, prayer is needed for mission organizations working in Venezuela. The two month long national strike has made ministering in the country difficult. According to New Tribes Missionary[2] Gary Sanford, while they’ve stored some aviation fuel, at the moment they can’t buy any. Because many places where NTM works are only accessible by air, this could force them to make major adjustments if the shortage doesn’t end soon.

(Rwanda)–Discipleship and evangelism are the focus of a Bible distribution program in Rwanda. Genocide and AIDS in that African country have left a half a million children orphaned. World Help’s[3] Vernon Brewer says literacy and discipleship programs through the church will help turn the tide. “To help rebuild the country of Rwanda they need to rebuild it on the word of God. So, we want to flood that country with copies of God’s Word. We can provide a Bible in their own language and dialect and have it printed and distributed for as low as five-dollars per copy.” According to Brewer, they’re doing more than provide Bibles. Physical help is also needed. “We immediately are setting up a child sponsorship program. We’re making plans to help them construct an orphanage facility for AIDS prevention and a training center to teach these orphans a trade.”

(Haiti)–We turn next to Haiti and the work of ‘Operation Saturation’, a ministry of Men for Missions[4] , the layman’s voice of OMS International. Men For Mission’s Wayne King says they’re at the verge of launching the next phase of their solar radio outreach, but are facing one large obstacle. “We need folks that will give, because to distribute 195-thousand radios is a mammoth task that, if God doesn’t do it through his faithful servants, it’s not going to get done. It’s beyond man’s capability to generate that kind of funds.” King says the project has a two-fold need: one is funding, the other is manpower. “We’re looking for teams to go, to help distribute, to work with Haitians in reaching out to their own people, distributing radios, using the concept of Evangelism Explosion. We are currently seeing about a 10-percent acceptance of the Lord as we go out and present the radios along with the Gospel.”

(Tanzania)–And, in spite of the persecution toward Christians in Tanzania, Africa Inland Mission[5] reports that God continues building his church. AIM team members have been the target of many rumors among the Datooga people. New believers face increased pressure to convert back to the Datooga ways and reject their Christianity. Because of that pressure five professed believers recently renounced their faith in Christ while at the same time others are responding to the Gospel message.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=DAY [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=NTM [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WHP [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=MFM [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=AIM