News headlines for March 3rd 2003

(Zimbabwe)–Our top story: the United Nations is blaming Zimbabwe’s president, Robert Mugabe, for the poverty of his nation. As the charges of lawlessness and corruption grow against him, he has reacted by blaming other elements while increasing pressure and harassment. Bible Pathway Ministry’s[1] Ken Sharp says their work has come under fire. “They’re trying to limit the ministry outreach, not so much just putting the fear into the individual, but the repercussions to their family and their friends, which often times is a greater hindrance than the actual persecution to the individual that’s doing the work.” Sharp says they are watching the situation, even as the word ‘successor’ circulates. The main concern is what could happen under new leadership. “Should the present government leaders be replaced? Would it improve, or would it just continue on in the same way it’s going, perhaps with difference emphasis, but no better improvements for the people themselves.”

(Kenya)–Next, 500 people are dying every day from AIDS in Kenya, West Africa. That’s the word from the Kenya Director of Buckner Orphan Care[2] International’s Dix Masindano (mah-sihn-DAH-noh). Masindano says that’s why they’re getting involved in the HIV/AIDS crisis. “We are running an orphanage in that country that is specifically serving the AIDS orphans. We are also running a foster care program, which is a very new kind of concept in that country, where we’re putting children, not necessarily with their relatives, but with anybody who cares to take care of them.” Masindano believes this type of program is something that could change the pattern of promiscuity in that culture because of a heart change. “This is a ministry and in the process of ministering to them through this they realize we will tell them about Christ and we’re seeing so many hearts being changed. Children are accepting Jesus Christ.” Masindano says sponsors of the program are needed to help expand the program so that many more children will hear the Gospel and turn to Christ.

(Sri Lanka)–Sri Lanka’s peace accords are still holding, paving the way for rehabilitation. International aid is helping improve infrastructure and resettlement. It is a time of rebuilding the church too, after seeing a decline in the Christian population. FARMS International[3] responded by launching a program in Sri Lanka. That program has graduated to become a fully indigenous micro-credit ministry and a beacon of hope for this struggling church.

(USA)–Meanwhile, hearts are being renewed in a small town in the United States. According to Life Action Revival Ministry’s[4] Byron Paulus, it’s an incredible story of God working in the hearts of people in Harlon, Kentucky. “The mayor came to Christ. One of the most influential businessmen in the whole community came to Christ. Then a few weeks after that I came across a AP story that said this, ‘Sex shop switches to Bibles’. We called the pastor who we’d been with and we said, ‘pastor, are you aware of this story?” And he went on to say, ‘we surely are. This is a true story. He came to Christ, changed the name of the adult bookstore, painted it a different color and turned it into a Christian bookstore immediately.’ He said, ‘let me tell you another story’, he said, ‘the number one bootlegger in our community has now come to Christ also.’ We said, ‘he did?’ And he said, ‘no, SHE did, and she was 99 years old.'” Pray for Life Action’s work as they encourage this type of renewal all across the United States.

(International)–And, Back to the Bible International’s[5] scholarship award program is geared to help train men and women for Christian leadership in countries around the world. A typical scholarship provides anywhere from ten to 60-percent of a student’s total expanses and fees for the school year. As a result, poverty-stricken or war torn countries as Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Indonesia will have access to qualified and trained Christian workers to help further the Gospel of Christ.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BPM [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BOC [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=FARMS [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=LARM [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BTTB