News headlines for March 24th 2003

(Iraq/Jordan)–We begin today along the Iraqi/Jordanian border as Christians are reaching out to the victims of war. As war continues in the region, many Iraqis are in need. The Southern Baptist International Mission Board[1] is just one of many organizations helping. The IMB is helping refugee and families that have already been liberated. “What we’re trying to do is do mobile stuff. We’ll go to local villages, trying to help the people who are staying where they are, as well as people who are on the move. We need massive amounts of prayer that these people will see Jesus.” Another unnamed worker in the region says this isn’t just a physical relief program. He says It’s a relief program of the heart. “I just pray that in the midst of this that we will be able to share with them a cup of cold water in compassion. But, not compassion that’s not empowered by prayer, because we’re going to ask God to show us who He’s been working in their hearts.”

(Jordan)–Meanwhile, the U-S Secretary of Defense plans to meet tomorrow with the president of Food for The Hungry.[2] Ben Homan and other relief agencies will meet with Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to discuss relief and security issues for organizations that are operating in and around Iraq. Food For The Hungry reflects God’s love through relief efforts just inside the Jordanian border. They are providing meals and other assistance to people fleeing Iraq in route to their native countries.

(France)–Protests in the streets of France have been a regular occurrence since “Operation Iraqi Freedom” began last week. Thousands are making vocal their opposition of the military action backed by the United States and Britain. Evangelical Baptist Mission’s[3] Gary Goodge they’re feeling the effects of the ire toward Americans. “I think there is a direct effect on evangelization in that there is a direct effect on evangelism in that people simply don’t understand. You can’t get to the Gospel because you can’t get past the fact that you’re American.” Goodge and his family live and work in France. Their ministry focuses on pastoral help, but he asks prayer for other missionaries in France, too. “Primarily, that we, as missionaries, would be sensitive to the situation. Be informed, on both sides, and have wisdom in what we say and not make the Gospel a political issue. Unfortunately, that’s the way it tends to go, but that’s not what we want to see happen.”

(Indonesia)–Elsewhere, much rejoicing greeted the development of a five-month old radio ministry in Bali, Indonesia. However, the outreach has already hit its first major obstacle with a direct lightening strike to the antennae that destroyed the transmitter. Far East Broadcasting Company’s[4] Jim Bowman says as of this airing, the station remains silent. There is another problem of credibility, too. “The Hindus consider the strike on this Christian station a curse from God and they think that this is a way of God saying He doesn’t want the station there. [And] That’s why getting the station replaced as soon as possible, the damages replaced right away, are so important.” Bowman relates the problem as ‘urgent’, in raising the 20-thousand dollars needed to fix the ground system and parts. “The sooner this transmitter gets back up, the sooner it will confirm to the local residents in the area, to which we are ministering on FM, that God has not put His curse on the station.”

(Cambodia)–And, Cambodia’s Prime Minister invited a small medical team of Operation Blessing[5] volunteers to come and work in their country. In response, a team of 18 just wrapped up an exciting trip, where Cambodians of all ages received well over five-thousand free dental, medical and optical services in just the first seven days. OBI’s mission is to demonstrate God’s love by alleviating human need and suffering in the global community. They do this through like-minded believers and short-term mission trips.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=IMB [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=FFH [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=EBM [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=FEBC [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=OBI ———————————————————————

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