News headlines for April 25th 2003 Mission Network News is brought to you in part by MTS TRAVEL and LUFTHANSA, leaders in providing special fare airline tickets for the missions community. To receive a free airfare quote for your short-term missions group or individual missions travel, please visit http://www.mtstravel.com and click MISSION FARE SAMPLER or MTS TRAVEL Offices to contact one of our 11 nationwide Travel Service Centers.

(Nigeria)–Topping the news, anxiety grips Nigeria over disputed Presidential elections in which Olusegun Obasanjo, a devout Christian, reportedly won a second term. His opposition, though, claims election fraud and demands a new election. Christian Aid Mission’s[1] Rae Burnett (BURN-ett) says they are cautiously optimistic, especially in light of history and what happened during Obasanjo’s first term. “Muslims saw this as a threat to their power and their authority, and then the situation got really much, much worse as far as persecution, as far as their acting up.” Christian Aid’s partnerships will continue, although staffers remain alert for potential problems that could interrupt their work. As for the threat of sectarian violence flaring in the immediate future, Burnett responds: “We need to pray certainly that Christians in Nigeria would really be serious and would be filled with the Spirit and not react in the flesh to these challenges.”

(Armenia)–Next, Armenia’s severe flooding could see damages estimated in excess of a million dollars. World Vision[2] Armenia looks to raise emergency funds to intervene in this crisis situation to help families affected by the flooding. Without World Vision Armenia’s help, the people in this region risk severe starvation and disease over the next 18 months. In response to the emergency, World Vision Armenia is providing clothing and personal hygiene items to more than 800 villagers in Tavush region.

(Philippines)–A church-planting ministry is believed to be partially responsible for forcing communist rebels from an area in the Philippines. Steve Wheeler with White Fields[3] says rebels used a meetinghouse to promote their cause at night, while a pastor held a Bible study during the day. Wheeler says both groups would leave their literature for the other to read. “The people in the village they would come to the propaganda meetings in the evening for the rebels and they would see the Bibles and the tracts laying there and started picking these up. They began coming back to the Bible studies. And, over a period of time some of them began coming to the Bible study and (many) received Christ.” Unable to find new members, the rebels are now gone and a new church has been established. Wheeler says funding for more church planting is needed. “$100 a month can support a Filipino pastor to help plant a church. For a small amount of American dollars a person can support an entire church-planting ministry.”

(Vietnam)–Meanwhile, a special day has been set aside to remember the persecuted church in Vietnam. Open Doors[4] and several other organizations have set aside Sunday, May 4th as the International Day of Prayer for Vietnam. While the laws in Vietnam promise religious freedom, in practice the government continues its policies of religious repression. Pray for believers there who are being beaten, have lost property, face harassment and have had their travel restricted.

(South Africa)–And finally, Christian educators believe they could be the difference in the HIV/AIDS crisis in Southern Africa. Ken Smitherman is with the Association of Christian Schools International[5] . He says it only makes sense the Christian education could be the difference. “Health and safety issues, regarding the HIV virus need to be a part of the program for cutting back on this tremendous disease and so, we have a program really focused to strengthen programs there in the Christian school movement.” Children could come to Christ in large numbers. However, funding is needed. He says widespread education is needed to see the disease curtailed. “To broaden this education opportunity it takes financial resources and so we are exploring those issues right now. It is just a huge undertaking and one that is very challenging.”

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=CAID [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WVI [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WFI [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=ODM [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=ACSI ———————————————————————

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).