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(China)–In the headlines, newly reported SARS cases throughout China’s rural areas forces the World Health Organization to admit the raging epidemic may not have reached its peak. Educational Services International’s[1] Stephanie Tebow says the situation poses a problem. “It has clearly hampered our efforts for this summer. We are seeing a huge decrease in those numbers partly because we are actually restrained from where we can travel in china currently, by the Chinese government, and because people are very concerned about bringing this disease back.” Tebow urges people to look at China’s ‘big picture’. ” I think it’s important that everybody look ahead to see the new impact for ministry in Asia. People, as never before, are beginning to question, ‘where do I find hope? how do I overcome my fear? how do I deal with this?’ and what an incredible opportunity to bring people to know the Lord. “

(Iraq)–Elsewhere, there has been an outbreak of dysentery in southern Iraqi cities, especially in Basrah, due to contaminated drinking water. With the infrastructure restoration going more slowly than expected, the Southern Baptists’ International Mission Board[2] has a team going in this week to build water purification systems. Pray that clean water and medical care will reach the ill in a timely manner. Pray too, that the compassion they show will open the doors for the hope of the Gospel.

(Africa)–As money pours into humanitarian programs aimed at combating the AIDS devastation, educators urge a more pro-active approach. Worldwide Christian Schools'[3] Dale Dieleman says they’re starting an AIDS curriculum that will be taught to fifth graders. “The focus is looking at life from our relationship with who we are with God, and then who we are in terms of our human relationships with each other, to say we all are created with a lot of potential, and whether or not we realize those potentials in life have a lot to do with decisions we make.” WWCS is working on the second draft of the curriculum for field testing. At this point, Dieleman says they’ve got the support of several African governments, because: “It’s really infusing a whole different view of lifestyle and living and I think at any level, that the government education departments and so on, would be interested in this type of curriculum I think, would be very positive.”

(USA)–Meanwhile, the harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few. That commonly heard portion of Scripture is ringing true with JAARS[4] in Florida, says while they need more North American workers, the need is also great elsewhere. “There (are) still three-thousand languages with essentially no Bible translation in their language and it’s really going to take more nationals to be doing more of the work. “

(Middle East)–And finally, Christian satellite television will continue in the Middle East, although at a reduced level. Last month, Sat-7[5] , Christian television in the Middle East and North Africa, announced they would have to end analogue programming because of a 2 million dollar budget shortfall. Sat-7’s emergency appeal helped them raise more than 200-thousand dollar in pledges, and provided a matching grant of 400-thousand dollars to keep Christian t-v on the air, but just barely. The money will only allow Sat-7 to broadcast four days a week, rather than seven.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=ESI [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=IMB [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WWCS [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=JAARS [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=SAT7 ———————————————————————

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