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(Sri Lanka)–We begin today in Sri Lanka where the death toll continues to rise and nearly a million people are homeless in the country’s worst floods in 50 years. The government is having trouble finding ways to get drinking water, food and medicine to those in cut-off areas. With few contingency plans in place for floods, landslides or other catastrophes, response time is slowed that much more. World Vision’s[1] Jayanth Vincent. “We were really astounded by the number of landslides that we saw. People are slowly clearing up the area. The government is working at clearing up the areas. World Vision was able to give food and other essential items, such as blankets and clothes, to about two thousand families in the last three or four days. We made sure that we got into the most effected areas that access would allow.” Vincent says their relief work is reaching areas with the hope of the Gospel. “Basically, this gives us a very good chance to show people the love of Christ and the fact that we are doing this as examples of our Lord and Savior, sharing with them the love that we have for other people.”

(Argentina)–Next, Argentina’s flashfloods earlier this month reduced thousands of lives to rubble in mere minutes. A third of the city of Santa Fe remains under water and thousands have been unable to return to their homes. Christian Aid Mission’s[2] Gabriel Prada says the church is doing what few others can. “We still have about 50,000 people that are still in evacuation centers. Some of these ministries, churches from other areas, what they have done is banded together, which is a tremendous testimony for the unbelievers.” Prada says in spite of their work, the teams are feeling the effect of the disaster. However, their teams also see this as an opportunity for answered prayer. “They have five feeding centers in the area, where they’re feeding more than 200. That was over flooded. Their offices were over flooded; they lost a lot of equipment. But, at the same time, they are in good spirits and just waiting to see what the Lord has with this whole thing, as far as reaching out and touching people’s lives.”

(Pakistan)–The only private Christian school in Islamabad, Pakistan, has been ordered to close. The owner of the building said the school could no longer meet in his facility. In the past, the school has received a number of threats from Muslim militants. Voice of the Martyrs[3] reports that many feel the real reason the school has been forced to close is a result of Islamic militants who have put pressure on governmental officials.

(Angola)–Elsewhere, for the past forty years, the people of Angola have suffered through devastating civil war which, in turn, led to many other problems. A recent peace agreement saw positive change, but SIM[4] missionary Sheila Fosterfaianno says many of the Christians have been skeptical. “They couldn’t understand why God had answered prayer in giving peace and then let it all fall apart. So it’s taken the last ten years to really find hope again and really trust that God could do something.” Fosterfaianno says for the first time in years, the people are beginning to feel safe again and are excited about new opportunities. “We’re privileged to work with the Union of Evangelical Churches of Angola, that’s the name of the denomination. We have wonderful leadership whom we partner. Just great people and have lots of vision and are really seeking to reach the lost in their own country.” Angola is the largest Portuguese-speaking state in Africa and Fosterfaianno has served there for 23 years.

(Papua New Guinea)–And, Papua New Guinea is in the aftermath of turmoil surrounding the parliamentary elections. The schools have been shut down. Book of Hope[5] has alternative plans if they have to postpone ministry in the schools, but please pray for God’s will. BOH’s Affect Destiny teams begin their short-term trips to Papua next month. The teams are committed to the vision of taking the living word of God to the children and youth of the world.

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

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