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(India)–We begin today in India where drought and incredible heat is having an impact on ministry there. David DeGroot (degroat) is with Mission India[1] of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He says temperatures have been as high as 122 degrees. DeGroot says the heat has had a secondary affect. “One of our ministries was affected by a fire in the slums outside of Hyderabad. Everything is dry as tinder, of course. And, fire got going. It put 300 families out of their homes including a number of families that were directly involved in one of our projects.” However, DeGroot says strangely, the drought is having a positive affect on their outreach. “We feel the Lord may be using this. People are migrating into the cities from the countryside. They are showing up at our programs and they are open. The children are open. The children are part of our clubs. And, through God’s grace (we’re) affectively reaching many of these people who are fleeing drought.” Funding is needed to help keep the programs running.

(Laos)–Next, despite claims that persecution is unauthorized, Lao authorities recently ordered Christian families in the south to leave their homes under pain of death. Voice of the Martyrs[2] says local ministries are providing food and transportation for these believers, but they remain in need of prayer. The U.S. State Department reports Christians in the north and elsewhere face similar threats. Please pray that the Laotian Christians will hold strong in the face of this persecution, and that God will provide all their needs.

(Philippines)–Rebel activity throughout the Philippines appears to be on the rise. Violence can be problematic for ministries working there, like FARMS International[3] . However, FARMS’ Joseph Richter says since their program is more centrally located, they haven’t felt a direct impact. “They are a concern in certain areas in the Philippines and make travel and outreach much more difficult and we are always concerned about that and look for ways to avoid those types of problems.” Richter explains that this newest program motivates their teams because of what it means for the future of the ministry. “What I think is exciting about it is the training for that program was done by our existing nationals that manage other programs in the Philippines. They came together to do the training. This is one method that we’ll be using in the future to multiply micro-credit programs.”

(USA)–Meanwhile, Book of Hope[4] is using interns to help spread the Gospel throughout the world this summer. Book of Hope’s Brian Minnich (minnick) says more than 50 young people are part of their “Response Teams” program this summer. “We enable young men and women to get out on the mission field and distribute the Book of Hope, which is God’s word in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and given to students globally. And then, also, we give them opportunity to train the nationals, who will then take that ministry format and really multiply it around their nation.” The interns will head to the field next week for three months of ministry. Minnich says there are openings for the fall. “The next start date is August 25th and there’s plenty of time to get the paper work going and start raising the financial support. We would just love to have students or adults who would dedicate four months of their lives to the Lord’s service.”

(USA)–And, a former missionary pilot continues to spread his wings in the field. 52-year old Jon Lewis has served in various positions for 26 years with Mission Aviation Fellowship[5] , but will begin work as president and chief executive officer of Partners International. That group strengthens the work and witness of the church in the least-evangelized regions of the world. Lewis begins his new assignment mid-August with an eye toward launching Operation Access, a global research project.

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

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