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(Sudan)–We begin today in Sudan where the country’s Islamic government is again attacking Christians in the south. These new attacks are in clear violation of a cease-fire signed by the two sides. Voice of the Martyr’s[1] Todd Nettleton says 59 people were killed. “Included in the attack was a Presbyterian pastor, the only pastor in this particular area. He and his wife and his four children were burned to death in their home as Sudanese Islamic government troops surrounded the home and threatened to shoot anyone who ran out. So, clearly, Christians are being targeted.” Nettleton says VOM is providing blankets and care kits for the oppressed. He says this helps them share the Gospel with those who are non-Muslim. “As we work with pastors to distribute these goods, we’re also able to share that message, you know, there’s more to being a Christian than not being a Muslim, you need to know Jesus, you need to commit your life to him.” [2]

(Zambia)–Elsewhere, desperation for an AIDS cure may be increasing depravation. Zambian authorities now face new issues, including incest, sexual abuse and HIV/AIDS. The AIDS virus has already decimated the adult population, leaving a whole generation of orphans. Teen Missions International’s[3] Doug Peterson says that’s where they step in. “Instead of bringing the orphans out of their culture, out of their villages, into an orphanage, we’re taking our ministries, these graduates from our Bible school, out to where the orphans live. [And], we’re establishing a little mobile unit for them to live in, and then ministering in an area about three to five mile radius.” That means they are reaching over 500 orphans with the hope of Christ. Peterson, again: “We have weekend camps and we share the claims of Christ with the orphans and there are many who have shared with us that they have never heard about Jesus Christ. So, they’re hearing about Christ in the first place and accepting Him as Savior, and then being discipled in these camps. That’s our spiritual ministry to them.”

(Mozambique)–Mobility is usually a sign of poverty, with people moving out of their home areas looking for a new start. However, one mission agency, dedicated to church planting, is turning the tables in Mozambique. For them, mobility enriches the growth of the church. OC International’s[4] Barbosa de Oliviera (olly-veta) Jr. explains their philosophy. “Many pastors in Mozambique have never been in a Bible institute. Many of them are semi-literate, so that’s a big challenge. The second challenge is we go where the pastors are. We go to them with the teaching, training, empowering and mobilization.” Prayer and support play a vital role in their Mozambique work. Oliviera outlines the largest challenge facing church leaders today in Mozambique. “People are still struggling. Pastors are still struggling to survive. Many have to do other things besides pastorate, which consumes their time, and they are not able to give all that they can be, all that they have, to the churches.”

(USA)–Next, an international radio ministry is being forced to cut several programs due to a lack of funds. Because of a two-point-one million dollar shortfall, Insight for Living International announced that they’ll be ending their programs in Swahili, French, Tamil, Telagu, Bengali and Malayalam– languages that cover parts of Africa and India. Pray that God would supply the financial needs so these programs can reach millions with the Gospel message again.

(Senegal)–And, CB International[5] missionaries ask prayer for the future of the Evangelical Institute of Dakar. The Senegal institute has been in existence for over six years, but is currently struggling due to lack of personnel and lack of funds. The school does not have a director for the coming academic year. Pray that God will provide the funding and staff members needed to keep this vital training facility in operation.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=VOM [2]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/06-06-03ToddNettleton.rm [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=TMI [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=OCI [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=CBI