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(Liberia)–Topping the news, foreigners evacuated Liberia’s capital yesterday. Rebels continued fighting, despite a ceasefire. Worldwide Christian Schools'[1] Dale Dieleman says because the hostilities interfere, they’re making contingency plans. Their Liberian partners are fundraising, putting the money aside for the future. “At whatever time there might be some cessation of the unrest there, (that) we need to have funds available so that our partners can really begin the rebuilding process, not only for the infrastructure of their facilities, but also to reinvigorate Christian education programs which have really been an essential part of rebuilding the country.” Dieleman says the child soldiers add to the dilemma and require fast work once war is ended. “You can imagine what happens during these development years of children if this is what their whole life has been. So, it’s really trying to reclaim and reconcile as well for the future of Liberia.”

(China)–Next, the SARS virus is having an affect on all Christian organizations working in China. That’s the word from Education Services International[2] , an organization that trains and sends Christians as teachers of English, Business and Law to schools in China and other countries around the world. ESI’s President Ron Nicholas says his organization will send 50-percent fewer teachers this summer, which also means a 150-thousand dollar short-fall in funding. For 100 days, ESI staff has committed to fast and pray as a team. Funding is needed to help off set this shortfall.

(Canada)–A proposed new law in Canada could outlaw portions of the Bible. Bible Pathway Ministry’s[3] Karen Hawkins tells us why. “The Canadian parliament will be voting on Wednesday on the third reading on a bill that says for anyone to say homosexuality is a sin, using the Bible as their basis, would make that part of the Bible and the one who said it, it would be a hate crime and the Bible would be considered hate literature.” Bible Pathway Ministries encourages people to read through the Bible in one year. Hawkins says Christians need to do one thing. “We really are asking people to pray that the eyes of the Canadian people would be opened, and definitely that those in parliament. It would be apparently the next step, if one portion of God’s word is considered illegal, then the whole thing would be illegal.” [4]

(USA)–Meanwhile, ministry leaders in the United States will be joining together for a unique prayer initiative. It’s being called the “Faces of Children Prayer Summit.” The first-ever event will be held June 11th and 12th in Washington DC. Doctor Wesley Stafford, President of Compassion International[5] will be one of the key note speakers. Stafford says children are faced with wars, abuse and illness. He says we must pray and provide resources so that children have hope both physically and spiritually.

(Peru)–And, Peru’s national strike enters its fourth week now, with the economy in tatters. As poverty levels rise, there are more people who need help. AMG International’s[6] Larry Malone says right now, they have two help centers they’re running in Peru. “The children come into our centers from four to five hours a day and receive a good, hot, nutritious meal as well as help with a good education, education fees, medical attention, and of course, they’re told the story of the of the love of the Lord Jesus.” Malone says as the result of a recent medical missions project, AMG is now looking forward to an expansion that is over halfway complete. “The doctors wanted to do something with a longer lasting effect. They began to speak to some of the people in the town where they were ministering. The people agreed to give them ten acres of prime farmland and set up some buildings and set up an orphanage there.”

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WWCS [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=ESI [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BPM [4]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/06-10-03KarenHawkins.rm [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=CMP [6] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=AMG ———————————————————————

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