News headlines for June 11th 2003 (Liberia)–Topping the news, mediators are on their way to besieged Liberia, to try to negotiate an end to a violent attempt to remove President Charles Taylor from power. The unrest forced an evacuation of Westerners. Evangelical Baptist Mission’s[1] Doug Boisvert (bwa-VAIR) says it affected them, as well. “We were scheduled for a trip to be teaching a couple of courses, this week, actually. That had to be postponed because of the instability and lack of ability for us to get in, plus the inability for them to have these kinds of things. So, it really has disrupted all kinds of activities and any kind of training that’s been going on.” Boisvert believes this kind of instability shakes everything up. “People are moved all around; they don’t know what’s going to happen next. So, I guess, be praying for the peace and stability of Liberia, plus, also, for the believers there that are experiencing these difficulties, that they might just be able to share the love of Christ, and even, at times, be creative of how they might be able to minister.”

(Romania)–Meanwhile, Romanian international adoptions remain on hold as the moratorium extends into this fall while the government reforms their child welfare system. Toni Carter, European adoption coordinator for Bethany Christian Services[2] , says the children remain in legal limbo as the legislation has been under constant revision and authorities have yet to vote on it. ” We don’t know what the final law is going to be. Everything is speculative at this point but Bethany has long term placed many special needs children and older children and we would presume that children in those groupings would probably still be available at some point for adoption.” Bethany celebrates the opportunity for ministry to special needs children. However, because of the uncertainty of the new draft, Carter urges parents to be patient. “We know that international adoption is a very complex process and that it’s legal and we have to be respectful of the other country who are truly caring about their children.”

(USA)–A conference in the United States is encouraging more professionals to join the mission field full time. The Finishers Project[3] for additional information.

(USA)–Next, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship[4] launches its next urban project, ‘Summit’ next Sunday. A group of 25 students heads for Portland, Oregon to explore issues of racism, poverty and injustice first hand by living in the low-income areas of the city. Teams also work with local service agencies helping the homeless, abused women and the hungry, as well as working with youth through local Boys and Girls Clubs. Evenings are spent in group study of the issues through Scripture, movies and group exercises.

(Philippines)–And, the national Evangelical Free Church[5] –Philippines, are working through the community development arm of the Allianz Mission to open study centers where they are helping poor children to be in a location where it is conducive to study. All of these programs need books, but local funds are lacking. Children in North America can help the children in The Philippines–many of whom do not come from Christian homes.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=EBM [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BCS [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=FNP [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=ICF [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=EFCA ———————————————————————

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