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(Middle East)–Topping the news, key meetings this week mark an intensified diplomatic effort to keep the road map to peace in the Middle East on track. World Bible Translation Center’s[1] President Dale Randolph says as the violence escalates, people turn to matters of faith for answers. The Center’s work provides a timely solution. “We released the Gospel of John last year, then followed it up with a recent printing of Luke and Acts in one volume of this modern Arabic translation, and are getting ready to do the complete New Testament. It’s in typeset now, to be released probably in August or September.” Randolph says there are security issues and urges prayer. “The way we well distribute it will not be with a great amount of fanfare. It’s personal relationships with key people scattered across those countries and getting it into the hands, particularly, of people who are doing real evangelism on a quiet basis.”

(China)–Meanwhile, the SARS outbreak in China is causing problems for Bible distribution. The Bible League’s[2] Andrew Harbert says government imposed travel restrictions have canceled Bible smuggling trips to China. “We normally take groups into China – taking Bibles into China. And, as you know China suspended all international tourist groups into China, at least into the mid part of July. That means that groups that do bring Bibles into China can not bring them into the country.” Harbert 300-thousand Bibles have gone undelivered. Road blocks have also been set up within China. He says that’s having an affect on domestic distribution in China. “Most of your Chinese leaders are already wanted by police. So, if they show up at a roadblock, or are asked by the police for their I-d, bang they’re caught. So, they’re basically ground for the time being.” Harbert says many people are seeking answers to spiritual questions, making it fertile ground for evangelism. [3]

(India)–Urban India lives under water rationing while the plight of rural area worsens daily with fast sinking ground water level. Ground water level has gone down in 30-percent of the districts, forcing villagers to go elsewhere for water. The other issue is the availability of safe, clean drinking water. Living Water International’s[4] Jerry Wiles explains their work with churches opens the door for community ministry.” Christians have received persecution, and have been alienated from the water supply. So, people, when they are freely given the water, in the name of Jesus, they begin to ask why you’re doing it. So, it really opens up people to the Gospel.” Wiles says aside from evangelism, there is other benefit. “Water is a catalyst for transformation, because when you provide clean, safe drinking water in the village, it affects the economy, it effects the education, and really, brings about a transformation to the community.”

(Kazakhstan)–Elsewhere, a new group of 36 students enrolled to attend the Agape Evangelical Center’s Bible College in Almaty, Kazakhstan in the next term. The Bridge International[5] began sponsoring the center in 1993 in an effort to help the new church grow. It now represents a key tool in the Muslim enclaves of Central Asia, teaching believers about evangelism, church planting, and pastoral work. Pray for the church leaders as they prepare for ministry in an area sometimes hostile

(Uruguay)–And, JESUS Film teams in Uruguay partnered with another church to complete three evangelistic campaigns this year. A local television station broadcast the JESUS Film, and then re-broadcast it at the request of residents from the southern cities. Over 42-thousand people were exposed to the hope of the Gospel during these campaigns, with over two thousand making decisions for Christ. Please pray that the local churches will be able to keep up with discipleship demands.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WBTC [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BLG [3]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/06-17-03AndrewHarbert.rm [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=LWI [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=TBI [6] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=JFP ———————————————————————

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