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(Iraq)–Iraq headlines today’s news as 26 U-S soldiers have been killed since President Bush declared major combat over in May. However, the violence is stopping evangelistic work in the country. Voice of the Martyrs'[1] Gary Lane says evangelicals are asking for assistance. “They told me that now is the time for Christians in America to support them. They expect in two years that they will have a government elected. It will probably be either Shiite or Sunni or some combination or some Muslim government. And, they expect that things will be clamping down on them again. But, right now, they’re free.” Lane says Iraqi Christians are successful in evangelism. He says your gift for “Action Packs” could help further. “We ask people to send us $5 and we’ll send them a large vacuum-sealed bag. And, in it you can put items like shirts, socks, underwear. We launched the program about a week ago in Iraq. With each action pack we’ll hand out Gospel literature.”

(England)–The Barnabas Fund is launching an initiative in England to help end punishments for apostasy. 40 British Ministers of Parliament have signed on to an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons expressing support for the measure. The Barnabas Fund is targeting Islamic law of apostasy, which teaches all adult male Muslims who convert to another faith, should be put to death. The motion urges governments and religious groups to recognize freedom doesn’t exist where people can’t worship freely.

(Congo–Kinshasa)–Hope flickers with the launch of the new Democratic Republic of Congo unity government. Following years of civil war, the promise of peace works now to open other doors. Crossroads Bible Institute’s[2] David Schuringa says they’re ready to begin a French program in Africa. Their main office is scheduled to open this summer in the DRC, but with an eye toward independence. “The plan is to train indigenous instructors in the churches in Africa, so this is going to be a new venture in the sense that the lessons will not be coming back to the CBI office, here, for corrections.” Schuringa says because of the conditions surrounding the launch, there are prayer concerns. “People can pray for the program–the instability of the region, and the violence there–definitely on the broader scale of the war between Islam and Christian principles.” Crossroads reaches prison inmates with the truth of God’s Word and the love of God’s people.

(Latin America)–Elsewhere, troubled children throughout Latin America are benefitting from targeted ministries. Latin America Mission’s[3] Ken MacHarg reports. “Ana Maria Montoya is eleven years old and says she says that she is surprised by the number of girls who are pregnant in her hometown of Rionegro in Colombia. And, she says she is shocked by the number of girls her own age who are working as prostitutes. LAM missionary Bill Gibson reports that the reality has moved her to work in her church as a Sunday school teacher. She says, “If I give love, caring, kindness and respect to a child, he will be changed into a child that does good things in his home and in the streets.” Gibson, who works with Viva Network to serve and evangelize children said that a recent conference on children did a good job helping Colombian churches and leaders to know of their responsibility to provide ministry and services to children. For Mission Network News, I’m Ken MacHarg.”

(Tanzania)–And, for two years, African Inland Mission[4] team members have been working among the Datooga people in Tanzania. During that time, a church was planted where 25 to 30 people regularly attend. Weekly Bible studies and prayer meetings are the outgrowth, and the Bible is taught daily in the primary school. One of the missionary couples will continue work there while other team members are being led to further the Gospel message through other AIM assignments.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=VOM [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=CRBI [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=LAM [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=AIM ———————————————————————

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