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(Congo–Kinshasa)–Our newscast begins today in Kinshasa Congo where a power sharing government is in place, with the swearing in of four vice presidents. While the politicking may not settle for another 12 months, there are hopes that this brings an end to five years of bitter civil war. Hope Builders International’s[1] Johan Gous (hohs) is among mission agencies watching the proceedings. “We’re looking forward to the fighting in the northeast slowing down, because if that can happen, then fewer of the rebel forces will cross into the Brazzaville Congo, where more of our work is centered.” As to the agreement being honored, Gous says it remains to be seen. However, “We see it as positive; we’re praying for it and it may just cut down the numbers of patrols, whether it be rebel or government patrols that are busy in the Republic of the Congo. The fewer that there are of them, the easier our work.”

(Iraq)–Next, there are fears that Iraqi Baath party members may attack Westerners, avenging the anniversary of their rise to power. But, Operation Blessing’s[2] Bill Horan says their medical team has seen an entirely different experience in Southern Iraq. He thinks the sketch of an anti-Western Iraq grossly exaggerated. “The truth of the matter is the vast majority of people in Iraq are very happy that we’re there. They’re absolutely thrilled that they’ve been liberated and they come up to you on the street and thank you just because they can tell you’re a Westerner.” Horan explains that because their teams work from a Christian worldview, their faith comes through loud and clear. This can build the foundation for future outreach. “After a while, I would think, that repeated exposure to people, like our nurse and to our medical teams, are going to have a serious impact on folks on the spiritual side of things. But, we can’t stand on the street corners giving out bibles, at this point.”

(India)–Believers in India’s Gujarat State lost their appeal against a highly controversial anti-conversion law. Media reports indicate the High Court dismissed petitions filed by the All India Christian Council challenging provisions of the bill. The law forces an individual or organization wanting to convert to another religion to seek prior approval from a district magistrate. It also imposes heavy fines and prison sentences on those involved. Please pray for mission teams and church leaders as they plan for their next step.

(Russia)–Elsewhere, drug abuse prevention is opening new doors to distribute Scripture in Russia. Book of Hope’s[3] Rob Hoskins says they’ve entered into a strategic alliance with Teen Challenge International – a ministry that’s fighting drug addiction worldwide. Hoskins says Book of Hope was receiving more resistance in the public schools, but that’s changing. “Russia now has the fastest growing drug problem in the world today. And so, what we found is that by going to the schools and doing prevention programs, suddenly the doors to the schools opened wide open to us because that’s the felt need in the Russian school system.” Bill Everett is with Teen Challenge. “As we align together, Book of Hope – with the goal of putting a Book of Hope in the hand of every child in the world and then with Teen Challenge, to bring the message to the lost and the hopeless, that there is a cure and that cure is Jesus Christ. And, that’s why God raised this up, as a harvesting tool.” Together, the groups recently held a conference to empower 180 nationals to do the work.

(Uganda)–And finally, Audio Scripture Ministries[4] of Holland, Michigan is raising money to help the Ik (eek) tribal people in Uganda hear the Gospel. Audio Scripture officials say missionaries have requested their services to help with the recording, publication, and distribution of the first ever audio Scripture for the Ik, which number about five-thousand people. Your support can help distribute the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Ik as soon as possible.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=HBI [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=OBI [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BOH [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=ASM ———————————————————————

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