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(Liberia)–Topping the news, Liberia’s capital city, Monrovia, has been without food and water for more than a week. The insecurities created by continued warfare paved the way for a warm welcome to West African peacekeeping forces this week. In the initial stages of the operation, there are many critical needs. Aid agencies like Food for the Hungry[1] are in place, doing what they can, Tamara Dutch. “A couple of the churches came to us, and they were planning on providing assistance themselves, but they were a little short financially. We are providing some additional financial assistance. Then what they’ll do is ,they’ll turn around and buy food, blankets, and clothing, and they will also distribute those to the Liberians.” And, after 20 years of civil war, capped by a reluctantly leaving president, Dutch says believers have looming concerns. “We encourage all people to pray for the Liberians, pray that the uprising becomes settled, and also, pray for the peacekeeping troops that are arriving.” [2]

(Liberia)–Next, =World Vision International[3] is also among the Christian groups trying to get help into Liberia. Aid coordinator Eleanor Monbiot says their national staff are praying for survival and protection. The violence between government and rebels made relief work in Monrovia, nearly impossible. Yet, more relief supplies are en route, despite ongoing fighting. Please pray for the Christians involved with relief work in Liberia that their testimony will encourage others toward the peace of Christ.

(China)–While SARS seems to be on the decline in China, it not putting the damper on theological training in that country. China Partners[4] Erik Burklin will be traveling to China next week. He says the need is incredible. “The church has exploded so rapidly over the last 20 years they simply cannot meet the need. Manhy churches are over run with people and it’s very important that they get good Bible-based training and that can only happen if you have good spiritual leadership.” Because of that need, Burklin says China partner is getting involved. “We are in the process of helping construct a new Bible school right now in Nanchung. And so, we are involved financially there. We also are right now in the process of shipping about 2,000 books to that same Bible school in Nanchang.” Funding is needed for help in these areas of ministry.

(Kyrgyzstan)–Next, the Association of Christian Schools International[5] asks prayer for those at Hope Academy in Kyrgyzstan. The team there is faced with a court case involving the school and the tax department. ACSI reports the issue is currently at the second highest court in their country. Pray that God will intervene in this case and that the interpretation of the tax laws will fall in the school’s favor. The agency supports the work of Christian educators in order to provide a Christ-centered quality education.

(Kenya)–And, in the effort to provide Scripture to a culture trying to save its heritage, The Seed Company’s[6] Parke Brown tells us how a Kenyan project has taken on a life of its own. “The partnering church who got connected through The Seed Company, took it on themselves to partner with Suba people in very holistic ways. So they’re now actually a partner in a school that primarily helps children who have been orphaned by AIDS to go ahead and get a good education and break from the cycle of some of these sicknesses and poverty.” Brown adds that the thrust of their work in Southwest Kenya is fixed to the foundation of Bible translation. He says their teams are making good progress. “They really hope that they can complete the New Testament in 2006, which is not too far off in Bible translation terms, and then dedicate it that following summer.” As more Suba people become Christians, they hold of the task of pastoring and teaching in their own language. Pray for the work of the churches.

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

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/08-05-03TameraDutch.rm [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WVI [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=CPM [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=ACSI [6] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=TSC ———————————————————————

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