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(Indonesia)–Indonesia headlines today’s news as Christians are wondering about their safety in the aftermath of yesterday’s bombing in Jakarta. AMG International’s[1] Paul Jenks says there is one thing Christians around the world can do to help. “We need to be in earnest prayer for our brothers and sisters in Jakarta who have faced tremendous violence over the past two years. We work in many different ways in Indonesia, but primary through national workers, many of whom have come to Christ out of Muslim background.” They’re at risk because of their perceived ties to the west. Jenks is praying that believers are bolder in sharing their faith. “I’ve got to think that people who are confronted in the news by the violence that is being perpetrated in the name of Islam, wonder about the teachings of Christ and I think we as Christians need to be ready to step forward.”

(Liberia)–Elsewhere, about 200 Nigerian peacekeepers were poised to move into Liberian war zones once backup troops arrive. Worldwide Christian Schools’[2] Dale Dieleman says they’re watching the situation, not only in Monrovia, but also in the port city of Buchanan, because of their school there. “During a lull in the fighting, a few years ago, they asked if we would help to try to repair, not only the facilities, but really help jumpstart the program again in the Buchanan area. Now, of course, we really don’t know what the situation is, whether the school has been completely destroyed, or exactly what’s going on.” Dieleman says they’re working toward being an integral part of the restoration of Liberia’s future. “Could you imagine spending more of your life carrying a weapon, than you did carrying a textbook? We’re really hoping to address when these schools are rehabilitated, so that they can really begin to deprogram some of these children into a life of peace rather than a life of killing.”

(Liberia)–Fighting is still going on but the situation at SIM’s Radio Station[3] ELWA remains calm. The ELWA campus is full, with over two thousand displaced people. In addition, there are an estimated 1,000 displaced people on Carver Mission’s campus across the highway. Aside from discouragement, food is scarce. However, ELWA continues broadcasting a Christian message of hope on a reduced schedule of about three hours each morning and evening.

(Ethiopia)–Next, Ethiopia is emerging as the scene of the world’s greatest humanitarian crisis. The United Nations says not since 1984 has the food security issue in this area been so severe. Famine response is also falling short; but aid officials say food alone isn’t enough to prevent thousands from dying. Living Water International’s[4] Lew Hough (lou huff) says this is where their work breaches traditional response methods. “Ethiopia is a good example of an area that is on the edge of really a desperate situation. It’s one that we’re trying to work with other aid agencies and other development groups to go in and really begin to provide a large scale source of clean water for some of these areas.” Huff says through their training, they teach the local believers the value of ‘hands-on’ faith. “We don’t want to do a good work for God, we want to do God’s work, whether that be in Ethiopia, or any of the other countries that we’re in. Certainly, that would be my prayer, is that we be sensitive to God’s leading so that we know that this is in His hands.”

(Nicaragua)–And finally, the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee[5] says a group of short-term missionaries were instrumental in sharing the Gospel in Nicaragua. A group of 21 adults from Horizon Community Church in Denver, Colorado helped in the effort. They helped put a new roof on the Nicaragua Christian Academy, but each half day they went house to house with a translator inviting people to come to church. The CRWRC says nine people came to Christ as a result.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=AMG [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WWCS [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=SIM [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=LWI [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=CRWRC ———————————————————————

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