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(Congo–Kinshasa)–We begin today in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where there’s a lull in the fierce fighting. The newest cease fire may be reinforced by peacekeepers. That’s due, in part, because of a long history of failed peace agreements. As the people dare to hope, Grace Ministries International’s[1] Sam Vinton explains what is different about this accord that seems to be holding. “They’ve taken leaders from every sort of opposition group and incorporated them into the Central Government. So, if I’m a minister of information, and my soldiers, or my fathers are causing trouble, then I become the one in the government who’s responsible for that.” Unifying this country will be a huge task which could take many generations. Vinton says because of the success of this accord so far, they look forward to unhindered evangelistic work throughout parts of the DRC. “Our pastor called me and he feels that things are opening up. He says people who have a lot of courage can travel. There’s still these militia, these bandits out there, that to me is the only hindrance to peace.”

(Congo-Brazzaville)–Next, in the Republic of Congo, Hope Builders International’s[2] Johan Gous says they’re making plans to send in an evangelistic team. Lack of funds outweigh the dangers of militia fighting as a threat to this mission. Gous says they’ll lose contact with the team when they enter the bush. As to the danger: “It flares up every so often. We’re sending people into an area where they believe, and we believe that God has called them to go, but we need to be responsible, we need to get them the equipment. Satellite telephone, the GPS (Global Positioning System), and the solar battery charger.” Gous says once their team has the needed equipment, they plan to head into an area populated by Pygmies. There, they can build on a relationship started by a local pastor recently. “There is not a single literate person there, and not one that we know of, that has responded to the Gospel. However, in our contact trips, they have now invited him to come and bring the Gospel.”

(Colombia)–There’s good news and bad news coming out of a ministry to Colombia. First the good news: thousands of young people are responding to the Gospel message in the Book of Hope[3] . Now, the bad news: after distributing books to 87-thousand students, teams ran out completely. They had hoped to reach another 200-thousand students, and churches requested 210-thousand additional books. Book of Hope is desperately trying to raise the funds to respond to the urgent requests.

(USA)–Meanwhile, over the last decade, teen pregnancy rates fell significantly. However, there are still thousands who find themselves at a crossroads between motherhood and adulthood. Betsy Stretar directs a program called ‘Young Lives’, a part of the ministry of Young Life.[4] She says they target teen moms. “The needs of teen moms are quite extensive. We care for the whole person. Part of the responsibility and the training that we provide is that staff person or that volunteer that’s working with that teen mom is familiar with the resources in the community.” Stretar says the ministry often comes through a kind of mentoring relationship. “Our partnership with the church is a really great tool for us by recruiting and training Christian women who really have a passion for this type of girl. We want to give them an opportunity to serve the Lord and to come alongside those teen moms.”

(Poland)–And, Back to the Bible’s[5] sister ministry, ‘Voice of the Gospel’, recently held two weeks of summer camp in Poland. Over 140 young people attended, coming from diverse backgrounds. Many are dealing with drug and alcohol problems, lack of parental guidance, rejection and peer pressure. Counselors talked through these issues with the teens and shared the Gospel; many came to Christ. Pray that what these young people saw and heard will continue to impact their lives.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=GMI [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=HBI [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BOH [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=YLF [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BTTB ———————————————————————

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