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(Haiti)–We begin today in Haiti where the population just finished celebrating their National Day. It’s a voodoo rite intertwined in the history that shaped the country. The Haitians agreed to give their land to the devil for 200 years in exchange for freedom from the French. As the time nears for a renewal of the pact next year, Christians are taking to their knees. Christian Aid Mission’s[1] John Lindner. “It’s a real tug-of-war between the forces of voodoo and the forces of Christ. Whereas the forces of Christ are going to be holding an all day prayer session, the forces of voodoo are going to trying to play voodoo music to try to drown out the Day of Prayer.” Lindner urges prayer on behalf of believers in Haiti. Despite the occult influence, there is a lively church. “We help indigenous ministries in Haiti that are ministering among their own people and their own culture. I believe they’re going to have an extra thrust forward with this emphasis on voodoo right now.”

(North Africa)–Elsewhere, ministry in some countries is so sensitive that the location or worker cannot be revealed. Such is the case for a missionary team in North Africa. We spoke with YWAM’s ‘Andy’ about the challenges of working in a country openly hostile to the Gospel, “It is challenging because we’re not able to do any kind of public evangelism, of course, because it is an Islamic country. It’s really through one-on-one, sharing our faith, what many people call ‘friendship evangelism’ building relationships, building trust, and then sharing with them, God’s love.” ‘Andy’ says, compounding the issue, “There seem to be fewer workers compared to other areas of the world as well as resources, seem to be less going to these unreached areas. I think part of it is the church is not as aware of some of these areas, is not as knowledgeable that these areas are so unreached.” ‘Andy’ and his wife are staying at D&D Missionary Homes[2] in Florida while in the United States.

(Russia)–Youth culture in Russia is punctuated by growing sub-cultures. Many of the groups find heavy exposure to substance abuse and a desperation of future. Russian Ministries’[3] Sergey Rakhuba says this poses a challenge to the local church. “Today, there is the tremendous freedom for the Gospel, but unfortunately, the young generation is having different challenges or different orientations in their lives.” Rakhuba reports that the church leaders are rising to the test. He says there is a surge of growth in youth outreach. What’s more, Rakhuba believes the young people are responding to the Gospel. “Ministry is growing in this direction, reaching out to younger people that at certain point, they lost their hope, but, due to compassion of national workers, they’re coming back to a normal life, and they find hope in Christ.”

(International)–Next, the Southern Baptist International Mission Board[4] says they need to increase by half the number of missionaries to reach the lost with the Gospel. Leaders reached that conclusion following their Global Strategy Summit in Virginia recently. But, the opposite is happening. The IMB had to limit the number of workers sent this year because of the lack of funding. That will mean attrition will take a higher toll than usual. It’s believed the number of missionaries will drop from five-thousand-600 to below five-thousand by the end of 2004.

(Sri Lanka)–And, the foundation stone has been laid for the I-N Network’s[5] Vocational Training and Ministry Center in Sri Lanka. There are some concerns related to the new activity. Permission to build was granted under the previous government, and with the recent change of administration, new applications must be submitted. The I-N team asks for earnest prayer that there will be no delay in the government office so that construction can be completed on schedule.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=CAID [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=DAD [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=RMI [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=IMB [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=INN ———————————————————————

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