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(Liberia)–Our newscast begins today in Liberia where World Vision[1] moved to replace 30 tons of relief supplies lost last week in a shipwreck. Items were pulled from a warehouse in Germany and airlifted over the weekend into Monrovia. World Vision’s Kevin Cook says distribution is the next step. “We’re undertaking assessments this week along with work we’re undertaking, already. Most of the work that’s happening right now, here, is in the area of health and food distributions. As these are non-food items, we’re making an assessment of various IDP centers to determine where these goods are going to do the most good.” Cooks says through this effort, the Gospel speaks. “By extending a helping hand in this way, to people who are incredibly disadvantaged, we try to make the message of Christ known to them through our actions.” World Vision has been helping to care for thousands of displaced people at the Samuel K Doe sports stadium in Monrovia.
(Indonesia)–We turn next to Indonesia, where more warnings of terrorist acts are surfacing. Varied reports indicate a nervous tension rippling through the Christian community, as they have been targeted before. Yet, Back To The Bible’s[2] Gregory Bacon explains that while the persecution takes place in isolated pockets, believers persevere. He shares a story that exemplifies this attitude. “I was introduced to a pastor who showed me some land that he and his congregation had purchased to build a church. Unfortunately, the community has refused to allow them to build a church building. What they’ve done is they dump all their garbage onto the land.” Bacon says while the community protested the Christians presence, the church found another way to continue outreach. “What they have allowed is for this church to erect a tent in the street and they worship in that tent and have to take it down after the service.”
(India)–A Gospel for Asia[3] church of 51 believers in Jharkhand (zhark-and) , India, is under attack as anti-Christian leaders meet to decide its fate. Area residents are pressuring leaders to inflict maximum harm on these believers. Village leaders have decided the Christians must pay a fee to meet together for church. GFA missionaries from other villages have traveled there to encourage their brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray that those opposing the Gospel will be touched by the love of Jesus.
(Bangladesh)–Meanwhile, FARMS International’s[4] Joseph Richter details one of their exciting projects in South East Asia involving irrigation pumps. He says the venture helps several Christian families at a time to irrigate their farms. In turn, water becomes the field for sowing the hope of Christ. “Because there’s an adequate amount of water during the dry season, to flood other fields in the vicinity, unbelieving neighbors are also given water, but they are charged a small rental fee for the water, and are happy to pay it.” Richter says oddly, the rental fee sets the stage for outreach in the community. “It opens up a relationship that’s on an equal level between the recipient and the one with the water. It also has given an opportunity to share the Gospel. I think what opens the
hearts of these people is the fact that they (Christians) wouldn’t have to help.”
(Tanzania)–And, Africa Inland Mission[5] gives thanks for the opportunities for ministry growth in Tanzania. Last month, a new Training In Ministry Outreach team arrived in country to begin a two-year training program among the Digo people. Pray for the leaders who have spent several months in the village, building relationships, and preparing for the team. Pray for unity as a team, for good beginnings in building relationships, and that hearts respond to the Gospel.
[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WVI [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BTTB [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=GFA [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=FARMS [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=AIM ———————————————————————
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