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(Sri Lanka)–We begin today in Sri Lanka. “The situation for Christians in Sri Lanka seems to be getting worse.” Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs[1] says four men lobbed a homemade bomb at a church that’s been under attack in recent months. Nettleton says the prime suspect in coordinating the attacks is a Buddhist monk. “This is a man who was in the church in September 2002, he threatened the pastor and members of the church with death at that time. So, it seems clear that he is involved in the attack. Whether he was one of the four men who were there, or whether he just sent them, is unclear at this point.” Nettleton says it also appears the state is also moving against Christians. “Their government is considering an anti-conversion law, similar to some of the laws we have seen in India in recent years. It’s a crucial time for the church there in Sri Lanka, and we as Christians in the rest of the world, and we need to pray for them that they will stand strong, and we need to pray against some of this legislation that could be very harmful to the church there.”

(Brazil)–Elsewhere, new laws in Brazil could have an interesting effect on how evangelists work in the isolated regions of the country. Global Advance’s[2] David Shibley describes this as a challenge to men like Pastor Nelino, who traveled 25 days through the Amazon to attend a Frontline Shepherds’ Conference. Shibley says Nelino left the meetings encouraged and with new vision. However, “He’ll also be facing some protectionist clauses of new laws that are protecting these tribal groups from any kind of outside incursion. This is both a plus and a minus, particularly for missions.” Shibley believes Nelino’s earnest search for a way to minister in tribal reaches led to a solution that benefits the community as a whole. “Nelino has already committed that he will help educate the children of these tribal groups, and in that way, provide for them, educationally, and also as an entr ©e to get the Gospel to them.”

(Haiti)–Haiti continues to struggle to resolve its three-year-old political troubles. The efforts, though, have resulted in more poverty and continued want. That paves the way for a ministry, ‘For Haiti With Love’[3] to respond. For Haiti’s Eva DeHart says they recently held their ‘Christmas in August’ party. The money raised funds the actual Christmas party in Haiti, which enters 16-years this year. “There’ll be anywhere from 700 to 1500 there on Christmas day. They’ll all get a full meal, they’ll all get something brand new for Christmas that is something that they would like, instead of something that they need for survival.” More than just fun, DeHart says the whole party moves toward ministry. “You’re celebrating Messiah’s birthday, and you’re doing it in a way that really illuminates His love in a very tangible way.”

(Congo–Kinshasa)–Next, for the first time in 16 months, Grace Ministries[4] reports one of their team members was recently able to visit their site in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He also spent time seeing how the church is reaching out to the war-torn community. Believers hope to partner with aid groups to help meet needs through food, medicine, and in education. Pray that this interest might come to fruition and that some good might come to the people there.

(International)–And, the first tape in a new prayer video series was released this month by Operation Mobilization.[5] The purpose of the first video entitled “Vision” presents what God is doing through the work of missionaries. The video provides challenging footage of various ministries from around the world. OM’s goal is that these videos will be used as a tool for prayer meetings so Christians can pray more intelligently for today’s missionaries. OM’s role in the body of Christ is to motivate, develop and equip people for world evangelization.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=VOM [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=GAM [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=FHWL [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=GMI [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=OMI ———————————————————————

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