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Mission agency affected by wild fires in the United States. USA (MNN) — We begin today in the United States where wild fires rage out of control in southern California. More than two dozen people have been killed and hundreds of homes destroyed. Mission Aviation Fellowship[1] is headquartered in Redlands, just a few miles away from the fires. MAF’s Ghislaine Benny says their ministry has been affected. “Our training and evacuation schedule has been delayed. We’re partially grounded. We’re able to fly with special permission. Then, we also have sadly seven of our families in Redlands who have had to evacuate.” Benny says if her church is any indication, the fires are forcing Californians to think more about spiritual things. “This past Sunday we had 60 people receive the Lord. It is a rare Sunday where we don’t have anyone coming forward. But, 60 is a large number. Typically that’s seems to be what happens. Humans fall into problems and then they turn to God, and then when everything goes well they tend to ignore them.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5297 [2]

Flooding India has taken its toll on missionary workers. India (MNN) — Meanwhile, the drought in northern India is over, but it didn’t come without a price. Mission India[3] David DeGroot says flooding hit the states of Assam and Bihar weeks ago, but clean-up continues. DeGroot says Mission India was affected. “In the state of Assam, 14 of the students in one of our classes died of diseases after one of the floods, and 40 more were extremely sick. And, we had one of our church planters also perished in the Assam flooding in the last couple of months.” DeGroot says Christians have an incredible opportunity to minister to the millions who have been affected. “In rural areas in India, there’s kind of a hopeless feeling that just permeates so many of the people, especially the outcasts, tribal people. Christians come in with the message of hope. They work very effectively in disaster areas.” Mission India asks people to pray that the local church will rebound quickly and that Mission India’s Bible clubs will continue to be effective. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5298 [4]

Despite security risks, ministry in Nigeria grows. Nigeria (MNN)–The spread of rigid forms of Islam is creating division, chaos and religious violence in both East and West Africa. Nigeria is a case in point. The Association of Christian Schools International[5] is in the process of rebuilding their missionary school following arson attacks last year. ACSI’s Dan Egeler. “The school was targeted by Islamic fundamentalists and their dormitory for the boys was burned down, twice. They were singled out because they were the children of missionaries that were going in and expressing the Gospel message to Muslim people.” Egeler says their school allows them to share Christ in the community. “The predominant part of that community is Muslim. But the high quality education that has moral fiber, they don’t truly understand the Christian philosophy of education, but they’re attracted to that, and enrolled their children. As a result of that, their kids are hearing the gospel message in the context of the school day.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5296 [6]

Southern Baptists honor the legacy of a martyred missionary. USA (MNN)–The legacy of Martha Myers, one of three Southern Baptist missionaries[7] murdered in Yemen in December 2002, lives on. The Dr. Martha Myers Distinction Award will be given annually to an alumnus of the ministry’s Girls in Action program. The recipient will be someone who has dramatically influenced the lives of others through missions, ministry or civic duty; and is a good role model. Its creation honors Myers’ life-long dedication to her evangelistic call. The first award will be presented at next June’s annual meeting. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5294

Ministry lays the groundwork for Bible teaching in rural Bolivia. Bolivia (MNN)–And, in Bolivia, Audio Scripture Ministries[8] reports that TapeTalk2 players are to be placed in a rural village of Quechua Indians. ASM began small shipments of players that will extend over the next several months. Pray for safety in shipment and effectiveness in use. Pray for local Quechua pastors who will oversee the listening program in their village and for those who cannot read, but will soon hear God’s Word in their own heart language. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5295

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=MAF [2]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/10-30-03GhislaineBenny.rm [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=MNI [4]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/10-30-03DavidDeGroot.rm [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=ACSI [6]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/10-31-03danegeler.rm [7] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=IMB [8] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=ASM

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