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Christians are having an impact on Iraqis lives. Iraq (MNN) — We begin today in Iraq where Christians are having a major impact on the lives of Iraqis. Mike Creswell with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board[1] just returned from a food distribution trip with volunteers. The IMB is in the process of handing out over a million pounds food. Creswell says that’s not all they’re handing out. “We’ve distributed thousands of Bibles to people and our people said they only gave out Bibles when they were actually requested. We’re helping start churches. Our people who are familiar with the situation in Iraq say that the Iraqi people are some of the most responsive to the Gospel of any people in the Middle East.” Crewsell says political uncertainty means the time is now for ministry. “This is what could be a very narrow opportunity for sharing the Gospel for meeting needs and building relationships with the people. And so, we’re encouraging Southern Baptists to respond very quickly both in sending personnel and sending money and of course in prayer support.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5352 [2]

Lack of funding hurts Bible translation in the Philippines. Philippines (MNN) — Meanwhile, the lack of funding could put a Bible translation project on hold in the Philippines. According to Wycliffe Bible Translators[3] they may have to pull the project in the Lubuagan language in Kalinga. However, funding isn’t the only issue. Wycliffe hasn’t been able to get firm commitments from people willing to work on the project. 15-thousand dollars is needed by December to help get a team into the region by January. Pray that the Lord will provide the funding and people needed. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5353

Poverty in the Caribbean moves believers to action. Haiti (MNN)–More than two out of every five people in the Caribbean live in poverty, a percentage that is unchanged since 1977. With increasing poverty levels, food security is a growing problem. Food For The Poor’s[4] Angel Aloma (ahn-hell aloma) says they’ve taken note of the reports and have stepped up their response. “We are flooding all the countries with a tremendous amount of milk. We are also increasing our shipments of food to all our islands and our Central American countries, particularly in Haiti, which is, of all the countries we serve, it’s by far, the poorest.” Aloma says their humanitarian aid serves as the backdrop to evangelistic ministry. “We work almost exclusively with Christian churches in Haiti. By doing that, we are empowering those churches to be able to spread the Gospel in a more acceptable manner.” Such ministries continue evangelistic work, with an eye cast toward a bi-centennial in Haiti, the coming of which is to be marked by a voodoo dedication. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5349

Civil engineering in Central Asia paves the way to ministry. Central Asia (MNN)–Next, Interserve[5] is beginning a new program among Tibetan Buddhists. Interserve’s project director, whom we’re calling ‘Carl’ for security reasons, works as a civil engineer in Central Asia. He says the areas he works in are remote. He’s recruiting other engineers to go to the 10/40 window to work. “My particular work involves civil engineering: well-drilling, the construction of rain-water collecting cisterns, small school buildings, latrines. I think for the civil engineer who’s been trained in the West, they might find, in some sense that the technology level that we work at is pretty low.” ‘Carl’ says through this project, the teams are able to share the hope of the Gospel with the community they serve. “These are some of the most unreached peoples that exist on the earth today. So, this work is very much pioneering work, and another function of the engineering process is to open doors that otherwise wouldn’t open.” ‘Carl’ hopes to mobilize 10 to 15 additional engineering teams in the next two years. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5350 [6]

Latin American Christians are going overseas as missionaries in large numbers. Latin America (MNN) — And, Latin American believers are having an major impact on global evangelism. Latin America Mission[7] reports six-thousand missionaries are now serving in countries and cultures other than their own and the numbers are growing. LAM says many of them are heading for service among, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. They’re finding many open doors for the Gospel among these people groups that Americans and Europeans found difficult to reach. LAM is partnering with Latin churches to help support their efforts. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5351

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

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/11-14-03MikeCreswell.rm [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=WYC [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=FFP [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=ISV [6]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/11-14-03interserve’carl’.rm [7] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=LAM ——————————————————————— Mission Network News Daily, a service of Cornerstone University of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Questions: (800) 284-9361 or

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