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Relief groups celebrate Christmas in Iraq. iraq (MNN) — We begin today in where staff with evangelical relief organizations are celebrating Christmas in Iraq. That’s the word we’re getting from Food for the Hungry’s[1] President Ben Homan. Homan says, while Iraq is predominately Muslim, the celebration of Christ’s birth will take place. “You think about the world the Christ was born into. He was born into a country that was occupied by foreign troops, governed by foreigners. He came into that situation and Christmas is a celebration of who God came into a world that was broken and fractured and fighting.” Homan says Iraqis can relate to that, even though the U-S freed that nation. Homan says FHI ministers to the whole person. “When we go into communities, we look at that whole person and we celebrate that people are made in the image of God. Diversity of cultures and nations only provides God another way of displaying of how powerful he is”. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5483

Civil war won’t stop Christmas outreach in the DRC. Democratic Republic of Congo (MNN) — Next, despite on-going civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it didn’t stop Christmas celebrations and special outreach in that African nation. Every Child Ministries[2] Lorella Rouster describes the Christmas celebration. “The Christmas decorations in Congo are usually those that we associate with Easter, that is palm branches. Palm branches are frequently used to welcome a king, to welcome a big chief, to welcome big government people to the area and that’s what they do for Christmas. They welcome the King.” Rouster describes their evangelical outreach on this special day. “We send out Bible teachers at Christmas with the Christmas message. And, the response really is just overwhelming to just a very simple story. They often have kids beg them to have the story repeated like three times.” Pray that seeds of the Gospel will be planted. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5484 [3]

Missionaries share how they celebrate Christmas in India. India (MNN)–Christmas in India has become more cosmopolitan in recent years, so it isn’t unusual to find the trappings familiar in the West. For Audio Scripture Ministries'[4] staff in Bangalore, the local churches have an interesting tradition. ASM’s Tom Dudenhoffer shares a letter detailing how one of their missionaries, ‘JP’, celebrates. “We travel from house to house on an ox-driven cart. Most churches in the city like to carol and so they rent vans, they bring their own musical instruments, and they come at night and sing.” Dudenhoffer says it’s a good time to be able to freely share the hope of Christ. The local churches are also busy preparing their messages. “The churches also, in the city, tend to have special services. In India, he says, gift giving is kind of rare, although people usually try at least to buy a new set of clothes for the day. Churches also like to have cantatas, choirs, plays, Sunday school services…” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5474

Christmas radio program reaching out in Mongolia. Mongolia (MNN) — Next, Far East Broadcasting Company’s is praying their Christmas outreach in Mongolia plants seeds of the Gospel. FEB Mongolia began airing Christmas programming earlier this month on WIND FM. It ends today. Features answered questions like, “What is Christmas?” Why are we celebrating this event?” “Who is Jesus?” and “Why did Jesus come to earth?” It all culminated with a Christmas pageant December 22 and 23. Pray that the programming will make many curious about Christ. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5485

A Christmas tradition paves the way for ministry. Brazil (MNN)–And, Brazilians have a Christmas tradition to play the “mystery or secret friend”. A random exchange of names results in a gift from an unknown person until a final revelation. In that tradition, the International Bible Society[5] reminds believers of the revelation of Christ’s love through their many projects. IBS ministers in partnership with organizations that provide street children shelter, food and care. In the Christmas season and beyond, they will also continue ministering to prisoners, and offering Bible training for believers. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5482

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=FFH [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=ECM [3]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/12-25-03LorellaRouster.rm [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=ASM [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=IBS

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