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Rebellion convulses Haiti; Christians continue to minister. Haiti (MNN)–Topping the news, smoldering ruins littered city streets as Haiti’s President Jean-Bertrand Aristide condemned a deadly uprising this week. Instability has spread as the call grew for Aristide to step down. That led to clashes between government forces and rioters who set up roadblocks to choke off supplies to the cities. World Vision’s[1] Kate Scannell-Michel (SKAN-ul mees-SHELL). “The roads are blocked and we are able to continue our activities in most of the areas where we are working. If the roads continue to be blocked, we will have to cut down on some of our activities, but we are looking at alternative methods to make sure we can reach the people who need our help.” The insurrection could grow into a full-scale humanitarian crisis soon. Scannell-Michel says it’s a time for full-scale ministry. “We’re working because of our belief in Jesus Christ and we’re able to respond by giving people food, helping people eint heir need, and that’s really the practical Gospel that we’re able to share with the people.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5678

More violence closes churches and jail preachers in India India (MNN) — Meanwhile, Hindu Fundamentalist now control another state in India and the change in leadership is having a negative impact on Christians there. Lance Thollander with says Madhya Pradesh state is the latest to fall. “The fundamentalists Hindu government has come into power. And, it’s an area where there’s been persecution of believers over the last few years. But, now the government has joined in with the Hindu fundamentalists to really aggressively go after believers.” Frequent beatings, church burnings and arrests have accompanied the threats. Thollander says believers are standing strong despite local authorities outlawing Christian ministry. “They’re saying if we can’t meet openly, publicly, then we’ll continue to meet in homes. It’s another one of those situations where the enemy tries to come in and stamp out the church, but the church responds with faith and witness.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5684 [2]

Attacks against Christians in India are on the increase India (MNN)–The increased number of violent acts against Christians in India have prompted calls for the government to step in. The Voice of the Martyrs[3] reports that Hindu groups have been conducting anti-Christian rallies which in turn result in attacks against schools, vehicles and churches as well as threats against Christians. Protestant and Catholic groups have joined together in calling for the government to intervene in stopping these attacks that occur on a regular basis. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5679

A new Bible translation should reach some 400,000 in Africa Kenya (MNN)–A new Bible translation work is expected to impact about 400,000 people in Africa. International Bible Society[4] released the first printings of the New Testament that targets those who speak Luo in Kenya and East Africa. Abourt 70% of the Luo peope cannot understand the existing Luo Bible and now they have a translation in a language that they daily speak. More than 1,000 church and government leaders welcomed the translation project at a dedication ceremony at the end of January. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5677

Seeking more workers for the field is the focus of OC International International (MNN) — And finally, it’s year number two in their effort to double the missionary force by 2007. OC International[5] was able to expand their ministry by 10-percent in 2003, which is just the first step that’s needed to see more people come to Christ. President of OCI Greg Gripentrog says more growth is needed this year. He says the growth will take place on both sides of the ocean. “We are truly internationalizing the mission and establishing sending bases in countries around the world. So, 40-percent of our growth is projected from North America, 60-percent from other continents around the world.” In either case more people are needed to fill these positions. Gripentrog says that their plans to expand won’t come without problems. “The political situation around the world continues to be tense in many of the countries where we have personnel. We are always needing the prayers of God’s people for protection for our missionaries and blessings for their efforts.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5680

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

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/02-13-04LanceThollander.rm [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=VOM [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=IBS [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=OCI

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