News headlines for February 19th 2004 Mission Network News is brought to you in part by MTS TRAVEL. MTS TRAVEL announces a new money saving program for the closest supporters of missionaries on the field. Deeply discounted FAMILY, FRIENDS & PARTNER airfares make it easier for families to reunite, and for friends and partners to see missionary work with their own eyes. Simply enter your email address, and the location of the missionary you wish to visit. MTS TRAVEL sends notifcation when there are special airfares to that destination. For more information, or to sign up for this special service, please click on: http://www.mtstravel.com/familyfriendsandpartners/

American missionaries flee Haiti’s fighting; several determine to minister despite the danger. Haiti (MNN)–We begin today in Haiti, where the prime minister warns of an impending coup and spreading violence. As the unrest grows, groups of American missionaries have evacuated the area, although some remain grimly determined. For Haiti with Love’s[1] Don DeHart says it’s a matter of living the Gospel he preaches. “The Haitians have a feeling that missionaries always run during a time of trouble. I’ve been very fortunate to have always been there when trouble hits and I’ve stayed. They know that.” DeHart goes into Haiti today, and he’s stocking the clinic with medical supplies needed for riot-related injuries. As for insecurities, “You either trust God to do what he says he’ll do and protect you and care for you, or you don’t. I need to be there desperately. This time, I got caught on the outside, but I am going in to take care of the people and make sure the food program continues and our clinic stays open 24 hours a day to take care of the casualties.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5702

American pastor dies in Iraq Iraq (MNN)–A pastoral group on a fact finding mission to Iraq is fired upon leaving one U.S. pastor dead. Baptist Press reports that 48-year-old John Kelley from South Kingstown, Rhode Island was killed while three other men were wounded. The group went to Iraq on a two-week trip to explore the possibility of starting a church there. On February 14th, gunmen pulled up alongside the taxi the pastors were in and opened fire. The ambush occured about fifteen miles south of Baghdad. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5700

Orphans face a desperate situation in Africa Botswana (MNN) — Orphans in Africa are facing a desperate situation and Christians are being asked to get involved. Buckner Orphan Care International’s[2] Mike Douras (duhr-uhs) says there are 13 million orphans in sub-Saharan Africa alone. A lot of the children are not in any kind of care. Compounding the problem is HIV-AIDS, something that’s hit their work in Botswana. “Francistown, Botswana has the highest infection rate of AIDS of any city in the world. They’re saying the infection rate is 51-pecent of the population who is HIV positive. There are no orphanages that we are aware of in Francistown.” Funding is needed as Buckner wants to build a community center attached to the local church. This could give some hope to these children. “You may not be able to improve the situation they’re in, but you can give them Jesus Christ and you can walk with them in the midst of whatever they’re going to face in life. But, it’s also to show the love of Christ through our providing for them.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5699

Elita sows destruction in Madagascar, believers move in to help. Madagascar (MNN)–Meanwhile, despite a devastating cyclone the ministry of Teen Mission[3] will continue in Madagascar. Recently the storm hit the island just off the coast of Africa causing severe damage to thousands of homes. “Many homes were destroyed, many people were left homeless. Fortunately, for our base, there was minimal damage as far as, there was no injuries to people but we did have a lot of trees uprooted, branches falling, flooding that was going on there.” Scott Peterson with Teen Mission says while many are trying to recover, their ministry will assist in any way they can. They’ll also use the time to minister to the spiritual needs of the people. “Anytime that we have the opportunity to share the love of Christ, and just to meet needs on a practical level, it can open doors and it can open people’s hearts who have been suffering and just sharing God’s love is something that’s close to the heart of God and so anytime that we’re able to meet needs like that, we want to do that.” Pray that donations will come in so that ministry in Madagascar can move forward. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5703

Medical teams travel to remote areas of Thailand Thailand (MNN)–And, teams of medical volunteers survived remote jungle conditions to share the love of Christ in Thailand. Operation Blessing International[4] recently completed their 20th mission in Thailand. This time, they served 404 children and adults. The remote jungle tribe is located more than two-hundred miles away from the nearest hospital. Volunteers and staff provide medicine, minor surgery and other procedures as well as teaching them basic health education. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5701

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=FHWL [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=BOC [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=TMI [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=OBI ——————————————————————— Mission Network News Daily, a service of Cornerstone University of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Questions: (800) 284-9361 or

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