News headlines for March 26th 2004

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Dengue fever outbreak sweeps across Indonesia Indonesia (MNN) — We begin today in Indonesia where dengue fever has struck that predominately Muslim nation. Compassion International’s[1]

helps sponsor children in the region. Compassion’s Rebeca Harcharik. “Since January 1st of this year there’s been an outbreak of dengue fever in Indonesia. Overall in the country there’s been a little less than 35,000 cases reported. In Compassion assisted children there’s been about 60 children affected, and unfortunately two children have died.” Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes and Compassion is helping with treatment and education. Harcharik says since Compassion International is a Christian ministry, they’re also doing something even more important. “The staff that work with children receive training and they are Christians themselves. They would definitely use this as an opportunity to share God’s love and His mercy and inspire them in that sense.” 28-dollars a month can help one of these children. Go to MissionNetworkNews-dot-org for more information. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5833

MAF teams go to Nyankunde for a damage and situational evaluation Congo-Kinshasa (MNN)–Meanwhile, the peace accords in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo appear to be tenuously holding. With the war’s official end, Mission Aviation Fellowship’s[2] Dennis Fulton says their team just did a damage evaluation at the Nyankunde base, but staying there is still risky. “We just had flare-ups here very recently. So, that’s the reason we’re not back in there now, is because the area is still having problems with security. UN troops are in there, and because the UN troops are in there, they’re trying to bring order to the ethnic tensions there.” Fulton says ministry continues from Bunia. The base was looted, but people are beginning to return. “There is now some movement of little houses that are going up. It looks like there will be a possibility of the church restarting there, a possibility of maybe the clinic coming back in, and we’re hoping that we can get the UN troops to finish with the de-mining around the area.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5831

Security threatens some missionaries in Zambia Zambia (MNN) — Armed bandits are forcing missionaries to take extra precautions in Zambia. Grace Ministries International[3] reports that one of their missionary couples was attacked by armed thugs in January. Last month a home next door to one of their missionary families was attacked, killing the homeowner. Pray for missionaries in the region as they deal with threats of violence. Pray that through their unconditional commitment to the region many Zambians will turn to Christ. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5834

The Gospel advances under the encouragement of church leaders around the world. International (MNN)–Next, Global Advance[4] teams are readying themselves for a marathon. 2004 is a year for strategy, training and pacing. GAM President, David Shibley explains. “We, at Global Advance, are off to a faster start than ever before. We’ve already conducted twelve Frontline Shepherd’s Conferences in eight nations of the world. Some six thousand pastors and ministry leaders have been at our conferences and have received training.” Shibley says they provide on-site training for needy pastors and church leaders in underdeveloped nations. For many, the integrity of their faith marks the pastors for oppression, persecution and hardship. Shibley says that may fuel a growing sense of purpose. “We have seen a tremendous move of God’s spirit in almost every one of our conferences. There seems to be a hunger level among pastors higher than it has ever been, at least in our 14-year experience. We sense a holy momentum.” April’s conferences are in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5832

A prison ministry says ‘Alabado sea Dios!’ for growth USA (MNN)–And, Crossroad Bible Institute’s[5] Spanish program is growing by leaps and bounds. Prison statistics indicate 20-percent of the 2-million inmates in America are of Hispanic origin. Since the program’s launch in 2002, the number of active Spanish students has increased to over 700 and the number of Spanish instructors to over 100. CRBI’s helps the church reach prisoners everywhere, preparing them for re-entry, with the truth of God’s Word and the love of God’s People. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5835

[1] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=COMP [2] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=MAF [3] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=GMI [4] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=GAM [5] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=CBI

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