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Leadership training continues despite violence in Iraq Iraq (MNN) — Headlining today’s news, violence in and around Iraq is preventing many Christians in the region from receiving theological training they crave. CB International[1] is focused on providing that in the Middle East and Central Asia. CBI’s President Hanz Finzel says they’re helping Iraqi believers, but from outside the country. He says the reason’s pretty obvious. “The security concerns make it very dangerous to ramp up a huge thing. I predict next year, 2005 as things settle down Lord willing hopefully we will begin to help them actually build their own Bible colleges and seminaries.” Finzel says this region of the world is passionate to know the truth. “Many people are disillusioned with the alternative religions. They’re saying, ‘who is this Jesus Christ and what do these Christians have to offer?’ When we go in there with humanitarian efforts, I think that’s just a fantastic foundation to the Gospel.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5898 [2]

Aid agencies batten down the hatches in Iraq. Iraq (MNN)–Meanwhile, World Vision[3] is pulling back in northern Iraq following the murder of an aid agency director and his wife four days ago. World Vision New Zealand closed its offices in response, but will assess security on April 18th. Ten staff members will wait out the situation in Jordan, while another 67 Iraqi staff will remain. Please pray for the safety of those involved with meeting physical and spiritual needs in Iraq during this time. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5896

A growing translation project in Western Nigeria picks up speed. Nigeria (MNN)–The Seed Company[4] reports good progress in their Kambari translation of the book of Acts. The team is readying themselves to begin work on seven other New Testament books. There are also several Old Testament texts in the first draft stage. An indigenous language dictionary is ready for print, and should be available in the near future. Kambari is spoken by 300-thousand people in Western Nigeria. Pray for good relationships among the teams, and for the ability to catch mistakes in both translation and in typing. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5897

God provides new aircraft to speed Bible translation USA (MNN) — Next, It’s proof that God will supply all our needs. In this case a four-million dollar need. JAARS[5] , which speeds Bible translation by providing quality services for Wycliffe Bible Translators and others, announced this week that God has met their need of three aircraft. JAARS David Bothwell. “One of them was a helicopter for Papua New Guinea. The other two were new aircraft needed in one of our programs in the South Pacific. And, God has brought all of those aircraft to be fully funded during this year.” Transportation service is important to Bible translation work. “Much of the areas where the Bible translators work that we’re supporting, are in areas of the world that are very difficult, if not impossible to reach. And so, these aircraft are making it possible to do the work as well as speeding the work.” The new aircraft bring to 37 the total number craft in the JAARS fleet. Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5900

From fear of demons, to freedom in Christ, a pygmy tribe takes the Gospel to heart in the Republic of Congo. Congo-Brazzaville–And finally, the seeds of the Gospel have taken root and are growing at a fast pace near Brazzaville, in the Republic of Congo. Hope Builders International’s[6] Johan Gous says they had a carefully built plan to evangelize the Babongo Pygmy tribe last year, but God had other plans for team leader Dewald Vanden Berg. “What we thought would take three years, took seven weeks. It was eleven weeks that he was on the trip, but the last seven weeks, the doors were just really opened and he could really bring the Gospel of Jesus to them.” Gous says what’s even more thrilling is how plans to build discipleship and training centers came together. “This partner of ours moved in and said, “Here are the funds to go and put up the two training centers. Instead of going back to the Babongu in September, the way we planned, Dewald is actually leaving again on the third of May.” Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/5899

[1] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=CBI [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/04- 14-04HanzFinzel.rm [3] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=WVI [4] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=TSC [5] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=JAARS [6] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=HBI

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