INDONESIAN CHRISTIAN WORKER KIDNAPPED, ESCAPES IN ACEH

JORDANIAN WIDOW WINS FINAL COURT BATTLE

IBS LAUNCHES NEW RESOURCE FOR PRISON MINISTRY

OM SHIPS INTERNATIONAL RENOVATES NEWEST VESSEL

MINISTRY IN INDIA OFFERS REFUGE TO CHILDREN, PROSTITUTES, ADDICTS

Today’s Top Stories:

INDONESIAN CHRISTIAN WORKER KIDNAPPED, ESCAPES IN ACEH An Indonesian ministry says one of its workers escaped after being kidnapped in Aceh, Indonesia on Monday, June 13. The local ministry’s director reported that one of the ministry’s staff members was kidnapped at gunpoint by Islamic separatist rebels in Aceh. After being held for 24 hours the worker was able to undo his ropes and escape into the night. He spent Wednesday being de-briefed by the police. The worker said the kidnappers were from GAM, Gerakan Aceh Merdeka or Aceh Independence Movement, and were demanding money. “It highlights the dangers that do exist and the importance of continually being covered in prayer,” the ministry’s director said. “We thank the Lord for this miraculous escape.” (Assist News)

JORDANIAN WIDOW WINS FINAL COURT BATTLE A Jordanian court of appeal rejected a last-ditch appeal this week from the Muslim guardian fighting for custody of Christian widow Siham Qandah’s two minor children. The June 13 decision reconfirmed an earlier verdict from Amman’s Al-Abdali Sharia Court two months ago which revoked the legal guardianship of Abdullah al-Muhtadi, the maternal uncle of Qandah’s daughter Rawan and son Fadi. According to Qandah’s lawyer, this final verdict from the appellate court cannot be appealed. It effectively cancels all other pending cases regarding permanent custody of the children. Al-Muhtadi has been ordered by the court to repay misspent funds he had withdrawn from his wards’ inheritance accounts without judicial approval. Qandah may now select a new guardian for court approval to oversee her children’s legal affairs until they reach maturity at age 18. (Compass Direct)

IBS LAUNCHES NEW RESOURCE FOR PRISON MINISTRY International Bible Society has joined new initiative called Operation Starting Line. IBS’s major contribution will be a special Bible specific to prison ministry. “They asked us to incorporate a Bible study-that was actually written by the Navigators-in the Bible. So, we’ve done the special edition in addition to the Navigator’s Bible Study, there’s also a response card where prison inmates can sign up for a correspondence course through Crossroad’s Ministry,” said Richard Blanco, spokesperson for IBS. Nearly 2 million adults and youth crowd U.S. prisons and jails. Blanco explains why they felt it was necessary to provide this unique resource. “There are some prison institutions that only allow the inmates to have a limited amount of resources and that really helps the inmate get a really effective Scripture and Bible study material just in case they’re really not able to go to a service or a Bible study that’s being offered.” (Mission Network News)

OM SHIPS INTERNATIONAL RENOVATES NEWEST VESSEL Logos Hope, the newest vessel of OM Ships International (OMSI), arrived on June 14 in Shipyard Trogir, Croatia to undergo major conversion work. When completed, the vessel will hold the world’s largest floating book fair. The former passenger and vehicle ferry was purchase last year. “We are deeply grateful to all our partners and supporters who have made it possible for us to reach this point. The start of the renovations is a major landmark in the progress of the Logos Hope Project,” said Bernd Guelker, Chief Executive Officer of OMSI. The Faroe Islands-registered Logos Hope will be used to transport vital literature resources, aid supplies and people committed to serving port communities around the world. (Assist News)

MINISTRY IN INDIA OFFERS REFUGE TO CHILDREN, PROSTITUTES, ADDICTS Bombay Teen Challenge (BTC), led by Rev. K.K. Devaraj, is bringing hope to many people in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India. The ministry offers refuge to orphaned children, addicts and women sold into prostitution through six safe houses, health clinics and homes for street children and AIDS orphans. Medical vans are sent daily into the heart of the city to offer food, healthcare and the chance for a new life. A drug-detoxification program is also available, offering former addicts education, job training and employment opportunities. BTC maintains a constant outreach among the brothels and operates a Spirit-filled church in the area offering prayer, acceptance and hope to the hopeless. Devaraj is also building a hospice for HIV-positive children. (Religion Today/Charisma News Service)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * Harold Goerzen HCJB World Radio E-mail: Phone: 1-719-590-9800 Fax: 1-719-590-9801 Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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