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Today’s Headlines:

HOPEGIVERS INTERNATIONAL, VOICE OF THE MARTYRS RUSHING AID TO QUAKE VICTIMS

TROPICAL STORM STAN RAVAGES CENTRAL AMERICA, BELIEVERS RESPOND

MULTICULTURALISTS, SECULARISTS UNHAPPY WITH UK RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS

U.S. BELIEVERS CALLED UPON TO PROTEST INDONESIAN CHRISTIANS’ PERSECUTION

Today’s Top Stories:

HOPEGIVERS INTERNATIONAL, VOICE OF THE MARTYRS RUSHING AID TO QUAKE VICTIMS Pakistan, India and Afghanistan are reeling from a massive 7.7 earthquake in the Kashmir region. Latest estimates put the deal toll at about 30,000 and the estimates seem to be rising by the hour. Among those Christian leaders offering help to those affected by the quake is Dr. Samuel Thomas, President of Hopegivers International, who says he plans to work with Hopegivers’ program partner Voice of the Martyrs to send emergency aid to victims of the latest earthquake in Asia. Although the earthquake shook nearby Hopegivers International schools and orphanages on the Indian side of the border, so far all Hopegivers orphans and staff appear to be unharmed. “As always,” said Dr. Thomas, “Hopegivers is ready to take in orphans and abandoned children who come to us on the Indian side of the border. Whole villages have collapsed in Jammu-Kashmir and other areas where Hopegivers outreach teams work regularly.” Meanwhile a media update says that on the Pakistan side of the border, more villages were wiped out, schools were destroyed and hundreds, possibly thousands are still trapped beneath the rubble of destroyed buildings. “We will provide any and every kind of support we can to our Pakistani brothers in their time of need,” said Thomas. (ASSIST News Service)

TROPICAL STORM STAN RAVAGES CENTRAL AMERICA; BELIEVERS RESPOND Tropical Storm Stan has killed hundreds of people in Central America. The storm left a trail of devastation across the region. Torrential rainfalls, flooding and mudslides mean damage to an already impoverished region will mount exponentially. The storm cut a swath of ruin through El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Colombia, Costa Rica and part of Mexico. World Vision rapid response teams delivered medicines, medical equipment and first aid items, along with other survival items. El Salvador took the hardest hit. Government estimates put 80% of the country under water, still. Crop ruin has been extensive. Thousands fled the country not only from the storm, but also from the eruption of the Ilamatepec Volcano nine days ago. Elsewhere, roads have been made impassable by landslides triggered by the continued rains. That makes getting aid to the displaced more of a challenge. World Vision Mexico is distributing tents, blankets, and sleeping bags to displaced families. World Vision staff are also providing psychosocial attention to the people in shelters. As they do so, their actions speak loudly of the love and hope of Christ. (Mission Network News)

MULTICULTURALISTS, SECULARISTS UNHAPPY WITH UK RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS As the British government prepares to announce more state support for religious schools, opponents here have renewed calls to end what they term a divisive practice. Currently, roughly 7,000 primary and secondary schools in the United Kingdom run by churches and other religious groups receive taxpayer support. In exchange for teaching the national curriculum and meeting educational standards, these schools receive capital funding and have a certain level of daily expenses met. According to the latest figures, 6,955 of them are Christian – of various denominations – 36 are Jewish, five Muslim and two Sikh. Prime Minister Tony Blair, an Anglican, sends his children to Roman Catholic schools and has repeatedly praised them. Next month, with the release of a major education position paper, observers predict that more – currently independent – faith-based schools will get government support. But the plan appears to be unpopular with a large segment of the public. In August, a poll of 1,006 adults published in the Guardian newspaper indicated that 64 percent were against faith schools of any kind. Only a quarter of the respondents supported them. (Crosswalk.com/CNSNews.com)

U.S. BELIEVERS CALLED UPON TO PROTEST INDONESIAN CHRISTIANS’ PERSECUTION Jim Jacobsen, president of Christian Freedom International (CFI), an interdenominational human rights organization that helps persecuted believers worldwide, reports that there is growing evidence of religious persecution against minority Christians in Indonesia. Jacobsen recently took part in a fact-finding mission to Indonesia. CFI vice president Vickie Koth says Jacobsen is urging the Indonesian government to allow religious freedom and to denounce a radical Islamic group that has used intimidation, fear, and threats in order to force church members to close down their churches. The CFI spokeswoman encourages Christians in America to get involved in advocacy on behalf of the persecuted Indonesian Christians. “We can go to our media,” she says, “go to our congressmen, go to our supporters and ask our supporters, ‘Call your congressmen. Call the Indonesian Embassy and tell them this needs to stop.’ The police could do something. We need to put the pressure on.” Up until now, Koth notes, the Indonesian government has not taken any measures to protect Christians in that country from such harassment. She says it is time for the authorities to put a stop to the rampant persecution of the Christian minority members. (AgapePress) * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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