Laos: Freedom for the poor
Laos National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy states, ‘Poverty is the lack of ability to fulfil basic human needs such as food, adequate clothing, permanent housing, access to health, education and transportation services.’ However, a Christian working in Laos reported, ‘When a compassionate man tried to distribute clothing to the poor living in the bitter cold mountains of Laos the response from the village headman was, ‘Why? The poor are social parasites and useless.’ The Buddhist-Animist worldview in Laos believes people are poor, sick or come upon hard times because of bad 'karma' - they did something bad in this life or a previous life and are now reaping the consequences. Most tribal groups in Laos are animists - believing everything is controlled by good and bad spirits, so sickness or poverty results from offending the spirits and the answer is to make offerings to appease the spirits. Pray for Christians modelling a Biblical worldview as they unconditionally care for the poor.
Pray: for God to look down with compassion on the nation of Laos and give His wisdom to relief and community workers. (Ps.33:12)
Iraq: Christians targeted in Mosul blasts
Buses transporting mainly Christian university students from Hamdaniya to Mosul were the target of two bomb blasts earlier this week. The Mayor of Hamdaniya said, ‘All of the passengers were Christian students. They go in buses like that to Mosul's University after the troubled times when Christians were targeted in the past.’ A doctor at the hospital said at least 17 were critically injured. About 750,000 of Iraq's 30 million population are Christians. The US-based National Council of Churches have sent a letter to Hillary Clinton asking her to urge Iraqi officials to do more to protect Iraq's Christian community. ‘Our concern is now particularly acute because it is possible that tensions will increase as various political forces continue to vie for power following the recent elections. We fear that a growing climate of ,mistrust and animosity will further threaten the fragile Christian community’ the letter said. Attacks remain common, especially in Baghdad and Mosul.
Pray: for God’s people continually to experience an awe-inspiring sense of His presence in every circumstance. (Ps.18:16-17)
More: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/05/201052113858638936.html
Somalia: Attacks on Christians spreading
Fighters of Somalia's feared Islamic militant group al-Shabab are killing Somali Christians as part of a crackdown on ‘non-Islamic culture.’ US based advocacy group International Christian Concern said three al-Shabab gunmen executed Mu’awiye Hilowle Ali at close range on Monday and he died on the spot in front of his house west of Mogadishu. See On Tuesday they killed Yusuf Ali Nur a leader of the underground church movement in Somalia who was on a list of people the Islamic extremists suspected of being Christian. Al Shabaab has links with al-Qaeda and has vowed to rid Somalia of Christianity. The latest deaths come after several executions of Somalis suspected of membership of a suppressed yet resilient underground faith movement in Somalia. A number of Christians have been beheaded by the radical Islamists out to topple the fledgling Transitional Federal Government and introduce a strict version of sharia law.
Pray: that the Christian Somali faith would be strengthened and grow, as the persecution and fear of death diminishes. (Ps.41:12)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/somalia/18721/
Afghanistan: Pastor wants to reach Taliban
Pasr Anwar Fazal Masih founder of Eternal Life Ministries International and Isaac TV ministries wants to take the message of Christ to the Taliban in war-torn Afghanistan. He believes this can be achieved if his Pakistan-based Isaac TV can transmit via satellite by August 2010. The setting up of Christian TV in Pakistan, a 170 million nuclear-armed nation, has been commended not only by the Christians of Pakistan but also by many Christian brothers and sisters abroad Meanwhile this Christian leader has called on the international community to keep its focus on the needs of the Afghan people after weeks of rancour between the US and Afghanistan as they try to agree on a democratic way forward after the election. Adding the acute poverty in Afghanistan had to be a ‘top priority’ for the international community and the Afghan government at the upcoming peace 'jirga' - or consultative assembly - and parliamentary elections. See
Pray: that God would use every resource, including technology, to release His love and purposes into the lives of the unreached. (Ps.47:8)
