Government figures show that homelessness is up by 13%
The number of households declared homeless so far this year is up by 13 per cent from the same period last year, according to Government figures. According to Homeless Link, the umbrella group for over 500 charities, 35,680 households have been accepted as homeless by local authorities since the start of 2011 and the numbers of people placed in bread and breakfast accommodation has risen by 30 per cent to 9,240 compared with the same period last year. Jacqui McCluskey, of Homeless Link, said: ‘As a result of the recession, cuts and the high cost of living, the number of homeless people continues to rise. Especially alarming is the jump in number of people becoming homeless because they have had to leave their privately rented homes. We are concerned that this trend will accelerate as the government's changes to housing benefit bite. Becoming homeless shouldn't be inevitable. Urgent action is needed to keep more people in their homes.’
Pray: for all those who are homeless or likely to become so and that safeguards will be put in place by the Government to protect them. (Ps.70:5)
Operation Capitals and Gatekeepers of Europe
Operation Capitals of Europe and Gatekeepers of Europe in Athens, Greece, will hold a joint event, 20-26 March 2012.
George & Evi Markakis
Shalom Center Athens
Shalom Apostolic Network international
Shalom Center House of Prayer for all Nations
3rd flr, 8, Akominatou str. Omonia Athens, Greece
France: Alpine glaciers in retreat
French Alps glaciers have lost 1/4 of their area in the past 40 years according to the largest annual gathering of Earth scientists, (American Geophysical Union). It mirrors findings of retreat occurring in other sectors of the Alps across the borders of several nations. The French Alps glaciers inventory was produced through the University of Savoie. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16025568. Meanwhile in a South African convention on climate change running from 28th November to 9th December Christian youth discuss the message that God's creation needs better care as young people from church and faith-based organisations on six continents take ‘Youth For Eco-Justice’ training. Roger Schmidt, Secretary for Youth said, ‘Creative young people are capable of breaking the deadlock in the world in terms of climate change with a new understanding of the connection of justice and ecology.’
Pray: for more to catch the vision of eco-justice and for governments to put global concerns ahead of national industrial development.(Ps.24:1-2)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15872
Burma: Christians face deadly attacks
On November 30th as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Burma to support Burma's apparent reforms to discuss minority rights, government troops killed civilians and burned houses 450 miles away in Christian majority state Kachin. Soldiers fired four rounds of mortar shells at civilians killing a woman and injuring six other villagers in Waingmaw Township, a battalion burned down ten homes in Nam Wai village and five in Hpa Ke village. The killing and arson followed two explosions that killed a student and injured another the previous night in Myitkyina. Local residents suspected government agents planted the bombs. The twin blasts rocked the state capital days after an explosion killed seven children and three internally displaced Kachin people and injured 16 children at an orphanage. Two sons and a grandson of a Christian couple who run the orphanage in their home were among those killed, but police arrested the family, alleging they had detonated it.
Pray: for the Burmese authorities to honour their agreement to implement minority rights reforms. (Am.5:24)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/burma/article_124091.html
