Egypt: 100,000 Christians have left since March
In a pattern that follows the exodus of Christians from several Middle Eastern countries a reported 100,000 Coptic believers have left Egypt since the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak. The report on emigration of Christians was sent to the Egyptian cabinet and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces warning that this emigration has been prompted by the escalating intimidation and attacks on Christians by Islamists. Emigrating Copts from professional and business classes are not prompted by their need for work, but from fear of the hard line Salafists. Constitutional amendments and Salafist intention to implement Hudud laws (Sharia-based punishments, which include capital punishment by sword/crucifixion, stoning, amputation and flogging). Copts also have to pay the jizya (tax paid by non-Muslims to the state) because they are not first class citizens and can never enjoy full citizenship rights, or obtain sensitive posts. Also churches are being attacked and Christians killed.
Pray: for protection and provision for Egyptian Copts and through a future of hope within a democratic constitution. (Pr.23:15)
Israel settlement plans condemned
The European Union and the United States have condemned Israeli plans for the construction of 1,100 new housing units in occupied East Jerusalem as being counterproductive to negotiations on peace talks with the Palestinians. They responded sharply to the Israeli interior ministry's announcement on Tuesday that it had approved plans for the new housing units in Gilo, an illegal settlement enclave in southeast Jerusalem. The ministry said construction could begin after a mandatory 60-day period for public comment, a process that is largely a formality. Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, said that the settlement plans were ‘counter-productive to our efforts to resume direct negotiations between the parties’. Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, condemned the Israeli decision, saying it amounted to ‘1,100 no's to the resumption of peace talks’. He urged the US to change its position and support the Palestinians in their quest for full UN membership.
Pray: for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli/Palestinian situation, with acceptable boundaries and a lasting cease-fire.(2Ch.7:14).
More: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/09/201192851113137636.html
An Urgent Appeal for Prayer from the GDOP Coordinator in Thailand
Many countries across Asia are encountering severe flooding and loss of lives. In Thailand, the situation is getting worse in many provinces (at least 25 provinces of the 77 provinces).
“It just gets worse” (that is the headline of the Bangkok Post online edition yesterday: www.bangkokpost.com). To date, according to the Bangkok Post report, 212 people died, and the situation probably will get worse as most of the mountainous areas are fully saturated and just getting ready to cause major mudslides. At least 3-4 more storms will be heading towards Thailand.
ALL the dams in Thailand are beyond capacities. Even though most of them are still able to take in more but not for long. It is just like a big catastrophe in waiting to happen anytime all across the countries where these dams are located. They must release the water but at the expense of inundating thousands of villagers. The worst thing is that the sea level will be at its highest in the middle of October.
Thank you again for your contributions and prayer.
Pray for Table 71 and the Finishing of the Task among the Unreached Peoples
Wonderful progress has been made in engaging the remaining unreached people groups of our world. For more information, please check out this website:
http://www.finishingthetask.com/videos.html#Table71
Pray for these unreached people groups and that Christian workers will hear His call to go to them and be effective in sharing Christ’s Good News in a culturally appropriate and spiritually powerful way.
