Maldives: Fears of religious liberty crackdown
Police in the Maldives deported Shijo Kokkattu, an Indian teacher, for having a Bible in his house – confirming fears that repressive religious laws are being enforced in the island nation. He was detained for a fortnight, charged with preaching Christianity, then sent home after a police raid on his house. There had been hopes that religious restrictions introduced under the former dictator would not be enforced under President Mohamed Nasheed who is considered to be a progressive Muslim. But new regulations were published in the Government's gazette last month signalling a renewed commitment to enforce legal bans on the 'propagation, display and expression' of any religion other than Islam. Violation of the Act is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years, banishment or house arrest. Foreigners found to be proselytising are to be deported.
Pray: that the Maldivian authorities will yield to calls by World Evangelical Alliance, Compass Direct and others for greater religious freedom. (Ps.74:18-19)
Polynesia: Threat from rising sea levels
Archbishop Winston Halapua, of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia made a desperate appeal for prayer for the island of Tuvalu in the Pacific. Children roam the streets because their schools have closed due to water shortages. Wells are contaminated by sea water and they are critically short of drinking water. Breadfruit, banana and coconut trees roots are being contaminated by sea water and are dying. They are the main source of food. The Archbishop’s concerns about rising sea levels are no longer abstract theory but reality, with no rain forecast for Tuvalu for the next three months. The Archbishop has issued a call to the worldwide church to pray for Tuvalu adding, ‘Immediate relief is only a tiny part of the story, the bigger story is this - please do something about climate change.’
Pray: for funding for the Anglican Missions Board as they work with the Church of Tuvalu to provide food and water for the islanders. (Dt.25:4)
Mexico: Miraculous multiplication of food
They had only prepared food for 70 people. But once the service in the prison in Pochutla had started, 200 men joined in. During Operation Mobilization Mexico's outreach in the state of Oaxaca, a group of volunteers realized they hadn't enough food and prayed for God to multiply it. Their prayer was answered. ‘I could hardly believe it, but it happened. As we were handing the food out to the inmates, it didn't run out. We even had enough plates and spoons for 200 men!’ Source: Jennifer LeClaire, OMI.
Praise: God for He is the God of miracles. (Ps.77:14)
More: http://www.joelnews.org/frontpage.htm
Mexico: Miraculous multiplication of food
They had only prepared food for 70 people. But once the service in the prison in Pochutla had started, 200 men joined in. During Operation Mobilization Mexico's outreach in the state of Oaxaca, a group of volunteers realized they hadn't enough food and prayed for God to multiply it. Their prayer was answered. ‘I could hardly believe it, but it happened. As we were handing the food out to the inmates, it didn't run out. We even had enough plates and spoons for 200 men!’ Source: Jennifer LeClaire, OMI.
Praise: God for He is the God of miracles. (Ps.77:14)
More: http://www.joelnews.org/frontpage.htm
