Russia: Love of Christ to disadvantaged children
At former communist camping grounds, that once indoctrinated children that there is no God, thousands of needy children across the former Soviet Union will learn about the gift of hope in Christ this summer. At least 5,000 children across Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Chechnya, the Northern Caucasus and Central Asia will take part in at least one hundred camps coordinated by Russian Ministries in the coming months. Since 1999, Russian Ministries has been running their camping programme, bringing hope to thousands of street kids, orphans, children with alcoholic parents, children with disabilities and children from families affected by HIV/AIDS and the ravages of violence and war. ‘Summer camps are the most effective and strategic opportunities for evangelical outreach in order to reach out to the next generation,’ explained Russian Ministries’ Senior Vice President Sergey Rakhuba. Praise: God for this initiative and for all those who will hear His message. (Is.52:7)
S. Asia: Bamboo artisans share Jesus
Nearly every day, five S. Asian tribal women travel to surrounding villages to sell their hand-crafted bamboo items. But when these women go to the markets, they bring something else with them: Jesus. Even though these rural women don’t know how to read, they bring Gospel tracts with them everywhere they go. One week, the women had an extraordinary opportunity before them when they visited one of Laxmi’s relatives, Shalini. She had suffered for more than a year from a tumor in her neck. In faith, the five women shared Jesus’ love with Shalini and prayed for her. God answered their cries and healed Shalini, completely removing the tumor that had plagued her for so long. Shalini and her whole family saw Jesus’ power and chose to follow Him, leaving their old traditions and religious practices to put their trust in the one true God. Six other families in their village also chose Jesus. Praise: God for His wonderful healing power. (Ac.10:38)
S. Asia: Bamboo artisans share Jesus
Nearly every day, five S. Asian tribal women travel to surrounding villages to sell their hand-crafted bamboo items. But when these women go to the markets, they bring something else with them: Jesus. Even though these rural women don’t know how to read, they bring Gospel tracts with them everywhere they go. One week, the women had an extraordinary opportunity before them when they visited one of Laxmi’s relatives, Shalini. She had suffered for more than a year from a tumor in her neck. In faith, the five women shared Jesus’ love with Shalini and prayed for her. God answered their cries and healed Shalini, completely removing the tumor that had plagued her for so long. Shalini and her whole family saw Jesus’ power and chose to follow Him, leaving their old traditions and religious practices to put their trust in the one true God. Six other families in their village also chose Jesus. Praise: God for His wonderful healing power. (Ac.10:38)
Indonesia: Islamist hardliners declare 'war' on 'Christianisation'
Islamist hardliners are using violent talk about the 'Christianisation' of Bekasi, amid rising interfaith tensions in the city. Nine Islamic groups meeting in this West Javan city have reportedly joined forces in a campaign to prepare local mosques to 'wage war' on the growing Christian influence in the city. The group is recommending that each local mosque should form its own laskar or 'paramilitary unit' to enforce Sharia laws or strict Islamic practices on local Muslims – and insisting that the Bekasi administration's policymaking should reflect this code. Hardliners say they are reacting to what they see as a concerted attempt by the church to extend its reach in Bekasi, a commuter city for Jakarta. Mass baptisms of Christians who were raised as Muslims are cited as a particular issue for concern. Church leaders are now calling on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to defend the Christian minority in the face of mounting intimidation. Pray: against moves to revive religious tensions in a nation still recovering from conflict fuelled by jihadists. (Ps.55:9)
