Nigeria (MNN) -- Nigeria's acting president's decision to dissolve the government comes at a tense time following deadly Muslim-Christian violence in Jos. Even as he tries to bring new order, some people can't wait.  

The region was hit by another wave of violence on Wednesday, resulting in 20 more deaths. That's on top of an estimated 500 Christians in the Nigerian village of Dogo Nahawa who were killed by machete-wielding Muslims. Most of the victims were women and children.

Carl Moeller with Open Doors says, "Our relief projects are to cover three basic areas: First is immediate survival. Second, we need to get some of these people into safe houses. And then finally, since many of the children have been orphaned, we're providing orphan care and spiritual support and education."

Many surviving Christians are still shell-shocked. The danger comes when grief turns to anger. "Our biggest prayer request right now is that Christians would be filled with the spirit of Christ and would be an example of forgiveness and not engage with retribution killing."

The church in Nigeria is on the cusp of a spiritual battle. In an interview Open Doors released with their Africa Director, he says, "We need to understand that those Christians in northern Nigeria face discrimination, humiliation and attacks on almost a daily basis. They have built and rebuilt homes and churches so many times. They have gone to morgues to look for the bodies of their loved ones so often."

Tension multiplies as the Open Doors coordinator testifies that the youth of Dogo Nahawa are livid over the attack. Their director noted that, "When a pastor encouraged them to forgive, they were extremely offended. This is not to be commended, but it has to be understood."

Along with their physical presence, their team brings spiritual and emotional assistance. As they bring that support, Moeller says it's the Gospel speaking. "We're trying to involve not only material resources, but also the spiritual and encouraging resources to let these Christians know that they're not forgotten."

They can't move forward without the funds in place. Click here if you can help.

Pastor Chandran was attacked on March 8 by ten Hindu extremists who entered his home during a prayer meeting. (VOM photo)

India (MNN) -- Conditions for Christians in the Indian state of Karnataka continue to worsen after the Communal Violence Bill of last year.

Under this legislation, officials have demanded Christians stop distributing literature as well as share their faith because "it offends the Hindus," according to Energy Publisher, an international news and analysis agency.

EnerPub reported an incident in regards to this on March 15, where "police went to the Cathedral of Karwar and warned the Vicar General to stop the spreading of Christian literature and Christian religious pictures."

Additionally, Voice of the Martyrs, USA reported the beating of pastor Ravi Chandran on March 8, when 10 Hindu extremists entered his home during a prayer meeting. The men attacked Chandran and the other believers present, kicking, punching and hitting them with glass bottles.

These two separate instances add to the more than 1,000 anti-Christian incidents in Karnataka since the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) Hindu national party took office two years ago, according to EnerPub.

On March 16, the all India Christian Council sent the government a letter, stating the bill allows for mistreatment of Christians and instead favors Hindu freedom.

India Gospel League also reported on the increased persecution in Karnataka and said believers who do not conform to the new legislation face imprisonment and violence.

These tightening regulations make ministry in the area even more difficult for VOM, who supports pastors like Chandran and provides motorcycles and bicycles for Christian workers, and for IGL, who also supports area pastors.

Pray for both ministries during this challenging time, as well as for the believers and non-believers affected by their ministries.

Click here for updates on this situation and others as VOM reports on the persecuted church.

Manfonki now has a reliable fresh water sources. (World Hope photo)

Sierra Leone (MNN) -- As World Water Day approaches on March 22, World Hope International is doing their part to fight the fresh water crisis by installing a clean well in the village of Manfonki in Sierra Leone.

While the village previously had a well, when civil war swept through the country, much of Manfonki and the surrounding villages were destroyed, along with the well.

After this, their only source of water was from a bacteria-laden muddy stream, which has caused severe stomach aches, diarrhea and even deadly diseases. Additionally, the stream is quite a distance from the village and often dries up during the dry season, making villagers walk even farther for unsafe water.

With the new well, "We are happy and praising God!" one villager said. The villager's gratitude showed the impact World Hope is having on communities, as they also seek to introduce individuals to the Living Water, Jesus Christ.

World Hope has other clean water and rural development projects in Sierra Leone, as well as in Cambodia, Indonesia, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. They can also use your help to fund more fresh water projects. Click here to get started or learn about other ministries World Hope is involved in.

Oloikoboi Listening Group

International (MNN) -- Roughly half the world's population is illiterate. Oral cultures make up most of those illiterate populations, which makes storytelling key to learning.

Ken Edwards of Faith Comes By Hearing says that approach to evangelism is what's behind their "Every Church, Every Village" program. "We provide solar powered audio Bibles with the complete New Testament, a word-for-word reading in a dramatized format so that they can listen to the Word of God in their own language and understand what God is saying to them." 

The Proclaimer was developed primarily as a playback device for poor and illiterate people who may not have any other source to hear God's Word.  

The units are free. What's the catch? Edwards says, "We are able to provide these without cost to the churches for their short term trips. All we ask in return is to make sure they get used. Also, since we have donors that have generously supported this project;,we need to be accountable to them. We are asking the churches to give us some feedback on how they were received."

For example, more than 100 groups have taken Creole Proclaimers to Haiti. These groups range from medical professionals, feeding ministries, rebuilding and construction experts, and well-drilling teams to dental specialists, grief counselors and water filtration teams.

One aid worker named Ty took four Proclaimers along with his water purification group. While there, he met Pastor Gregory and gave him a Proclaimer.

"Pastor Gregory, once an orphan himself, now is the pastor for the surrounding community and neighboring villages," reported Ty. "His orphanage, normally home to 80-100 orphans, now is home to over 1,000 families--mostly children who have evacuated Port-au-Prince. I can only imagine the stress he is under to lead in a trying time."

"With a massive influx of refugees, the immediate need to provide hope and direction to new refugees and existing community through God's Word was just as vital as clean water," he said.

Ty continues by describing what happened when they turned on the Proclaimer.

"The expression on his face was priceless. I could feel his excitement radiate from him. As a desperate but faithful pastor of a devastated, overcrowded community, he now had a way to communicate to the masses who were not only thirsty for clean water but thirsty for God's Word."

During the first year of the Every Church, Every Village program, more than 6,500 Bible Listening programs have begun in 80 countries.  

The short-term mission trip season is right around the corner. FCBH has Scripture in 435 languages to choose from. If your team can take some Proclaimers with them, please allow at least three to four weeks to receive them. Click here for more details.

Youth from the 2009 Summer of Hope shared their stories of hope and what God has been teaching them. (RHM photo)

USA (MNN) -- Which U.S. group do you think has the highest suicide average?

The inner cities? Suburbs?

Actually, Native American youth top the charts with a suicide rate four times greater than the national average, indicating their longing for something more in this life.

Though Christians have witnessed to this population for hundreds of years, they have been largely neglected.

"In 500 years of Native missions, only five percent on the reservations claim to know Christ," said Brad Hutchcraft of Ron Hutchcraft Ministries.

Since 1991, Hutchcraft's On Eagles Wings ministries have reached out to reservations across the U.S., Canada and even globally, traveling only to reservations where they have been invited, for maximum impact.

Specifically reaching out to the youth of these reservations, On Eagles Wings holds Warrior Leadership Summits every summer, ministering to 40-60 youth at a time, empowering them to do work for the Kingdom and share their stories of hope.

After the summits, it is the youth's turn for ministry through the Summer of Hope, starting in July.

"This is unprecedented in Native missions' history because what is working is Native young people reaching other Native young people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ," Hutchcraft said. This summer they anticipate visiting some 700 native youth from 60-70 different tribes.

"This generation of young people is up for grabs spiritually," Hutchcraft said. Torn between tribal traditions and American culture, they struggle with finding their place in the world.

"That's where a team like On Eagles Wings comes in, bringing hope where there's been none," he said.

Though most of this team is self-contained, RHM and On Eagles Wings can still use your help. Tangibly, you can contact them and visit one of the reservations this summer to help with meals.

However, Hutchcraft said the most important thing is prayer.

"We're praying that some of God's people open their hearts to these people who are part of a triple tragedy: they're the most desperate, the most unreached, and really the most invisible," said Brad Hutchcraft. "We know that the battles are won through the prayers of the people who are supporting us."

For specific needs, RHM has assembled a "Pray for Native Youth" kit, as well as a 2010 prayer calendar. Click here to get yours.