Next, sources in India report an increase in violence against Christians in India. Recent incidents involve many believers who have been viciously attacked while involved in evangelistic activity. Despite the hostility, ministries like the International Bible Society continue to reach people with the Gospel. IBS’ PLN Murthy (MUR-tee) says they’ve just released the Kannada (keh-NAH-da) translation of the Bible. “The old translation, which was 150 years old, was a translation done by the European missionaries-but this translation was done completely by the natives; the editing was done by them, the theological checking and the field testing-so therefore, it became the translation of the native people.” Murthy says it’s geared for the 40-million people of South Central India who speak Kannada. He says the work is accepted because: “Our slogan has been: ‘This Bible is, as far as possible, theologically accurate, and linguistically accurate and worthy of interpretation from the pulpit and also the theological colleges.'”
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Missionary church planters in Spain are using unique tools to reach the lost in that country. Mike Davis is a missionary in the city of Zaragosa with the Evangelical Free Church Mission. Davis explains the two tools they’re using. “We’ve made about half of our contacts through loaning Christian videos door to door. Those have been videos from Billy Graham evangelistic films. And, about the other half of our contacts have been made through an evangelistic band called, Carpe Diem, Seize the Day.” According to Davis, while attendance is small, the ministry of the Evangelical Free Church is important. “The area that we’re in has about 100,000 to 150,000 people and we’re the only evangelical testimony. There’s, you know, 15-20 plus us. It’s worth it because non of those people were studying the Bible before. None of them had heard the Gospel clearly before.”
Next, Words of Hope continues to report good news from their radio broadcasts into Tibet. Because there is no organized church, Lee DeYoung says they’re trying be relevant while encouraging the faith of the believers that do exist. “In the Tibetan broadcasts, there is a 30-minute broadcast each day, seven days a week, approximately half of it is specifically Biblical content, and the other half is material of general interest to Tibetan people.” DeYoung says because the region is heavily Buddhist, much of their work is enhanced by partnerships. He adds there is much to pray for. “I think in any sensitive area where there is opposition, one prays for wisdom and discernment on the part of those who are laboring there-wisdom to know when to take a stand and when to do something bold…for people when they are persecuted, when they are greeted with opposition, to respond in a Christ-like way.”
Meanwhile, Operation Mobilization says a Christian charity has found a new way to support Christian education in Sudan. The Barnabas Fund, which aids persecuted believers, has pledged to finance three “schools on wheels” to train church leaders. In spite of persecution and a 17-year civil war, the church of southern Sudan is growing fast and more leaders are desperately needed. The idea of mobile theological schools was conceived because of the bombing danger.
Topping today’s news, we turn to the Congo where Rwanda and Uganda are trying to avert a wider war. The two sides agreed to pull back from an area where recent fighting has cropped up. Efforts at peace are frail and, according to Grace Ministries International’s Sam Vinton, desperately needed. “I feel that people are tired of the fighting, with no results, so, to a certain extent, I am optimistic things can be worked out, at least on paper. Now, how to implement that in a country which is so large with all these roving bands out there, that will be the next issue to be dealt with.” Although the fighting has hampered GMI’s efforts to continue their evangelistic work, Vinton insists that: “…it is encouraging to know that the national Christian leaders are going on with their work to the best that they can in light of the situation. We feel that we just have to keep going and being the ones there to encourage, but we certainly are not in the position to put any of our missionaries in those areas where there is no security.”
We begin today with an update from Ecuador. Back to the Bible’s staff report a quiet and uneventful week so far at La Biblia Dice’s compound. This follows an armed robbery which set the organization back 150-thousand dollars. Back to the Bible’s Mark Blowers says immediate efforts now turn to: “…trying to secure the facility. We’ve got to have walls that are replaced and fences that are replaced as well as locks and everything on the building. They’ve actually hired a 24-hour armed guard. We’re working on getting some basic equipment back and making final arrangements with HCJB to record and get our programs back on track.” Blowers adds that the emotional toll that this has taken on the staff cannot be measured in dollars. “There’s one particular lady who was assaulted that is really suffering emotionally still-the ones who were beat[en] physically are doing quite a bit better. I asked David Lagacho, the director of the [Ecuadorian] ministry, how we could pray for him, and here was his answer-his first request was this: “Pray that the Lord will finish His work in us.” They recognize this is spiritual opposition.”
Meanwhile, another missionary has been kidnapped in Colombia. According to Charisma News 51-year-old Edward Walter Smith of Australia was abducted from a church by a band of armed men on May 14th. According to reports, no ransom demands have been made and no reasons were given for the kidnapping. Smith had worked in the north east coastal region of the country for some 16 years with the Sydney based Australian Missionary Tidings. His wife and 23-year-old daughter are asking for prayer for his safety.
Meanwhile, Voice of the Martyrs is reporting Chinese authorities have arrested seven Christian leaders across the Guangdong province. Public Security Bureau officers also visited Hua Du village, where Pastor LiDexian preaches each Tuesday. Authorities barred the doors of the meeting place in an effort to keep Christians from meeting. China reportedly intends to push forward with a crackdown on groups not sanctioned by the government. Please pray for Chinese believers at this time.
An SIM team is planning a construction trip to the southern part of Angola. The war there continues with little hope for peace in sight. They have packed a container with materials for two pre-fabricated church buildings, and wheat and corn for distribution. The team is hoping that the container will clear customs so the supplies will be on hand when they arrive. Meanwhile, SIM reports many are turning to Christ as a result of the current refugee relief project.
Yesterday, we told you about an organization’s commitment to continuing their church planting efforts in Ethiopia. They’re doing so despite war and famine in that country. International Needs is that organization and, as David Culross explains, they have three goals. “International Needs was established over 25 years ago in the early 1970’s to partner with nationals in evangelism, we work in the area of leadership training, and then we have various works of compassionate care nature where we may care for children. We may have a small medical clinic. Something of that nature.” Culross says they minister in 30 different countries. He says evangelism is key to all of their work. “There must be an evangelistic focus on everything we do, or we say, this is a worthy cause, it needs to be done, but it’s not something that we do.” International Needs assists in church planting, vocational training, water purification, child sponsorship and more.
