A powerful movement is sweeping through Ukraine. Thousands of Christian families are caring for the fatherless. They want to see their nation without orphans. Svetlana and Evgeniy Isaev became the first family in Ukraine to adopt a child with HIV, and now have seven HIV-positive children. ‘If we want to see a Ukraine without orphans, Christians have to be part of the solution,’ they say. Pastor Gennadiy Mohnenko is also a foster parent. He and his wife adopted 31 children. ‘If this movement is to have a lasting impact, Christian leaders must set the example,’ he says.

Praise: God for this move by Christians who have taken on the care of so many needy orphans. (Ja.1:27)

More: www.joelnews.org.

On Monday Fulani militants killed seven unarmed youths in Imande Dem, which is in the Guma local government area of Benue state. The youths, who were ethnic Tiv, a predominantly Christian group native to Benue, had reportedly been trying to recover the bodies of two others who had allegedly been killed previously by the same Fulanis. Also on Monday, an attack in Jol, which is south of Jos city in Plateau state, left ten people dead. We are asked to pray for those bereaved and traumatised by these violent attacks. May the communities affected by these killings be united against intolerance.

Pray: for all working tirelessly to support communities affected by violence, may they restore people's hope. May God guide, sustain and strengthen them as they repair broken walls. (Is.58:12)

More: http://www.releaseinternational.org/nigeria-militants-kill-unarmed-youths/

200+ are reported dead and 12,000+ injured, 1.5 million people have been affected. 130,000 homes have been damaged with 6,000 to 7,000 homes totally collapsed after Saturday’s earthquake in China. It is uncertain how many people are missing. As the days go by, it is likely the death toll and number of injured will rise. Rain and landslides are hampering search and rescue efforts by 6,000 troops. 1,800 miles of road and 327 bridges have been damaged. Power lines are damaged and there are losses of water service to 10,000 residents. Only emergency vehicles are being allowed into Ya’an, although Chengdu airport has reopened. Also this week Bibles for China reported they were hoping to hand out Bibles in the region and are not sure how the destruction will affect their plans. See: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/18459

Pray: for all physical, emotional and spiritual resources to be released into the area at this time of pain and loss. (Ps.6:2-4)

More: http://news.yahoo.com/death-toll-6-6-magnitude-chinese-earthquake-nears-205400746.html

On Tuesday UNICEF warned that education was becoming another casualty of the conflict, with half the country’s schools shuttered and hundreds of thousands of students at risk of missing out the entire year. ‘The new Government must prioritise protection of and investment in the education system in order to respect and fulfill children’s basic right to education and provide this generation of children with hope for a healthy future.’ a representative said. Since the Séléka rebel coalition launched an offensive in December, 1.2 million people have been cut off from essential services and human rights violations have been widspread. Last weekend three artillery shells crashed into the Evangelical Federation of Brothers Church in Bangui killing seven members, also 20+ people died after gun battles last weekend where many children were wounded and transferred to the paediatric hospital for treatment. Many residents have fled the Boy-Rabe and Cité Jean 23 areas of the capital - the two worst affected by recent violence. See: http://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2013/04/article_2415723.html/

Pray: for all the families caught up in this conflict. May NGOs and those now in authority successfully work together to provide a safe environment. (Ps.121:1-2)

More: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44731&Cr=central+african+republic&Cr1=#.UXeITsqbXAI