Cambodia: Prayer requests
We have received the following prayer request from Cambodia. 1) ‘There is a Festival from October 6 to 8 when the king and the government bow under the Buddhist monks leading the religious rites. 2). Mission Kampuchea 2021 is a church planting movement with a vision to planting one church in every one of the 14,000 villages in Cambodia. Please pray for more churches to catch the church planting vision and release workers for training. 3) More than 60% of the population is under 18 and the youth prayer movement grew from a few people in 2005 to 250,000 now. The challenge of this movement is finding churches big enough for monthly gatherings. 4) 85% of the population live in the provinces where there is a lack of quality teachers. Students in the provinces score are lower in their achievement after high school. Pray: for God’s provision and anointing as the young church and youth movement in Cambodia grow and for Buddhist rituals to become less significant. (Mt.16:18) Source Sensitive
N. Korea: Sex trafficking
Members of the House Human Rights Commission hosted a congressional hearing last week, shining a spotlight on how China is ignoring the plight of North Korean refugees living in the country. Lawmakers heard firsthand that ninety percent of the women who flee North Korea fall victims to traffickers and the Chinese government does nothing about it. In fact it is the Chinese government's ruthless policy of repatriating North Koreans that makes them so vulnerable to the traffickers. It is hoped that when President Obama meets with the leader of China later on this year he will raise this issue. The administration is silent on these issues and although nuclear issues are important, human rights for the North Korean people is important also. China also returns refugees to North Korea where they face imprisonment and death. Pray: for more activists to make a stand for the North Korean refugees in China. (Ps.9:18) More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/September/Lawmakers-Spotlight-NKorea-Sex-Trafficking/
India: Christian harassment
On Wednesday, evangelist .V K Williams and seven other Pastor/Evangelists were arrested Wednesday morning and are now in police custody in Bodi Nayakanur because they had started a One Day Gospel Outreach which immediately drew an anti-gospel disruption. The local anti-gospel elements and their leadership are putting pressure on the police to book them under false charges. ‘Our local Brethren have rushed to the police station and assisted the pastors detained for questioning. Urgent Prayers solicited.’ See Also, the Global Council of Indian Christians reported, ‘Pentecostal pastor Shivanda Siddi, was arrested during a service at an Assemblies of God Church in Kanataka on Sunday.’ About five Hindu extremists disrupted the service and began to humiliate the pastor by tearing his clothes and beating him in front of the faithful. After beating the pastor for about half an hour, they called the police at Yellapur station. The pastor and seven women and children were arrested. Pray: that the 25 million Christians in India would know God’s presence in times of persecution; and experience his enabling when ministering the gospel. (Ps.118:8) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pentecostal.pastor.beaten.and.arrested.in.india/26806.htm
Myanmar: Human rights inquiry
The momentum behind a push to investigate Burma's (Myanmar’s) crimes against humanity is growing. Ten governments are now calling for the UN to set up a commission of inquiry over the junta regime's alleged use of rape as a weapon of war, forced recruitment of child soldiers, forced labour, torture and more. As more on these allegations came to light, Canada, France, the Netherlands and New Zealand added their support since the United States backed the move in August.They join Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and the United Kingdom. Mission agencies in the country report an open campaign targeting the Arakan, Chin and the Karen, many of whom are Christians. (See Prayer Alert 3110) Vision Beyond Borders' Wes Flint said in an earlier interview, ‘The Burmese army is not bashful about ‘their goal ‘ to exterminate the Karen people, to wipe them off the face of the earth. Pray: the world would no longer ignore the suffering in Burma, and for God to release the country into physical and spiritual freedom (2Sa.22:7)
Morocco: Forgotten Christian convert
Advocates question the harsh measures of the Muslim state toward a man who dared speak openly about Jesus and was jailed for 15 years. Jamaa Ait Bakrim, 46, has been in Morocco’s largest prison for nearly 5 years because he was an outspoken Christian convert. It is believed the severity of his sentence in relation to his misdemeanour was because he persistently spoke about his faith. A fellow Moroccan Christian said, ‘He shared his faith with people around him. In Morocco if you become a Christian you keep it to yourself then no one will bother you.’ He added that people need to start speaking up on behalf of Bakrim, who has ‘zeal’ for his faith and speaks openly about it even in prison. ‘Our Moroccan brothers and sisters suffer, and we assume things will be OK and will somehow change later by themselves, They will never change if we don’t bring it to international attention.’ Pray: against the principalities and powers that would confine and contain the estimated 1,000 Moroccan Christian converts. (Is.61:1)
S Korea: Senior citizens urged to turn to God
South Korean senior citizens are urged to get closer to God in order to find happiness in their old age. Seoul archdiocesan Pastoral Administration for Seniors’ organized the Seniors’ Day festival on Oct. 5 in Seoul. ‘It has celebrated the annual event every October since 1988. Some 3,500 seniors attended the event. Auxiliary Bishop Andrew Yeom Soo-jung of Seoul said, ‘seniors have experienced life’s joys and sorrows. Jesus knows all hardships. What we need most in our remaining days is to realize that we are all beloved of the Lord.’ With Seoul’s aging population increasing to more than one million, Seoul RC archdiocese in cooperation with the local government sets up day care centres for senior citizens at parishes. So far, it has opened six centres in six parishes and plans to open nine more by February next year. Praise: God that He blesses even those who are old and grey. (Is.46:4) More: http://www.ucanews.com/2010/10/06/koreas-senior-citizens-urged-to-turn-to-god/
S Korea: Senior citizens urged to turn to God
South Korean senior citizens are urged to get closer to God in order to find happiness in their old age. Seoul archdiocesan Pastoral Administration for Seniors’ organized the Seniors’ Day festival on Oct. 5 in Seoul. ‘It has celebrated the annual event every October since 1988. Some 3,500 seniors attended the event. Auxiliary Bishop Andrew Yeom Soo-jung of Seoul said, ‘seniors have experienced life’s joys and sorrows. Jesus knows all hardships. What we need most in our remaining days is to realize that we are all beloved of the Lord.’ With Seoul’s aging population increasing to more than one million, Seoul RC archdiocese in cooperation with the local government sets up day care centres for senior citizens at parishes. So far, it has opened six centres in six parishes and plans to open nine more by February next year. Praise: God that He blesses even those who are old and grey. (Is.46:4) More: http://www.ucanews.com/2010/10/06/koreas-senior-citizens-urged-to-turn-to-god/
Libya: South Korean Pastor released
The northern African nation of Libya has released from detention two South Korean nationals – including one pastor – who were arrested this past summer for their alleged engagement in missionary activities, according to Seoul’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. One of the men, a Protestant pastor identified only by his family name, Koo, had been arrested in June for violating the predominantly Muslim country’s religious law, which prohibits the proselytizing of Muslims.The other man, identified by his family name, Jeon, was arrested the following month for aiding in Koo’s efforts, which included bringing Christian books and other materials for missionary work into the country. While South Korea – as the second largest missionary-sending country in the world – is no stranger to situations involving missionary activities, the case in Libya was complicated by the recent expulsion of a South Korean Embassy official who was suspected of collecting information on Libya's leader and other sensitive issues. Praise: God for the release of these prisoners and pray that others still imprisoned would be released soon. (Ps.146:7)
Libya: South Korean Pastor released
The northern African nation of Libya has released from detention two South Korean nationals – including one pastor – who were arrested this past summer for their alleged engagement in missionary activities, according to Seoul’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. One of the men, a Protestant pastor identified only by his family name, Koo, had been arrested in June for violating the predominantly Muslim country’s religious law, which prohibits the proselytizing of Muslims.The other man, identified by his family name, Jeon, was arrested the following month for aiding in Koo’s efforts, which included bringing Christian books and other materials for missionary work into the country. While South Korea – as the second largest missionary-sending country in the world – is no stranger to situations involving missionary activities, the case in Libya was complicated by the recent expulsion of a South Korean Embassy official who was suspected of collecting information on Libya's leader and other sensitive issues. Praise: God for the release of these prisoners and pray that others still imprisoned would be released soon. (Ps.146:7)
USA: Proselytizing Christian banned from library
16-year-old Caleb Hanson has been banned from all branches of the Chattahoochee Valley Regional Library system for six months for proselytizing. According to a letter to his parents from North Columbus Public Library, Caleb repeatedly asked patrons about their religious faith and offered biblical advice. After several warnings ‘not to do it’ Caleb began talking to people outside the library. Caleb’s parents, Tim and Elizabeth Hanson, are in Columbus on furlough from mission work and living with Elizabeth's parents who are retired missionaries. Caleb is home-schooled and is the youngest of four children. Last year he had a real encounter with the Lord and he wants to witness for Christ. Ordinarily he is shy but he began asking to be dropped off at stores and other locations to share his faith. Caleb's library card has been blocked, and if he returns to the library he'll be criminally trespassing. Praise God for New Life In Jesus Christ. Praise: God and pray Caleb will take the ban in his stride, as he matures in wisdom and spiritual discernment. (Ac.2:17-21)