Looking out Looking up
HAITI
Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti in January, the Haitian president announced three days of holiday for the purpose of fasting and prayer.
Haitians embraced the idea enthusiastically and churches were filled to overflowing, with most businesses closed. The Christian witness of many Haitians interviewed by foreign TV reporters after the disaster has also been stood out.
Although Christian-majority Haiti has been dominated for centuries by voodoo, it now has a growing number of evangelical Christians and a growing number of Muslims.
Praise God for how tragedy and suffering appear to be bringing this nation to seek the Lord.
Pray
- The Church of Haiti will use this window of opportunity to be a bold and compassionate witness for the Lord.
- For the restoration work on physical structures and rebuilding of lives, that they will proceed smoothly.
SRI LANKA
A year ago in May 2009, the Sri Lankan government forces defeated the rebel Tamil Tigers.
But though the fighting came to an end, there has been a huge ongoing crisis: 300,000 people have been displaced by the war and are living in overcrowded camps.
Among these internally displaced people are Christians and pastors. Barnabas, an agency ministering to the Persecuted Church, provided 40 church packs, each containing five Bibles, 10 hymn books and six ground mats.
These enabled the pastors to set up 40 worshipping communities in the camp. The believers meet regularly for worship and to reach out to other suffering inmates.
Pray
- That the believers will be strengthened through their regular meetings;
- The hearing of God's Word will bring hope and comfort to His people as they continue to endure the difficult living conditions of the camp; and
- His message of love and hope will reach out to the other suffering inmates in a powerful way through His people.
PAKISTAN
Six Christians, including two women, were murdered when gunmen stormed the offices of Christian aid agency World Vision in Mansehra district in March.
Bombs or grenades were detonated before the gunmen opened fire on the staff, who were all Pakistanis.
A statement from World Vision said, "We remember those staff who have died as dedicated people seeking to improve the lives of people affected by poverty and disasters."
Pray
- For the families who have been left bereaved by this incident;
- That God will provide for their material needs through the faithful generosity of His people, and for healing of their emotions;
- That the other World Vision staff in the office will surrender their fears to their Protector and continue to faithfully serve Him; and
- For those behind the attack that they will be brought to justice.
UZBEKISTAN
There has been serious concern over recent developments in Uzbekistan where a church was raided by police without a warrant.
In May, the church in Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan, was raided by police, the secret police, tax inspectorate, fire Inspectors and the sanitary-epidemiological service.
The 500 church members who were in the midst of the Sunday service as well as the Sunday school children were videotaped by the police. After a five-hour search, the police detained eight church members including the Assistant Pastor Artur Avanesyan. They were kept in detention for 24 hours without any food or water and were not allowed to contact their families.
Letters of permission given by parents of 392 children to attend Sunday school were among papers taken away by the police.
On May 18, the district court sentenced three of the church members to 15 days' imprisonment. Heavy fines were imposed on five other members.
Tashkent City Church of Christ is a registered church established in 1999 and has been regularly scrutinised by the Tashkent Justice Department - as required by law. Church leaders expressed their concern that this incident is a clear sign that authorities are trying close down the church.
The raid on the church is the latest in a series of similar raids on Protestant congregations this year. There have also been several instances where Christian leaders have been convicted of various false charges.
Pray
- For justice, equality and religious freedom, not just for Uzbek Christians but for all Uzbeks; and
- The Uzbek Church will not be cowed by fear by the harrassment from the government but will be even stronger instead.
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