Berita NECF Newletters

Looking out, Looking up

Description: Chile / Comoros / Egypt / Mexico

Looking out, Looking up

CHILE

Millions have been affected by the devastating 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Chile on Feb 27, one of the worst natural disasters for the South American country in 50 years.

The quake caused tsunami waves across the vast Pacific Ocaen from New Zealand to Japan, with dozens of nations on alert and thousands of people fleeing their homes.

Widespread looting and violence followed the quake as desperate victims waited for aid to arrive.

The looting and a growing perception that government relief efforts have been slow have tainted the country's hard-earned image as Latin America's beacon of order and stability.

With tensions high in Concepcion, soldiers were delivering food and other basic supplies house to house. The government also imposed a night to noon curfew and sent 14,000 trops to Concepcion and its surrounding areas to prevent the widespread looting.

Pray

  • Swift actions to send aids to all affected areas;
  • Wisdom for the government to handle the catastrophe efficiently;
  • Police and arm forces to take control of affected areas to bring order and to assist rescue work;
  • Release of resources, rescue workers, volunteers, doctors, nurses to help affected victims; and
  • God's grace and mercy for the nation that through this shaking, multitudes will turn to God.

 


COMOROS

The Union of Comoros is a nation of three islands (and a disputed fourth one) in the Indian Ocean, located off the eastern coast of Africa. It is the third smallest African nation by area with a population of around 700,000 and is poor and overpopulated.

The Comoros population is almost entirely Muslim and in may 2009, Islam became the state religion. There are some hundres of expatriate Christians, mainly from France and Madagascar.

There are also some Comoran Christian converts, thought to number fewer than 300. However, there may be many secret believers.

The Comoran constitution allows freedom of religion but the pre-existing penal code prohibits conversion from Islam. Christians are also prohibited from sharing their faith.

In 2006, four Comoran citizens, who had hosted Christian discussions in a private home, were imprisoned for '"evangelising". They were released in a general amnesty the same year.

Pray

  • God will raise leaders to encourage the small number of His people;
  • For the Comoran Christians to stand firm in their faith;
  • God will add to their small number;
  • Against the spirit of religious extremism and intolerance against people of other faith; and
  • God to visit those hostile towards His people in dreams and visions.

 


EGYPT

Last year was marked by a surge in anti-Christian violence in various places, especially in Minya province. Churches, homes, shops and crops were destoyed. Some Christians were killed while many Christian women and girls were kidnapped and forced to convert and marry men of another faith.

The Church of Egypt is one of the oldest in the world but today, only around 10% of the population are Christians.

Though the constitution guarantees freedom of religion, Christians are discriminated against in education and employment. As a result, many Christians are extremely poor and thousands of them live in "garbage villages", earning their living by sorting household rubbish.

The law allows conversion to Christianity; yet Christian converts face severe pressure from either the authorities or their communities.

Pray

  • God will bring justice to His faithful followers;
  • For emotional and physical healing for Christians who have been injured or have lost family, friends and property in the attacks in 2009;
  • For divine provision of food and other daily necessities for His people; and
  • For divine good health for His people living in the "garbage villages".

 


MEXICO

Voice of the Martyrs Canada and Voice of the Martyrs Mexico report of increasing attacks on believers by traditionalist religious and rebel groups in Chiapas, Mexico in recent months. Reports said on Feb 28, three Christians were shot and wounded on their way home from church services in Mitziton, and rebel sympathizers assaulted some 40 Christians who were asleep in their homes in Tumbala.

Pray

  • For our injured brothers and sisters, and their families; and
  • Pray for their faith to strengthen as a result of the suffering; and
  • Pray for adequate governmental measures to the increased violence against Christians in the country.


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