Swedish missionary Miriam Mondragon is working to see transformation in Honduras, one of the world's most dangerous countries. Supported by Tearfund, Miriam is passionate about seeing the Church mobilised to bring peace and reconciliation in a country fractured by civil war, violence and extreme political unrest. In addition to working directly with victims of horrific violence and sexual abuse, her organisation partners with local churches to advocate for justice. They work in reconciliation, supporting pastors and leaders working in difficult and violent areas, coordinating a rescue programme for children who suffering from sexual abuse and coordinating a programme in slum areas helping kids at extreme risk, and their families. They aim to reach the top ten per cent of the most vulnerable of the population, working in the worst areas where everyone is part of a gang. They’re reaching those that no one else wants to work with. The only hope for Honduras is a Church that stands up and demands justice.

Five people were killed when a suicide bomber struck in the northern city of Kano on Sunday, then on Tuesday explosions in Jos left 118 people dead in a twin bombing. Police said dozens more were injured in the explosions at a bus terminal and market. There are fears more bodies will be recovered from the wreckage of destroyed buildings. The country's president, Goodluck Jonathan, said, ‘The government remains fully committed to winning the war against terror, and this administration will not be cowed by the atrocities of enemies of human progress and civilisation.’ Jos is in an area known as the ‘Middle Belt’ where the largely Christian south and mostly Muslim north meet.

Despite an increased security presence, police feel under-equipped to serve as any sort of meaningful deterrent against further attacks. They’re unable to enter into a combat situation with militants armed with heavy machine-guns and rocketpropelled grenades. Residents in Chibok say they are in constant fear of further attacks, with abductions and killings taking place on a regular basis. Amnesty International says Nigerian forces had advance warning of the attack by Boko Haram that led to the kidnapping of more than 276 schoolgirls, but military officials failed to take immediate action. Amnesty said it had verified the information about the abduction with credible sources. ‘The fact that Nigerian security forces knew about Boko Haram's impending raid, but failed to take the immediate action needed to stop it, will only amplify the national and international outcry at this horrific crime,’ said Netsanet Belay, Amnesty International's Africa director. See: http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/5/9/nigerian-governmentbokoharamkidnappedgirls.html

A pregnant Christian Sudanese woman who was sentenced to death last Thursday has been spending her days shackled in prison. Meriam Ibrahim, from a Muslim background, was raised a Christian and married a Christian. Meriam was arrested and charged with adultery and apostasy (The government doesn’t recognise the couple's marriage, hence the adultery charge). Her American husband is of South Sudanese origin. The court in Khartoum has delayed carrying out the ruling of death by hanging until Meriam gives birth and nurses her newborn. Her attorney is working on an appeal and a statement from several attorneys associated with the Sudanese high court called for a repeal of the death sentence. Muslims are punished by death if they convert to other religions. Muslim women are prohibited from marrying non-Muslims. ‘I was never a Muslim,’ she told the Sudanese high court: 'I was raised a Christian from the start.’ See also: http://www.meconcern.org/index.php/en/prayer-requests/755-sudan-update-on-believer-sentenced-to-death