Iran: US spy plane shot down over nuclear site
Iran has shot down an unmanned U.S. spy plane over its Fordu nuclear site by the Revolutionary Guards’ air defence units, a state-run website reported Wednesday, a day after it confirmed it was installing a new generation of advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges. The Fordu site was secretly built inside a mountain bunker near the holy city of Qom and was acknowledged by Iran after Western intelligence identified it in 2009. Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed Iran was installing two more advanced models of the centrifuges used to refine uranium for large-scale testing at a research site. In January Iran announced it had shot down two unmanned western reconnaissance drone aircraft in the Gulf. Iran is at odds with major powers over its nuclear work. The United States and Israel, Iran's arch foes, have not ruled out military action if diplomacy fails to end the nuclear row. Pray: for Almighty God to bring Iran into his purposes and heritage amongst the nations. (Is.32:16 & Is.45:22) More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/20/us-iran-usa-plane-idUSTRE76J1WP20110720
Pakistan: Eight aid workers missing
Pakistani employees of a US based aid organization are missing and feared kidnapped in Pakistan's volatile southwes,t bordering Afghanistan, a senior Pakistani government official said on Tuesday. The American Refugee Committee (ARC) employees were returning from an Afghan refugee camp in Pishin in Baluchistan province on Monday evening when they went missing. They distributed some relief goods among the refugees and were probably kidnapped on their way back to Quetta. Efforts are underway to recover them. Militants linked to al-Qaeda and the Taliban, as well as ethnic Baluch militants fighting for more autonomy, have been involved in violence in the region, which also borders Iran. Kidnapping is an industry in Pakistan's lawless tribal regions, with money often being the main motivation rather than political demands. Ransoms are a large source of revenue for the Taliban, al-Qaeda and the Baluch insurgency. ARC has worked in refugee camps since 2002 focusing on providing health care and training in basic health services.
Pray: for Christian NGO workers to be protected as they minister to physical, emotional and spiritual needs. (Ps.25:21)
More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/19/us-pakistan-kidnap-idUSTRE76I0PY20110719
North Korea: Uprising?
'North Korea is grappling with an unfavourable situation but the regime’s tight grip on its people will prevent any Arab-style uprising’, South Korea’s defence minister said Wednesday. ‘The state of affairs in the North is indeed inauspicious and anything can happen there,’ Kim Kwan-Jin said in a forum. ‘We may consider whether the Jasmine Revolution could find its way into North Korea,’ the minister added. The impoverished North suffers persistent food shortages and downpours this month battered many areas. United Nations agencies say more than six million people urgently need food aid. The South, which blames its neighbour for two deadly border incidents last year, refuses to provide government aid. Pray: that God would open avenues for Christians to serve where aid and resources are in short supply. (Is.32:3) More: http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/20/n-korea-can-avert-uprising-s-korea-minister.html
Thailand: A generation of the lost
King Rama IX of Thailand has reigned since 1946, and is Head of State, the Head of the Armed Forces, an Upholder of the Buddhist religion, and the Defender of all Faiths. ‘Daisy’ is 12 years old. Her father lives and works in Bangkok and makes the 10 hour bus ride home for visits a few times a year. Daisy likes to go to a Christian neighbours' home to play with their girls and read books. One of her favourite books is their Lao Children's Picture Bible. Recently, Daisy said she had heard that there was a house gathering of Phuan Christians in town. She said that she wanted to go so that she could learn the worship songs as Daisy loves music.
Pray: for more opportunities for Christian workers to reach the Thai people with the truth of their Creator God. (Lk.10:8-9)
More: http://www.missionary-blogs.com/christian-missions-thailand.html
Nigeria: Islamic militants increase attacks
'North Korea is grappling with an unfavourable situation but the regime’s tight grip on its people will prevent any Arab-style uprising’, South Korea’s defence minister said Wednesday. ‘The state of affairs in the North is indeed inauspicious and anything can happen there,’ Kim Kwan-Jin said in a forum. ‘We may consider whether the Jasmine Revolution could find its way into North Korea,’ the minister added. The impoverished North suffers persistent food shortages and downpours this month battered many areas. United Nations agencies say more than six million people urgently need food aid. The South, which blames its neighbour for two deadly border incidents last year, refuses to provide government aid. Pray: that God would open avenues for Christians to serve where aid and resources are in short supply. (Is.32:3) More: http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/20/n-korea-can-avert-uprising-s-korea-minister.html
Kenya: 14,000 brave rain to hear Gospel
The rains kept coming. Will Graham kept preaching. And God kept moving in Kenya. By the time Sunday night's final invitation was over, giant puddles were about the only thing remaining at the Mama Scrape Grounds where the Will Graham ‘Celebration of Peace Nakuru’ had taken place for three straight nights. On that soggy field, hundreds upon hundreds had made life-changing decisions to accept Christ as their personal Saviour in the city of Nakuru, a two-hour drive from Nairobi, and a place that over a quarter million people call home. More than 14,000 braved the sketchy weather conditions to hear what the grandson of Billy Graham had to say. ‘What now are you going to do with Jesus?’ asked Will Graham. ‘What I'm going to ask you to do is the most important decision you'll ever make in life.’
Praise: God for the success of this Celebration and the many brought to Christ. (Ps.106:8)
More: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/news/31498-14000-kenyans-brave-rain-to-hear-gospel
Kenya: 14,000 brave rain to hear Gospel
The rains kept coming. Will Graham kept preaching. And God kept moving in Kenya. By the time Sunday night's final invitation was over, giant puddles were about the only thing remaining at the Mama Scrape Grounds where the Will Graham ‘Celebration of Peace Nakuru’ had taken place for three straight nights. On that soggy field, hundreds upon hundreds had made life-changing decisions to accept Christ as their personal Saviour in the city of Nakuru, a two-hour drive from Nairobi, and a place that over a quarter million people call home. More than 14,000 braved the sketchy weather conditions to hear what the grandson of Billy Graham had to say. ‘What now are you going to do with Jesus?’ asked Will Graham. ‘What I'm going to ask you to do is the most important decision you'll ever make in life.’
Praise: God for the success of this Celebration and the many brought to Christ. (Ps.106:8)
More: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/news/31498-14000-kenyans-brave-rain-to-hear-gospel
Christians have the right to follow conscience
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has determined that Christians should be given more freedom to follow their beliefs in the workplace. The UK’s equality watchdog said judges had interpreted the law 'too narrowly' in cases where Christians claimed religious discrimination. It said yesterday (11 July) that: ‘The way existing human rights and equality law has been interpreted by judges is insufficient to protect freedom of religion or belief. The courts have set the bar too high for someone to prove they have been discriminated against because of their religion or belief.’ The EHRC is now seeking to intervene on behalf of Christians in four religious discrimination cases soon to appear before the European Court of Human Rights. The four Christians who will have their claims heard before the European Court are: Gary McFarlane, Nadia Eweida, Shirley Chaplin and Lillian Ladele. (See Prayer Alert 2311) Praise: God for this positive development and pray for its ongoing success. (Ps.5:11)
Christians have the right to follow conscience
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has determined that Christians should be given more freedom to follow their beliefs in the workplace. The UK’s equality watchdog said judges had interpreted the law 'too narrowly' in cases where Christians claimed religious discrimination. It said yesterday (11 July) that: ‘The way existing human rights and equality law has been interpreted by judges is insufficient to protect freedom of religion or belief. The courts have set the bar too high for someone to prove they have been discriminated against because of their religion or belief.’ The EHRC is now seeking to intervene on behalf of Christians in four religious discrimination cases soon to appear before the European Court of Human Rights. The four Christians who will have their claims heard before the European Court are: Gary McFarlane, Nadia Eweida, Shirley Chaplin and Lillian Ladele. (See Prayer Alert 2311) Praise: God for this positive development and pray for its ongoing success. (Ps.5:11)
India: Dalits forced to leave church
Dalit, which means ‘trampled upon,’ refers to lower caste Indians treated as ‘untouchables’ in Indian society. They perform menial jobs while living in segregation from upper castes in rural areas. A Catholic bishop in south India has admitted that Dalit Christians are being forced to forsake their faith due to continued discrimination against them under Indian laws. Bishop Anthony Poola told a seminar at Hyderabad on 1 July that the Government is acting as missionary agent of Hinduism. An estimated five million Christians have left their faith due to this continuing discrimination. In 1950, the government gave Hindu Dalits Scheduled Caste status in an effort to improve their social standing, but it has been denied to Christian Dalits, who account for two-thirds of the 27 million Christians in India.
Pray: for true justice and acceptance for Christians in India and for Christian Dalits to know God's provision for them. (Ps.54:1-4)
More: http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=5007