Australia: Students challenge refugee stereotypes
Next week Australian schools, parishes and youth groups will engage young people in the contentious debate currently taking place in Australia around refugee and asylum seekers. A coalition of Australian Christian development agencies is inviting schools to tackle the issue as part of Simply Sharing Week 2010 which encourages Australians to learn about and become involved in issues of social justice. The educational resource, 'See the Real Me, not Just the Refugee', includes real-life stories of refugees and provides age-relevant classroom activities and Bible studies.
Pray: that the youth of Australia will pass on perceptive Christian values to the wider community on the refugee issues that Australia faces. (Ex.22:21)
More: http://au.christiantoday.com/article/australian-students-challenge-refugee-stereotypes/8345.htm
Japan: Prime Minister resigned
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama announced his resignation after eight months in office, citing a broken campaign promise regarding the removal of a western military base from Okinawa to be the reason for his resignation. With parliamentary elections scheduled for July, Hatoyama ‘faced growing pressure from his own party to step down.’ The escalation of tensions between North and South Korea were among the reasons Hatoyama listed for keeping the base. He said shutting it down would only further destabilize the region. Hatoyama is the fourth Japanese prime minister to resign from office in just four years.
Pray: that hearts will turn from national instability to matters of eternity, and for God to establish leaders to guide Japan with integrity and humility. (Ecc.3:11 & Dan.2:21)
Uzbekistan: Evangelical group condemns crackdown on churches
The Religious Liberty Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance - representing over 400 million Christians worldwide - expressed concerns about police raids on Protestant congregations in Uzbekistan and the detention of several Christians. A particular concern was a recent police raid on The Church of Christ in Tashkent, one of the largest Protestant churches in the capital. Police without a warrant detained eight church members, seized properties and imprisoned three church members for 15 days on charges including the violation of strict religious regulations of the former Soviet nation. Five other church members received heavy fines with three of them forced to pay about eighty times the average monthly minimum wage. The troubles began during a May 16 Sunday worship service attended by 500 people, which was interrupted by police, the secret police, tax inspectorate, fire Inspectors and the sanitary-epidemiological service.
Pray: for Christians in Uzbekistan, and for justice and equality for the church in Central Asia. (Ro.8:34-35)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/8236-evangelical-group-condemns-uzbekistan-crackdown-on-churches
Eritrea: Continued arrests and prison deaths
Open Doors report Pastor Gebreab aged 35 disappeared 18 days ago and no one has been able to learn his whereabouts from local authorities. He is married with an 8-year-old son and an infant daughter. The government criminalised independent Protestant churches in 2002 - closing buildings and banning all meetings even in private homes. Over 2,000 Eritrean Christians including dozens of pastors and church leaders remain imprisoned, denied legal counsel or trial and subjected to severe torture for their faith. Senaiti Habta died last month from prolonged anaemia and malaria. She was incarcerated in a metal shipping container with 14 others in suffocating heat during the day and freezing temperatures at night, deprived of fresh air, sanitation and medical attention. According to local sources officials offered her freedom and medical attention if she would recant her Christian beliefs, but she refused.
Pray: that prisoners and their families would know God's peace, strength, love and grace to endure seek to be a powerful witness for Christ. (Gal.2:20)
More: http://www.opendoorsuk.org/resources/wwl.php?country=09
India: Hindu intolerance to Christianity
Hindu nationalists on May 27 falsely accused a pastor of forcible conversion in Karnataka after disrupting a worship service. The Global Council of Indian Christians reported that the Hindus also warned the Christians not to worship in the area. Extremists from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh barged into the rented home of Pastor Barmanagowda as he led a house church service affiliated with the Karnataka Evangelical Association. The extremists forced the pastor to the police station and filed a complaint of alleged forcible conversions. They warned him against conducting worship services in the village and told him to vacate his home and leave the area. On May 23rd in Andhra Pradesh Hindu extremists from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh damaged a church building and installed an idol of the Hindu god Hanuman inside it. (This deity is believed to give courage, hope, knowledge, intellect and devotion).
Pray: for God to give the persecuted church in India strength, hope and wisdom as they continue to gather in His name. (Ps: 25:1-2)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/india/21035/
Gaza: Egypt eases blockade
Over 100 Gazans crossed the border into Egypt when they temporarily eased its blockade following the Gaza-bound flotilla incident. On Wednesday at Rafah people crossed the border on foot along with four trucks carrying tents, blankets and 13 power generators donated by Russia and Oman, plus two buses with 150 Palestinians including patients seeking medical assistance abroad and those with foreign residency permits. Israel’s friends as well as foes are calling for Israel to lift the Gaza blockade. Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not lift the siege citing ‘ongoing weapons smuggling into Gaza and the ease of these transfers could be facilitated without a naval, air and land blockade.’ The Egyptian blockade was imposed after Hamas took power in Gaza. Palestinians regularly smuggle arms, fuel and goods from Egypt through underground tunnels while above the Egyptian government is constructing a 7 mile, bomb-proof, steel barrier along the border that goes 59ft underground. See:
Pray: that this incident would birth changes that enable Gaza’s communities and businesses to flourish while enabling Israel to protect herself from terrorism. (Ps.12:5&7)
More: http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/06/02/conroe_courier/news/0603_natwlrdbrfs.txt
Green week 2010: biodiversity brainstorm
How to stop the loss of biodiversity without impeding human development is one of the biggest conundrums of modern times. Experts from around the world have gathered in Brussels this week to brainstorm on the problem. The UN has also designated 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. More than 3000 scientists, business leaders, environmental advocates and government officials are taking part in the forum, called Green Week. Biodiversity refers to the abundance and variety of plant and animal species and their habitats. A large number and wide range of natural habitats and species are essential to maintaining the earth’s ecosystems. Humans have caused massive losses in biodiversity, mainly by destroying plant and animal habitats. The UN estimates that species are now disappearing at 100 to 1000 times the natural extinction rate. A third of the 1.75m known animal and plant species are under threat.
Pray: that this forum would lead to significant advances to benefit the world we live in. (Gen.1:26-31)
Green week 2010: biodiversity brainstorm
How to stop the loss of biodiversity without impeding human development is one of the biggest conundrums of modern times. Experts from around the world have gathered in Brussels this week to brainstorm on the problem. The UN has also designated 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. More than 3000 scientists, business leaders, environmental advocates and government officials are taking part in the forum, called Green Week. Biodiversity refers to the abundance and variety of plant and animal species and their habitats. A large number and wide range of natural habitats and species are essential to maintaining the earth’s ecosystems. Humans have caused massive losses in biodiversity, mainly by destroying plant and animal habitats. The UN estimates that species are now disappearing at 100 to 1000 times the natural extinction rate. A third of the 1.75m known animal and plant species are under threat.
Pray: that this forum would lead to significant advances to benefit the world we live in. (Gen.1:26-31)
Christian documentary to be aired at prestigious TV Festival
A documentary by SAT-7, a Christian satellite television service to the Middle East and North Africa, has been chosen for screening at the European Television Festival of Religious Programmes in Berlin, along with programmes from the BBC, Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF, German national television) and other TV stations across Europe. Lasting from June 2-6, the festival will show 23 programmes from a total of 70 entered in the competition. Entries came from 36 stations throughout Europe, Canada and the Middle East. Held every three years, the festival shows off and rewards programmes which touch on values in religion, faith and ethics.
Pray: that the SAT-7 programme will receive Godly recognition in this mainly secular sector. (1Cor.16:18)
Christian documentary to be aired at prestigious TV Festival
A documentary by SAT-7, a Christian satellite television service to the Middle East and North Africa, has been chosen for screening at the European Television Festival of Religious Programmes in Berlin, along with programmes from the BBC, Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF, German national television) and other TV stations across Europe. Lasting from June 2-6, the festival will show 23 programmes from a total of 70 entered in the competition. Entries came from 36 stations throughout Europe, Canada and the Middle East. Held every three years, the festival shows off and rewards programmes which touch on values in religion, faith and ethics.
Pray: that the SAT-7 programme will receive Godly recognition in this mainly secular sector. (1Cor.16:18)