‘We’re really happy,’ said Alejandro Romero, one of the 100 Spanish thalidomide victims who travelled to the Vatican to meet the pope. ‘He promised he would try to help. He’s the most important diplomat in the world, so maybe he can ring people that won’t speak to us on the phone.’ An estimated 3,000 Spaniards are believed to have suffered severe birth defects after their mothers took thalidomide, prescribed by Spanish doctors five decades ago to combat morning sickness during pregnancy. Unlike victims in many other countries in Europe, only two dozen victims in Spain have ever received any kind of compensation. Many of them were unable to meet the stringent criteria set out by the drug’s manufacturer, asking for the bottle of medication taken by their mother decades ago and, at times, the doctor’s prescription, in order to offer compensation. And unlike other governments in Europe, successive Spanish governments have refused to create a fund for victims.
Slovenia: Unconditional help to refugees
01 Jul 2015
Ljubljana, 20 June - Although people are shocked by the photos of dead refugees at sea, they quickly forget about the pictures when they need to show some genuine solidarity, Delo says in Saturday's commentary Figures and Life Stories. What makes someone risk their life by crossing the Mediterranean in an overcrowded boat, the paper wonders while pointing out that while hearing about refugee counts and death tolls, one often tends to forget that each of them has a story to tell. Second thoughts about taking in refugees seem legitimate. So do concerns about security. And the fact that some actually are not fleeing from war but from poor economy and are thus not eligible for a status of a refugee, Delo points out. But maybe extreme poverty should also be included in the Geneva convention, the daily says, adding that a humane perspective on the matter surely recognises a deadly journey overseas in pursuit of a better life is reason enough to take someone in as a refugee.
Known by some as a wrongfully imprisoned child soldier and by others as a terrorist and murderer, Omar Khadr is free after nearly 13 years in prison. The 28-year-old, accused of war crimes and imprisoned since he was 15, was released on bail on 7 May. A group of Christian educators are applauding the decision, and continuing their quest to help Khadr upgrade his schooling. Arlette Zinck, a professor at The King’s University in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada first heard Khadr’s story from his lawyer in 2008. He spoke of a profoundly wounded teen with a fist-sized bullet hole in his chest, who was nicknamed ‘buckshot’ by guards because of the many shrapnel wounds in his body, and made to carry heavy pails of water until his wounds wept. He experienced sleep deprivation and cruelties of cold temperatures. Despite all this he had never spoken an ill word about anyone. To read the full story of a Canadian child taken to Afghanistan click the ‘More’ button.
Kenya: Jesus brings freedom and hope
24 Jun 2015
The plague of alcoholism and poverty in one Kenyan village led to the despair of the Christian chieftain who saw poverty driving hundreds of women to brew illegal and dangerous alcohol which they secretly made and sold in their homes. When Samuel spoke at a meeting the chief organised, he did not expect his audience would number almost 200 people. He challenged the men and women to choose a new course in life and told the chief to let him know if a few of the women might choose to leave brewing and attend a few days of training at the Truth Training Centre. Three days later a surprised chief called and said, ‘Samuel, there are more than 100 women who want to come for training! This is a miracle!’ When they arrived on a bright Monday morning, they did not realise that dozens of lives were about to change. Toward the end of the devotion the Spirit of God moved, and 44 women and two men gave their lives to Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
Former strip club is converted to worship centre
18 Jun 2015
After giving his life to Jesus, strip club owner Aaron Bekkela felt compelled to sell the property to a church. He approached Dary Northrop, senior pastor of Timberline Church in Colorado. Bekkela and Northrop had established a friendship after Bekkela learned that the mother of one of the dancers and her prayer group at the church had been praying for him for years. Upon divesting himself of interests in the strip club, Bekkela visited the church and met Northrop to share his commitment to the Lord. Inspired by Bekkela's desire to move away from the industry, Northrop said he saw it as a great opportunity to plant a church in one of the most underserved areas of town. Bekkela invited Northrop and Timberline Pastor Rob Cowles to tour the club before it opened. When they entered a dressing room, Cowles was overcome with emotion upon seeing pictures of children of dancers on lockers. ‘It just broke me,’ Cowles said. ‘Before I even knew what I was saying, I said “we really need to plant a church here and I need to lead it”.’ The 7,200-square-foot building is now home to a 200-seat worship centre.
Christians will be delighted to see that Iran has appointed a Christian as the captain of its national football team. This is a warm gesture in line with similar signals sent toward established minority communities such as the Armenians and Jews. President Rouhani has used social media regularly to send good wishes to Jews and Christians on their religious holidays. But such gestures do not detract from the situations of around eighty known Iranian Christian converts currently held in jail, nor the latest news that an additional one-year prison sentence on top of the six years he is serving has been upheld for Pastor Farshid Fathi. He and fellow believer Alireza Sayyedian are being held on the same wing as prisoners convicted of robbery, violence and drug-related crimes.
Christian worker wins tribunal case
11 Jun 2015
Sarah Mbuyi (31) was fired from her job as a nursery nurse after a conversation with a homosexual colleague. She explained the biblical position on homosexuality and marriage when her colleague asked whether she would be welcomed at church and if God approves of her civil partnership. Sarah said that ‘God is not okay with what you do’ but that ‘everyone is a sinner and God offers forgiveness’. Miss Mbuyi recalled, ‘When I said ‘No, God does not condone the practice of homosexuality, but does love you and says you should come to Him as you are', she became emotional and went off to report me to my manager’. Following the complaint by her colleague, Sarah was investigated and sacked for gross misconduct within three days of the conversation. She was supported by the Christian Legal Centre, and represented by a human rights barrister. In a brave judgment, the Watford Employment Tribunal found she had been directly discriminated against because of her beliefs.
Salvation Army Global Prayer Wave 24/7/365
04 Jun 2015
The Salvation Army is celebrating its 150th anniversary on 1 July this year. On 1 July 2014 a global prayer wave of 24/7/365 prayer was launched. This initiative, called ‘Boundless’, has been a magnificent wave of continuous prayer starting in the South Pacific, through South Asia, the Americas and Caribbean, Africa and Europe. The baton of prayer has been passed from nation to nation and the United Kingdom will enter into their time slot for prayer, from 15 to 30 June. This will complete an unbroken Boundless prayer wave rolling over nations that will culminate with an international conference entitled ‘Boundless - The Whole World Redeeming’. The prayer wave has been purposefully focusing Salvationists in continued united intercession for the Salvation Army and our world.