Faroe Islands:
01 Jul 2015
The Faroe Islands were inhabited in the sixth century by Irish monks and religion plays an important role in society with 80% of the population belonging to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The country is self-governing under the Danish crown and the Constitution provides for complete freedom of religion. The fishing industry is the main sector contributing to the Faroese economy. Due to price swings in this branch, the Faroese economy is vulnerable. The Faroese practice of whaling has drawn international criticism. (See previous Faroe Islands article) Denmark contributes about 15% of the Faroese GDP, allowing the Faroese population to have a standard of living almost equal to that of the Danes and other Scandinavians. The Islands have a firm fisheries and free trade agreement with the European Union. At present the Faroese government is assessing the possibility of widening the scope of co-operation to the so-called four freedoms – the free movement of goods, services, capital and persons. They are also participating in EU's research cooperation programme (FP7). See also: www.framtak.com/eysturoy/places/churches.html
Not so long ago Estonians were asked whether religion played an important part in their life - only 20% said yes. It suggests that the Baltic country is, statistically, the least religious country in the world. At Tallinn’s large Lutheran Dome Church one Sunday 70 congregants were tourists and 15 were regular Estonian church-goers. Although the Lutheran Church is the largest in Estonia, it accounts for only 13% of the population. Fewer than one in five Estonians say any religion plays any part in their lives. In schools religion is not on the curriculum. This does not mean Estonians do not believe in anything at all. Many are nature worshippers, pagans, who define their religion as Maausk - a form of Estonian nature spirituality - in which the trees and earth are cherished objects that possess power. There are eight unreached people groups in Estonia and three of the main religions are Islam, Ethnic and Hinduism.
See also : www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14635021
Denmark: Terrible Inuit experiment
01 Jul 2015
In the 1950s Inuit children in Greenland were taken from their families to be re-educated as model Danish citizens. More than 60 years later, they want the Danish government to apologise for an experiment that did enormous damage. ‘It was a summery day, when two grand Danish gentlemen came to our house in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. They had an interpreter with them. Me and my older sister were told to go outside while mum spoke to them. They asked my mum to send me to Denmark to learn Danish and get a good education. They said it was a great chance for me. My mum said, 'No,' to them twice. But they kept pushing her and it was in the days when Greenland was a Danish colony and the colonial masters - 'masters' in the worst sense of the word - controlled everything. You didn't contradict a Dane. My mother sent me.’ The experience had long-term negative consequences for many. To read the whole story click the ‘more’ link below.
Czech Republic: The invisible child
01 Jul 2015
Tonight, nearly half a million children will go to sleep in a bed that is not their own. In the morning, they’ll wake up in the same place they found themselves the day before - foster care. The system has the best of intentions. But this is an area where good intentions are not enough. While most foster parents do wonderful, irreplaceable work, in some areas the foster care system is badly broken. This is an issue where effective, accountable public institutions are essential and lacking. Too many children are allowed to fall through the gaps. Many fall into some very dark places due to human trafficking. It is a lucrative global industry, generating an estimated EUR 8-12 billion and involving around 300-500 thousand people annually. It is equally lucrative in the Czech Republic. It is an illegal industry that most people never notice or even think about. See also : www.unleashingopportunity.org
The change of government in Turkey could have a direct impact on the recently resumed inter-communal talks to settle the Greek/Turkey Cyprus problem, said Greek Cyprus’s President Nicos Anastasiades in an interview to Turkish daily newspaper Hurriyet. Anastasiades argued that, although both community leaders - himself and Turkish Cypriot Mustafa Akinci - are committed to the reunification of the island, developments in Turkey could have a direct effect on the progress of negotiations. He added, ‘Questions would likely revolve around isolated issues’ thus distancing himself from a popular opposition mantra - ‘the key to a solution lies in Turkey, not the Turkish Cypriot community. Confidence building measures could be around the talks of opening more Cypriot crossing points. The most important crossing points at the moment are being characterised as military zones. In this respect, there needs to be demilitarisation of certain areas, or as many areas as possible.
Croatia: Pope’s message of peace for Croatia
01 Jul 2015
‘You have no right to forget your past, because the nation that forgets has no future. However, you should not remember it for revenge, but for peace.’ That was one of the strong messages given by Pope Francis last weekend in Sarajevo, sent to anyone willing to listen. We know how to listen, but are we willing to really hear such a message? Are we, Croatians, prepared to understand it, accept it and live accordingly? Revenge is so deeply rooted in human beings that it seems quite natural to want to return the experienced injustice and evil. Moreover, often the one who lives by the Bible and turns the other cheek or forgives the wrongdoer is perceived as a notorious fool. Twenty years ago, after the homeland war, the first Croatian president gave amnesty to all who participated in the aggression and invited them to stay in Croatia. Now there is a proposal to seek the publication of the register of aggressors.
Bulgarian officials said a US citizen had been killed in a grenade launcher accident and four other persons had been wounded. In a statement, the US embassy in Sofia confirmed the death of one Department of Defence contractor and the injury of two contractors and a Bulgarian translator in a ‘training accident’ at the firing range of an ordnance plant near the city of Sopot in central Bulgaria. One American was killed on the spot and another US citizen was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. A third American and two Bulgarians were also taken to a hospital with less severe injuries, the ministry said. Over recent years there have been joint trainings and exercises, as well as increased joint utilisation of NSTA by units from Bulgarian Armed Forces and the US Army. See also : www.mod.bg/en/tema_SuvmestniVoenniSuorujenia.html
Bosnia: A new ministry
01 Jul 2015
A local ministry is expanding into a new city, Mostar, and needs our prayers. The team consists of just two couples and there will be much planning and stepping out as The Lord leads in the coming months. They have a heart for students and are expecting the Lord to lead them to the students He has for them to minister with. Pray that the hearts of these students would be ripe to become disciples. Pray for Alpha courses they intend to continue running and pray for powerful communication between God and those searching. Please pray for the cities of Mostar and Tuzla, key regional cities to begin ministry in next 5 years.