Pakistan: prayer request
09 Dec 2016
A missionary writes, ‘Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Ps 20:7) Visas: please pray about the ban on Christian workers getting visas (particularly Americans). This is a real problem. Health: pray for the many workers currently experiencing serious health problems. Christian TV banned: this law is also being brought against other minority groups. Several Christians have continued producing and broadcasting materials and have been arrested for it. Blocking satellite transmissions: they are trying to block satellite TV and radio; may they not be able to do this. Backup: there is a board managing 6-7 groups producing TV, radio and correspondence courses. Pray for backup copies to be made for every group. There have been times when police have come in unannounced and destroyed materials. Pray for protection over this material and wisdom in knowing how to proceed.’
Burma: a cry for help
09 Dec 2016
Tens of thousands of Rohingya people - 30,000 in eight weeks - are fleeing from the military. ‘The Burmese army have set our houses on fire. Men are shot dead. We are in deep pain.’ The Rohingya are called the most persecuted people group in the world; officially disowned by the government and stateless, even though many have lived there for generations. The UN reported civilians being mown down by helicopter guns. The Kachin people of Burma (predominantly Christian) are also fleeing their homes - nearly 100,000 have fled, many now in makeshift camps in atrocious conditions. Some try to escape by boat, but no surrounding countries will grant asylum. 200+ villages and 66 churches have been destroyed, and landmines make travel dangerous. 5,300+ people have signed a petition calling for an end to this violence and to lift the block on aid to those fleeing. If persecution does not end, thousands will starve to death or be killed by the military.
Gaza: new generation to shake up Hamas?
09 Dec 2016
Closed elections are being held for Hamas’ Shura Council. They will shape the future council and the leadership. Ismail Haniyeh (who left Gaza in September) is expected to be elected head of the political bureau - in effect leader of Hamas. This will be a new era following the departure of previous leader Khaled Meshaal. Historically, the Shura Council comprises religious leaders and imams. Now, well-educated individuals, professionals from Gaza and the West Bank and top Palestinian lecturers from around the world have joined it. A Gaza Hamas activist was asked, ‘What would the younger generation view as an achievement?’ His answer, ‘When past leaders recognise they cannot continue to decide things on their own; others in the movement have opinions.’ The election results at the end of December will reveal if Haniyeh prefers to remain in Qatar or live among his people and the youths who view his election as a harbinger of change.
Indonesia: earthquake
09 Dec 2016
On Wednesday a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s Aceh province, destroying hundreds of homes, businesses and the Pidie Jaya hospital. To date 102 people are known to have died, including young children, and at least 1,000 were injured. The death toll could rise. The priority is for implementing search and rescue operations. Additional medical personnel have gone to the region.
Jordan: Bible-based trauma healing
09 Dec 2016
Alongside food and essentials, Christians offer Bible-based trauma healing for people of all ages by talking through their experience with trained facilitators. Thousands of refugees are experiencing the Bible in a new way. When the crisis began, Bible Society staff began meeting the physical needs of refugees - mattresses, food, tents, etc. Then they realised refugees had deeper, unspoken needs - someone to talk to. They launched a Bible-based trauma healing programme in Jordan (expanding into Lebanon, Syria and Iraq), helping people to talk about their experiences and consider questions like ‘Why is there suffering?’ They reflect on what the Bible says about their situation. It’s based on scripture, mental health practice, and science.
North Korea intensifies security
02 Dec 2016
New satellite images of the two most notorious North Korean prison camps show undeniable proof that the government, while persistently denying the existence of such camps, continues to upgrade the torturous facilities that appear to be ‘very much in working order.’ A new report from Amnesty International showed images of the two camps that differed from those released by the UN in 2014. In one camp there are six additional guard posts, while the old guard posts have also been maintained. These changes ‘strongly suggest that Camp 25 remains an active detention facility.’ The images also revealed ongoing agricultural activities from 2014 to 2016, with people working the land. In the past it was recorded that prisoners worked for 12 to 15 hours per day, receiving very little food. They suffered malnutrition, lost their teeth, their gums turned black and their bones became weak.
Climate change: seasonal fires
02 Dec 2016
Tens of thousands of Israelis have fled fires: 32,000 acres have been burnt, along with hundreds of homes and businesses. November has been very dry, with strong winds. Forest fires of similar magnitude, or worse, have recently been raging every year throughout the Mediterranean basin. Professor Carmel (of environmental, water and agricultural engineering) said, ‘Climate change is causing things we haven’t seen before.’ Russian, Palestinian and American first-responders are helping Israeli fire-fighters. In the USA many months of drought brought weeks of wildfires in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, destroying hundreds of homes and sending thousands through ‘hell-like’ escapes. 4,000 firefighters were deployed to extinguish dozens of large fires all burning at the same time. Yesterday, winds of 70 mph intensified multiple fires in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and fires are spreading into communities and knocking down power lines. See also http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.755665
Iran: Christians awaiting trial
02 Dec 2016
Yaser, Saheb and Mohammed Reza were arrested at a house church in May and charged with ‘action against national security’. They were released on bail after weeks in detention. Their pastor, Yousef Nadarkhani, and his wife Fatemeh (Tina) Pasandideh were also arrested but not detained. However, Yousef was later charged for the same crime. All four were summoned to the revolutionary court in Rasht in October, but the judge didn’t issue a verdict. The second hearing is on 14 December. In addition, Yaser, Saheb and Mohammed face charges related to consumption of alcohol (they drank wine during a communion service). Drinking alcohol is not illegal for Christians, but is prohibited for Muslims. The charges against Christian converts reflect the view that a Muslim cannot change religion. After a court hearing on 10 September, they were each sentenced to eighty lashes, but they are appealing this verdict. The appeal hearing is scheduled for 9 February 2017.