In This Issue: Prayer for Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan, World Cup News, and More
- AFGHANISTAN: Urgent Call for Prayer
- KYRGYZSTAN: Civil War?
- SOUTH AFRICA: Human Traffickers Use World Cup
- PAKISTAN: “Chasing the Dream” DVD
- USA: “Son of Hamas” Battling Deportation
- PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Umba Stands and Jesus Wins
Missions Catalyst is a free, weekly electronic digest of mission news and resources designed to inspire and equip Christians worldwide for global ministry. Use it to fuel your prayers, find tips and opportunities, and stay in touch with how God is building his kingdom all over the world. Please forward it freely!
World News Briefs, edited by Pat Noble, are published twice a month.
AFGHANISTAN: Urgent Call for Prayer
Source: Open Doors, June 10, 2010
Devastating reports have been released from various news agencies that a member of the Afghan government has called for the public execution of Christian converts from Islam. This is in response to a video broadcast by the Afghan television network Noorin TV, which showed footage of Christian men being baptized and praying. The deputy secretary of the Afghani parliament said, “Those Afghans that appeared in [the footage] should be executed in public.” The video clip, along with inflammatory statements against the Christian faith, has repeatedly been broadcast on different television stations.
According to Afghan law, proselytizing is illegal and conversion from Islam is punishable by death. Many Afghan followers of Jesus have been frightened by these events and have gone into hiding while others have fled. Afghan Christians want the world to know about their situation, that in a country where they have few rights and no voice, they want their voice to be heard. They are asking for our prayers.
>> Full story.
KYRGYZSTAN: Civil War?
Source: ASSIST News Service, May 30, 2010
By Jed Gourley (missionary in Kyrgyzstan for the past 4 years)
Kyrgyzstan has been on the brink of civil war. Secret recordings were recently made public on the internet of former leaders discussing plans to destabilize the country by means of random acts of terror.
In spite of the present security issues as well as the economic and political instability, it seems that decisions are being made to contain the ongoing violence so as to prevent civil war. Please continue to pray for the situation here and that the Lord would give wisdom to those in positions of leadership. Also pray for the new government that is being formed, as I have heard that there are now Christians in positions of influence – something remarkable for a country that is 80% Muslim.
Since the revolution, members of our church in the capital city of Bishkek have been having prayer meetings every morning at 7:30. It has been amazing to see these people pouring out their hearts to God for their country, their leaders, for revival, and for unity in our body and among the churches.
Although multitudes of people are attempting to leave the country out of fear and instability, the majority of the people in the church seem to view this as an opportunity for ministry rather than as a reason to flee the country or hide out in their homes. Please pray for a spiritual awakening in Kyrgyzstan.
>> Full story.
>> Another missionary in the south (name withheld), suggests the following articles for news on the unrest:
24 News Agency
BBC News
The Washington Post
SOUTH AFRICA: Human Traffickers Use World Cup
Source: The Christian Post, June 1, 2010
It has been estimated that between 40,000 to 100,000 people may be trafficked during the World Cup.
In January, Time magazine reported on a three-week investigation into human trafficking. Finding a lucrative trade in child sex near two stadiums, one trafficker said, “I’m really looking forward to doing more business during the World Cup.” Children can earn $45 to $600 a night for their captors.
Although the number of people trafficked is hard to verify, the issue is of enough concern for South Africa’s President Zuma to warn parents to be vigilant during the World Cup in guarding against a possible jump in child trafficking.
On May 21, at the launch of Child Protection Week and the Children’s Act, Zuma said, “While we are excited that we’ll be receiving visitors for the FIFA World Cup we must be mindful that an event of this magnitude opens opportunity for criminals with ill intentions of trafficking in women and children.”
>> Full story.
PAKISTAN: “Chasing the Dream” DVD
Source: OM International, May 25, 2010
OM Pakistan’s sports ministry is working hard to dub “The Prize – Chasing the Dream” into Urdu. This great film has been made to give out during the World Cup 2010, from June 11 – July 11.
The DVD features six football [soccer] heroes – Kaka, Lucio, Oscar Ewolo, Nicola Legrottaglie, Marcos Senna and Cyrille Domoraud – who have reached the highest levels and discovered that the real prize is not found in a ball, match, or even the sport itself … but in a person.
The OM Pakistan team will produce 5,000 DVDs for nationwide distribution to everyone interested in the sport, including general film distributors, sports leaders, football players and pastors. Please pray that those who see these sports heroes will also find the eternal hero, Jesus, for themselves.
>> Source.
USA: “Son of Hamas” Battling Deportation
Source: Baptist Press News, June 10, 2010
Mosab Hassan Yousef, the eldest son of a prominent Hamas leader on the West Bank and author of a globally circulated book recounting his conversion to Christianity, is facing a June 30 deportation hearing in San Diego.
Yousef, 32, who first sought political asylum in the United States in 2007, acknowledged that the deportation dispute, which began last year, could be lengthy.
“My concern is not about being deported. It is that I am being forced to stand and defend myself as a terrorist! This is ridiculous.”
Yousef recounted on his blog and in his book, Son of Hamas, that he worked as a secret agent for the Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet for more than 10 years as a way of countering violence in the Mideast that he had come to regard as senseless.
While a secret agent, Yousef became a Christian, four years after a chance invitation to a Bible study in Jerusalem. He was secretly baptized in 2005 at a beach near Tel Aviv.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Umba Stands and Jesus Wins
Source: New Tribes Mission, June 11, 2010
Umba was not going to stand idle as threats were made against him and his family. The Kuman man in Papua New Guinea was going to challenge his accusers. Umba and his wife, Wari, were accused of using sorcery to cause the death of a young child [Umba’s two-year-old nephew].
Last week, Umba called on his relatives to bring forth the witchdoctor they had hired so he could prove his power. The relatives said they couldn’t find him.
Umba’s relatives quickly began backing down, saying they didn’t know who had hired the witchdoctor and didn’t know who had made the accusations. Knowing about Umba’s faith and good works in the village, and the wisdom he shows as a village magistrate, the people clearly saw through the lies of his accusers.
The village leaders then did something historic. A court document was written declaring that no one is allowed to use a witch again and that all accusations of sorcery killings would be met with a stiff fine.
Umba’s stand for the truth was a complete victory for Christ.
>> Also read about the loss of Umba’s nephew here.
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