Missions Catalyst

Filmed in six languages across five continents, this short film captures the faith-filled thoughts of children as they contemplate the attributes of God.

In this issue:

1. IRAN/IRAQ: Deadly Earthquake Strikes
2. LEBANON: Prime Minister Resigns, Future Uncertain
3. EAST ASIA: Artist Escapes from the Buddhist Wheel of Life
4. WORLD: Latest Figures on Bible Translation
5. SUDAN: Through the Eyes of a Persecuted Pastor

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Greetings!

Did you watch Like a Child, the new short film from Moving Works? Amazing what profound thoughts can be communicated by children, and here in only two and a half minutes. You might like to use this (possibly with the related discussion guide) for Universal Children’s Day, observed each year on November 20. See Universal Children’s Day: A Reason to Listen (World Vision).

Our friends at SAT-7 just finished a week of prayer for children in the Middle East. They produced short video clips on equipping children in seven important ways. Take a look.

Blessings,
Pat

Source: Open Doors, November 13, 2017

More than 400 people have been killed and 7,000 injured in an earthquake that struck along the border between Iran and Iraq on Sunday, November 12. Officials are calling it the deadliest earthquake in the world in 2017. The BBC reported that teams are looking for survivors trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings. The death toll is expected to rise.

The earthquake struck late Sunday night, sending terrified residents fleeing their homes into the streets. The US Geological Survey said the epicenter was 19 miles outside the Iraqi city of Halabja.

Authorities in Iran and Iraq have initiated rescue operations. According to Iran’s semi state-run Tasnim news agency, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard were reportedly traveling to the affected areas to help with rescue efforts. On Monday, Iran declared three days of mourning.

Fatalities of the quake have already exceeded September’s Mexico City earthquake, in which 369 people were killed.

Please pray:

1. For the western Iranian town of Sarpol-e-Zahab where more than 100 people have been killed.
2. For grieving families and friends who have lost parents, children, mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters in the quake. Pray that those who don’t know God would feel his comfort and presence and come to know him as their Savior.
3. For healing and medical care for the more than 7,000 people injured in the earthquake. Pray for strength and knowledge for medical workers and other first responders who are assisting with rescue efforts. Pray that more people would be rescued in the days ahead.
4. For believers in these areas as they look for ways to show Christ to the families of victims and pray for the wounded.
5. For organizations mobilizing to provide shelter, food, and clean water to families who have lost their homes.
6. For the quick restoration of running water and electricity in the cities across the Iran/Iraq mountainous border that were hit hardest.
7. For the Iraqi and Iranian people in these border areas. Pray for them in the months ahead as they begin recovery and the difficult process of rebuilding homes and lives from the rubble.

» Read full story and 15 Specific Prayers for God’s Work in Iraq.

» Also read Talk about Jesus to Me: Revival in Iran (PE News).

Source: INcontext International, November 2017

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri unexpectedly resigned on Saturday, November 4, during a trip to Saudi Arabia, saying his life was under threat. His sudden departure creates a leadership vacuum in an already politically divided country. He accused Iran of meddling in the region, causing “devastation and chaos.” He went on to say: “Iran controls the region and the decision-making in both Syria and Iraq. I want to tell Iran and its followers that it will lose in its interventions in the internal affairs of Arab countries.”

Iran has refuted these allegations. Mr. Hariri’s resignation is seen by others in the region as orchestrated by his patrons, the Saudis, to isolate Hezbollah by collapsing Lebanon’s national unity government, which included both Hezbollah and Mr. Hariri’s Sunni faction.

There are growing fears that Lebanon could become another battleground for the escalating rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as war-torn Syria has been in recent years. This small, yet strategic Mediterranean country could face economic collapse or even conflict if a quick resolution to the current crisis is not found.

Lebanon currently hosts approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees who now, together with the 5 million Lebanese, face an uncertain future.

Please join us in praying for Lebanon.

“God is the only one who can make the valley of trouble a door of hope” (from Hosea 2:15).

» Read full story.

» Also read A Call to Prayer for Lebanon, which includes links to a variety of news stories (Lebanese Society for Educational & Social Development).

Source: International Mission Board, November 13, 2017

Harshil Tamang once fashioned artwork depicting the traditional Buddhist understanding of existence. His work represented the recurring cycle of life while expressing a longing for an elusive escape from reincarnation to nirvana, the ultimate spiritual goal.

Like his father before him, he learned to paint thangkas, Tibetan Buddhist paintings on cotton or silk. The Wheel of Life painting is the most well-known thangka. It’s a visual representation of life, death, and rebirth for Tibetan Buddhists. For eighteen years, Harshil painted traditional thangkas and taught others to do the same.

When Harshil’s grandmother passed away, a priest commissioned him to make a thangka to make merit on her behalf. Harshil asked his father about the symbolism of art created for the dead. The thangka is like a god, his father said, and making one was a way to serve his grandmother.

The idea that his artwork held god-like status stunned Harshil. He remembers wondering who his art made him if it was a god. If his art could work for salvation, who was he? He knew he was not more powerful than a god.

So his Buddhist faith waned. “There is no god in this universe. Man is god,” Harshil recalls thinking. “I am also god,” he declared.

Not long after making this bold claim, a storm struck and flooded his home and destroyed 300 thangkas representing months of work and rendering a devastating financial loss.

He wondered if the Lord was challenging his claim to divinity.

» Full story includes a video and images Harshil’s art today.

» See also The Spirit of Tibetan Buddhism (OMF International). I had no idea that the Tibetan Buddhism has so much in common with the church of Luther’s day! (Hint: merit.)

Source: Wycliffe Alliance, October 2017

As we celebrate the milestone of translated Scripture in more than 3300 languages, we celebrate that God is accomplishing his mission through his power and through partnership.

At least 1.5 billion people do not have the full Bible available in their first language. Over 652 million of these have the New Testament; others have portions or at least some level of translation or preparatory work begun.

There is known active translation and/or linguistic development happening in 2584 languages across more than 170 countries.

As of October 1, 2017, over 114 million people, speaking 1636 languages, need some form of Bible translation to begin.

Also in 2017:

• YouVersion celebrated making Scripture available in more than 1100 languages.
• Faith Comes by Hearing also has recordings of Scripture in more than 1100 languages.
• The JESUS film is available in more than 1500 languages.

» Read full story.

» Also read Wycliffe USA Celebrates 75 Years of Bible Translation.

Source: Mission Network News, November 10, 2017

With extreme levels of persecution against Christians in the Muslim-dominated country, many Sudanese pastors have been killed, fled the country, or suffered imprisonment.

“James” is a pastor in Sudan and has witnessed the depleting pool of fellow clergy. “Some foreigners were deported from Khartoum. And pastors from South Sudan, they went to South Sudan. Those who remain in Sudan are few. The pastors who shared the Bible and teach the Bible, they are few.”

Because of this, James has to wear many spiritual hats. He pastors a Baptist church, serves as chairman of a council of Baptist churches, preaches the Bible at conferences, and has even taught the New Testament in some Christian schools.

As he puts it, being a pastor in a country like Sudan can be lonely, and he has even suffered persecution himself. “In these situations, the person looks at himself [thinking] maybe he is alone. Of course, we get discouraged. But I believe that God is involved.”

» Read full story with prayer points.