News headlines for December 27th 2002

(Kenya)–Topping the news, Kenya’s presidential and parliamentary elections are underway, marred by outbreaks of violence. For many nationals, the general consensus is that these are historic elections, possibly the most important since independence in 1963, and a test for new leadership. Aside from new government, there is also a new constitution being presented. Words of Hope’s[1] Lee DeYoung says some of their workers are concerned. “Although Kenya remains a predominantly Christian country, nevertheless the new constitution has portions that have been inserted into the draft currently before people, which embodies quite a bit of Islamic, Sharia law.” As to how this affects evangelistic work, DeYoung suggests: “That’s something to pray about, that that won’t actually impede the Gospel. Regarding the current political climate, people are cautiously hopeful that either of the leading presidential candidates may lead to a better government.”

(Honduras)–Next, they’re hoping that a combination of proper timing and training will open the doors to minister throughout Central and Latin America’s closed countries. Walk Through the Bible’s[2] Terry Sparks paid a recent visit to Honduras to see the results from an October teaching campaign. What they found, he said, was confirmation of a desire to cultivate the church. “We returned in December and went to a place called San Pedro Sula, which is one of the major cities of Central America, and conducted training there for about 13 people.” Sparks says this represents a shift in emphasis. For the last two years, their focus has been on Africa. However,[he says], “…we now have an active ministry in Honduras. Over the next year, we will be seeking to make that ministry a model ministry for Central America. We, historically, have been weak in Central America, largely because we didn’t have that many materials in Spanish.”

(Central Asia)–Christmas packages including food, clothes and the hope of the Gospel are quietly going out to needy families across Central Asia. There, Christmas is celebrated January 7th. Bible Mission International’s[3] Mark Reimschisel says they’re working behind the scenes. “There are a lot of places in the world where people can go and work that are very high profile. In a lot of these areas, since freedom has basically been there for an extended time now, people are wondering why we are still there and why we’re still helping.” Reimschisel says the answer to that question is simple. “When we’re there long term and the church continues to meet the needs of people and they don’t get anything in return, all that does is just bring more validity to why we’re giving this aid. We’re giving it in the name of Christ, and we’re expressing compassion, and expecting nothing in return.”

(Zambia)–Elsewhere, Operation Blessing International[4] continues their response to the famine that is now affecting millions of lives in southeastern Africa. Operation Blessing and a partnering organization are supporting a hunger relief effort to two orphanages in Zambia. One of their partners is home to 156 children very rural Zambia. It also daily feeds more than 250 additional street children. Associated with the Full Gospel Church of South Africa, Nyamphande Orphanage daily feeds the bodies and souls of 361 children.

(Argentina)–And, final plans are underway as the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association[5] gets ready to undertake the Buenos Aires Festival of Hope. The two-day festival is slated to begin January 31rst and will reach huge numbers of people with the Gospel; they’re expecting up to 500,000 each night. Please pray for the teams as they prepare to minister in a country where nearly one in five is unemployed, half of the population lives in poverty, and where violent demonstrations are commonplace.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WOH [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WTTB [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BMN [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=OBI [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=LPEA ———————————————————————

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