AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER

16th Feb. 2009

* CHINA: OFFICIALS GRAPPLE WITH SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY

* WORLD CRISES – FLOODS IN SOLOMON ISLANDS; CHOLERA EPIDEMIC IN ZIMBABWE

* FIRST LADY OF UGANDA VOWS TO CONTINUE ADVOCATING FOR ABSTINENCE

* CHIN CHRISTIAN MINORITY PERSECUTED BY MYANMAR DICTATORSHIP

* SOLOMON ISLAND POLICE URGE RESPECT FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION

* NOT ALL BUSINESSES ARE SUFFERING IN THESE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES

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CHINA: OFFICIALS GRAPPLE WITH SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY

Concerned by the growth of unregistered house church groups in an uncertain political and social climate, the Chinese government has ramped up efforts both to identify Christians and to portray Christianity as a subversive foreign force. Sources said that authorities in recent months have been quietly gathering data on church growth, with surveys at universities and workplaces pointedly asking whether respondents were Christians. The surveys seemed largely unconcerned about other religions.

Communist Party officials have called meetings at various institutions to discuss the dangers of foreign religious influence. A Christian teacher forced to attend one of the meetings said that the lecturers distorted historical facts by saying that Buddhism, Daoism and Islam were “indigenous” and therefore safe. The teacher noted that Islam, actually came from the Middle East, and Buddhism from India and neither could be considered indigenous to China. By contrast, the officials said Christianity was “foreign” and hence potentially “subversive.”

China’s leaders have warned that 2009 will be marked by increased unrest and demonstrations as public anger mounts against increasing unemployment and corruption. Also disconcerting to the government is Charter 08, an online pro-democracy initiative signed by an increasing number of Chinese citizens. It calls for an end to the one-party system, an independent court and freedom of speech. Many of the original signatories were well-known lawyers and intellectuals, but the list now includes computer technicians, construction workers and farmers.

In response to signs and portents of unrest, the government has begun to increase political and social control. Christian leaders do not believe a huge crackdown is imminent, but they said the overall political climate had become more tense and that this would almost certainly affect unregistered house church Christians. House church leaders said that conditions now seemed even “tighter” than in the period leading up to the Olympic Games. In previous years Christians held large-scale Christmas events, but last year’s Christmas celebrations were deliberately low-key.

One house church leader said he had seen an internal document leaked from the local Religious Affairs Bureau, dated in early January, which warned against “subversion” by supposedly hostile Christian forces from overseas. The leaders were generally optimistic about the continuing work and growth of the church, with one Beijing pastor claiming more than 1,000 new converts were baptized last year in his group alone.

Last November officials had initiated talks with Protestant house church Christians, raising hopes for greater freedom. The meetings brought together academics and lawyers, house church members, and a delegation of Protestant house church leaders. At the time, church leaders involved in the discussions were cautiously optimistic. It was clear that the government wanted to evaluate whether house churches posed a threat to the regime and to ask why they rejected the leadership of the Three Self Patriotic Movement, an official body appointed to oversee Protestant churches. Some house church Christians have become more vocal in their calls for justice and religious liberty. For example, following the district court’s dismissal of a lawsuit on behalf of Tang Houyong and his companions, Tang’s wife filed a motion to dismiss the Chief Justice of the court for violating legal procedures. With the spectre of serious political and social unrest looming before officials in the face of China’s economic recession, such Christian protests could add to the government’s unease over the growing number and influence of house church Christians.

Source: Intercessors Network

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WORLD CRISES – FLOODS IN SOLOMON ISLANDS; CHOLERA EPIDEMIC IN ZIMBABWE SOLOMON ISLANDS

Heavy rains since 29 January have caused flooding in a number of areas of the Solomon Islands (SI). Four provinces are reported to have been affected: Guadalcanal, Malaita, Makira and Central. As of 6 February, 10 deaths have been confirmed and 11 people are reported to be missing. Initial reports indicate clean water, shelter, food and medical supplies as the priority needs. The Ministry of Home Affairs has declared 12 wards in northwest Guadalcanal to be in a ‘state of disaster’ and has called for international assistance.

There is yet no clear picture on the total number of affected and displaced population, and the extent of humanitarian needs and damage to infrastructure. Various agencies, including World Vision and a French patrol boat have distributed water to affected communities. The Government of Japan has provided 20 water tanks, 1,200 jerry cans, and 20 sets of water purification equipment.

Initial assessments indicate damage of some frastructure as well as damage to medical stocks. An increase in incidences of water-borne diseases, malaria, dengue fever, skin, ear and respiratory infections are also expected. A medical team, with supplies has been deployed from the Guadalcanal Province to the affected areas, both for treatment and preventative purposes, including messaging on health awareness. Food is a priority as most of the food gardens are reportedly damaged.

Tarpaulins and mosquito nets are considered to be the most needed relief items. The total number of houses destroyed or damaged is still to be ascertained. Displaced people, whose number is yet to be ascertained, are reportedly living in temporary shelters as well as being accommodated by neighbours. The Government of Australia has provided A$100,000 for immediate relief. A number of other countries have similarly contributed with financial as well as logistical support.

ZIMBABWE

The cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe has still not been brought under control with a growing number of cases reported each day. The epidemic has stabilised in urban areas but outbreaks in the rural areas remain high and on the increase. The spread of cholera to remote areas likely accounts for the increasing number of deaths outside health facilities. The number of deaths per day is decreasing, due to an improvement in medical case management. While the fatality rate has reduced to 5%, it is still well above the internationally acceptable level of 1% for cholera outbreaks.

Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

———————————————– FIRST LADY OF UGANDA VOWS TO CONTINUE ADVOCATING FOR ABSTINENCE

Speaking in Kampala recently, Uganda’s First Lady, Mrs. Janet Museveni, said that though her message of sexual abstinence and faithfulness had made her “unpopular in certain quarters,” she was determined to continue promoting the strategy that had proved so successful in combating HIV/AIDS in the country. Last year Mrs. Museveni expressed regret that Ugandans are abandoning behaviour change as a way to fight HIV, in favour of methods that only perpetuate the disease, with the resultant rise in HIV-AIDS rates.

“It is not too late to reverse the trend,” she said at the premiere of the documentary “Miss HIV” in Kampala. “We can adopt our own indigenous solutions, which are less expensive and are 100% sure of preventing the spread of this deadly disease. I find it very baffling how we could throw away what worked, and embrace ideas from elsewhere. Then we watched as rates of infection soared again to claim lives.” “To be true to myself, as a mother and as a Believer in Jesus Christ, I am prepared to continue advocating for these values,” Mrs. Museveni said.

Mrs. Museveni lamented that there are “categories of adults who are exposed to risk (of HIV/AIDS) through their lifestyles,” and may be beyond help, but that the youth of the country must continue to hear the message that chastity and fidelity in marriage are the only sure methods to stop the HIV/AIDS pandemic. “For this category of people, change may be too late. But we cannot give up on our children and the young people by simply trusting the condom for protection,” Mrs. Museveni said.

Mrs. Museveni said it was important to train children to value and respect themselves and others, and to acquire the virtues of patience and self-control. “Failure to abstain and be faithful is a reflection of a failure to love,” she said. A lack of discipline and self-control manifests itself in promiscuity and makes people likely to abuse alcohol and drugs. “There is no condom against alcohol or substance abuse. There is no condom to protect us against life. The condom to protect us against the hazards of life is self-discipline, respect and value of God-given life,” Mrs. Museveni said.

Source: LifeSite News

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CHIN CHRISTIAN MINORITY PERSECUTED BY MYANMAR DICTATORSHIP

Myanmar’s military regime is committing widespread abuses against the mainly Christian Chin ethnic group, who face forced labour, torture and religiously-motivated persecution, The Human Rights Watch report also features interviews conducted between 2005 and 2008 with about 140 Chin; some living in exile abroad, others in their traditional homeland. Ethnic Chin are subject to intimidation and threats by the junta, with violations such as restrictions on freedom of movement and extorting of money, food, and property regularly reported.

“We are like slaves; we have to do everything the army tells us to do. We are like a forgotten people” one Chin man said. Chin men and women are used by the army as porters or sent into mine fields ahead of the troops. One Chin woman said “The army has called me many times to porter. One time I refused to go because I was so tired and the things we are made to carry are very heavy. When I refused, they beat me. They said: ‘You are living under our authority. You have no choice. You must do what we say.”

Myanmar has a population of 57 million people divided in 135 distinct ethnic groups, mostly Buddhist, some in open conflict with the Myanmar state in a struggle for independence. Ethnic Chin represent 1 per cent of the total population and are 90 per cent Christian, living in the north-western mountainous region of country, on the border with India. They too are at war with the central government under the leadership of the Chin National Front.

Source: Intercessors Network

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SOLOMON ISLAND POLICE URGE RESPECT FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION

Solomon Islands police have called for the freedom of religion contained in the country’s constitution to be respected and upheld. The call by the Acting Police Commissioner Peter Marshall follows recent tensions between Christians and a group of Muslims in Malaita Province. Tensions came to a head recently when an Anglican priest was assaulted. As police investigated the incident, Mr Marshall urged Solomon Islanders to respect the right to religious freedom for members of all faiths.

He told Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat that there are concerns about the approach being taken by some members of the Muslim community who are trying to establish a religion on Malaita. He said “that is actually not a concern to us, but it is the attitude of the group who are trying to establish here which is of definite concern to the legislators of Malaita Province.” “Because of the recent incidents, we have expressed our concern about these people, especially their attitude towards other people in the community, and to the people responsible for law and order in the country.

Mr Marshall said police have contacted the Special Coordinator of RAMSI regarding their concerns, although he emphasised that no blame was being laid at the feet of the Muslim community as a whole. “We are not blaming anybody for the actions of these people, but given the freedom of religion, this should be looked at carefully by the authorities in Solomon Islands to try to secure the future, peace and stability of this country.”

Source: Pacific Beat

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NOT ALL BUSINESSES ARE SUFFERING IN THESE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES

God’s blessings, a loyal customer base, affordable prices and menu upgrades are credited for fast-food chain Chick-fil-A’s success last year. It was the 16th straight year of double-digit sales growth for the business. “I believe God has blessed our business,” said the company’s president Dan Cathy, a devout Christian known for keeping his stores closed on Sundays and giving generously to faith-based charities. Cathy said there won’t be any lay-offs this year. “I think our staff are eternally grateful to have a job in a healthy business,” he said. “We want to keep it that way.”

Chick-fil-A is now rolling out an initiative designed to take their customer service the “second mile.” The “first-mile” reportedly constitutes business basics: —a clean parking lot and restaurant, hot fries and a smiling staff. Now the chain is teaching etiquette to their employees, already noted for their polite customer service. Cathy has proven that honouring God in the way you run your business can produce rewards even in this world. Maybe it is time to learn that chasing the mighty dollar, and being ruled by it, does not always produce the best results.

Source: Atlanta Journal – Constitution

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