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20-Aug-2002

Mission Network News reports these incidents of Christians being persecuted.

Indonesia:

Muslim extremists on the rampage again.

Violence is again focusing on Christians in that predominately Muslim nation. Christian Aid Mission is in the country supporting refugee camps and helping Christians with outreach. Christian Aid’s John Lindner tells us things have deteriorated in that last two weeks. "Muslim Jihad warriors have attacked two villages on Sulawesi Island. The village of Sepe has been totally burned and destroyed, and also the village of Silancar. And, Christians in the city of Poso and the city of Tentena are fearing for their lives, that there will be a great massacre." Special forces have left the area,providing little resistance to the attackers. Linder says despite the violence God is working. "There’s also a great hunger in the lives of people as they see this devastation before their eyes. They’re turning to the Lord. It is hindering evangelism in the areas where the violence occurs, but it’s open the hearts of the people elsewhere." Go to www.ChristianAid.org to find out how you can help end this violence.

International:

Which nations are the most repressive?

Open Doors with Brother Andrew has released its biannual list of the most repressive countries when it comes to religious freedom. U-S President of Open Door’s Terry Madison. "For the first time, Saudi Arabia has been replaced by North Korea. North Korea has taken a zero tolerance attitude toward the Christian faith. Christians are just hunted down, brutally abused, often worked to death in work camps, or just killed by virtue of their Christian testimony." Madison says Laos,Vietnam, Turkmenistan, Maldives, Bhutan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Somalia round out the top ten. What does this mean for evangelism? "In time, with our support, with God’s word as they need it, with training if they need it, they can and they will do the evangelism. It just means that in these top ten countries, to do the work of an evangelist is very dangerous,sometimes at risk of your life."

Pakistan:

Fanatics attack a Hospital.

three men attacked a missionary hospital on Friday, killing several Christians and wounding many others. It was the second attack in a week, prompting fears that terrorists are targeting the Christian community. Open Doors’ Terry Madison. "Radical elements have gone out of their way to target what we would call ‘soft targets’; churches, missionary schools and now a Christian hospital, somewhat venting their fury and displeasure with America and the West in general, but certainly America and Christianity,in particular." When asked what believers can do to help, Madison said:"Pray for our brothers and sisters in Pakistan, many of whom are feeling trapped, they’re feeling afraid, they’re feeling isolated. We can’t all go and visit-that wouldn’t be practical, and it may not be prudent. But, we need to just pray and stand with our brothers and sisters there."

Ethiopia:

Pastor murdered by rale.

A mob of Ethiopian Orthodox Church members led by priests attacked and killed an evangelical Christian pastor in northwestern Ethiopia. According to a report from Compass Direct, the attack came shortly after he requested protection for his church’s new property and its members. Eight other evangelicals were attacked that week as well. 40 Ethiopian Orthodox Church members were arrested for the assaults.

Please go to http://www.mnnonline.org to learn more about missions news and to hear a weekday audio broadcast.

Keston News Service reports this persecution incident.

Kosovo:

70-Year-old nun wrongfully arrested by UNMIK for alleged drug-growing and consumption.

UNMIK police on 7 August wrongfully arrested a 70-year-old nun, the Prioress of Gracanica Monastery Mother Efrosinia, on false charges of growing and consuming cannabis in the monastery, but the next day confirmed that the cannabis was just wild growing hemp. The Serbian Orthodox Church has asked for, but not yet received, a formal apology from UNMIK Police for the wrongful arrest of Mother Efrosina. UNMIK Police have not yet made any arrests in response to the continuing series of violent attacks on Serbian Orthodox religious sites and people in Kosovo.

Please see http://www.keston.org for more information about religious persecution in communist and post-communist lands.

ASSIST Ministries has this to report.

Pakistan:

Supreme Court overturns death sentence.

Ayub Masih and Christians around the world are rejoicing today after word was received that the Pakistani Supreme Court overturned the blaspheming and resulting death sentence for the Pakistani Christian. Masih, 34, was sentenced to death in 1998 for allegedly blaspheming Islam and its prophet Mohammed.During his six years in jail, he ministered to fellow prisoners and wrote letters about spiritual truths he was learning. He previously told his brother that when he is released, his desire is to serve the church of Christ in Pakistan. While the Supreme Court has ordered Masih released, his life still is being threatened by some Pakistani Muslims who are upset by the court’s decision. "Ayub’s acquittal is an answer to the prayers of millions of Christians around the world," says Terry Madison, President of Open Doors USA. "This is wonderful news and a testimony to the power of prayer and rock-solid faith in the Lord." Nine other Pakistani Christians are still in prison and face death threats from extremists.

Please check http://www.assist-ministries.org for details about this story plus fascinating articles about believers and their work for the Lord.

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Yours,

Bruce Atchison.

ve6xtc@telusplanet.net

http://gideon.www2.50megs.com

http://help-for-you.com

   

email: ve6xtc@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca