Mandeville Hospital hosted a sporting event for wounded military personnel. In 2012 members of the Armed Forces wounded in action in Afghanistan and Iraq will represent their country once again in the London Paralympics. They all received help from Battle Back, a scheme which encourages recovering military personnel to take up sport. The Team GB Para Olympians includes discus thrower Private Derek Derenalagi who is still serving. In July 2007 his vehicle hit an improvised device in Afghanistan. He was pronounced dead in hospital at Camp Bastion, but later doctors found a pulse. Derek lost both legs in the incident and said that sport has been the best rehab possible for him. 'It doesn’t only help me physically but also mentally in taking away a lot of the negative thoughts from having such a horrific injury.’

Praise: God for the competitors who embody the spirit of a ‘can do’ attitude to life – may they encourage those facing unexpected challenges physically, emotionally or spiritually. (Ecc.11:1)

More: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2194450/Paralympics-2012-Fighting-fit-Forces-heroes-gunning-glory.html

In the heart of one of Africa’s most influential cities, world evangelist Andrew Palau and 500 Ethiopian churches joined together in a significant effort to foster unity and love, and reach out with the Good News through Love Ethiopia, October 26 through November 17, 2013. The campaign visited the nation’s seven largest cities with the clear message of Jesus Christ. It included more than 17 partner evangelists, 120 short-term missionaries, more than 70 para-church organizations, and thousands of local volunteers in 175 events. From outreach events in local prisons to a private meeting with the newly-appointed president of the nation, the campaign reached every level of society and touched more than 250,000 people, with many thousands responding to the clear Gospel message presented by Andrew Palau and dozens of others. Andrew’s biblical messages of hope rang out to tens of thousands of people on the closing weekend of the festival, forming a potent capstone to the three-week-long campaign.

Officials are calling it one of the largest operations against human traffickers in Europe. Police in Europe arrested 103 people in 10 countries this week, all accused of smuggling people on boats, freight trains and small hidden compartments in the floors of buses and trucks. The massive operation spanned a host of European nations and deployed more than 1,200 police officers. The operation descended on homes and properties across Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Turkey and the Kosovo region in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Related operations took place in Switzerland and Austria. Human trafficking is a global multibillion dollar business, only ranking behind illegal drugs and arms trafficking, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. (See also 41-2012)

Praise: God for this answer to prayer leading to the prosecution of perpetrators. (Is.61:8)

More: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/31/world/europe/human-trafficking-arrests/index.html?hpt=ieu_c2

The response has been astronomical. Women can't get enough of hearing how Christ loves them. Mission Network News reports that an urgent desire for God's Word in Ethiopia is causing the Gospel to spread like wildfire. And, it's being fuelled primarily by women whose lives have been changed after watching the JESUS Film movie ‘Magdalena Released From Shame.’ Noting that women have long been ‘undervalued’ in the country, the Ethiopia ministry director for JESUS Film Project, Damtew, says, ‘Women are being healed at showings as they watch: it's just so amazing.’ According to the report, progress is staggering, with demand for the film now so high that in only six months the team has trained 564 women..

Praise: God for the way the Spirit is using the Magdalena film to reach the women of Ethiopia. (Ps.97:12)

More: http://mnnonline.org/article/16882

The Bible is being used to transform the lives of thousands of boys rescued from the streets in Ethiopia. The Lighthouse Boys Home has helped some 6,000 boys since it opened 13 years ago. The Bible Society gives the home copies of the Bible as books and in audio. So along with food, shelter and training they also get to listen to, read and study the Bible – something the home’s Director, Kashun Tesfaye says has transformed hundreds of lives. ‘There are many problems for boys on the streets. If the weather is cold they drink oil from cars to keep warm. They go hungry. They end up eating garbage. They don’t use clean water or drink clean water. The Bible gives these young people hope for the future. I believe that’s because the Bible gives hope to all people. The children are able to understand the word of God and get hope in God,' he says.

Praise: God for the hope that God gives to all those who accept His word. (Jer.29:11)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/transforming.the.lives.of.street.boys.in.ethiopia/28801.htm

Ahmed hated Christians. He attacked them and burned their Bibles. Then he was saved through direct encounters with God and came out of Islam to become a mighty Gospel missionary in Ethiopia. He says, ‘When I was sleeping a Voice came from Heaven and said, 'Mohammad, you are living in darkness. Come out of that cave and follow Me.’ Somehow Ahmed knew it was the voice of the Christian God but when he confided his dream to his mother she kicked him out of the family home, so he dismissed God's attention. Then he became ill, ‘I couldn't eat, walk or talk, I went to hospitals but was not healed.’ In desperation he humbly asked for help from Christian missionaries who talked about Jesus’ message of salvation by grace through faith, and then they prayed together. Now Ahmed says, ‘Jesus is my peace, my healing, my ministry, and my Saviour.’

Praise: God for Ahemed’s story and may millions more living in total darkness hear His still small voice. (Is.30:20-22)

More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=9896

Churches across Estonia - Evangelical, Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic - are working together towards a national prayer celebration called Christ Day. On July 28, 2012 they will gather in the capital Tallinn to unite, lift up Jesus Christ and commit their country to the Lord. They started off with a 40 Days Prayer and Fasting initiative before Easter. The vision is not just a one-day event, but a long-term process of missional collaboration. Christians will be challenged to be a blessing to their municipality and pray regularly for their country..

Praise: God for this initiative in Estonia and pray for all other events celebrating Christ Day. (Ps.147:1)((

More: http://www.hfe.org/Hope-II-congress/Speakers/HansPeter-Nuesch.aspx