Sudan/South Sudan: Buffer zone
06 Oct 2012Last week Sudan and South Sudan signed nine agreements settling some disputed issues and established security cooperation between the two governments to stop rebel attacks from both sides through a number of measures including a 14 mile buffer zone of pasture land on the common border. Some Dinka think they have been abandoned by their government, believing this agreement gives another opportunity for the marauding Murahaleen to resume their rustling; while others view it as a trading off of their land for a region that initially in terms of law and administration chose not to be part of South Sudan. Meanwhile, although they welcomed these agreements, the rebel alliance Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) said they are determined to bring down Khartoum's regime. An SRF spokesperson said they doubt Khartoum's regime will implement what is agreed in Addis Ababa. See also: http://allafrica.com/stories/201210030016.html
Pray: for peace between the two Sudans and for speedy implementation of all the agreed provisions. (Lk.6:37)
More: http://allafrica.com/stories/201210020985.html
Angry protesters stormed the US embassy in Sanaa, Yemen, on Thursday as regional discontent over an amateur US film mocking Islam spread throughout the region. Police used water cannons and fired warnings shots to drive the protesters out of the building, according to an AFP correspondent at the scene. There were unconfirmed reports of casualties on both sides. The protests in Sanaa come two days after a similar attack on the US consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi resulted in the deaths of four US citizens, including the US ambassador in Libya, Christopher Stevens. There were also reports of fresh scuffles outside the US embassy in Cairo on Thursday, a day after protesters scaled the embassy walls, ripped down the US flag and replaced it with the black Islamic flag.
Pray: against further unrest in the region see above..
STOP PRESS: Pope Francis is an 'inspired choice'
29 Apr 2013Catholic leaders in the UK have spoken of their delight over the election of Pope Francis. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor praised the selection of a ‘humble, very simple and very intelligent man,’ and said the Church was ‘very blessed. Above all, I think he is a holy man, a spiritual man and I think he will bring a new kind of style to the Catholic Church,’ the Cardinal told the BBC. He noted the significance of the Pope's choice of the name Francis, known as a man of the poor. Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said ‘the simplicity of Pope Francis’ life would be a great example to people. For many people, this may be a surprise selection. For me, it was an inspired choice and I am very, very happy not only for the Catholic Church but for the world,’ he said.
Pray: that Pope Francis will be inspired by the Holy Spirit as he takes on the role as leaderof the world-wide catholic Church.
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pope.francis.is.an.inspired.choice/31830.htm
Sri Lanka: Slow response to flood victims
26 Jan 2011
Survivors of Sri Lanka’s massive flood affecting over half a million people from heavy monsoon rains last week protested at a government office in the eastern part of the country over slow food aid. More than 1,000 people surrounded the office in the village of Ariyampathy in Batticaloa district and smashed windows, accusing officials of mismanaging relief supplies. Victims accused local politicians of giving food to their supporters rather than distributing supplies fairly. At least 5,000 homes have been washed away and more than 200,000 acres of crops are under water. The country has not yet recovered from last year's record rainfalls that brought severe flooding and now they are battling the same thing again. The top UN official of humanitarian affairs, Catherine Bragg, will visit Sri Lanka to access flood damages. Pray: for flood victims here and in other countries devastated by rain will receive all they need quickly and are supported appropriately to rebuild their lives. (Ps.29:10) More: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20110118/sri-lanka-flood-victims-protest-over-slow-food-aid/
Sri Lanka: Recent anti-Christian incidents
29 Apr 2013A sudden increase in violence against the Christian community by Buddhists in Sri Lanka has been reported. Barnabas Fund received news last week of ten anti-Christian incidents in different parts of the country during March. The most violent of them was an attack on Pastor Pradeep Kumara’s house that was used for worship meetings. A mob forced open the gate, broke into the premises and damaged the property while the family were out. Police were called but they could not control the mob. The attack went on for three and a half hours; the assailants desisted once they had forced Pradeep's wife to promise there would be no more worship meetings at the house. The pastor has faced intense opposition to his ministry.
Pray: that the threats and violent acts against Christians would not stop God’s purposes for the region. May the church grow in unity, faith and perseverance. (Pr.2:12)
More: http://barnabasfund.org/Ten-anti-Christian-incidents-in-Sri-Lanka-in-March.html
A senior pastor and his wife were ambushed and brutally beaten by a large mob, in one of several recent attacks on Christians in southern Sri Lanka. Release partners report that the Assemblies of God pastor and his wife were travelling back by motorbike from a friend's home in Matara district when they were set upon by about 40 men. The attackers beat and threatened to kill the couple unless they ceased their ministry in the Deniyaya area. The mob then dragged the couple back to the home they had just visited – interrogating the pastor's friends with threats and beating him again. Eventually, the pastor and his wife managed to escape and summon police protection. Despite their injuries, they decided not to go to hospital for fear of further attack. The mob is also reported to have threatened two Methodist church workers in Deniyaya on the same day, demanding that they too leave the area.
Pray: for God's peace to fill Christians in Sri Lanka. Pray specifically for Christians targeted in recent attacks. Pray that their ministries will grow and that their witness will draw many to Christ. (Ps.7:9)
Sri Lanka: Buddhist nationalism threat
22 Aug 2013Minorities in Sri Lanka are being threatened by aggressive Sinhalese Buddhist movements asserting supremacy over and leading hate campaigns against ‘ Christian and Muslim extremist groups.’ They claim minority groups pose a threat to the Sinhalese Buddhist majority. The nationalists are inciting violence - almost every week a church, mosque or Muslim business is attacked by extremists. Attacks on Muslims (10% of the population) have attracted some international media coverage but the persecution of Christians (7% of the population) has received little attention. The campaign is becoming increasingly violent. 20+ mosques and 30+ churches have been attacked and 18 churches have been forced to close. Nationalists vowed to shut down the rest. (Traditional ethical and moral Buddhist teachings are governed by avoiding any actions which are likely to be harmful to self or others). Pray that Sri Lankan Christians will powerfully demonstrate the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the wisdom of Biblical teaching at this time.
Pray: for the government to take a stand against violent incidents towards minority groups. (1Tim2:1-2)
Southern Sudan: Independence and beyond
11 Jul 2011South Sudan will come into existence on Saturday. An ongoing conflict with the North combined with numerous warlords pursuing their own agendas bring challenges. The country's problems of rampant corruption and a low productivity remain unresolved. The ministries are predominantly led by men who have much more experience cleaning weapons than heading efficient administrations. There is a shortage of teachers and schools, doctors and hospitals, bridges and roads. The United Nations is expected to help the country get established, but its soldiers and vehicles are routinely blocked from entering contested regions. The head of the UN peacekeeping mission is an American, who has been there since 2004 based in a mobile office unit at the airport. Six warlords, veterans of the liberation war, are stirring up fresh conflicts. The government in Khartoum is doing nothing that might contribute to stabilizing the South.
Pray: for God to fulfil the dreams of the South Sudanese Christians as they begin to develop their country. (Pr.16:3)
More: http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,772691,00.html