Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference."
~Max Lucado~
Minggu, 28 Desember 2008
Jumat, 26 Desember 2008
CHINESE GOVERNMENT LANUNCHES ATTACKS AGAINST CHRISTIANS DURING CHRISTMAS SEASON
Chinese Government Launches Attacks Against Christians During Christmas Season
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
CHINA (ANS) -- ChinaAid has reported to ANS that the Chinese government has targeted Christians in Henan province, Anhui province, and Xinjiang Autonomous Region between December 21 and December 24.
A ChinaAid spokesperson said that on Christmas Eve in Henan province, nine Christian women were arrested during a nativity play and are still being held by police. In Anhui province on December 22, officials arrested 19 students and two house church leaders and threatened to demolish their house church building. On December 21 in Xinjiang Autonomous Region, a house church was forbidden to gather and the pastor threatened with arrest.
HENAN – An eyewitness informed ChinaAid that at about 11 a.m. on Christmas Eve, a group of Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers raided a house church Christmas party in Yucheng County, Henan province, and detained nine Christian women. The house church Christians were reenacting the nativity on the street, and police charged the women with “organizing illegal religious activities.” The nine women, including Mrs. Yue Zengyun who led the group, are currently being held at Detention Center of Yucheng County. The PSB officers demanded the family members pay a fine in order for the women to be released.
ANHUI – At 5 p.m. on December 22, 2008, officials conducted a joint raid on a Shepherd Fellowship Bible training class affiliated with a house church in Dianlong village, Yanghu township in Dongzhi County. The government offices conducting the raid included: the Domestic Defense Protection Squad Branch of Chizhou Municipal Public Security Bureau of Anhui Province, the Domestic Defense Protection Squad of Dongzhi County Public Security Bureau, the Yanghu Township Police Station and the Dongzhi County Bureau of Religion.
ChinaAid said that the Bible training class of 19 students was jointly founded by pastors from house churches in several local counties to train young Christians. More than 10 uniformed police raided the training class and searched its facilities for two hours. Officials showed only their police identification certificates and did not present a search warrant when they searched the rooms. Officers seized two account books and two other books, but did not give the Christians a receipt for the confiscated objects.
At 7 p.m., the 19 students and two house church leaders, Zhu Jianguo and Cheng Donglai, were taken to the Public Security Bureau for investigation where they were forcibly photographed and videotaped. Officials also recorded the Christians’ personal information. During the interrogation, the Public Security cadres pounded on the desk to scare the Christians and lectured the students with political propaganda in an effort to force the students to say that the church lured them to participate in the study. At about 10 p.m., the students were released, but the two church leaders were not released until about 12 a.m.
The next day, December 23, 2008, the Public Security Bureau called the church leaders and warned them to send the students home before government officials arrived at the site of the training. Having no alternative, the church sent the 19 students home. Later that morning, officials from the Municipal Public Security Bureau, the County Public Security Bureau, Bureau of Religion and the police station returned to the site of the Bible training.
They photographed and videotaped all materials at the site and threatened the church members that anyone touching the materials would be in punished. The County Bureau of Religion posted sealing tape to shut off the house church building. Officials then read the seizure decision statement of the government in which they claimed they were notified that Cheng Donglai illegally ran a school, then pronounced the school abolished. Government officials also announced that they would demolish or sell the building used for the Bible training.
“At press time, the incident has not been resolved. Zhu Jianguo and Cheng Donglai, the two church leaders involved in this incident, expect officials to summon them at any time for further investigation,” said the ChinaAid spokesperson.
XINJIANG -- On December 21, a house church in Yili city, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, was banned. Pastor Xie Xianhua, who leads the church, was warned he could face arrest if he continued his house church service. ChinaAid will publish more information on this incident as details are available.
For more information on ChinaAid go to http://chinaaid.org.
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
CHINA (ANS) -- ChinaAid has reported to ANS that the Chinese government has targeted Christians in Henan province, Anhui province, and Xinjiang Autonomous Region between December 21 and December 24.
A ChinaAid spokesperson said that on Christmas Eve in Henan province, nine Christian women were arrested during a nativity play and are still being held by police. In Anhui province on December 22, officials arrested 19 students and two house church leaders and threatened to demolish their house church building. On December 21 in Xinjiang Autonomous Region, a house church was forbidden to gather and the pastor threatened with arrest.
HENAN – An eyewitness informed ChinaAid that at about 11 a.m. on Christmas Eve, a group of Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers raided a house church Christmas party in Yucheng County, Henan province, and detained nine Christian women. The house church Christians were reenacting the nativity on the street, and police charged the women with “organizing illegal religious activities.” The nine women, including Mrs. Yue Zengyun who led the group, are currently being held at Detention Center of Yucheng County. The PSB officers demanded the family members pay a fine in order for the women to be released.
ANHUI – At 5 p.m. on December 22, 2008, officials conducted a joint raid on a Shepherd Fellowship Bible training class affiliated with a house church in Dianlong village, Yanghu township in Dongzhi County. The government offices conducting the raid included: the Domestic Defense Protection Squad Branch of Chizhou Municipal Public Security Bureau of Anhui Province, the Domestic Defense Protection Squad of Dongzhi County Public Security Bureau, the Yanghu Township Police Station and the Dongzhi County Bureau of Religion.
ChinaAid said that the Bible training class of 19 students was jointly founded by pastors from house churches in several local counties to train young Christians. More than 10 uniformed police raided the training class and searched its facilities for two hours. Officials showed only their police identification certificates and did not present a search warrant when they searched the rooms. Officers seized two account books and two other books, but did not give the Christians a receipt for the confiscated objects.
At 7 p.m., the 19 students and two house church leaders, Zhu Jianguo and Cheng Donglai, were taken to the Public Security Bureau for investigation where they were forcibly photographed and videotaped. Officials also recorded the Christians’ personal information. During the interrogation, the Public Security cadres pounded on the desk to scare the Christians and lectured the students with political propaganda in an effort to force the students to say that the church lured them to participate in the study. At about 10 p.m., the students were released, but the two church leaders were not released until about 12 a.m.
The next day, December 23, 2008, the Public Security Bureau called the church leaders and warned them to send the students home before government officials arrived at the site of the training. Having no alternative, the church sent the 19 students home. Later that morning, officials from the Municipal Public Security Bureau, the County Public Security Bureau, Bureau of Religion and the police station returned to the site of the Bible training.
They photographed and videotaped all materials at the site and threatened the church members that anyone touching the materials would be in punished. The County Bureau of Religion posted sealing tape to shut off the house church building. Officials then read the seizure decision statement of the government in which they claimed they were notified that Cheng Donglai illegally ran a school, then pronounced the school abolished. Government officials also announced that they would demolish or sell the building used for the Bible training.
“At press time, the incident has not been resolved. Zhu Jianguo and Cheng Donglai, the two church leaders involved in this incident, expect officials to summon them at any time for further investigation,” said the ChinaAid spokesperson.
XINJIANG -- On December 21, a house church in Yili city, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, was banned. Pastor Xie Xianhua, who leads the church, was warned he could face arrest if he continued his house church service. ChinaAid will publish more information on this incident as details are available.
For more information on ChinaAid go to http://chinaaid.org.
Selasa, 23 Desember 2008
Christian beaten and registered church in Jiangsu province demolished
Christians Beaten and Registered Church in Jiangsu Province Demolished
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
JIANGSU, CHHINA (ANS) -- Police, real estate developers, and government officials from Yancheng city, Jiangsu province, together with nearly a thousand unidentified people, forcibly demolished the Chengnan Christian Church of Tinghu District, on the morning of December 17, 2008.
ChinaAid says the destruction of this registered church came less than 24 hours after the church won a court case protecting their building against the same individuals who attacked it.
"The mob took away property belonging to the church and beat more than10 Christians. Contacts report that the destruction was the result of government officials and powerful businessmen working in collusion to obtain the coveted church property by force," says ChinaAid in an e-mail report.
ChinaAid explained that on December 24, 1999, Chengnan Christian Church of Tinghu District was formally established upon review, approval and registration by Yancheng Municipal People's Government. In order to construct a church building which would accommodate a congregation of 800, the church obtained a loan and the Christians enthusiastically donated personal funds for four years.
According to ChinaAid, on June 12, 2003, the congregation bought four mu (about 0.66 acres) of land for the church building. The construction of the church building started in April 2004, and was completed in February 2005. On March 11, 2005, the church members began Sunday worship and various church activities in the church building.
Pastor Ding Jianling said: "The grace of the Lord is overflowing, and the investment of five million yuan on the church all comes from the loving donations from brothers and sisters over the past 10 years or so and is the fruit of hard work. Now, the temple of God is built."
However, beginning in 2006, sources say that real estate developers began to covet the land on which the church was built. The developers established connections in key agencies and departments and planned to build commercial housing units to sell for a large profit, ChinaAid said in its report.
ChinaAid reports: "Because of the pressure to sell the building and property, the church said it was willing to hold negotiations on equal footing to solve the problems. However, real estate developers and the relevant agencies in the government offered to pay only 2,860,000 yuan to settle the matter. They also refused to provide the land to replace the demolished church."
Chengnan Christian Church refused to accept the unfair conditions. Contacts say that the real estate developers collaborated with relevant agencies in the government to harass the church by cutting off the water supply and electricity, ChinaAid said.
The ChinaAid report continued: "At 9 a.m. on January 16, 2008 government officials and real estate developers called in more than 500 people to lay siege to the church and tried to demolish the building. Since the church had already petitioned, filed a case and reported the incident to the relevant agencies for urgent resolution, and because members of the church came out to protect the building, the church temporarily avoided demolition."
On May 29, 2008 real estate developers and officials once again, attempted to demolish the church, and once again, they failed.
ChinaAid also said that one day in August, a real estate developer desiring to provoke the congregation, beat up one church member so badly that the victim had to be hospitalized. The developer was required to pay for the medical expenses.
"Finally, in order to protect themselves from harassment from Yacheng government officials and the real estate developers, the church filed a lawsuit in Tinghu District Court. At 6 p.m. on December 16, 2008, Tinghu District Court ruled in favor of Chengnan Christian Church. After the ruling, the members of the church thought the government agencies and the real estate developers would abide by the law and would leave the church in peace," the ChinaAid report continued.
It added: "However, the following day, December 17, between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., more than 50 Christians were in gathered for prayer in the church, when a large number of police officers and unidentified people suddenly broke in. Without showing identification or giving any explanation, the police officers and attackers dragged the Christians outside the church, while hundreds of government officials, police officers, security guards and a large number of unidentified people gathered outside the church.
"According to witnesses, the leader of the mob was Cai Zhaoshan, Deputy General Secretary of Yancheng Municipal Government. Wielding tools, the crowd began to demolish the gate of the church, the office and other structures. Some of the mob loaded debris into trucks and hauled it away. When approximately 10 members of the church tried to stop the attackers, they were beaten."
ChinaAid says that at the time of this report, contacts reported that the church's office, the training center and cafeteria have all been destroyed. The damages are estimated to be more than 3 million y uan. Witnesses report that before officials left the scene, they boasted that they would come again in three days to continue the demolition.
Pastor Ding Jianling of Chengnan Christian Church says he is very sad that the church has been destroyed and that the brothers were beaten. Pastor Ding issued this appeal: "Please pray for us. We hope the authorities will repent for what they have done and may they be forgiven. In broad daylight, they occupied our property by force and broke the law knowingly. The government must give us an explanation for this."
ChinaAid believes this to be a serious incident of religious persecution.
The group says: "This is a significant case exposing the government's persecution against a Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) church, despite the fact that TSPM churches are registered and approved by the government. Forcible demolition of legally registered churches appears to be a new development in recent years where corrupt government agencies and real estate developers conspire together for huge financial profits at the expense of disadvantaged social groups and religious freedom."
Bob Fu, president of ChinaAid stated: "The central government has demanded on many occasions, both in China and20abroad, that churches register, claiming that once churches are registered, they will receive legal protection by the government. How the government handles the Yancheng incident will be the touchstone to test the validity of their claim, freedom of religion and rule of law in China. ChinaAid will advocate for all Christians in China who are persecuted for their faith."
Contact officials in Yancheng and let them know your concern for this church destruction:
Foreign Affairs Office of Yancheng City, Jiangsu
Director Zhao Ning
Fax： +86-515-6660827
Phone: +86- 515-6660825
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
JIANGSU, CHHINA (ANS) -- Police, real estate developers, and government officials from Yancheng city, Jiangsu province, together with nearly a thousand unidentified people, forcibly demolished the Chengnan Christian Church of Tinghu District, on the morning of December 17, 2008.
ChinaAid says the destruction of this registered church came less than 24 hours after the church won a court case protecting their building against the same individuals who attacked it.
"The mob took away property belonging to the church and beat more than10 Christians. Contacts report that the destruction was the result of government officials and powerful businessmen working in collusion to obtain the coveted church property by force," says ChinaAid in an e-mail report.
ChinaAid explained that on December 24, 1999, Chengnan Christian Church of Tinghu District was formally established upon review, approval and registration by Yancheng Municipal People's Government. In order to construct a church building which would accommodate a congregation of 800, the church obtained a loan and the Christians enthusiastically donated personal funds for four years.
According to ChinaAid, on June 12, 2003, the congregation bought four mu (about 0.66 acres) of land for the church building. The construction of the church building started in April 2004, and was completed in February 2005. On March 11, 2005, the church members began Sunday worship and various church activities in the church building.
Pastor Ding Jianling said: "The grace of the Lord is overflowing, and the investment of five million yuan on the church all comes from the loving donations from brothers and sisters over the past 10 years or so and is the fruit of hard work. Now, the temple of God is built."
However, beginning in 2006, sources say that real estate developers began to covet the land on which the church was built. The developers established connections in key agencies and departments and planned to build commercial housing units to sell for a large profit, ChinaAid said in its report.
ChinaAid reports: "Because of the pressure to sell the building and property, the church said it was willing to hold negotiations on equal footing to solve the problems. However, real estate developers and the relevant agencies in the government offered to pay only 2,860,000 yuan to settle the matter. They also refused to provide the land to replace the demolished church."
Chengnan Christian Church refused to accept the unfair conditions. Contacts say that the real estate developers collaborated with relevant agencies in the government to harass the church by cutting off the water supply and electricity, ChinaAid said.
The ChinaAid report continued: "At 9 a.m. on January 16, 2008 government officials and real estate developers called in more than 500 people to lay siege to the church and tried to demolish the building. Since the church had already petitioned, filed a case and reported the incident to the relevant agencies for urgent resolution, and because members of the church came out to protect the building, the church temporarily avoided demolition."
On May 29, 2008 real estate developers and officials once again, attempted to demolish the church, and once again, they failed.
ChinaAid also said that one day in August, a real estate developer desiring to provoke the congregation, beat up one church member so badly that the victim had to be hospitalized. The developer was required to pay for the medical expenses.
"Finally, in order to protect themselves from harassment from Yacheng government officials and the real estate developers, the church filed a lawsuit in Tinghu District Court. At 6 p.m. on December 16, 2008, Tinghu District Court ruled in favor of Chengnan Christian Church. After the ruling, the members of the church thought the government agencies and the real estate developers would abide by the law and would leave the church in peace," the ChinaAid report continued.
It added: "However, the following day, December 17, between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., more than 50 Christians were in gathered for prayer in the church, when a large number of police officers and unidentified people suddenly broke in. Without showing identification or giving any explanation, the police officers and attackers dragged the Christians outside the church, while hundreds of government officials, police officers, security guards and a large number of unidentified people gathered outside the church.
"According to witnesses, the leader of the mob was Cai Zhaoshan, Deputy General Secretary of Yancheng Municipal Government. Wielding tools, the crowd began to demolish the gate of the church, the office and other structures. Some of the mob loaded debris into trucks and hauled it away. When approximately 10 members of the church tried to stop the attackers, they were beaten."
ChinaAid says that at the time of this report, contacts reported that the church's office, the training center and cafeteria have all been destroyed. The damages are estimated to be more than 3 million y uan. Witnesses report that before officials left the scene, they boasted that they would come again in three days to continue the demolition.
Pastor Ding Jianling of Chengnan Christian Church says he is very sad that the church has been destroyed and that the brothers were beaten. Pastor Ding issued this appeal: "Please pray for us. We hope the authorities will repent for what they have done and may they be forgiven. In broad daylight, they occupied our property by force and broke the law knowingly. The government must give us an explanation for this."
ChinaAid believes this to be a serious incident of religious persecution.
The group says: "This is a significant case exposing the government's persecution against a Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) church, despite the fact that TSPM churches are registered and approved by the government. Forcible demolition of legally registered churches appears to be a new development in recent years where corrupt government agencies and real estate developers conspire together for huge financial profits at the expense of disadvantaged social groups and religious freedom."
Bob Fu, president of ChinaAid stated: "The central government has demanded on many occasions, both in China and20abroad, that churches register, claiming that once churches are registered, they will receive legal protection by the government. How the government handles the Yancheng incident will be the touchstone to test the validity of their claim, freedom of religion and rule of law in China. ChinaAid will advocate for all Christians in China who are persecuted for their faith."
Contact officials in Yancheng and let them know your concern for this church destruction:
Foreign Affairs Office of Yancheng City, Jiangsu
Director Zhao Ning
Fax： +86-515-6660827
Phone: +86- 515-6660825
Prayer sought for African believers after Baptists killed in Nigerian Election
Prayer sought for African Believers after Baptists killed in Nigerian Election Rioting
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
JOS, NIGERIA (ANS) -- An African Baptist leader is asking Christians to pray for their brothers and sisters in Christ following the deaths of at least 12 Nigerian Baptists who were killed and five Baptist churches burned during riots sparked by local election results in November.
Motunrayo Adegbilero, a Nigerian who is President of the Baptist Women's Union of Africa (BWUA), informed the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) that "churches are being burned and Christians are being killed in Jos, the capital of Plateau State of Nigeria."
BWA explained that Plateau State lies in central Nigeria, and roughly borders the predominantly Muslim north and the mainly Christian south of the country. It also says tensions between Christians and Muslims have risen in recent times in the most populous African nation of almost 150 million people.
Local elections held in Jos on November 28 and 29 led to riots amid rumors that the candidate supported mainly by Christians had won the elections, even though the results were not officially declared. Clashes between Christians and Muslims led to wide scale assaults.
Adegbilero stated that "the death toll is about 400 now," and that "the dead are both Christians and Muslims." Several thousand persons were reportedly injured and an estimated 10,000 displaced.
Baptist Press (BP) reported that "dozens of churches, mosques, businesses and homes were burned in Jos." According to BP, "One Baptist church lost five members and one deacon," and that the affected church is housing victims of the violence. Other Baptist churches are also housing persons displaced by the violence. Baptist families are giving shelter to students that were boarding at a local Baptist high school.
Jos, a city of roughly 500,000 inhabitants, experienced similar violence between Christians and Muslims in 2001 over a political appointment. Over a two-week period, from September 7-17, more than 1,000 people died during the conflicts.
More than 10,000 persons are estimated to have died in sectarian clashes between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria since 1999.
"Please pray for Nigeria," Adegbilero urged Baptists everywhere.
Nigeria has one of the largest Baptist memberships in Africa. The Nigerian Baptist Convention has 2.5 million members in 9,300 churches, and the Mambilla Baptist Convention has almost 23,000 members in 255 churches.
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
JOS, NIGERIA (ANS) -- An African Baptist leader is asking Christians to pray for their brothers and sisters in Christ following the deaths of at least 12 Nigerian Baptists who were killed and five Baptist churches burned during riots sparked by local election results in November.
Motunrayo Adegbilero, a Nigerian who is President of the Baptist Women's Union of Africa (BWUA), informed the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) that "churches are being burned and Christians are being killed in Jos, the capital of Plateau State of Nigeria."
BWA explained that Plateau State lies in central Nigeria, and roughly borders the predominantly Muslim north and the mainly Christian south of the country. It also says tensions between Christians and Muslims have risen in recent times in the most populous African nation of almost 150 million people.
Local elections held in Jos on November 28 and 29 led to riots amid rumors that the candidate supported mainly by Christians had won the elections, even though the results were not officially declared. Clashes between Christians and Muslims led to wide scale assaults.
Adegbilero stated that "the death toll is about 400 now," and that "the dead are both Christians and Muslims." Several thousand persons were reportedly injured and an estimated 10,000 displaced.
Baptist Press (BP) reported that "dozens of churches, mosques, businesses and homes were burned in Jos." According to BP, "One Baptist church lost five members and one deacon," and that the affected church is housing victims of the violence. Other Baptist churches are also housing persons displaced by the violence. Baptist families are giving shelter to students that were boarding at a local Baptist high school.
Jos, a city of roughly 500,000 inhabitants, experienced similar violence between Christians and Muslims in 2001 over a political appointment. Over a two-week period, from September 7-17, more than 1,000 people died during the conflicts.
More than 10,000 persons are estimated to have died in sectarian clashes between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria since 1999.
"Please pray for Nigeria," Adegbilero urged Baptists everywhere.
Nigeria has one of the largest Baptist memberships in Africa. The Nigerian Baptist Convention has 2.5 million members in 9,300 churches, and the Mambilla Baptist Convention has almost 23,000 members in 255 churches.
Prayer Request GPN December 23th 2008
Rejoicing in Christ is the keynote of Christmas. Luke 2:20
May you have blessed days. Roberto Wijnhof, GPN.
I received a call from a friend of mine in Montana. Her friend Sue is in a coma and needs our prayers. Sue 's daughter, Sarah. also needs prayers for peace and healing in their family.
This is the second time within two weeks that Sue has been in a coma.
Lots of problems. Please pray for unity, peace and healing.”
P. U.S.A.
I will appreciate your prayers for M. Her heart palpitation is still an on-off thing.
Please pray that the doctor will diagnose correctly the cause.
Please pray: for God's choice students and new place for Harvest Time schools. We need a more spacious place, one with 2 big classrooms, office area, library/study area and bigger parking space. Pastor J., The Philippines.
Currently, we are on the way to Ndalani and Yatta where we are now to spend our time serving the children and the co-workers of Mully children’s family, a Christian Charitable Organization in Kenya, a place that becomes a home and a hope to street children, orphans, abandoned, abused, HIV & AIDS affected and infected, desperate and neglected children regardless of their religion, sex, colour or tribe, who have nowhere to call home and no one to care for them.
Tomorrow we are having a relief food program in the afternoon for the members of the surrounding community, where we expect over 7,000 families to come to receive food.
-We are going to spend the Christmas holiday together with all the children in both Ndalani and Yatta and my wife, biological children, and members of staff will join me in serving the children and members of the surrounding community.
On 25th, we they celebrate the birth of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in our MCF chapel hall as we sing and praise the Lord with all the adoration.
On this day, we will also have a special hot meal for all our MCF children as well as all children from the surrounding community where we will feed them. They will have time to interact, recite Bible verses, play together and pray together. We will also issue all the children with new underwear!!
On 26th, we will take time to pray for all our friends, supporters and donors who have sacrificed their time, energy, wealth and support towards MCF.
My family and I wish you a Blessed Merry Christmas and a very Peaceful New Year 2009!!
Ev. M., Fouder & CEO, of mully childrens family.
-Please pray that as MCF have their services, the sound of music will go far away to touch our neighbours and reach out to their hearts in assuring them that there is someone somewhere who loves them. And above all else, the Lord loves them.
For the time together.
Pray as well for the the friends, supporters and donors who have sacrificed their time, energy, wealth and support towards MCF.
Pray for the founder, Ev.M and his family, for all the children of the of mully childrens family and for all the children who still do not have a place to call home or someone to take care for them.
A. has a wild life. Please pray that she will become calm. Please pray as well for O. to accept Jesus Christ as personal Saviour and to be obedient to grandmother at home.
Please pray especially in these Christmas days for people who need to be saved, for them to accept Christ as their personal Saviour, for those who need healing.
Pray that Jesus will be their very help in need for now and eternity.
Nearly 500 Christians have been murdered in the last months in Orissa.
Please pray for the relatives. India.
My oldest, daughter N. thinks negative and is spiritually overset.
She is a 50-year-old lady and would have liked to be married and have a family of her own, but her longing hasn’t become real.
She is disappointed in life, is very tense and does not want any contact with the family. Please pray for her.
We have received news from around the world indicating that once again Christmas-time may be a period of real challenge for many and not the time of easy celebration that many of us will have the good fortune to enjoy.
Eritrea
Pray for Christians in Eritrea who are in grave danger. A series of house arrests launched at the end of November has relentlessly proceeded from town to town, resulting in the arrests of over 150 Christians of every denomination. The raids have now reached Asmara, where so far up to 60 people are reported to have been detained. Arrested men, women and children are taken to a new military detention facility, where an unspecified number have died following torture. Meanwhile Egyptian authorities are once again threatening to forcibly return Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers who are currently held in the Nakhil detention centre in northern Sinai, near the city of al-Arish.
General
As we enjoy this festive season let us remember those who cannot celebrate it in the way we are able to. In many countries, for example like those in the Middle East, even where there is relative religious freedom, Christmas Day is just another working day. Any celebrations or religious services will be held in the evening and at night, most probably on Christmas Eve.
Iran and Iraq
CSW has received reports that various church leaders across Iran have been ‘requested’ by the police not to celebrate Christmas.
Thousands of Christians have fled the city of Mosul in northern Iraq since October due to a surge in violence against them. This Christmas, they will be far away from their ancient lands and remain in temporary shelters in fear of what the future holds.
Nigeria
Pray for the people of Jos following the recent devastating and orchestrated attacks on the Christian community in the city. Pray for families that have lost their loved ones and for churches that have lost their pastors.
Ask the Lord to protect Plateau State and bring about genuine peace and reconciliation to the communities there. Hired assassins murdered Wase's only Christian councilor, Honorable Nanyak Galadima, in his house on Sunday.
Sudan
Pray for southern Sudan, as tensions continue in oil rich Abyei county, following a build up of northern troops in the area and another series of clashes between the joint north-south force and the Abyei police. A northern soldier was killed, nine people were wounded and 8,000 people fled from the disputed area during the violence. Pray for a just resolution to the border issue as the southern government submits its arguments to the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
India (Orissa)
In Kandhamal district, the epicentre of the violence which followed the assassination of Swami Lakhmananda Saraswati on 23 August, a Catholic catechist named Jubaraj Digal has been killed.
At least 8,000 people remain in relief camps, according to Indian media sources.
4,215 houses and 252 churches or prayer halls have been destroyed.
Please pray that the inciters and perpetrators of the violence would be brought to justice and for the restoration of harmony in Orissa.
Please pray in particular for a peaceful Christmas, for those who will be in relief camps or homeless over Christmas, for all those mourning the loss of loved ones and for the rehabilitation of the victims.
Thanksgiving
One piece of good news is that this year, for the first time ever, Christians in Nepal are allowed to celebrate the birth of Jesus a little differently. The new coalition government, led by the CPN (Maoist) party, has finally declared Christmas Day a national holiday.
Thank you for joining with us and continuing to support Christians who are suffering for their faith. May they know the peace of God, and the presence of our suffering Christ at this time.
CSW Advocacy Team.
May you have blessed days. Roberto Wijnhof, GPN.
I received a call from a friend of mine in Montana. Her friend Sue is in a coma and needs our prayers. Sue 's daughter, Sarah. also needs prayers for peace and healing in their family.
This is the second time within two weeks that Sue has been in a coma.
Lots of problems. Please pray for unity, peace and healing.”
P. U.S.A.
I will appreciate your prayers for M. Her heart palpitation is still an on-off thing.
Please pray that the doctor will diagnose correctly the cause.
Please pray: for God's choice students and new place for Harvest Time schools. We need a more spacious place, one with 2 big classrooms, office area, library/study area and bigger parking space. Pastor J., The Philippines.
Currently, we are on the way to Ndalani and Yatta where we are now to spend our time serving the children and the co-workers of Mully children’s family, a Christian Charitable Organization in Kenya, a place that becomes a home and a hope to street children, orphans, abandoned, abused, HIV & AIDS affected and infected, desperate and neglected children regardless of their religion, sex, colour or tribe, who have nowhere to call home and no one to care for them.
Tomorrow we are having a relief food program in the afternoon for the members of the surrounding community, where we expect over 7,000 families to come to receive food.
-We are going to spend the Christmas holiday together with all the children in both Ndalani and Yatta and my wife, biological children, and members of staff will join me in serving the children and members of the surrounding community.
On 25th, we they celebrate the birth of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in our MCF chapel hall as we sing and praise the Lord with all the adoration.
On this day, we will also have a special hot meal for all our MCF children as well as all children from the surrounding community where we will feed them. They will have time to interact, recite Bible verses, play together and pray together. We will also issue all the children with new underwear!!
On 26th, we will take time to pray for all our friends, supporters and donors who have sacrificed their time, energy, wealth and support towards MCF.
My family and I wish you a Blessed Merry Christmas and a very Peaceful New Year 2009!!
Ev. M., Fouder & CEO, of mully childrens family.
-Please pray that as MCF have their services, the sound of music will go far away to touch our neighbours and reach out to their hearts in assuring them that there is someone somewhere who loves them. And above all else, the Lord loves them.
For the time together.
Pray as well for the the friends, supporters and donors who have sacrificed their time, energy, wealth and support towards MCF.
Pray for the founder, Ev.M and his family, for all the children of the of mully childrens family and for all the children who still do not have a place to call home or someone to take care for them.
A. has a wild life. Please pray that she will become calm. Please pray as well for O. to accept Jesus Christ as personal Saviour and to be obedient to grandmother at home.
Please pray especially in these Christmas days for people who need to be saved, for them to accept Christ as their personal Saviour, for those who need healing.
Pray that Jesus will be their very help in need for now and eternity.
Nearly 500 Christians have been murdered in the last months in Orissa.
Please pray for the relatives. India.
My oldest, daughter N. thinks negative and is spiritually overset.
She is a 50-year-old lady and would have liked to be married and have a family of her own, but her longing hasn’t become real.
She is disappointed in life, is very tense and does not want any contact with the family. Please pray for her.
We have received news from around the world indicating that once again Christmas-time may be a period of real challenge for many and not the time of easy celebration that many of us will have the good fortune to enjoy.
Eritrea
Pray for Christians in Eritrea who are in grave danger. A series of house arrests launched at the end of November has relentlessly proceeded from town to town, resulting in the arrests of over 150 Christians of every denomination. The raids have now reached Asmara, where so far up to 60 people are reported to have been detained. Arrested men, women and children are taken to a new military detention facility, where an unspecified number have died following torture. Meanwhile Egyptian authorities are once again threatening to forcibly return Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers who are currently held in the Nakhil detention centre in northern Sinai, near the city of al-Arish.
General
As we enjoy this festive season let us remember those who cannot celebrate it in the way we are able to. In many countries, for example like those in the Middle East, even where there is relative religious freedom, Christmas Day is just another working day. Any celebrations or religious services will be held in the evening and at night, most probably on Christmas Eve.
Iran and Iraq
CSW has received reports that various church leaders across Iran have been ‘requested’ by the police not to celebrate Christmas.
Thousands of Christians have fled the city of Mosul in northern Iraq since October due to a surge in violence against them. This Christmas, they will be far away from their ancient lands and remain in temporary shelters in fear of what the future holds.
Nigeria
Pray for the people of Jos following the recent devastating and orchestrated attacks on the Christian community in the city. Pray for families that have lost their loved ones and for churches that have lost their pastors.
Ask the Lord to protect Plateau State and bring about genuine peace and reconciliation to the communities there. Hired assassins murdered Wase's only Christian councilor, Honorable Nanyak Galadima, in his house on Sunday.
Sudan
Pray for southern Sudan, as tensions continue in oil rich Abyei county, following a build up of northern troops in the area and another series of clashes between the joint north-south force and the Abyei police. A northern soldier was killed, nine people were wounded and 8,000 people fled from the disputed area during the violence. Pray for a just resolution to the border issue as the southern government submits its arguments to the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
India (Orissa)
In Kandhamal district, the epicentre of the violence which followed the assassination of Swami Lakhmananda Saraswati on 23 August, a Catholic catechist named Jubaraj Digal has been killed.
At least 8,000 people remain in relief camps, according to Indian media sources.
4,215 houses and 252 churches or prayer halls have been destroyed.
Please pray that the inciters and perpetrators of the violence would be brought to justice and for the restoration of harmony in Orissa.
Please pray in particular for a peaceful Christmas, for those who will be in relief camps or homeless over Christmas, for all those mourning the loss of loved ones and for the rehabilitation of the victims.
Thanksgiving
One piece of good news is that this year, for the first time ever, Christians in Nepal are allowed to celebrate the birth of Jesus a little differently. The new coalition government, led by the CPN (Maoist) party, has finally declared Christmas Day a national holiday.
Thank you for joining with us and continuing to support Christians who are suffering for their faith. May they know the peace of God, and the presence of our suffering Christ at this time.
CSW Advocacy Team.
Pakistan: Policeman tortures, Paralyzes CHRISTIAN
Pakistan: Policeman Tortures, Paralyzes Christian
Disabled Christian waits in 9-year legal limbo, sent to prison for ‘kidnapping’
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- Compass Direct News is reporting that a Pakistani Christian boy’s quarrel with a Muslim policeman’s son has led to his father’s imprisonment, torture, paralysis, and five-year prison sentence.
The father’s health condition has become so fragile that he was temporarily released from prison and sent to a Faisalabad hospital on Sunday (Dec. 20). Emanuel Masih, 43, is now in stable condition, his attorney told Compass.
“Emanuel Masih, of Faisalabad, a father of six and a former street sweeper, is trying to commute his prison sentence instigated by police officer Omer Draz who tortured him and had him imprisoned on trumped-up charges originating from a quarrel between their sons nine years ago,” said the Compass Direct story.
“The situation began in 1999 when his son Saleem, 9 at the time, was involved in a dispute with Draz’s son at the childrens’ Muslim-majority elementary school. The next day to protect Saleem, Emanuel Masih and his brother-in-law Amin Masih accompanied Saleem to a bus station, along with Saleem’s brothers, to subdue the police officer. Draz, however, attacked Saleem and Emanuel Masih’s other sons.
“Following the incident Draz conspired with his housecleaner Zaniran Bibi, a Christian, to have Emanuel Masih arrested. She claimed that Emanuel Masih was responsible for the kidnapping of her son who had gone missing some time earlier.”
Compass Direct says that his attorney said that there was no evidence to link Emanuel Masih to the kidnapping.
“Police arrested Emanuel Masih along with Amin Masih, who was also falsely implicated in the kidnapping, without possibility of bail. The two men were tortured for a month, according to a report from the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) advocacy group,” the story continued.
“Draz had a regular routine of torture for Emanuel Masih and his brother-in-law: He gathered the brothers together, dragged them outside the police station and beat them with iron rods. A month of these beatings paralyzed Emanuel Masih’s arms and legs.”
“They took (them) to a private house and beat them there,” said CLAAS lawyer Akbar Durrani to Compass Direct. “They used a separate house because they are afraid of the courts.”
Emanuel Masih was then sent to judicial lock-up since he was too weak to attend a court hearing. The prison superintendent was so surprised at his condition he called on Emanuel Masih’s younger brother Jabar Masih to provide him physical care.
The story added that Emanuel Masih is also illiterate. Due to his injuries he could not work and had to rely on donations from charity groups. He has regained partial use of his legs but still cannot use his arms. He has been unemployed since 1999.
The two men were eventually released on bail. In the intervening nine years, Emanuel Masih and Amin Masih continued to attend court hearings. But May 24 they were arrested and given a five-year prison sentence along with a fine of 25,000 rupees (US$320). Lawyers appealed the decision in September at a Faisalabad court.
Trying to get out
Compass Direct stated that Emanuel Masih could be released from prison due to an article in Pakistan criminal law that requires proper facilities for an incapacitated person. If they are not available the prisoner can be released without a court order.
In September Durrani filed a petition of release to Pakistan’s Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, who is in charge of the country’s internal security. Without the use of his arms Emanuel Masih could not survive in prison unless Amin assisted him.
“His brother-in-law feeds and washes him. That’s why he has been able to survive until now,” Durrani said.
Gupta requested a medical examination of Emanuel Masih, which declared him incapacitated. The final decision to let him go rests with the jail superintendent, who received the report from the home secretary in early December.
Faisalabad is located in Punjab, near the Indian border. Radical religious elements in Punjab have become active in carrying out Islamic terrorist acts outside Pakistani borders. Two of the nine identified gunmen in the Nov. 26 attacks in Mumbai that killed 188 and injured 293 were from this city of 2.6 million.
On Wednesday, Dec. 17, Muslims set fire to a church in a nearby village as its parishioners were decorating for Christmas. The attackers left behind a letter telling the Christians they would be damned to hell if they did not become Muslims, according to International Christian Concern.
“Parish priest Yaqoob Yousaf has called for security forces to arrest the culprits quickly, for fear of similar attacks on the congregation during its Christmas Day services,” the Compass Direct story concluded.
The Compass Direct website can be found at www.compassdirect.org
Disabled Christian waits in 9-year legal limbo, sent to prison for ‘kidnapping’
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- Compass Direct News is reporting that a Pakistani Christian boy’s quarrel with a Muslim policeman’s son has led to his father’s imprisonment, torture, paralysis, and five-year prison sentence.
The father’s health condition has become so fragile that he was temporarily released from prison and sent to a Faisalabad hospital on Sunday (Dec. 20). Emanuel Masih, 43, is now in stable condition, his attorney told Compass.
“Emanuel Masih, of Faisalabad, a father of six and a former street sweeper, is trying to commute his prison sentence instigated by police officer Omer Draz who tortured him and had him imprisoned on trumped-up charges originating from a quarrel between their sons nine years ago,” said the Compass Direct story.
“The situation began in 1999 when his son Saleem, 9 at the time, was involved in a dispute with Draz’s son at the childrens’ Muslim-majority elementary school. The next day to protect Saleem, Emanuel Masih and his brother-in-law Amin Masih accompanied Saleem to a bus station, along with Saleem’s brothers, to subdue the police officer. Draz, however, attacked Saleem and Emanuel Masih’s other sons.
“Following the incident Draz conspired with his housecleaner Zaniran Bibi, a Christian, to have Emanuel Masih arrested. She claimed that Emanuel Masih was responsible for the kidnapping of her son who had gone missing some time earlier.”
Compass Direct says that his attorney said that there was no evidence to link Emanuel Masih to the kidnapping.
“Police arrested Emanuel Masih along with Amin Masih, who was also falsely implicated in the kidnapping, without possibility of bail. The two men were tortured for a month, according to a report from the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) advocacy group,” the story continued.
“Draz had a regular routine of torture for Emanuel Masih and his brother-in-law: He gathered the brothers together, dragged them outside the police station and beat them with iron rods. A month of these beatings paralyzed Emanuel Masih’s arms and legs.”
“They took (them) to a private house and beat them there,” said CLAAS lawyer Akbar Durrani to Compass Direct. “They used a separate house because they are afraid of the courts.”
Emanuel Masih was then sent to judicial lock-up since he was too weak to attend a court hearing. The prison superintendent was so surprised at his condition he called on Emanuel Masih’s younger brother Jabar Masih to provide him physical care.
The story added that Emanuel Masih is also illiterate. Due to his injuries he could not work and had to rely on donations from charity groups. He has regained partial use of his legs but still cannot use his arms. He has been unemployed since 1999.
The two men were eventually released on bail. In the intervening nine years, Emanuel Masih and Amin Masih continued to attend court hearings. But May 24 they were arrested and given a five-year prison sentence along with a fine of 25,000 rupees (US$320). Lawyers appealed the decision in September at a Faisalabad court.
Trying to get out
Compass Direct stated that Emanuel Masih could be released from prison due to an article in Pakistan criminal law that requires proper facilities for an incapacitated person. If they are not available the prisoner can be released without a court order.
In September Durrani filed a petition of release to Pakistan’s Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, who is in charge of the country’s internal security. Without the use of his arms Emanuel Masih could not survive in prison unless Amin assisted him.
“His brother-in-law feeds and washes him. That’s why he has been able to survive until now,” Durrani said.
Gupta requested a medical examination of Emanuel Masih, which declared him incapacitated. The final decision to let him go rests with the jail superintendent, who received the report from the home secretary in early December.
Faisalabad is located in Punjab, near the Indian border. Radical religious elements in Punjab have become active in carrying out Islamic terrorist acts outside Pakistani borders. Two of the nine identified gunmen in the Nov. 26 attacks in Mumbai that killed 188 and injured 293 were from this city of 2.6 million.
On Wednesday, Dec. 17, Muslims set fire to a church in a nearby village as its parishioners were decorating for Christmas. The attackers left behind a letter telling the Christians they would be damned to hell if they did not become Muslims, according to International Christian Concern.
“Parish priest Yaqoob Yousaf has called for security forces to arrest the culprits quickly, for fear of similar attacks on the congregation during its Christmas Day services,” the Compass Direct story concluded.
The Compass Direct website can be found at www.compassdirect.org
Merry Christmas and a happy new year 2009
Merry Christmas and a happy new Year 2009. Harapan kami di malam Natal kita sekali lagi berjumpa secara pribadi dengan KRISTUS. Doa kami sekeluarga ada penghiburan dan kekuatan yang baru di malam Natal ini.
We that love and care for you,
Dave and Novie
We that love and care for you,
Dave and Novie
Senin, 08 Desember 2008
Pokok Doa Missi bulan Desember 2008
Eropa
Jerman (82,5 juta), Ibu kota Berlin (3,4 juta), agama: Kristen 33%, Katolik 33%, tanpa agama 28%. Kel. Jakob Octavianus, YPPII/WEC memberitakan Injil di antara orang imigran dan di Asia Tengah. Kel. Pdt. S. Obadja melayani di Gereja Misi Indonesia (GMI) di Frankfurt. Diperlukan lebih banyak tenaga yang bisa memberitakan Injil di antara imigran di Jerman. Sampai kini ada 800-1000 jemaat Kristen di negara yang memakai bahasa lain daripada Jerman. Jauh lebih banyak diperlukan.
KM LOGOS HOPE sedang di Koege, dekat Kopenhagen, Denmark, untuk dikerjakan semua yang diperlukan untuk dapat sertifikat berlayar dari instansi wajib. Ada kemajuan dalam pekerjaan. Belum diumumkan kapan KM LOGOS HOPE bisa mulai dengan pelayanan dan berangkat dari Koege.
Moldavia (4,2 juta,), Ibu kota Chisinau (0,6 juta), agama: Ortodoks 70,4%, Katolik 5,8%, Kristen 3,2%. Bapak Butje L. bersama isterinya, Liuba, (O.M. Indonesia) bertanggung jawab atas tata usaha dan mengatur pelayanan literatur dalam bahasa Moldavia dan Rusia. Antara orang Gagausan (140,000, agama Ortodoks) sudah mulai satu gerakan Injil, bahasa mereka mirip dengan bahasa Turki. Suami dan isteri, Viorika dan Dmitri, dua-dua buta. Mereka melayani dengan mengedarkan satu majalah Kristen di atas DVD di antara mereka yang tidak bisa melihat. Banyak orang buta dalam negara ini menelpon mereka, mereka bisa menjelaskan kepada mereka hak mereka sebagai orang buta dari negara, tetapi lebih daripada ini mereka menjelaskan Injil kepada mereka, agar mereka dapat dihibur dan bisa terima nasib mereka dari tangan Bapak kita di surga. Banyak orang buta sudah menyaksikan bagaimana mereka tertolong lewat pelayanan kedua orang ini.
Satu masalah besar dalam negara ini: Pedagangan manusia, rokok, alkohol, dan AIDS, satu badan P.I., mendapat izin mengunjungi sekolah-sekolah untuk menjelaskan kepada siswa-siswa tentang berbagai bahaya dalam hidup, agar mereka tidak jatuh dalam berbagai tindakan tidak moral.
Rusia (142 juta), Ibu kota Moskow (10,4 juta), agama: Ortodoks 41%, Katolik 1%, Kristen 0,7%, Islam 15%, Budhis 0,7%, Animis 1%, tanpa agama 31%. Ekonomi negara makin membaik, tetapi hanya sebagian kecil penduduk bisa menikmati kemajuan ini dan menjadi kaya raya, yang lain sering tetap miskin. Situasi politik berubah di negara ini, orang Injili dianggap seperti orang asing, karena mereka bukan orang Ortodoks. Makin sulit menyelenggarakan satu pertemuan khusus, karena sulit untuk mendapat izin. Tahun 2009 sudah dijadikan tahun pemuda/i. Sekarang ini sudah mulai musim dingin, di Rusia, apa lagi di bagian Utara dingin betul, sering orang mencoba memanaskan diri dengan minuman keras, sebenarnya ini tipuan yang merusak sendiri. Karena minuman keras mereka tertidur di luar, akhirnya mereka mati kedinginan. Ini merupakan satu masalah besar dalam negara ini.
Ukraina (46 juta), Ibukota Kiew (2,7 Juta), agama: Ortodoks 55%, Katolik 15%, Kristen 3,2%, tanpa agama 20%. Di Kiew tinggal puluhan ribu orang Azari, hanya delapan orang sudah percaya kepada Kristus. Lewat TV satelit mereka menonton satu kebaktian Kristen yang direkam di Baku, Ibukota Azerbaijan. Mereka heran bahwa ada Kristen dan kebaktian Kristen dalam negara asal mereka. Sekarang ini mereka sudah berhubungan dengan jemaat-jemaat di negara asalnya dan minta bantuan menjangkau orang Azari yang tinggal di Ukraina.
Afrika
Ada gerakan doa syafaat dari “Gerakan Ethnê ke Ethnê” buat suku-suku terabaikan di
Afrika Timur dan Selatan, pada bulan Januari 09. Info: asianrd@sr21.com - www.ethne.net
Guinea-Bissau (1,6 juta), Ibu kota Bissau (0,4 juta), agama Islam 48%, Animis 42%, Katolik 7%, Kristen 2,5%. Perintis jemaat baru berfokus kepada suku-suku yang belum terjangkau. Pada tanggal 16 November sudah diselenggarakan pemilihan umum buat 100 kursi di parlamen, banyak pemilih ikut pemilihan ini, tidak ada gangguan pada hari 16 November, Puji TUHAN. Bapak Pdt. Titus Dima, WEC, dapat tambahan tugas, karena pendeta jemaat Ignore masih sakit. Di samping ini ia mengajar setiap hari di Youth Center, agar anak muda dilatih dalam satu mata pencaharian. Sejak bulan September ia mendapat pertolongan seorang dari Kanada yang selama satu tahun mau mengalami pelayanan misi. Ibu Ritha M., WEC, memutuskan diri dalam perintisan di desa-desa di antara suku Fula. Sebagai tempat tinggal ia sudah pindah ke Bissau. Ia sudah memulai belajar bahasa Fula. Bulan Desember ini Ibu Ritha akan ke Indonesia untuk cuti. Doakanlah semua kontak di negara ini. Ibu Salomi T., WEC, sedang berkunjung keluarga di Timor dan Alor, ia beristerahat untuk memulih kekuatan dan kesehatannya. Bulan April/Mei 2009 ia akan kembali ke Guinea-Bissau. Doakan orang yang harus ia tinggalkan di tempat pelayanannya, agar TUHAN sendiri akan memelihara mereka.
Mali (14 juta), Ibu kota Bamako (1,2 juta), agama: Islam 80%, Animis 18%, Kristen 1,2%, bahasa: Bambara 40%, Perancis 10%, banyak bahasa lain. Di dalam negara ini ada luar biasa banyak kesempatan yang baik untuk memberitakan Injil seluas-luasnya, tetapi tenaga perintis kurang betul.
Senegal (13 juta), Ibukota Dakar (3 juta), agama Islam 95%, Katolik 4,5 %, Kristen 0,1%. Di negara ini ada kebebasan agama, tetapi jarang sekali seorang Islam bertobat dan terima Yesus sebagai Juruselamat. Sudah selesai enam penerjemahan PB ke dalam bahasa-bahasa di negara ini.
Ghana (17,5 juta), agama Kristen 27,9%, Katolik 18,7%, Islam 16%, Animis 20%, bidat 17,4%. Seorang siswa di salah sekolah mendapat satu CD dengan cerita Injil dari Rekaman Injil, ia mencerita hal ini kepada kawan-kawan, mereka juga menulis untuk dikirimi, dari mereka siswa-siswa lain yang mendengar tentang cerita Injil dalam bahasa mereka dan mereka menulis untuk mendapatnya. Dalam waktu tidak lama 5,000 CD dikirimi dan ratusan surat masuk yang mau mendengar lebih banyak tentang Yesus dan cara keselamatan. Puji TUHAN!
Nigeria (130 juta), Ibukota Abuja (0,4 juta), Agama: Islam 45%, Kristen 28%, Katolik 12%, bidat 11%. Suku Geji mendengar cerita Injil lewat kaset berulang kali, ada 8 orang bertobat, perlu pemuridan!
Chad tidak pernah tenang, karena selalu ada kekacauan politik. Cerita Alkitab diberitakan lewat program radio di berbagai kota, tetapi di kota Abeche, kota dengan penduduk sebagian besar beragama Islam, belum. Berdoalah, agar stasiun radio mau juga menyiarkan program cerita Alkitab.
Somalia (8,3 juta), Ibukota Mogadishu (1,2 juta), hampir semua beragama Islam. Konflik yang terjadi di Somalia semakin memburuk. Kelaparan dan penyakit semakin meningkat. Berdoalah agar orang Somalia yang sudah pindah ke negara lain dapat menemukan kasih Kristus sehingga mereka dapat kerinduan menolong keluarga mereka yang masih tinggal di Somalia. Kapal-kapal luar negeri dibajak. Orang Kristen (hanya sedikit ada) tidak mempunyai hak. Minta damai! Jemaat-jemaat yang masih ada hanya bisa berbakti secara sembunyi, beberapa pemimpin gereja sudah didaftarkan untuk dibunuh, mereka harus hidup di tempat yang sembunyi. Doakanlah! Di bagian Utara ada satu propinsi yang mempunyai pemerintahan sendiri, Somaliland, di sini keamanan dan tertib dalam masyarakat jauh lebih baik. Karena orang Islam berperang dengan orang Islam dan sudah menghancurkan negara ini, karena itu dalam masyarakat ada banyak orang kecewa dengan agama mereka.
Ethiopia (74,3 juta), Ibukota Addis Adeba (3 juta), agama: Ortodoks 57%, Islam 31%, Kristen 20%, Animis 3%. Karena gagal panen (kurang hujan) dan pertempuran antara pemberontak dan pemerintah sembilan juta orang terancam kelaparan. Orang Kristen sering dianggap sebagai penduduk warga kelas dua oleh pihak Ortodoks yang sering memiliki pengaruh besar di desa-desa.
Eritrea (4,5 juta), agama: Islam 51%, Ortodoks 40%, Katolik 4,6%, Kristen 1,5% (Injili 20 000 orang), Animis. Gereja Ortodoks, Katolik, Luteran para pemimpin diganti dengan orang yang cocok dengan pemerintah. Jangan berhenti berseru buat negara ini, karena 2000+ tahanan Kristen tetap menderita dan mereka perlu dikuatkan, karena keadaan di tahanan di luar manusiawi. Baru-baru ini anggota salah satu gereja ditangkap, diambil dari rumah dan tempat kerja mereka. Seorang mati di tahanan.
Afrika Selatan (47 juta), kota besar: Pretoria (2 juta), Cape Town (2,9 juta). Bapak & Ibu Pdt. N. Rajagukguk (WEC Indonesia): Bapak Nim melayani di antara orang Melayu, mereka keturunan dari Indonesia, di Cape Town. Bapak Nim ada banyak kesempatan bicara dengan mahasiswa dari golongan fokus dan dapat mempertimbangan bersama mereka berita Injil. Ibu Nur tetap mengunjungi RS bersama satu tim orang Kristen wanita. Mereka dapat menghibur para penderita dan memberitakan Injil di antara pasien dan besuk dari orang fokus di RS. Perlu tambahan tenaga!
Timur Tengah dan Afrika Utara
Ada gerakan doa syafaat dari “Gerakan Ethnê ke Ethnê” buat suku-suku terabaikan di Timur
Tengah dan Afrika Utara, pada bulan Desember 08. Info: asianrd@sr21.com - www.ethne.net
Kaset-kaset dengan cerita Injil diedarkan oleh Rekaman Injil di Afrika Utara, berdoalah bahwa mereka yang mendengarkan, dijamah oleh berita hidup dari surga.
Mauritania (2,6 juta), Penduduk: Suku Maur Hitam dan Putih 65%, orang Afrika Hitam 30%, Berber 5%. Agama hampir 100% Islam. Hanya sedikit orang Kristen, mereka memerlukan perlindungan. Umat Kristen sering diancam oleh kelompok-kelompok radikal. Bulan Agustus 2008, kelompok pemberontak mengacaukan keamanan negara ini. Berdoalah agar Tuhan ikut campur tangan menghentikan kerusuhan yang terjadi secara sporadik di negara ini
Maroko (31 juta), Ibu kota Rabat (1,4 juta), agama 99% Islam, Katolik 0,3%. Meskipun dalam UUD ada jaminan kebebasan beragama, tetapi secara praktis tidak ada kebebasan beragama dan pendapat. Tidak ada satu jemaat pun mempunyai izin secara resmi yang membolehkan mereka berkumpul untuk berbakti. Hanya gereja-gereja buat orang asing dapat izin beroperasi. Perkembangan Kristen hanya secara pelan-pelan saja, dalam 30 tahun pelayanan perintisan hanya 1,000 orang yang bertobat.
Aljazair (33,7 juta), Ibu kota Algiers (3 juta, ratusan orang Kristen tinggal di Ibu kota), penduduk orang Arab 70%, orang Berber 25%, Touareg 3%, agama Islam 99,6%, orang Kristen k.l. 70 000 orang. Berdasarkan pengumuman menteri agama orang Kristen, khusus mereka yang berasal dari Islam, merupakan satu bahaya demi keamanan negara, karena itu jemaat-jemaat Kristen dipersoalkan. Sesudah keberatan dari pihak luar negeri, akhir-akhirnya tekanan berkurang, doa kita dikabulkan
Mesir (75 juta), Ibukota Kairo (16 juta), agama: Islam 86%, Koptik 10%, Kristen 0,8%. Lembaga Alkitab Mesir memberitakan dari pameran-pameran buku umum di berbagai tempat mereka bisa menjual Alkitab 44,463 buah, PB 326,773 buah, CD dan video Kristen 117,590 buah, tolong mendoakan semua biji abadi yang sudah ditaburkan, agar akan tumbuh dengan baik. Seorang imam Koptik divonis lima tahun penjara, karena “memalsukan dokumen”. Ia menikahkan seorang wanita Kristen yang sebelumnya Islam dengan seorang Koptik, tetapi dokumen si wanita dipalsukan yang tidak diketahui oleh imam itu. Di Mesir seorang beragama Islam tidak boleh nikah dengan orang dari agama lain. Juga seorang yang pindah agama dari Islam ke agama lain, tetap dianggap seorang Islam, karena wanita ini mau nikah dengan orang Kristen, ia memalsukan dokumen pribadi. Pasangan ini sedang lari dan hidup sembunyi, karena polisi mau tangkap mereka juga.
Sudan (38,5 juta), Ibu kota Khartoum (4,8 juta), agama: Islam 70%, Katolik 5%, Kristen 10%, Animis 15%. Sayang, penderitaan penduduk di daerah Dafur – Sudan Barat – tidak mau berhenti, karena ada perang antara pemberontak dan gerombolan Arab. Lebih dari 300,000 orang sudah menjadi korban jiwa. Di negara ini ada lebih dari 200 bahasa yang berlainan, rekaman Injil sudah merekam cerita Injil dalam 129 bahasa, perlu pengedaran di antara manusia yang sudah lama menderita karena perang saudara dan pemberontakan, agar mereka terima damai sejahtera. Di bagian Selatan sudah ada lima kelompok kecil petani pindah dengan membawa keluarga dan alat-alat pertanian dari desa Kristen ke lima desa lain dengan penduduk beragama Islam. Mereka mau bersaksi lewat kehidupan sebagai Kristen dan menceritakan Injil. Mereka sudah dilatih untuk memulai jemaat rumah.
Israel (6 juta), agama: Yahudi 81,4%, Islam 14,5%, Druze 1,6%, Katolik 1,3%, Ortodoks 0,8%, Kristen 0,2%, suku: Yahudi 79%, Arab 20%. Jalur Gaza (1,3 juta), Palestina (3 juta, Islam 95+%, Kristen berbagai aliran 1-2%), di Jalur Gaza hidup tertinggal 2,000 orang Kristen (hampir semua orang Ortodoks, sedikit orang Injili), mereka takut, karena mereka tidak mengetahui, kapan mereka menjadi sasaran. Polisi tidak pernah ketemu orang yang membunuh orang Kristen atau meledakkan bom. Doakan agar kasih dan terang Kristus bersinar dalam hidup mereka, meskipun di tengah situasi sulit.
Suriah (19,5 juta), Ibukota Damaskus (2,5 juta): Agama: Islam 90,3% (termasuk 7% aliran Alawi), Ortodoks 5,1%, orang Injili sedikit. Aliran Alawi dianggap dari pihak Islam sebagai bidat atau aliran tidak sesuai Islam. Berdasarkan UUD ada kebebasan agama, tetapi kegiatan Kristen dibatasi. Meskipun Suriah bukan negara Islam, tetapi semua hukum dalam negara harus berdasarkan Islam.
Iraq (24,5 juta), Ibukota Baghdad (4,8 juta), orang Arab 75-80%, orang Kurdi 15-20%, orang Asyur dll 5%, agama Islam 97% (aliran Syiah 62%, aliran Sunni 35%), Katolik 1%, Ortodoks 0,5%, Kristen 0,05%. Orang Kristen dalam aliran apa pun dibunuh, dirampasi, diancam, dan diusir. Ratusan ribu Kristen sudah lari ke luar negeri. Juga golongan lain ditekan, di seluruh negara 4,5 juta orang lari dari satu tempat ke tempat lain. Khusus di kota Mossul penganiayaan terhadap orang Kristen bukan main berat. Sering orang Kristen ditembak di jalan begitu saja. Berseru kepada Yesus, bahwa semua orang yang menderita akan ketemu Yesus sebagai Juruselamat pribadi. Sayang, sampai kini tidak ada tanda bahwa kekerasan berdarah mau berhenti. Semua penduduk di Iraq berhadapan dengan ketakutan setiap hari, namun mereka ingin bisa hidup normal di tengah konflik yang tidak kunjung selesai.
Orang Kurdi (4 juta) hidup di bagian Utara di Iraq, agama utama: Islam dalam berbagai aliran, Kristen 200 orang. Di antara yang beragama Islam mempunyai aliran sufi satu pengaruh besar. Program radio Kristen dalam bahasa Sorani tiga kali seminggu disiarkan.
Yaman, (20 juta), Ibu kota Sana’a (1,3 juta), agama Islam (62% Sunni, 37% Syiah), 200 orang Kristen, sebagian masih tersembunyi. Masalah besar: 80% dari laki-laki dan 60% dari wanita mengunyah daun „qat“, obat bius ini diambil dari satu tumbuh-tumbahan yang tumbuh dalam negara itu, 40% dari ladang dipakai untuk menanam „qat“, para pekerja sering hanya bekerja empat jam untuk mempunyai lebih banyak waktu untuk menikmati „qat“, tetapi ladang „qat“ memerlukan banyak air, ini dipompa dari bawah tanah. Tetapi karena banyak air dipompa dari bawah tanah, persediaan air dari bawah tanah menjadi makin berkurang. Keamanan negara memburuk, di bagian Utara satu daerah sekeliling salah satu kota sudah dikuasai oleh kawanan pemberontak.
Arab Saudi (27,6 juta, termasuk 5,6 juta orang asing), Ibu kota Riyadh (2,8 juta), agama Islam, sedikit orang Kristen secara diam-diam. Berdoalah bagi mereka yang di penjara karena Kristus.
Kuwait (dari 2,7 juta orang 1,7 juta orang asing), agama Islam, Ibukota Al-Kuwait (0,2 juta), Kristen Kuwaiti hanya 200 orang. Ada enam suku asli di Kuwait. Ketakutan terhadap perkara magis di sekitar mereka membuat mereka terikat pada tradisi dan berbagai ritual, agar selamat dari kuasa gelap.
Iran (69 juta), Ibukota Teheran (8 juta), agama Islam 98%, Ortodoks Armenia 0,2% (150,000), Kristen lebih dari 250 ribu orang, jumlah ini meningkat terus. Tekanan di Iran semakin tinggi, banyak umat Kristen ditangkap untuk diinterogasi, bahkan banyak yang akhirnya ditahan. Mereka yang ada di penjara berhadapan dengan situasi yang sulit dan penganiayaan. Puji TUHAN, akhir September dua pendeta yang dituduh sudah meninggalkan Islam dibebaskan dari penjara.
Turki (74 juta), Ibukota Ankara (3 juta), kota besar Istanbul (10 juta), agama: Islam 99,8% berbagai aliran dan dicampuri dengan berbagai kepercayaan kebatinan, okultisme, dan takhayul. Orang Injili 3500 orang Turki, di antara orang Armenia 7,000 orang Injili. Meskipun di UUD diberikan kebebasan agama dan semua agama memiliki hak yang sama, tetapi realitas lain. Peraturan tentang kebebasan agama sering kurang jelas, karena itu yang berwewang sering menafsirkan peraturan sedemikian rupa bahwa hak orang Kristen dirugikan. Negara ini tidak mengenal toleransi terhadap kekristenan, juga menghadapi golongan lain masalah yang sama. Ancaman terhadap orang Kristen dan pemberitaan fitnah dan cerita dusta tentang gereja di media meningkat lagi. Di media cetak dan siaran TV orang Kristen dilukiskan sebagai orang amoral dan mereka mau menghancurkan kebudayaan Islam, siapa yang masuk Kristen merupakan pengkhianat negara. Ini merupakan salah satu alasan bahwa banyak orang menjadi musuh Injil. Di bagian Timur tetap ada satu pertikaian berdarah antara pemerintah Turki dengan orang Kurdi dan seterusnya jatuh banyak korban jiwa.
Afghanistan (30 juta), Ibukota Kabul (3 juta). Agama Islam secara radikal, tidak ada satu agama lain yang diizinkan. Sayang, tetap terus-menerus ada kekerasan, banyak orang menjadi korban jiwa.
Doakan Tunisia (10,3 juta), Libia (5,7 juta), Lebanon, (4,5 juta), Qatar (0,7 juta), Bahrain (1 juta), Uni Emirat Arab (3 juta), Oman (3 juta), agar masyarakat di negara-negara ini dapat kesempatan hidup tenteram dan Injil bisa diberitakan antara mereka dengan jelas, agar mereka bisa memperoleh pengetahuan akan kebenaran dan keselamatan, lihat 1 Timotius 2:1-8.
Asia Selatan dan Tenggara
Pakistan (160 juta), Ibukota Islamabad (0,9 juta), agama: Islam 97%, Hindu 1,5%, Katolik 0,5%, Kristen 1%. Toko buku Kristen yang keenam sudah dibuka. Orang Kristen menerima surat-surat, di mana mereka diancam untuk masuk Islam atau mereka dibunuh atau paling-paling diusir dari daerah tinggal. Sebagian besar Kristen bertahan terhadap ancaman ini, ada juga pindah ke agama Islam. Yang bertobat dari Islam biasanya takut mengakuinya secara umum, karena mereka kuatir akan dibunuh oleh orang fanatik. Di klinik² Kristen pasien tidak hanya mendapat pertolongan secara medis, tetapi sekaligus mereka mendapat lewat pelayan di situ penghiburan dalam penderitaan mereka.
India (1,2 milyard), Ibukota Delhi (11 juta), Agama: Hindu 81%, Islam 13%, Budhis 0,8%, Sikh 1,1%, Katolik 1%, Kristen 1,5%, dll. Jangan berhenti berdoa dan berseru kepada Bapak kita di surga: Sayang sekali, setiap hari ada orang Kristen yang diserang, rumah dan toko orang Kristen terbakar atau fasilitas Kristen dirusak oleh orang fanatik yang mau membebaskan India dari ke-Kristenan, orang Kristen dipaksakan masuk agama Hindu, paling sedikit 600 orang Kristen masuk Hindu, supaya hidup dan harta benda mereka selamat. Situasi di negara bagian Orissa tetap sangat genting. Sejak bulan Agustus di negara bagian Orissa paling sedikit 500 orang Kristen dibunuh, ribuan gedung gereja dan rumah dihancurkan, rumah dan toko Kristen dirampasi massa. Pemerintah sudah membakar mayat-mayat, agar tidak diketahui, jumlah pembunuhan sebenarnya. Lihat perincian di web-site: http://www.missionmanual.com/wiki/2008_Persecution_in_Orissa%2C_India. Juga di negara-negara bagian lain ada serangan terhadap orang Kristen dengan banyak susah payah.
Di seluruh India hidup 140-150 juta orang yang beragama Islam, hanya di negara Indonesia tinggal lebih banyak orang Islam. Sebagian besar tinggal di bagian Utara, tetapi juga di negara bagian Tamil Nadu di bagian Selatan tinggal 6,2 juga orang Islam. Ada pelayanan untuk menjangkau mereka lewat literatur dalam bahasa-bahasa Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Urdu, dan Inggris.
Doakan penginjilan dan perintisan jemaat baru di daerah-daerah kumuh di Mumbai dan di Pune oleh Friendship Center India yang dipimpin oleh Bapak & Ibu Pdt. J. & P. Gladstone, (YPPII), www.friendshipcentre.org. Dua asrama untuk anak-anak jalanan dengan 48 puteri dan 22 putra.
Nepal: (24 juta), Ibu kota Kathmandu (0,6 juta), agama: Hindu 80%, Budhis 10%, Islam 4,5%, Kristen 1,9% (l.k. 500 ribu). Kel. Raastrako Jyoti, Navigator, selain bekerja dalam rumah sakit dan di Akademi Ilmu Kesehatan, mereka belajar bahasa Nepal dan membina mereka yang haus akan Firman TUHAN. Puji TUHAN, visa sudah diberikan, malah mendapatnya tanpa membayar apa pun, doa kita sudah dikabulkan. Untuk Kel. Raastrako Jyoti sudah satu beban diangkat.
Bhutan (0,8 juta), Ibu kota Tumbuh (31 000), agama: 73% Budhis-Lamais aliran Bon (suku Drukpa), merupakan agama negara, 22% Hindu (suku Nepal), 4% Islam, 1,2% Kristen. Tidak ada kebebasan agama dalam negara ini, hanya agama Budhis-Lamais diakui. Baru-baru ini seorang raja yang baru dinobatkan menggantikan ayahnya. Raja baru mau mengubah negara ini selangkah demi selangkah, termasuk demokrasi. Diharapkan bahwa orang Kristen akan mendapat kebebasan berbakti.
Maladewa (0,3 juta) (75 000 orang asing pekerja). Ibukota Male’, hanya agama Islam boleh, Kristen (30 orang?). Tahun 2005 diadakan satu tahun berdoa buat negara ini. Sejak ini Injil Lukas dan kitab Kisah Rasul dalam bahasa setempat diterbitkan, juga satu CD buat pelaut. Di negara ini dilarang keras memiliki bahan Kristen dalam bahasa Dhivehi, bahasa resmi, kalau diketemu langsung dirampas oleh polisi. Malah orang turis tidak boleh memilikinya. Sebagian orang Maladewa bekerja sebagai pelaut, berdoalah, bahwa mereka membaca bahan Kristen atau mendengar berita Injil.
Kamboja (14,8 juta), Ibukota Phnom Penh (1,5 juta), agama Budhis 85%, Animis 4,3%, Islam 3,9%, Kristen 400 000. Kel. Heryanto & Susie, Navigator: Ibu dari Pak Hery dipanggil TUHAN, Pak Hery sempat mendampingi ibunya dalam fase hidup terakhir. Ibu Susie ada berbagai penyakit, doakanlah. Rika, Navigator, dalam proses orientasi dan belajar bahasa Khmer. Juga agar bertumbuh dan tetap fokus pada tujuan. Kel. Suyatno, Navigator, bisa berinteraksi dan beritakan Injil di Waroeng Bengawan Solo. Mereka mencari tempat baru untuk usaha ini, karena pemilik mau tempat sendiri.
Bangladesh (145 juta), Ibukota Dhaka (11 juta, banyak di antara mereka tinggal di daerah kumuh), agama: Islam 87%, Hindu 12%, Animis 0,6%, Budhis 0,6%, Kristen 0,3%, Katolik 0,2%. Di negara ini kekristenan bertumbuh lebih cepat daripada penduduk, tetapi tetap jumlah masih kecil, 0,3% dari penduduk. Pengaruh orang Kristen dalam masyarakat makin dirasakan. Di berbagai tempat orang Kristen diancam. Penganiayaan terhadap umat Kristen dari suku-suku asli terus meningkat.
Myanmar (49,8 juta), Ibukota Naypyidaw, kota besar: Yangon (5 juta), agama: Budhis 83%, Kristen 7%, Katolik 1%, Islam 3,8%. Sesudah badai Cyclone Nargis dengan 100.000+ korban jiwa, banyak rumah dan fasilitas hancur. Masih lama sampai semua dibangun kembali. Doakan para penderita. Tahun yang lalu ada demonstrasi besar-besaran di negara ini yang akhirnya dari tentara diberhentikan dengan paksa dan mencurahkan darah. Bulan November yang lalu 14 pejuang HAM divonis penjara selama 65 tahun, ada beberapa orang lain divonis beberapa tahun sampai dengan 20 tahun. Dalam negara ini tidak ada kebebasan untuk mengutarakan pendapat apa pun.
Laos (6,2 juta), Ibukota Vientiane (0,7 juta), Budhis 58,7%, Animis 33%, tanpa agama 5,1%, Islam 1%, Katolik 1%, Kristen 1%, hanya agama Budhis dan Animis diperbolehkan. Pemerintahan tetap paham komunis, semua agama lain, apa lagi kepercayaan akan Yesus dianggap ilegal dan anggota gereja dianggap musuh negara. Baru-baru ini 55 orang Kristen dari delapan keluarga diusir dari desa B. Pastor dari jemaat ini bersama dua orang majelis ditangkap polisi dan ditahan, mereka diberitahu, mereka baru dilepaskan, kalau mereka mundur dari percaya akan Kristus.
Vietnam (86 juta), Ibukota Hanoi (2,3 juta), Ho Chi Minh City (7 juta), tetap paham komunis. Agama Budhis 55%, Katolik 5%, Kristen 0,8 juta. Kel. P-M berbeban untuk menjangkau suku-suku terabaikan. Mereka tetap belajar bahasa V. Tempat tinggal baru diperlukan, doakanlah.
Pilipina (87 juta), Ibukota Manila (1,7 juta), agama: Katolik 83%, Islam 8%, Protestant 7,5%, dll. Kel. Pdt. Mekkie Famdale, YPPII, memimpin GKI-P di Manila, anggota jemaat terutama mahasiswa Indonesia yang studi di Manila. Sejak bulan Juni dalam jemaat ada satu pelayanan khusus di antara anak muda/i. Ibu Ria Zebua, OMF, melayani di antara orang Manobo yang Animis di Upper Langilan/ Davao del Norte. Ibu Ria menulis, “Tanggal 26 Oktober bangunan gereja di Mansalinao dipersembahkan kepada Tuhan, disertai dengan ‘Kebaktian Penyerahan’ 42 anak dari 17 keluarga. Dua minggu sebelumnya di Desa Taungatuk berlangsung ‘Kebaktian Penyerahan’ 47 anak dari 19 keluarga. Kebaktian yang sama akan berlangsung di desa Langan tanggal 8 Desember. Kebaktian Penyerahan Anak (yang pertama di ke3 desa) mencatat semakin terbukanya keluarga-keluarga untuk mengikuti Yesus. Ayah/ibu anak yang diserahkan terlebih dulu mengikuti bimbingan rohani dengan Injil dan pengajaran Alkitab tentang tanggung jawab orang tua disajikan. Pelayan-pelayan gereja semakin menunjukkan rasa bertanggung jawab akan pelebaran Kerajaan Tuhan. Di tengah-tengah kerja keras mencari nafkah, mereka rutin bertemu, 2-3 hari, untuk bersekutu dan merencanakan pelayanan. Tidak jarang mereka diejek dan ditentang karena iman mereka, namun mereka tetap setia kepada Yesus. ‚Saya telah menemukan yang terbaik’, kata salah seorang dari mereka.“ Bck masih cuti di Indonesia. Jangan berhenti mendoakan orang Sama, agar mereka mengerti, siapa Yesus Kristus!
Thailand (66,2 juta), Ibu kota Bangkok (7 juta), Kel. Nara sudah terima satu tugas baru, pindah ke Jakarta, dan menjadi pemimpin dari Badan Pengutus Lintas Budaya (BPLB) di Jakarta.
Malaysia (27 juta), Ibukota Kuala Lumpur (2,2 juta), agama: Islam 55%, Budhis 29%, Hindu 7%, Kristen 4%, Katolik 3,5%. Doakan Kel. Sim memimpin dua jemaat, yaitu Gereja Injili berbahasa Indonesia (GIBIN). Kel. Pdt. Seken Bangun di Kota Sandakan/Malaysia Timur, Bapak ada masalah jantung, tetapi tidak perlu dibedah, minta penyembuhan. Yang dilayani 30% pendatang dari Pilipina, 35% pendatang dari Indonesia termasuk yang kawin campur dengan orang lokal dan juga 35% orang lokal. Masih banyak jiwa yang masih belum kenal Tuhan terutama orang lokal.
K.M. DOULOS mengunjungi di Singapura s/d 8.12., Kuching, Malaysia, 10.12.-3.1.2009, pelabuhan belum ditentukan 5.-13.1.; pelabuhan-pelabuhan di Pilipina, 16.1.-3.3. Ershinta, O.M. Indonesia, melayani di atas kapal dan mengambil bagian dalam pelayanan di pelabuhan-pelabuhan.
Asia Tengah
Azerbaijan (8,5 juta), Ibu kota Baku (2 juta). Agama Islam (sebagian besar aliran Shia) 80%, Kristen 0,1%. 17 tahun yang lalu seorang Azari yang pertama bertobat dan terima Kristus. Sekarang jumlah orang Kristen di antara orang Azari sudah menjadi 20,000 orang, baik di negara ini, maupun di negara-negara lain, misalnya di Iran. Bapak kita sudah mengabulkan doa syafaat kita. Ada pendeta-pendeta dan pemimpin gereja diseret ke dalam pengadilan dengan berbagai tuduhan yang tidak benar. Polisi berkata Alkitab dalam bahasa Azerbaijan dan Georgia tidak boleh diedarkan di negara ini, sebenarnya secara resmi dari yang wajib tidak ada satu peraturan semacam ini. Di antara Suku Talysh, Lenkoran tidak ada orang Kristen, mereka juga tidak mempunyai satu bagian dari Alkitab dalam bahasa mereka. Perlu Hamba TUHAN yang bisa melayani di antara mereka.
Kirghizia (5,2 juta), Ibu kota Bishkek (0,9 juta), agama Islam 78%, Ortodoks 5%, tanpa agama 13%, Kristen 1%, orang Kirghiz asli yang Kristen 5 000 orang. Sudah disahkan satu peraturan baru, setiap badan agama harus memiliki paling sedikit 200 anggota dewasa, jumlah ini harus disahkan oleh pemda setempat, kalau tidak ada 200 anggota badan ini tidak boleh berfungsi, dengan kata lain, tidak boleh mengadakan kebaktian. Juga semua badan agama yang sudah ada harus mendaftarkan diri kembali. Karena jemaat-jemaat Injili biasanya kecil mereka akan menghadapi kesusahan besar, tolong berdoa. Persekutuan antara mereka yang baru tetap diadakan secara rutin, tetapi dengan perorangan saja, karena ada banyak tekanan. Masalah visa makin sulit. Kel. P. Hengkesa, YPPII, membina enam anak asuh dan melayani dalam jemaat Logos dan di cabang-cabang jemaat Logos. Ibu Pdt. Heidy Tangkere, YPPII, sedang cuti di Indonesia, ia siap berangkat lagi, tetapi ia memerlukan visa baru yang sedang diurus. Sulit untuk mendapat visa baru, doakanlah.
Uzbekistan (25,3 juta), Ibu kota Tashkent (2,2 juta), agama: Islam Sunni 88%, Ortodoks 8%, Kristen 0,3%, yang suku Uzbeki, 10 ribu. Suku Tajiki yang memakai salah satu bahasa Arab tidak mempunyai Firman TUHAN dalam bahasa mereka. Perlu utusan Injil yang mau bekerja di antara mereka.
Tajikistan (6,3 juta), Ibu kota Dushambe (0,6 juta). Agama Islam 89%, tanpa agama 9%, Ortodoks 1,2%. Kristen 0,03%. Gereja-gereja kecil yang bertumbuh. Ada satu UU baru tentang agama dengan masuk untuk membatasi kegiatan ormas-ormas Islam radikal, tetapi peraturan baru ini juga diterapkan pada jemaat-jemaat orang Injili. Para pemimpin gereja perlu hikmat dalam situasi ini.
Kazakhstan (15,1 juta), Ibukota Astana (0,7 juta), kota Almaty (1,2 juta), Agama Ortodoks 39 %, Islam 56%, Kristen 2%. 10 000 orang percaya dari suku Kazakhi dalam 40 jemaat. Perkantas setempat mempunyai satu pelayanan luas di antara mahasiswa di universitas-universitas. Satu badan P.I. bisa mengadakan beberapa kamp pemuda/i selama musim panas, tetapi pemimpin kamp dituduh, bahwa mereka di kamp memasukkan obat-obatan dalam makanan, supaya peserta kamp bisa dipengaruhi lebih gampang, juga ada tuduhan, bahwa anak diancam dengan pisau. Dan tuduhan ini disiarkan secara umum. Melalui ini orang dihasut melawan Kristen. Seorang pendeta yang memimpin satu jemaat Baptis yang tidak didaftarkan di pemerintah berulang kali didenda dengan denda cukup tinggi yang tidak ia bayar. Di dalam negara ini semua jemaat harus didaftarkan di pemerintah, agar mereka bisa mengawasi kegiatan gereja ini. Karena ia tidak membayar denda ini, ia divonis 150 hari kerja paksa. Berdasarkan Firman TUHAN semua Kristen wajib ikut menggumuli pelayanan perintisan sampai ke ujung bumi. Bapak kita sudah menjawab. Seorang wanita melihat dalam mimpi kebenaran Injil dan Yesus, ia bertobat, keluarga dan masyarakat mau membunuh dia dengan melempari batu, tetapi ia diselamatkan oleh polisi. Sekarang ini ia dengan berani memberitakan Injil dalam masyarakat yang memerlukan berita hidup.
Turkimenistan (4,9 juta), Ibu kota Ashkhabad (0,4 juta), Agama: Islam 92%, Ortodoks 2%, non-agama 5%, Kristen l.k. 700 orang, biasanya bahasa Rusia. Dalam UUD ada kebebasan agama, tetapi dalam kehiduapan dalam negara ini sebenarnya kegiatan semua agama dibatasi, karena mereka takut terhadap orang beragama fanatik, dalam rangka ini, juga banyak tekanan buat orang Kristen.
Asia Utara & Pasifik
Korea Utara (23 juta), Ibukota Pyongyang (2,7 juta). Agama: Non-agama 64.3%, yang lain 18%, Animisme 16%, Kristen (secara diam-diam) 1.7%. Diperkirakan bahwa dalam 10 tahun terakhir 10% dari penduduk mati kelaparan. Orang Kristen tetap menderita luar biasa banyak kesusahan.
Jepang (128 juta). Orang Jepang diikat oleh agamanya dan penyembahan leluhur. Dalam musim Natal gereja-gereja mengambil kesempatan selenggarakan perayaan Natal khusus dengan musik dan berbagai presentasi untuk menarik orang non-Kristen. Berdoalah, agar lewat acara-acara ini cukup banyak orang dijamah oleh berita Injil dan mau mempelajari berita Firman TUHAN lebih dalam.
RRC, (1,3 milyard), Ibukota Beijing (12 juta), Shanghai (13,4 juta), agama: ateis 59,1%, agama-agama tradisional 17%, Budhis 8% (bertambah terus), Animis 2,4%, Islam 2,4%, Katolik 1%, Kristen 9+% (kira-kira 120 juta?). Jangan mundur dari doa syafaat buat orang Kristen China.
Anak muda yang bertobat dan terima Yesus Kristus sebagai Juruselamat, sering tidak berani terbuka kepada keluarga mereka, karena khawatir akan risiko yang dihadapi, karena sanak saudara tidak setuju dengan kepercayaan akan Kristus.
Anak-anak sangat perlu mendengar Injil, meskipun mereka tidak boleh diajari tentang agama. Setan tidak tinggal diam dan menunggu mereka sudah besar. Makin jemaat-jemaat menjadi sadar, bahwa harus ada sekolah minggu buat anak-anak mereka. Supaya anak-anak bisa mendengar berita Injil di jemaat mereka, diadakan seminar-seminar pelatih guru sekolah minggu. Bahan sekolah minggu masih kurang betul, harus diimpor secara diam-diam, agar anak-anak dapat pelajaran sesuai umurnya.
Percetakan Alkitab Nanjing merupakan percetakan Alkitab terbesar di dunia yang mencetak 12 juta buah, dalam jumlah ini juga terhitung PB dan bagian-bagian Alkitab, kadang hanya selempar saja.
Program radio dalam bahasa-bahasa suku Amdo Tibet, Hui, Nosu Yi, dan Uyghur dapat menjangkau lebih dari 22,6 juta pendengar. Di antara empat suku ini hanya sedikit orang yang mengenal Kristus. Menyebarkan firman Tuhan yang tepat dengan kebudayaan menggunakan cerita, puisi, dan musik. Respons dari usaha ini menggembirakan. Seorang pendengar menulis kepada stasiun radio, “Kami sudah memberikan pesawat radio kepada para petani dan peternak. Di sini, informasi sangat dibatasi dan ada banyak tempat yang belum dialiri listrik, oleh karena itu radio menjadi sangat penting.”
Seorang di antara orang Uyghur yang sudah menjadi Kristen sudah dipenjarakan satu tahun lebih dengan tuduhan, ia membongkar rahasia negara. Tidak bisa mengerti seorang yang tinggal di pedalaman memiliki rahasia negara yang bisa dibongkar. Orang Uyghur bianya beragama Islam.
Tolong seterusnya mendoakan Suku Hui (12 juta), agar mau membuka diri demi Injil. Di kota Xn tinggal 800 ribu orang Hui di antara tiga juta penduduk.
Gk sedang belajar Bahasa Mandarin demi rencana pelayanan untuk masa depan. Ia sudah memulai dengan semester ketiga. Untuk pelayanan masa depan diperlukan platform. Perlu ketabahan!
Tibet (2,7 juta), Ibukota Lhasa (0,2 juta), Agama: Budhis-Lamais (aliran Bon dengan okultisme, mereka yakin dengan berbagai roh dan mengenal berbagai ilmu), 80%, Kristen 0,2%, Ateis. Mereka menulis doa-doa di atas kain dan menggantung kain ini di gunung di tengah angin, mereka percaya doa mereka oleh angin akan dibawa ke surga. Perlu perintis Injil yang menjelaskan kepada mereka bagaimana berhubungan dengan Bapak kita. Berdoa juga untuk mereka yang sudah mengenal Yesus.
Hong Kong (6,9 juta), Agama: agama China 67%, tanpa agama 18%, Kristen 10%, Moslem 1,5%. Kel. Pdt. Arys Illu, YPPII, GMKIH, pelayanan perintisan, penggembalaan dan penginjilan di Hong Kong. Kel. Pdt. Johan K., dan Kel. Murdianto, CTN, melayani Gereja Misi Indonesia Hong Kong (GMIH) dan IMC Internet Radio yang bisa diakses oleh siapapun di belahan dunia melalui internet. Caranya dengan membuka website www.gmih.org. Sementara ini berbahasa Indonesia dan bisa menjangkau semua orang Indonesia di seluruh dunia yang memiliki akses internet. Perkembangan cukup bagus dari berbagai pendengar di kota-kota di Indonesia, Malaysia, Filipina, Korea, Hong Kong, China, India, Maroko, India, Thailand, Eropa (Jerman, Belanda), USA dan Brasil dan ini terus berkembang.
Negara-negara lain
Suriname: (450 000), Ibukota Paramaribo, Agama: Hindu 32%, Katolik 23%, Islam 20%, Kristen 19%, Animis. Kel. Pdt. Suryanto & Esther Tasman giat melayani jemaat PUAS (Paguyupan Urip Anyar Suriname) dan di antara keturunan orang Jawa. Program jemaat PUAS, yaitu membangun Panti Anak. Tahun 2009 untuk pertama kali "Platform BEBARENGAN" mengadakan Konperensi nasional.
Meksiko: (108 juta), Ibukota Mexico City (23 juta), agama: Katolik 90%, Kristen 7%. Bapak Pieter dan Ibu Marni Tarigan, YPPII, melayani di Juxtlahuaca, Oaxaca di antara suku Triqui. Puji TUHAN, akhirnya perpanjangan visa bisa diurus. Mereka sedang melayani deputasi di Indonesia.
USA: (300 juta), Ibukota Washington (0,6 juta), agama: Kristen 50%, Katolik 26%, Yahudi 2%, Islam 1,5%, Budhis 0,9%. Amerika sudah memilih satu presiden baru, Barack Obama, doakan dia dan semua anggota dalam parlamen. Doakan GMII USA, Pdt. Ricky Lomban, agar sebagai gereja misi, GMII sungguh-sungguh dapat menjadi gereja yang misioner yang mendukung misi sedunia secara konkrit. Bersyukur karena sampai hari ini, Tuhan melayakkan, memberi kesempatan kepada GMII USA untuk mendukung beberapa ladang misi. Doakan program Malam Misi Tahun 2009 dengan Tema: INDONESIA MENANGIS dengan target mendoakan suku-suku terabaikan di Indonesia.
Timor Leste (1 juta), Ibukota Dili (50 ribu). Agama: Katolik 90%, Kristen 4%, Islam 1%. Sebagian besar orang Katolik lebih yakin dengan roh arwah daripada Allah. Orang Katolik yang bertobat didesak oleh sanak saudara dan tetangga, kadang-kadang pelayan Tuhan diancam oleh pihak lain. Kakak Thelly melayani dalam Esperanca Projekt bersama Tim WEC. Di dalam proyek ini dilayani anak-anak dan pemuda/i di Dili. Keadaan di negara ini, apa lagi di Dili, kurang aman, para pelayan TUHAN memerlukan hikmat dalam pelayanan dan perlindungan dari Bapak kita di surga.
Fiji (0,9 juta), Ibukota Suva (80 ribu), agama: Kristen 43%, Katolik 11%, Hindu 38%, Islam (Sunni dan Shia) 7,5%, bidat 2%. Bahasa-bahasa resmi: Inggris, Fiji, Hindustani. Di antara orang Islam kegiatan agama meningkat, misalnya tahun 1900 hanya ada satu mesyid, sekarang ini sudah ada 200 gedung, dahulu hampir tidak ada yang naik haji, sekarang ini setiap tahun ada. Perlu perintis Injil untuk mereka-mereka yang beragama Injil. Biasanya mereka keturunan dari Asia Selatan.
Australia (19 juta): Suku bangsa: Eropa 93%, Asia 5%, Aborigin 1,5%. Kel. Pdt. Salomo Bangun, (YPPII, Gereja Indonesia Darwin) sibuk dalam penggembalaan dan perintisan di tengah orang Indonesia setempat dan di antara orang dari suku-suku bangsa lain, termasuk orang Aborigin setempat.
Seluruh dunia
Rekaman Injil (GRN) mau merekam cerita Injil ke dalam kaset atau CD dalam semua bahasa dunia ini. Sampai kini mereka sudah merekam 5800+ bahasa, tinggal merekam 4200 bahasa lagi.
Jumlah penduduk sedunia sudah menjadi 6,75 milyard, jumlah betambah terus tahun demi tahun.
Masih ada 6 000 suku terabaikan. Satu jejaring doa mendoakan suku-suku terabaikan sedunia. Info: ethne@ethne.net, gcni.org/pray40/resources/bulletinserts.html.
INTERNET: Ada satu web-site baru yang melukiskan suku-suku terabaikan di dalam dunia ini dalam berbagai bahasa, namanya Etnopedia: http://en.etnopedia.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page, web-site ini dalam perkembangan, setiap hari muncul karangan yang baru. Dalam bahasa Spanyol l.k. 2000 halaman dengan suku-suku, dalam bahasa Jerman 500+ dan bahasa Inggris ada 1300+ karangan tentang suku-suku bersama gambar. Satu sumber yang baik untuk informasi dan pokok doa.
Di seluruh dunia ada 1,2 milyard orang yang memakai e-mail dan INTERNET dan jumlah ini bertambah terus. Ada satu web-site baru: Perbandingan Agama, dialog Isa dan Islam, khusus Siapakah Isa Al-Masih dan Penjelmaan Isa Al-Masih. http://www.isadanislamstudi.com/.
In_Christ.net (bahasa Indonesia) sudah membuka satu web-site Misi, semua pembaca diajak saling berkalaborasi dalam bidang-bidang pelayanannya. Web-site ini penuh dengan informasi dan artikel yang sangat berguna untuk diri sendiri dan juga untuk diteruskan kepada orang lain. URLnya: http://www.in-christ.net/wiki/Kategori:Misi_Bagi_Bangsa, seluruhnya web-site bisa dibaca dengan URL:,
Dukungan Misi dalam Negeri dan pokok-pokok doa
Berdoalah, bahwa dari Indonesia jauh lebih banyak misionaris dipanggil dan bisa diutus; dan jumlah persekutuan doa misi meningkat yang didirikan khusus mendoakan pelayanan di luar negeri antara suku-suku terabaikan dan para misionaris yang melayani di antara mereka.
Semua berita, fakta, dan informasi dalam buletin ini merupakan pokok-pokok doa dan pokok syukur, meskipun hanya sekali-kali disebutkan berdoalah! Pakailah janji-janji Firman TUHAN dalam doa syafaat. Berdoalah dengan keyakinan. Letaknya Nama TUHAN atas negara-negaranya dan atas suku-suku bangsa, agar mereka diberkati Allah. Megahkan Darah Yesus atas orang yang masih dikuasai oleh kuasa gelap dan okultisme, agar mereka dilepaskan dari semua belenggu. Siapa memerlukan petunjuk tentang doa syafaat buat suku-suku terabaikan dapat menulis kepada PD Timotius.
Tolong doakan mereka yang sudah dipanggil TUHAN, dan yang sudah siap menjadi misionaris di antara suku-suku terabaikan. Mereka sering menghadapi berbagai kesulitan dalam persiapan, mereka perlu ketabahan. Mintalah bahwa jemaat-jemaat mau mendukung (1 Tawarikh 29:9-14), mendoakan (Kolose 4:3), dan mengutus para misionaris (Kisah Para Rasul 13:1-3) dengan sukacita!
O.M. Indonesia (Obor Mitra, Operation Mobilisation) tetap mencari orang yang siap diutus ke ladang TUHAN di dunia ini dan di kapal P.I.nya. Koordinator: Kel. Pdt. Bagus Surjantoro. Alamat surat: PO Box i-195 UKSW, Salatiga 50711A, Tel/Fax: 0298-322843, e-mail: bagus@linkmail.org.
Badan Pengutus Lintas Budaya (BPLB) mengutus tenaga P.I. untuk perintisan baru di Asia Timur. Alamat: P.O. Box 2559, Jakarta 10025, Tel.: 021-426 4459, e-mail:.
Deparment Evangelisasi dan Misi YPPII di Batu, e-mail: emppii_batu@yahoo.co.id
Sending WEC INDONESIA siap mengutus para misionaris ke suku-suku terabaikan di negara-negara lain, supaya jemaat baru dapat dirintis antara mereka. Majalah misi Terang Lintas Budaya diterbitkan dengan berita yang menarik dan informasi yang luas dari ladang penginjilan di luar negeri, untuk anak-anak ada majalah Tatik dan Totok. Di samping ini ada surat doa misi bahasa Indonesia, Inggris, dan Jerman dalam bentuk cetak dan e-mail. Majalah misi, kartu doa, brosur “Siapakah Sending WEC Indonesia”, dan surat-surat doa bisa dipesan di: Sending WEC Indonesia, Kotak Pos 217 WR, Sidoarjo 61256, Tel.: 031-8531343, HP: 0815-5511750, E-mail: indosb@linkmail.org; www.wec-indo.org. Doakan pemimpin Pdt. Max dan Pdt. Desta Ay, staf kantor, dan mereka yang mau menggabungkan diri dengan tim WEC dalam pelayanan perintisan jemaat baru di luar negeri.
K dan O melayani di tempat pelayanan dan membina kontak-kontak mereka yang sudah dijamah oleh anugerah Bapak kita. Kontak mereka senang membaca Firman yang sesuai bahasa mereka.
Ibu Pdt. Meli P. sedang berlibur di Indonesia, selain istirahat ia mengunjungi jemaat-jemaat dan menceritakan tentang pelayanan di negara pelayanan, agar makin banyak orang ikut mendoakan pelayanan di situ. Ia sudah mengikuti kursus bahasa Inggris untuk menjadi guru bahasa Inggris dengan sertifikat. Di negaranya banyak anak muda mau belajar bahasa Inggris. Bulan Januari ia akan kembali ke negaranya, tetapi sebelumnya ia mengikuti rapat kerja di Thailand. Visa baru sedang diurus.
Ibu Yenny H. sudah sejak bulan Agustus di Indonesia, karena Ibunya sakit keras untuk mendampinginya dalam kesusahannya. Karena penyakit Ibunya ia belum mengetahui, kapan ia kembali ke Amerika meneruskan praktiknya. Tetap ada rencana untuk kembali ke tempat pelayanan semula.
Kel G. di tempat pelayanannya dengan tugas-tugasnya.
Buletin Pokok Doa Timotius ini bisa dipesan di alamat PD Timotius, PO Box 12 IKIP, Malang 65145. Buletin edisi e-mail bisa dipesan: immanuel-d@web.de. Buletin ini boleh diphotocopy/diperbanyak, agar semua peserta Persekutuan Doa mendapat satu eksemplar, ini menolong dalam doa, kalau pokok doa ada secara tertulis di tangan para pendoa. Bahan ini boleh dikutip di warta gereja, di buletin doa lain dsbg, khusus buat pendoa lain. Juga boleh dikirim kepada pendoa lain, karena sering orang mau berdoa, tetapi bahan kurang. Kami menghargai semua dukungan doa buat kami.
Kiranya TUHAN menguatkan dan memberkati Bapak/Ibu/Saudara/i dalam semua tugas.
PD Timotius
Jerman (82,5 juta), Ibu kota Berlin (3,4 juta), agama: Kristen 33%, Katolik 33%, tanpa agama 28%. Kel. Jakob Octavianus, YPPII/WEC memberitakan Injil di antara orang imigran dan di Asia Tengah. Kel. Pdt. S. Obadja melayani di Gereja Misi Indonesia (GMI) di Frankfurt. Diperlukan lebih banyak tenaga yang bisa memberitakan Injil di antara imigran di Jerman. Sampai kini ada 800-1000 jemaat Kristen di negara yang memakai bahasa lain daripada Jerman. Jauh lebih banyak diperlukan.
KM LOGOS HOPE sedang di Koege, dekat Kopenhagen, Denmark, untuk dikerjakan semua yang diperlukan untuk dapat sertifikat berlayar dari instansi wajib. Ada kemajuan dalam pekerjaan. Belum diumumkan kapan KM LOGOS HOPE bisa mulai dengan pelayanan dan berangkat dari Koege.
Moldavia (4,2 juta,), Ibu kota Chisinau (0,6 juta), agama: Ortodoks 70,4%, Katolik 5,8%, Kristen 3,2%. Bapak Butje L. bersama isterinya, Liuba, (O.M. Indonesia) bertanggung jawab atas tata usaha dan mengatur pelayanan literatur dalam bahasa Moldavia dan Rusia. Antara orang Gagausan (140,000, agama Ortodoks) sudah mulai satu gerakan Injil, bahasa mereka mirip dengan bahasa Turki. Suami dan isteri, Viorika dan Dmitri, dua-dua buta. Mereka melayani dengan mengedarkan satu majalah Kristen di atas DVD di antara mereka yang tidak bisa melihat. Banyak orang buta dalam negara ini menelpon mereka, mereka bisa menjelaskan kepada mereka hak mereka sebagai orang buta dari negara, tetapi lebih daripada ini mereka menjelaskan Injil kepada mereka, agar mereka dapat dihibur dan bisa terima nasib mereka dari tangan Bapak kita di surga. Banyak orang buta sudah menyaksikan bagaimana mereka tertolong lewat pelayanan kedua orang ini.
Satu masalah besar dalam negara ini: Pedagangan manusia, rokok, alkohol, dan AIDS, satu badan P.I., mendapat izin mengunjungi sekolah-sekolah untuk menjelaskan kepada siswa-siswa tentang berbagai bahaya dalam hidup, agar mereka tidak jatuh dalam berbagai tindakan tidak moral.
Rusia (142 juta), Ibu kota Moskow (10,4 juta), agama: Ortodoks 41%, Katolik 1%, Kristen 0,7%, Islam 15%, Budhis 0,7%, Animis 1%, tanpa agama 31%. Ekonomi negara makin membaik, tetapi hanya sebagian kecil penduduk bisa menikmati kemajuan ini dan menjadi kaya raya, yang lain sering tetap miskin. Situasi politik berubah di negara ini, orang Injili dianggap seperti orang asing, karena mereka bukan orang Ortodoks. Makin sulit menyelenggarakan satu pertemuan khusus, karena sulit untuk mendapat izin. Tahun 2009 sudah dijadikan tahun pemuda/i. Sekarang ini sudah mulai musim dingin, di Rusia, apa lagi di bagian Utara dingin betul, sering orang mencoba memanaskan diri dengan minuman keras, sebenarnya ini tipuan yang merusak sendiri. Karena minuman keras mereka tertidur di luar, akhirnya mereka mati kedinginan. Ini merupakan satu masalah besar dalam negara ini.
Ukraina (46 juta), Ibukota Kiew (2,7 Juta), agama: Ortodoks 55%, Katolik 15%, Kristen 3,2%, tanpa agama 20%. Di Kiew tinggal puluhan ribu orang Azari, hanya delapan orang sudah percaya kepada Kristus. Lewat TV satelit mereka menonton satu kebaktian Kristen yang direkam di Baku, Ibukota Azerbaijan. Mereka heran bahwa ada Kristen dan kebaktian Kristen dalam negara asal mereka. Sekarang ini mereka sudah berhubungan dengan jemaat-jemaat di negara asalnya dan minta bantuan menjangkau orang Azari yang tinggal di Ukraina.
Afrika
Ada gerakan doa syafaat dari “Gerakan Ethnê ke Ethnê” buat suku-suku terabaikan di
Afrika Timur dan Selatan, pada bulan Januari 09. Info: asianrd@sr21.com - www.ethne.net
Guinea-Bissau (1,6 juta), Ibu kota Bissau (0,4 juta), agama Islam 48%, Animis 42%, Katolik 7%, Kristen 2,5%. Perintis jemaat baru berfokus kepada suku-suku yang belum terjangkau. Pada tanggal 16 November sudah diselenggarakan pemilihan umum buat 100 kursi di parlamen, banyak pemilih ikut pemilihan ini, tidak ada gangguan pada hari 16 November, Puji TUHAN. Bapak Pdt. Titus Dima, WEC, dapat tambahan tugas, karena pendeta jemaat Ignore masih sakit. Di samping ini ia mengajar setiap hari di Youth Center, agar anak muda dilatih dalam satu mata pencaharian. Sejak bulan September ia mendapat pertolongan seorang dari Kanada yang selama satu tahun mau mengalami pelayanan misi. Ibu Ritha M., WEC, memutuskan diri dalam perintisan di desa-desa di antara suku Fula. Sebagai tempat tinggal ia sudah pindah ke Bissau. Ia sudah memulai belajar bahasa Fula. Bulan Desember ini Ibu Ritha akan ke Indonesia untuk cuti. Doakanlah semua kontak di negara ini. Ibu Salomi T., WEC, sedang berkunjung keluarga di Timor dan Alor, ia beristerahat untuk memulih kekuatan dan kesehatannya. Bulan April/Mei 2009 ia akan kembali ke Guinea-Bissau. Doakan orang yang harus ia tinggalkan di tempat pelayanannya, agar TUHAN sendiri akan memelihara mereka.
Mali (14 juta), Ibu kota Bamako (1,2 juta), agama: Islam 80%, Animis 18%, Kristen 1,2%, bahasa: Bambara 40%, Perancis 10%, banyak bahasa lain. Di dalam negara ini ada luar biasa banyak kesempatan yang baik untuk memberitakan Injil seluas-luasnya, tetapi tenaga perintis kurang betul.
Senegal (13 juta), Ibukota Dakar (3 juta), agama Islam 95%, Katolik 4,5 %, Kristen 0,1%. Di negara ini ada kebebasan agama, tetapi jarang sekali seorang Islam bertobat dan terima Yesus sebagai Juruselamat. Sudah selesai enam penerjemahan PB ke dalam bahasa-bahasa di negara ini.
Ghana (17,5 juta), agama Kristen 27,9%, Katolik 18,7%, Islam 16%, Animis 20%, bidat 17,4%. Seorang siswa di salah sekolah mendapat satu CD dengan cerita Injil dari Rekaman Injil, ia mencerita hal ini kepada kawan-kawan, mereka juga menulis untuk dikirimi, dari mereka siswa-siswa lain yang mendengar tentang cerita Injil dalam bahasa mereka dan mereka menulis untuk mendapatnya. Dalam waktu tidak lama 5,000 CD dikirimi dan ratusan surat masuk yang mau mendengar lebih banyak tentang Yesus dan cara keselamatan. Puji TUHAN!
Nigeria (130 juta), Ibukota Abuja (0,4 juta), Agama: Islam 45%, Kristen 28%, Katolik 12%, bidat 11%. Suku Geji mendengar cerita Injil lewat kaset berulang kali, ada 8 orang bertobat, perlu pemuridan!
Chad tidak pernah tenang, karena selalu ada kekacauan politik. Cerita Alkitab diberitakan lewat program radio di berbagai kota, tetapi di kota Abeche, kota dengan penduduk sebagian besar beragama Islam, belum. Berdoalah, agar stasiun radio mau juga menyiarkan program cerita Alkitab.
Somalia (8,3 juta), Ibukota Mogadishu (1,2 juta), hampir semua beragama Islam. Konflik yang terjadi di Somalia semakin memburuk. Kelaparan dan penyakit semakin meningkat. Berdoalah agar orang Somalia yang sudah pindah ke negara lain dapat menemukan kasih Kristus sehingga mereka dapat kerinduan menolong keluarga mereka yang masih tinggal di Somalia. Kapal-kapal luar negeri dibajak. Orang Kristen (hanya sedikit ada) tidak mempunyai hak. Minta damai! Jemaat-jemaat yang masih ada hanya bisa berbakti secara sembunyi, beberapa pemimpin gereja sudah didaftarkan untuk dibunuh, mereka harus hidup di tempat yang sembunyi. Doakanlah! Di bagian Utara ada satu propinsi yang mempunyai pemerintahan sendiri, Somaliland, di sini keamanan dan tertib dalam masyarakat jauh lebih baik. Karena orang Islam berperang dengan orang Islam dan sudah menghancurkan negara ini, karena itu dalam masyarakat ada banyak orang kecewa dengan agama mereka.
Ethiopia (74,3 juta), Ibukota Addis Adeba (3 juta), agama: Ortodoks 57%, Islam 31%, Kristen 20%, Animis 3%. Karena gagal panen (kurang hujan) dan pertempuran antara pemberontak dan pemerintah sembilan juta orang terancam kelaparan. Orang Kristen sering dianggap sebagai penduduk warga kelas dua oleh pihak Ortodoks yang sering memiliki pengaruh besar di desa-desa.
Eritrea (4,5 juta), agama: Islam 51%, Ortodoks 40%, Katolik 4,6%, Kristen 1,5% (Injili 20 000 orang), Animis. Gereja Ortodoks, Katolik, Luteran para pemimpin diganti dengan orang yang cocok dengan pemerintah. Jangan berhenti berseru buat negara ini, karena 2000+ tahanan Kristen tetap menderita dan mereka perlu dikuatkan, karena keadaan di tahanan di luar manusiawi. Baru-baru ini anggota salah satu gereja ditangkap, diambil dari rumah dan tempat kerja mereka. Seorang mati di tahanan.
Afrika Selatan (47 juta), kota besar: Pretoria (2 juta), Cape Town (2,9 juta). Bapak & Ibu Pdt. N. Rajagukguk (WEC Indonesia): Bapak Nim melayani di antara orang Melayu, mereka keturunan dari Indonesia, di Cape Town. Bapak Nim ada banyak kesempatan bicara dengan mahasiswa dari golongan fokus dan dapat mempertimbangan bersama mereka berita Injil. Ibu Nur tetap mengunjungi RS bersama satu tim orang Kristen wanita. Mereka dapat menghibur para penderita dan memberitakan Injil di antara pasien dan besuk dari orang fokus di RS. Perlu tambahan tenaga!
Timur Tengah dan Afrika Utara
Ada gerakan doa syafaat dari “Gerakan Ethnê ke Ethnê” buat suku-suku terabaikan di Timur
Tengah dan Afrika Utara, pada bulan Desember 08. Info: asianrd@sr21.com - www.ethne.net
Kaset-kaset dengan cerita Injil diedarkan oleh Rekaman Injil di Afrika Utara, berdoalah bahwa mereka yang mendengarkan, dijamah oleh berita hidup dari surga.
Mauritania (2,6 juta), Penduduk: Suku Maur Hitam dan Putih 65%, orang Afrika Hitam 30%, Berber 5%. Agama hampir 100% Islam. Hanya sedikit orang Kristen, mereka memerlukan perlindungan. Umat Kristen sering diancam oleh kelompok-kelompok radikal. Bulan Agustus 2008, kelompok pemberontak mengacaukan keamanan negara ini. Berdoalah agar Tuhan ikut campur tangan menghentikan kerusuhan yang terjadi secara sporadik di negara ini
Maroko (31 juta), Ibu kota Rabat (1,4 juta), agama 99% Islam, Katolik 0,3%. Meskipun dalam UUD ada jaminan kebebasan beragama, tetapi secara praktis tidak ada kebebasan beragama dan pendapat. Tidak ada satu jemaat pun mempunyai izin secara resmi yang membolehkan mereka berkumpul untuk berbakti. Hanya gereja-gereja buat orang asing dapat izin beroperasi. Perkembangan Kristen hanya secara pelan-pelan saja, dalam 30 tahun pelayanan perintisan hanya 1,000 orang yang bertobat.
Aljazair (33,7 juta), Ibu kota Algiers (3 juta, ratusan orang Kristen tinggal di Ibu kota), penduduk orang Arab 70%, orang Berber 25%, Touareg 3%, agama Islam 99,6%, orang Kristen k.l. 70 000 orang. Berdasarkan pengumuman menteri agama orang Kristen, khusus mereka yang berasal dari Islam, merupakan satu bahaya demi keamanan negara, karena itu jemaat-jemaat Kristen dipersoalkan. Sesudah keberatan dari pihak luar negeri, akhir-akhirnya tekanan berkurang, doa kita dikabulkan
Mesir (75 juta), Ibukota Kairo (16 juta), agama: Islam 86%, Koptik 10%, Kristen 0,8%. Lembaga Alkitab Mesir memberitakan dari pameran-pameran buku umum di berbagai tempat mereka bisa menjual Alkitab 44,463 buah, PB 326,773 buah, CD dan video Kristen 117,590 buah, tolong mendoakan semua biji abadi yang sudah ditaburkan, agar akan tumbuh dengan baik. Seorang imam Koptik divonis lima tahun penjara, karena “memalsukan dokumen”. Ia menikahkan seorang wanita Kristen yang sebelumnya Islam dengan seorang Koptik, tetapi dokumen si wanita dipalsukan yang tidak diketahui oleh imam itu. Di Mesir seorang beragama Islam tidak boleh nikah dengan orang dari agama lain. Juga seorang yang pindah agama dari Islam ke agama lain, tetap dianggap seorang Islam, karena wanita ini mau nikah dengan orang Kristen, ia memalsukan dokumen pribadi. Pasangan ini sedang lari dan hidup sembunyi, karena polisi mau tangkap mereka juga.
Sudan (38,5 juta), Ibu kota Khartoum (4,8 juta), agama: Islam 70%, Katolik 5%, Kristen 10%, Animis 15%. Sayang, penderitaan penduduk di daerah Dafur – Sudan Barat – tidak mau berhenti, karena ada perang antara pemberontak dan gerombolan Arab. Lebih dari 300,000 orang sudah menjadi korban jiwa. Di negara ini ada lebih dari 200 bahasa yang berlainan, rekaman Injil sudah merekam cerita Injil dalam 129 bahasa, perlu pengedaran di antara manusia yang sudah lama menderita karena perang saudara dan pemberontakan, agar mereka terima damai sejahtera. Di bagian Selatan sudah ada lima kelompok kecil petani pindah dengan membawa keluarga dan alat-alat pertanian dari desa Kristen ke lima desa lain dengan penduduk beragama Islam. Mereka mau bersaksi lewat kehidupan sebagai Kristen dan menceritakan Injil. Mereka sudah dilatih untuk memulai jemaat rumah.
Israel (6 juta), agama: Yahudi 81,4%, Islam 14,5%, Druze 1,6%, Katolik 1,3%, Ortodoks 0,8%, Kristen 0,2%, suku: Yahudi 79%, Arab 20%. Jalur Gaza (1,3 juta), Palestina (3 juta, Islam 95+%, Kristen berbagai aliran 1-2%), di Jalur Gaza hidup tertinggal 2,000 orang Kristen (hampir semua orang Ortodoks, sedikit orang Injili), mereka takut, karena mereka tidak mengetahui, kapan mereka menjadi sasaran. Polisi tidak pernah ketemu orang yang membunuh orang Kristen atau meledakkan bom. Doakan agar kasih dan terang Kristus bersinar dalam hidup mereka, meskipun di tengah situasi sulit.
Suriah (19,5 juta), Ibukota Damaskus (2,5 juta): Agama: Islam 90,3% (termasuk 7% aliran Alawi), Ortodoks 5,1%, orang Injili sedikit. Aliran Alawi dianggap dari pihak Islam sebagai bidat atau aliran tidak sesuai Islam. Berdasarkan UUD ada kebebasan agama, tetapi kegiatan Kristen dibatasi. Meskipun Suriah bukan negara Islam, tetapi semua hukum dalam negara harus berdasarkan Islam.
Iraq (24,5 juta), Ibukota Baghdad (4,8 juta), orang Arab 75-80%, orang Kurdi 15-20%, orang Asyur dll 5%, agama Islam 97% (aliran Syiah 62%, aliran Sunni 35%), Katolik 1%, Ortodoks 0,5%, Kristen 0,05%. Orang Kristen dalam aliran apa pun dibunuh, dirampasi, diancam, dan diusir. Ratusan ribu Kristen sudah lari ke luar negeri. Juga golongan lain ditekan, di seluruh negara 4,5 juta orang lari dari satu tempat ke tempat lain. Khusus di kota Mossul penganiayaan terhadap orang Kristen bukan main berat. Sering orang Kristen ditembak di jalan begitu saja. Berseru kepada Yesus, bahwa semua orang yang menderita akan ketemu Yesus sebagai Juruselamat pribadi. Sayang, sampai kini tidak ada tanda bahwa kekerasan berdarah mau berhenti. Semua penduduk di Iraq berhadapan dengan ketakutan setiap hari, namun mereka ingin bisa hidup normal di tengah konflik yang tidak kunjung selesai.
Orang Kurdi (4 juta) hidup di bagian Utara di Iraq, agama utama: Islam dalam berbagai aliran, Kristen 200 orang. Di antara yang beragama Islam mempunyai aliran sufi satu pengaruh besar. Program radio Kristen dalam bahasa Sorani tiga kali seminggu disiarkan.
Yaman, (20 juta), Ibu kota Sana’a (1,3 juta), agama Islam (62% Sunni, 37% Syiah), 200 orang Kristen, sebagian masih tersembunyi. Masalah besar: 80% dari laki-laki dan 60% dari wanita mengunyah daun „qat“, obat bius ini diambil dari satu tumbuh-tumbahan yang tumbuh dalam negara itu, 40% dari ladang dipakai untuk menanam „qat“, para pekerja sering hanya bekerja empat jam untuk mempunyai lebih banyak waktu untuk menikmati „qat“, tetapi ladang „qat“ memerlukan banyak air, ini dipompa dari bawah tanah. Tetapi karena banyak air dipompa dari bawah tanah, persediaan air dari bawah tanah menjadi makin berkurang. Keamanan negara memburuk, di bagian Utara satu daerah sekeliling salah satu kota sudah dikuasai oleh kawanan pemberontak.
Arab Saudi (27,6 juta, termasuk 5,6 juta orang asing), Ibu kota Riyadh (2,8 juta), agama Islam, sedikit orang Kristen secara diam-diam. Berdoalah bagi mereka yang di penjara karena Kristus.
Kuwait (dari 2,7 juta orang 1,7 juta orang asing), agama Islam, Ibukota Al-Kuwait (0,2 juta), Kristen Kuwaiti hanya 200 orang. Ada enam suku asli di Kuwait. Ketakutan terhadap perkara magis di sekitar mereka membuat mereka terikat pada tradisi dan berbagai ritual, agar selamat dari kuasa gelap.
Iran (69 juta), Ibukota Teheran (8 juta), agama Islam 98%, Ortodoks Armenia 0,2% (150,000), Kristen lebih dari 250 ribu orang, jumlah ini meningkat terus. Tekanan di Iran semakin tinggi, banyak umat Kristen ditangkap untuk diinterogasi, bahkan banyak yang akhirnya ditahan. Mereka yang ada di penjara berhadapan dengan situasi yang sulit dan penganiayaan. Puji TUHAN, akhir September dua pendeta yang dituduh sudah meninggalkan Islam dibebaskan dari penjara.
Turki (74 juta), Ibukota Ankara (3 juta), kota besar Istanbul (10 juta), agama: Islam 99,8% berbagai aliran dan dicampuri dengan berbagai kepercayaan kebatinan, okultisme, dan takhayul. Orang Injili 3500 orang Turki, di antara orang Armenia 7,000 orang Injili. Meskipun di UUD diberikan kebebasan agama dan semua agama memiliki hak yang sama, tetapi realitas lain. Peraturan tentang kebebasan agama sering kurang jelas, karena itu yang berwewang sering menafsirkan peraturan sedemikian rupa bahwa hak orang Kristen dirugikan. Negara ini tidak mengenal toleransi terhadap kekristenan, juga menghadapi golongan lain masalah yang sama. Ancaman terhadap orang Kristen dan pemberitaan fitnah dan cerita dusta tentang gereja di media meningkat lagi. Di media cetak dan siaran TV orang Kristen dilukiskan sebagai orang amoral dan mereka mau menghancurkan kebudayaan Islam, siapa yang masuk Kristen merupakan pengkhianat negara. Ini merupakan salah satu alasan bahwa banyak orang menjadi musuh Injil. Di bagian Timur tetap ada satu pertikaian berdarah antara pemerintah Turki dengan orang Kurdi dan seterusnya jatuh banyak korban jiwa.
Afghanistan (30 juta), Ibukota Kabul (3 juta). Agama Islam secara radikal, tidak ada satu agama lain yang diizinkan. Sayang, tetap terus-menerus ada kekerasan, banyak orang menjadi korban jiwa.
Doakan Tunisia (10,3 juta), Libia (5,7 juta), Lebanon, (4,5 juta), Qatar (0,7 juta), Bahrain (1 juta), Uni Emirat Arab (3 juta), Oman (3 juta), agar masyarakat di negara-negara ini dapat kesempatan hidup tenteram dan Injil bisa diberitakan antara mereka dengan jelas, agar mereka bisa memperoleh pengetahuan akan kebenaran dan keselamatan, lihat 1 Timotius 2:1-8.
Asia Selatan dan Tenggara
Pakistan (160 juta), Ibukota Islamabad (0,9 juta), agama: Islam 97%, Hindu 1,5%, Katolik 0,5%, Kristen 1%. Toko buku Kristen yang keenam sudah dibuka. Orang Kristen menerima surat-surat, di mana mereka diancam untuk masuk Islam atau mereka dibunuh atau paling-paling diusir dari daerah tinggal. Sebagian besar Kristen bertahan terhadap ancaman ini, ada juga pindah ke agama Islam. Yang bertobat dari Islam biasanya takut mengakuinya secara umum, karena mereka kuatir akan dibunuh oleh orang fanatik. Di klinik² Kristen pasien tidak hanya mendapat pertolongan secara medis, tetapi sekaligus mereka mendapat lewat pelayan di situ penghiburan dalam penderitaan mereka.
India (1,2 milyard), Ibukota Delhi (11 juta), Agama: Hindu 81%, Islam 13%, Budhis 0,8%, Sikh 1,1%, Katolik 1%, Kristen 1,5%, dll. Jangan berhenti berdoa dan berseru kepada Bapak kita di surga: Sayang sekali, setiap hari ada orang Kristen yang diserang, rumah dan toko orang Kristen terbakar atau fasilitas Kristen dirusak oleh orang fanatik yang mau membebaskan India dari ke-Kristenan, orang Kristen dipaksakan masuk agama Hindu, paling sedikit 600 orang Kristen masuk Hindu, supaya hidup dan harta benda mereka selamat. Situasi di negara bagian Orissa tetap sangat genting. Sejak bulan Agustus di negara bagian Orissa paling sedikit 500 orang Kristen dibunuh, ribuan gedung gereja dan rumah dihancurkan, rumah dan toko Kristen dirampasi massa. Pemerintah sudah membakar mayat-mayat, agar tidak diketahui, jumlah pembunuhan sebenarnya. Lihat perincian di web-site: http://www.missionmanual.com/wiki/2008_Persecution_in_Orissa%2C_India. Juga di negara-negara bagian lain ada serangan terhadap orang Kristen dengan banyak susah payah.
Di seluruh India hidup 140-150 juta orang yang beragama Islam, hanya di negara Indonesia tinggal lebih banyak orang Islam. Sebagian besar tinggal di bagian Utara, tetapi juga di negara bagian Tamil Nadu di bagian Selatan tinggal 6,2 juga orang Islam. Ada pelayanan untuk menjangkau mereka lewat literatur dalam bahasa-bahasa Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Urdu, dan Inggris.
Doakan penginjilan dan perintisan jemaat baru di daerah-daerah kumuh di Mumbai dan di Pune oleh Friendship Center India yang dipimpin oleh Bapak & Ibu Pdt. J. & P. Gladstone, (YPPII), www.friendshipcentre.org. Dua asrama untuk anak-anak jalanan dengan 48 puteri dan 22 putra.
Nepal: (24 juta), Ibu kota Kathmandu (0,6 juta), agama: Hindu 80%, Budhis 10%, Islam 4,5%, Kristen 1,9% (l.k. 500 ribu). Kel. Raastrako Jyoti, Navigator, selain bekerja dalam rumah sakit dan di Akademi Ilmu Kesehatan, mereka belajar bahasa Nepal dan membina mereka yang haus akan Firman TUHAN. Puji TUHAN, visa sudah diberikan, malah mendapatnya tanpa membayar apa pun, doa kita sudah dikabulkan. Untuk Kel. Raastrako Jyoti sudah satu beban diangkat.
Bhutan (0,8 juta), Ibu kota Tumbuh (31 000), agama: 73% Budhis-Lamais aliran Bon (suku Drukpa), merupakan agama negara, 22% Hindu (suku Nepal), 4% Islam, 1,2% Kristen. Tidak ada kebebasan agama dalam negara ini, hanya agama Budhis-Lamais diakui. Baru-baru ini seorang raja yang baru dinobatkan menggantikan ayahnya. Raja baru mau mengubah negara ini selangkah demi selangkah, termasuk demokrasi. Diharapkan bahwa orang Kristen akan mendapat kebebasan berbakti.
Maladewa (0,3 juta) (75 000 orang asing pekerja). Ibukota Male’, hanya agama Islam boleh, Kristen (30 orang?). Tahun 2005 diadakan satu tahun berdoa buat negara ini. Sejak ini Injil Lukas dan kitab Kisah Rasul dalam bahasa setempat diterbitkan, juga satu CD buat pelaut. Di negara ini dilarang keras memiliki bahan Kristen dalam bahasa Dhivehi, bahasa resmi, kalau diketemu langsung dirampas oleh polisi. Malah orang turis tidak boleh memilikinya. Sebagian orang Maladewa bekerja sebagai pelaut, berdoalah, bahwa mereka membaca bahan Kristen atau mendengar berita Injil.
Kamboja (14,8 juta), Ibukota Phnom Penh (1,5 juta), agama Budhis 85%, Animis 4,3%, Islam 3,9%, Kristen 400 000. Kel. Heryanto & Susie, Navigator: Ibu dari Pak Hery dipanggil TUHAN, Pak Hery sempat mendampingi ibunya dalam fase hidup terakhir. Ibu Susie ada berbagai penyakit, doakanlah. Rika, Navigator, dalam proses orientasi dan belajar bahasa Khmer. Juga agar bertumbuh dan tetap fokus pada tujuan. Kel. Suyatno, Navigator, bisa berinteraksi dan beritakan Injil di Waroeng Bengawan Solo. Mereka mencari tempat baru untuk usaha ini, karena pemilik mau tempat sendiri.
Bangladesh (145 juta), Ibukota Dhaka (11 juta, banyak di antara mereka tinggal di daerah kumuh), agama: Islam 87%, Hindu 12%, Animis 0,6%, Budhis 0,6%, Kristen 0,3%, Katolik 0,2%. Di negara ini kekristenan bertumbuh lebih cepat daripada penduduk, tetapi tetap jumlah masih kecil, 0,3% dari penduduk. Pengaruh orang Kristen dalam masyarakat makin dirasakan. Di berbagai tempat orang Kristen diancam. Penganiayaan terhadap umat Kristen dari suku-suku asli terus meningkat.
Myanmar (49,8 juta), Ibukota Naypyidaw, kota besar: Yangon (5 juta), agama: Budhis 83%, Kristen 7%, Katolik 1%, Islam 3,8%. Sesudah badai Cyclone Nargis dengan 100.000+ korban jiwa, banyak rumah dan fasilitas hancur. Masih lama sampai semua dibangun kembali. Doakan para penderita. Tahun yang lalu ada demonstrasi besar-besaran di negara ini yang akhirnya dari tentara diberhentikan dengan paksa dan mencurahkan darah. Bulan November yang lalu 14 pejuang HAM divonis penjara selama 65 tahun, ada beberapa orang lain divonis beberapa tahun sampai dengan 20 tahun. Dalam negara ini tidak ada kebebasan untuk mengutarakan pendapat apa pun.
Laos (6,2 juta), Ibukota Vientiane (0,7 juta), Budhis 58,7%, Animis 33%, tanpa agama 5,1%, Islam 1%, Katolik 1%, Kristen 1%, hanya agama Budhis dan Animis diperbolehkan. Pemerintahan tetap paham komunis, semua agama lain, apa lagi kepercayaan akan Yesus dianggap ilegal dan anggota gereja dianggap musuh negara. Baru-baru ini 55 orang Kristen dari delapan keluarga diusir dari desa B. Pastor dari jemaat ini bersama dua orang majelis ditangkap polisi dan ditahan, mereka diberitahu, mereka baru dilepaskan, kalau mereka mundur dari percaya akan Kristus.
Vietnam (86 juta), Ibukota Hanoi (2,3 juta), Ho Chi Minh City (7 juta), tetap paham komunis. Agama Budhis 55%, Katolik 5%, Kristen 0,8 juta. Kel. P-M berbeban untuk menjangkau suku-suku terabaikan. Mereka tetap belajar bahasa V. Tempat tinggal baru diperlukan, doakanlah.
Pilipina (87 juta), Ibukota Manila (1,7 juta), agama: Katolik 83%, Islam 8%, Protestant 7,5%, dll. Kel. Pdt. Mekkie Famdale, YPPII, memimpin GKI-P di Manila, anggota jemaat terutama mahasiswa Indonesia yang studi di Manila. Sejak bulan Juni dalam jemaat ada satu pelayanan khusus di antara anak muda/i. Ibu Ria Zebua, OMF, melayani di antara orang Manobo yang Animis di Upper Langilan/ Davao del Norte. Ibu Ria menulis, “Tanggal 26 Oktober bangunan gereja di Mansalinao dipersembahkan kepada Tuhan, disertai dengan ‘Kebaktian Penyerahan’ 42 anak dari 17 keluarga. Dua minggu sebelumnya di Desa Taungatuk berlangsung ‘Kebaktian Penyerahan’ 47 anak dari 19 keluarga. Kebaktian yang sama akan berlangsung di desa Langan tanggal 8 Desember. Kebaktian Penyerahan Anak (yang pertama di ke3 desa) mencatat semakin terbukanya keluarga-keluarga untuk mengikuti Yesus. Ayah/ibu anak yang diserahkan terlebih dulu mengikuti bimbingan rohani dengan Injil dan pengajaran Alkitab tentang tanggung jawab orang tua disajikan. Pelayan-pelayan gereja semakin menunjukkan rasa bertanggung jawab akan pelebaran Kerajaan Tuhan. Di tengah-tengah kerja keras mencari nafkah, mereka rutin bertemu, 2-3 hari, untuk bersekutu dan merencanakan pelayanan. Tidak jarang mereka diejek dan ditentang karena iman mereka, namun mereka tetap setia kepada Yesus. ‚Saya telah menemukan yang terbaik’, kata salah seorang dari mereka.“ Bck masih cuti di Indonesia. Jangan berhenti mendoakan orang Sama, agar mereka mengerti, siapa Yesus Kristus!
Thailand (66,2 juta), Ibu kota Bangkok (7 juta), Kel. Nara sudah terima satu tugas baru, pindah ke Jakarta, dan menjadi pemimpin dari Badan Pengutus Lintas Budaya (BPLB) di Jakarta.
Malaysia (27 juta), Ibukota Kuala Lumpur (2,2 juta), agama: Islam 55%, Budhis 29%, Hindu 7%, Kristen 4%, Katolik 3,5%. Doakan Kel. Sim memimpin dua jemaat, yaitu Gereja Injili berbahasa Indonesia (GIBIN). Kel. Pdt. Seken Bangun di Kota Sandakan/Malaysia Timur, Bapak ada masalah jantung, tetapi tidak perlu dibedah, minta penyembuhan. Yang dilayani 30% pendatang dari Pilipina, 35% pendatang dari Indonesia termasuk yang kawin campur dengan orang lokal dan juga 35% orang lokal. Masih banyak jiwa yang masih belum kenal Tuhan terutama orang lokal.
K.M. DOULOS mengunjungi di Singapura s/d 8.12., Kuching, Malaysia, 10.12.-3.1.2009, pelabuhan belum ditentukan 5.-13.1.; pelabuhan-pelabuhan di Pilipina, 16.1.-3.3. Ershinta, O.M. Indonesia, melayani di atas kapal dan mengambil bagian dalam pelayanan di pelabuhan-pelabuhan.
Asia Tengah
Azerbaijan (8,5 juta), Ibu kota Baku (2 juta). Agama Islam (sebagian besar aliran Shia) 80%, Kristen 0,1%. 17 tahun yang lalu seorang Azari yang pertama bertobat dan terima Kristus. Sekarang jumlah orang Kristen di antara orang Azari sudah menjadi 20,000 orang, baik di negara ini, maupun di negara-negara lain, misalnya di Iran. Bapak kita sudah mengabulkan doa syafaat kita. Ada pendeta-pendeta dan pemimpin gereja diseret ke dalam pengadilan dengan berbagai tuduhan yang tidak benar. Polisi berkata Alkitab dalam bahasa Azerbaijan dan Georgia tidak boleh diedarkan di negara ini, sebenarnya secara resmi dari yang wajib tidak ada satu peraturan semacam ini. Di antara Suku Talysh, Lenkoran tidak ada orang Kristen, mereka juga tidak mempunyai satu bagian dari Alkitab dalam bahasa mereka. Perlu Hamba TUHAN yang bisa melayani di antara mereka.
Kirghizia (5,2 juta), Ibu kota Bishkek (0,9 juta), agama Islam 78%, Ortodoks 5%, tanpa agama 13%, Kristen 1%, orang Kirghiz asli yang Kristen 5 000 orang. Sudah disahkan satu peraturan baru, setiap badan agama harus memiliki paling sedikit 200 anggota dewasa, jumlah ini harus disahkan oleh pemda setempat, kalau tidak ada 200 anggota badan ini tidak boleh berfungsi, dengan kata lain, tidak boleh mengadakan kebaktian. Juga semua badan agama yang sudah ada harus mendaftarkan diri kembali. Karena jemaat-jemaat Injili biasanya kecil mereka akan menghadapi kesusahan besar, tolong berdoa. Persekutuan antara mereka yang baru tetap diadakan secara rutin, tetapi dengan perorangan saja, karena ada banyak tekanan. Masalah visa makin sulit. Kel. P. Hengkesa, YPPII, membina enam anak asuh dan melayani dalam jemaat Logos dan di cabang-cabang jemaat Logos. Ibu Pdt. Heidy Tangkere, YPPII, sedang cuti di Indonesia, ia siap berangkat lagi, tetapi ia memerlukan visa baru yang sedang diurus. Sulit untuk mendapat visa baru, doakanlah.
Uzbekistan (25,3 juta), Ibu kota Tashkent (2,2 juta), agama: Islam Sunni 88%, Ortodoks 8%, Kristen 0,3%, yang suku Uzbeki, 10 ribu. Suku Tajiki yang memakai salah satu bahasa Arab tidak mempunyai Firman TUHAN dalam bahasa mereka. Perlu utusan Injil yang mau bekerja di antara mereka.
Tajikistan (6,3 juta), Ibu kota Dushambe (0,6 juta). Agama Islam 89%, tanpa agama 9%, Ortodoks 1,2%. Kristen 0,03%. Gereja-gereja kecil yang bertumbuh. Ada satu UU baru tentang agama dengan masuk untuk membatasi kegiatan ormas-ormas Islam radikal, tetapi peraturan baru ini juga diterapkan pada jemaat-jemaat orang Injili. Para pemimpin gereja perlu hikmat dalam situasi ini.
Kazakhstan (15,1 juta), Ibukota Astana (0,7 juta), kota Almaty (1,2 juta), Agama Ortodoks 39 %, Islam 56%, Kristen 2%. 10 000 orang percaya dari suku Kazakhi dalam 40 jemaat. Perkantas setempat mempunyai satu pelayanan luas di antara mahasiswa di universitas-universitas. Satu badan P.I. bisa mengadakan beberapa kamp pemuda/i selama musim panas, tetapi pemimpin kamp dituduh, bahwa mereka di kamp memasukkan obat-obatan dalam makanan, supaya peserta kamp bisa dipengaruhi lebih gampang, juga ada tuduhan, bahwa anak diancam dengan pisau. Dan tuduhan ini disiarkan secara umum. Melalui ini orang dihasut melawan Kristen. Seorang pendeta yang memimpin satu jemaat Baptis yang tidak didaftarkan di pemerintah berulang kali didenda dengan denda cukup tinggi yang tidak ia bayar. Di dalam negara ini semua jemaat harus didaftarkan di pemerintah, agar mereka bisa mengawasi kegiatan gereja ini. Karena ia tidak membayar denda ini, ia divonis 150 hari kerja paksa. Berdasarkan Firman TUHAN semua Kristen wajib ikut menggumuli pelayanan perintisan sampai ke ujung bumi. Bapak kita sudah menjawab. Seorang wanita melihat dalam mimpi kebenaran Injil dan Yesus, ia bertobat, keluarga dan masyarakat mau membunuh dia dengan melempari batu, tetapi ia diselamatkan oleh polisi. Sekarang ini ia dengan berani memberitakan Injil dalam masyarakat yang memerlukan berita hidup.
Turkimenistan (4,9 juta), Ibu kota Ashkhabad (0,4 juta), Agama: Islam 92%, Ortodoks 2%, non-agama 5%, Kristen l.k. 700 orang, biasanya bahasa Rusia. Dalam UUD ada kebebasan agama, tetapi dalam kehiduapan dalam negara ini sebenarnya kegiatan semua agama dibatasi, karena mereka takut terhadap orang beragama fanatik, dalam rangka ini, juga banyak tekanan buat orang Kristen.
Asia Utara & Pasifik
Korea Utara (23 juta), Ibukota Pyongyang (2,7 juta). Agama: Non-agama 64.3%, yang lain 18%, Animisme 16%, Kristen (secara diam-diam) 1.7%. Diperkirakan bahwa dalam 10 tahun terakhir 10% dari penduduk mati kelaparan. Orang Kristen tetap menderita luar biasa banyak kesusahan.
Jepang (128 juta). Orang Jepang diikat oleh agamanya dan penyembahan leluhur. Dalam musim Natal gereja-gereja mengambil kesempatan selenggarakan perayaan Natal khusus dengan musik dan berbagai presentasi untuk menarik orang non-Kristen. Berdoalah, agar lewat acara-acara ini cukup banyak orang dijamah oleh berita Injil dan mau mempelajari berita Firman TUHAN lebih dalam.
RRC, (1,3 milyard), Ibukota Beijing (12 juta), Shanghai (13,4 juta), agama: ateis 59,1%, agama-agama tradisional 17%, Budhis 8% (bertambah terus), Animis 2,4%, Islam 2,4%, Katolik 1%, Kristen 9+% (kira-kira 120 juta?). Jangan mundur dari doa syafaat buat orang Kristen China.
Anak muda yang bertobat dan terima Yesus Kristus sebagai Juruselamat, sering tidak berani terbuka kepada keluarga mereka, karena khawatir akan risiko yang dihadapi, karena sanak saudara tidak setuju dengan kepercayaan akan Kristus.
Anak-anak sangat perlu mendengar Injil, meskipun mereka tidak boleh diajari tentang agama. Setan tidak tinggal diam dan menunggu mereka sudah besar. Makin jemaat-jemaat menjadi sadar, bahwa harus ada sekolah minggu buat anak-anak mereka. Supaya anak-anak bisa mendengar berita Injil di jemaat mereka, diadakan seminar-seminar pelatih guru sekolah minggu. Bahan sekolah minggu masih kurang betul, harus diimpor secara diam-diam, agar anak-anak dapat pelajaran sesuai umurnya.
Percetakan Alkitab Nanjing merupakan percetakan Alkitab terbesar di dunia yang mencetak 12 juta buah, dalam jumlah ini juga terhitung PB dan bagian-bagian Alkitab, kadang hanya selempar saja.
Program radio dalam bahasa-bahasa suku Amdo Tibet, Hui, Nosu Yi, dan Uyghur dapat menjangkau lebih dari 22,6 juta pendengar. Di antara empat suku ini hanya sedikit orang yang mengenal Kristus. Menyebarkan firman Tuhan yang tepat dengan kebudayaan menggunakan cerita, puisi, dan musik. Respons dari usaha ini menggembirakan. Seorang pendengar menulis kepada stasiun radio, “Kami sudah memberikan pesawat radio kepada para petani dan peternak. Di sini, informasi sangat dibatasi dan ada banyak tempat yang belum dialiri listrik, oleh karena itu radio menjadi sangat penting.”
Seorang di antara orang Uyghur yang sudah menjadi Kristen sudah dipenjarakan satu tahun lebih dengan tuduhan, ia membongkar rahasia negara. Tidak bisa mengerti seorang yang tinggal di pedalaman memiliki rahasia negara yang bisa dibongkar. Orang Uyghur bianya beragama Islam.
Tolong seterusnya mendoakan Suku Hui (12 juta), agar mau membuka diri demi Injil. Di kota Xn tinggal 800 ribu orang Hui di antara tiga juta penduduk.
Gk sedang belajar Bahasa Mandarin demi rencana pelayanan untuk masa depan. Ia sudah memulai dengan semester ketiga. Untuk pelayanan masa depan diperlukan platform. Perlu ketabahan!
Tibet (2,7 juta), Ibukota Lhasa (0,2 juta), Agama: Budhis-Lamais (aliran Bon dengan okultisme, mereka yakin dengan berbagai roh dan mengenal berbagai ilmu), 80%, Kristen 0,2%, Ateis. Mereka menulis doa-doa di atas kain dan menggantung kain ini di gunung di tengah angin, mereka percaya doa mereka oleh angin akan dibawa ke surga. Perlu perintis Injil yang menjelaskan kepada mereka bagaimana berhubungan dengan Bapak kita. Berdoa juga untuk mereka yang sudah mengenal Yesus.
Hong Kong (6,9 juta), Agama: agama China 67%, tanpa agama 18%, Kristen 10%, Moslem 1,5%. Kel. Pdt. Arys Illu, YPPII, GMKIH, pelayanan perintisan, penggembalaan dan penginjilan di Hong Kong. Kel. Pdt. Johan K., dan Kel. Murdianto, CTN, melayani Gereja Misi Indonesia Hong Kong (GMIH) dan IMC Internet Radio yang bisa diakses oleh siapapun di belahan dunia melalui internet. Caranya dengan membuka website www.gmih.org. Sementara ini berbahasa Indonesia dan bisa menjangkau semua orang Indonesia di seluruh dunia yang memiliki akses internet. Perkembangan cukup bagus dari berbagai pendengar di kota-kota di Indonesia, Malaysia, Filipina, Korea, Hong Kong, China, India, Maroko, India, Thailand, Eropa (Jerman, Belanda), USA dan Brasil dan ini terus berkembang.
Negara-negara lain
Suriname: (450 000), Ibukota Paramaribo, Agama: Hindu 32%, Katolik 23%, Islam 20%, Kristen 19%, Animis. Kel. Pdt. Suryanto & Esther Tasman giat melayani jemaat PUAS (Paguyupan Urip Anyar Suriname) dan di antara keturunan orang Jawa. Program jemaat PUAS, yaitu membangun Panti Anak. Tahun 2009 untuk pertama kali "Platform BEBARENGAN" mengadakan Konperensi nasional.
Meksiko: (108 juta), Ibukota Mexico City (23 juta), agama: Katolik 90%, Kristen 7%. Bapak Pieter dan Ibu Marni Tarigan, YPPII, melayani di Juxtlahuaca, Oaxaca di antara suku Triqui. Puji TUHAN, akhirnya perpanjangan visa bisa diurus. Mereka sedang melayani deputasi di Indonesia.
USA: (300 juta), Ibukota Washington (0,6 juta), agama: Kristen 50%, Katolik 26%, Yahudi 2%, Islam 1,5%, Budhis 0,9%. Amerika sudah memilih satu presiden baru, Barack Obama, doakan dia dan semua anggota dalam parlamen. Doakan GMII USA, Pdt. Ricky Lomban, agar sebagai gereja misi, GMII sungguh-sungguh dapat menjadi gereja yang misioner yang mendukung misi sedunia secara konkrit. Bersyukur karena sampai hari ini, Tuhan melayakkan, memberi kesempatan kepada GMII USA untuk mendukung beberapa ladang misi. Doakan program Malam Misi Tahun 2009 dengan Tema: INDONESIA MENANGIS dengan target mendoakan suku-suku terabaikan di Indonesia.
Timor Leste (1 juta), Ibukota Dili (50 ribu). Agama: Katolik 90%, Kristen 4%, Islam 1%. Sebagian besar orang Katolik lebih yakin dengan roh arwah daripada Allah. Orang Katolik yang bertobat didesak oleh sanak saudara dan tetangga, kadang-kadang pelayan Tuhan diancam oleh pihak lain. Kakak Thelly melayani dalam Esperanca Projekt bersama Tim WEC. Di dalam proyek ini dilayani anak-anak dan pemuda/i di Dili. Keadaan di negara ini, apa lagi di Dili, kurang aman, para pelayan TUHAN memerlukan hikmat dalam pelayanan dan perlindungan dari Bapak kita di surga.
Fiji (0,9 juta), Ibukota Suva (80 ribu), agama: Kristen 43%, Katolik 11%, Hindu 38%, Islam (Sunni dan Shia) 7,5%, bidat 2%. Bahasa-bahasa resmi: Inggris, Fiji, Hindustani. Di antara orang Islam kegiatan agama meningkat, misalnya tahun 1900 hanya ada satu mesyid, sekarang ini sudah ada 200 gedung, dahulu hampir tidak ada yang naik haji, sekarang ini setiap tahun ada. Perlu perintis Injil untuk mereka-mereka yang beragama Injil. Biasanya mereka keturunan dari Asia Selatan.
Australia (19 juta): Suku bangsa: Eropa 93%, Asia 5%, Aborigin 1,5%. Kel. Pdt. Salomo Bangun, (YPPII, Gereja Indonesia Darwin) sibuk dalam penggembalaan dan perintisan di tengah orang Indonesia setempat dan di antara orang dari suku-suku bangsa lain, termasuk orang Aborigin setempat.
Seluruh dunia
Rekaman Injil (GRN) mau merekam cerita Injil ke dalam kaset atau CD dalam semua bahasa dunia ini. Sampai kini mereka sudah merekam 5800+ bahasa, tinggal merekam 4200 bahasa lagi.
Jumlah penduduk sedunia sudah menjadi 6,75 milyard, jumlah betambah terus tahun demi tahun.
Masih ada 6 000 suku terabaikan. Satu jejaring doa mendoakan suku-suku terabaikan sedunia. Info: ethne@ethne.net, gcni.org/pray40/resources/bulletinserts.html.
INTERNET: Ada satu web-site baru yang melukiskan suku-suku terabaikan di dalam dunia ini dalam berbagai bahasa, namanya Etnopedia: http://en.etnopedia.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page, web-site ini dalam perkembangan, setiap hari muncul karangan yang baru. Dalam bahasa Spanyol l.k. 2000 halaman dengan suku-suku, dalam bahasa Jerman 500+ dan bahasa Inggris ada 1300+ karangan tentang suku-suku bersama gambar. Satu sumber yang baik untuk informasi dan pokok doa.
Di seluruh dunia ada 1,2 milyard orang yang memakai e-mail dan INTERNET dan jumlah ini bertambah terus. Ada satu web-site baru: Perbandingan Agama, dialog Isa dan Islam, khusus Siapakah Isa Al-Masih dan Penjelmaan Isa Al-Masih. http://www.isadanislamstudi.com/.
In_Christ.net (bahasa Indonesia) sudah membuka satu web-site Misi, semua pembaca diajak saling berkalaborasi dalam bidang-bidang pelayanannya. Web-site ini penuh dengan informasi dan artikel yang sangat berguna untuk diri sendiri dan juga untuk diteruskan kepada orang lain. URLnya: http://www.in-christ.net/wiki/Kategori:Misi_Bagi_Bangsa, seluruhnya web-site bisa dibaca dengan URL:
Dukungan Misi dalam Negeri dan pokok-pokok doa
Berdoalah, bahwa dari Indonesia jauh lebih banyak misionaris dipanggil dan bisa diutus; dan jumlah persekutuan doa misi meningkat yang didirikan khusus mendoakan pelayanan di luar negeri antara suku-suku terabaikan dan para misionaris yang melayani di antara mereka.
Semua berita, fakta, dan informasi dalam buletin ini merupakan pokok-pokok doa dan pokok syukur, meskipun hanya sekali-kali disebutkan berdoalah! Pakailah janji-janji Firman TUHAN dalam doa syafaat. Berdoalah dengan keyakinan. Letaknya Nama TUHAN atas negara-negaranya dan atas suku-suku bangsa, agar mereka diberkati Allah. Megahkan Darah Yesus atas orang yang masih dikuasai oleh kuasa gelap dan okultisme, agar mereka dilepaskan dari semua belenggu. Siapa memerlukan petunjuk tentang doa syafaat buat suku-suku terabaikan dapat menulis kepada PD Timotius.
Tolong doakan mereka yang sudah dipanggil TUHAN, dan yang sudah siap menjadi misionaris di antara suku-suku terabaikan. Mereka sering menghadapi berbagai kesulitan dalam persiapan, mereka perlu ketabahan. Mintalah bahwa jemaat-jemaat mau mendukung (1 Tawarikh 29:9-14), mendoakan (Kolose 4:3), dan mengutus para misionaris (Kisah Para Rasul 13:1-3) dengan sukacita!
O.M. Indonesia (Obor Mitra, Operation Mobilisation) tetap mencari orang yang siap diutus ke ladang TUHAN di dunia ini dan di kapal P.I.nya. Koordinator: Kel. Pdt. Bagus Surjantoro. Alamat surat: PO Box i-195 UKSW, Salatiga 50711A, Tel/Fax: 0298-322843, e-mail: bagus@linkmail.org.
Badan Pengutus Lintas Budaya (BPLB) mengutus tenaga P.I. untuk perintisan baru di Asia Timur. Alamat: P.O. Box 2559, Jakarta 10025, Tel.: 021-426 4459, e-mail:
Deparment Evangelisasi dan Misi YPPII di Batu, e-mail: emppii_batu@yahoo.co.id
Sending WEC INDONESIA siap mengutus para misionaris ke suku-suku terabaikan di negara-negara lain, supaya jemaat baru dapat dirintis antara mereka. Majalah misi Terang Lintas Budaya diterbitkan dengan berita yang menarik dan informasi yang luas dari ladang penginjilan di luar negeri, untuk anak-anak ada majalah Tatik dan Totok. Di samping ini ada surat doa misi bahasa Indonesia, Inggris, dan Jerman dalam bentuk cetak dan e-mail. Majalah misi, kartu doa, brosur “Siapakah Sending WEC Indonesia”, dan surat-surat doa bisa dipesan di: Sending WEC Indonesia, Kotak Pos 217 WR, Sidoarjo 61256, Tel.: 031-8531343, HP: 0815-5511750, E-mail: indosb@linkmail.org; www.wec-indo.org. Doakan pemimpin Pdt. Max dan Pdt. Desta Ay, staf kantor, dan mereka yang mau menggabungkan diri dengan tim WEC dalam pelayanan perintisan jemaat baru di luar negeri.
K dan O melayani di tempat pelayanan dan membina kontak-kontak mereka yang sudah dijamah oleh anugerah Bapak kita. Kontak mereka senang membaca Firman yang sesuai bahasa mereka.
Ibu Pdt. Meli P. sedang berlibur di Indonesia, selain istirahat ia mengunjungi jemaat-jemaat dan menceritakan tentang pelayanan di negara pelayanan, agar makin banyak orang ikut mendoakan pelayanan di situ. Ia sudah mengikuti kursus bahasa Inggris untuk menjadi guru bahasa Inggris dengan sertifikat. Di negaranya banyak anak muda mau belajar bahasa Inggris. Bulan Januari ia akan kembali ke negaranya, tetapi sebelumnya ia mengikuti rapat kerja di Thailand. Visa baru sedang diurus.
Ibu Yenny H. sudah sejak bulan Agustus di Indonesia, karena Ibunya sakit keras untuk mendampinginya dalam kesusahannya. Karena penyakit Ibunya ia belum mengetahui, kapan ia kembali ke Amerika meneruskan praktiknya. Tetap ada rencana untuk kembali ke tempat pelayanan semula.
Kel G. di tempat pelayanannya dengan tugas-tugasnya.
Buletin Pokok Doa Timotius ini bisa dipesan di alamat PD Timotius, PO Box 12 IKIP, Malang 65145. Buletin edisi e-mail bisa dipesan: immanuel-d@web.de. Buletin ini boleh diphotocopy/diperbanyak, agar semua peserta Persekutuan Doa mendapat satu eksemplar, ini menolong dalam doa, kalau pokok doa ada secara tertulis di tangan para pendoa. Bahan ini boleh dikutip di warta gereja, di buletin doa lain dsbg, khusus buat pendoa lain. Juga boleh dikirim kepada pendoa lain, karena sering orang mau berdoa, tetapi bahan kurang. Kami menghargai semua dukungan doa buat kami.
Kiranya TUHAN menguatkan dan memberkati Bapak/Ibu/Saudara/i dalam semua tugas.
PD Timotius
Selasa, 02 Desember 2008
Trusting God through Trials
Trusting God Through Trials
by Joyce Meyer
________________________________________
We often think of trusting God for things we need or want, such as financial provision, physical healing, restoration of a relationship, a promotion at work, a place to live, an opportunity or a big win in some kind of competition.
A true relationship of trust in God extends beyond trusting Him for something. We need to learn to trust Him through the process of attaining those things we desire.
There was a time in my life when I focused intensely on trusting God for things, saying, “I want this, God,” and “I need such-and-such, God.” He began to show me that getting all those things was not the most important issue in my life.
He wanted to teach me how to trust Him enough to walk through situations with stability and with a good attitude on a consistent basis. He needed me to learn that He may not always rescue us when we want out of circumstances, but He is always with us as we walk through them.
God does not always deliver us from everything when we think He should. Throughout His Word, we read about people who had to go through things.
One familiar passage to many people is Psalm 23:4, “Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me” (The Amplified Bible). Psalm 66:12 says, “You caused men to ride over our heads [when we were prostrate]; we went through fire and through water, but You brought us out into a broad, moist place [to abundance and refreshment and the open air].”
And the prophet Isaiah, speaking for God, says: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you” (Is. 43:2, emphasis added).
One of the most amazing stories of trusting God through trouble is the account of the three courageous young men named Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
The Old Testament king Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw them into a blazing furnace where they were sure to be burned alive if they did not worship his idols. They responded to him:
“If our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up!” (Dan. 3:17-18). The angry king threw the three men into the furnace—after ordering that the furnace be turned up to seven times its usual heat. The flames were so hot they incinerated the king’s men as they threw the three young men into it.
When Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace, he said in astonishment, “Behold, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt!” (Dan. 3:25). The king called the three men out of the furnace, and when they emerged, not one hair on their heads had been singed, their clothes were not scorched, and they didn’t even smell of smoke.
This testimony of going through difficulty with absolute trust in God has inspired generations of people. Today we can draw much encouragement from the fact that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego faced a terrifying situation, one we can assume they wanted to be delivered from. Many think it was the pre-incarnate Jesus who was the fourth man in the fiery furnace with them.
As we follow their example, we can go through trials with stable, positive attitudes, trusting God completely, even against seemingly impossible odds.
Your attitude, whether good or bad, is yours to command in every situation. But I encourage you to maintain an attitude of faith, praise, thanksgiving and positive expectation, and you will definitely come through your situation victoriously.
by Joyce Meyer
________________________________________
We often think of trusting God for things we need or want, such as financial provision, physical healing, restoration of a relationship, a promotion at work, a place to live, an opportunity or a big win in some kind of competition.
A true relationship of trust in God extends beyond trusting Him for something. We need to learn to trust Him through the process of attaining those things we desire.
There was a time in my life when I focused intensely on trusting God for things, saying, “I want this, God,” and “I need such-and-such, God.” He began to show me that getting all those things was not the most important issue in my life.
He wanted to teach me how to trust Him enough to walk through situations with stability and with a good attitude on a consistent basis. He needed me to learn that He may not always rescue us when we want out of circumstances, but He is always with us as we walk through them.
God does not always deliver us from everything when we think He should. Throughout His Word, we read about people who had to go through things.
One familiar passage to many people is Psalm 23:4, “Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me” (The Amplified Bible). Psalm 66:12 says, “You caused men to ride over our heads [when we were prostrate]; we went through fire and through water, but You brought us out into a broad, moist place [to abundance and refreshment and the open air].”
And the prophet Isaiah, speaking for God, says: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you” (Is. 43:2, emphasis added).
One of the most amazing stories of trusting God through trouble is the account of the three courageous young men named Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
The Old Testament king Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw them into a blazing furnace where they were sure to be burned alive if they did not worship his idols. They responded to him:
“If our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up!” (Dan. 3:17-18). The angry king threw the three men into the furnace—after ordering that the furnace be turned up to seven times its usual heat. The flames were so hot they incinerated the king’s men as they threw the three young men into it.
When Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace, he said in astonishment, “Behold, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt!” (Dan. 3:25). The king called the three men out of the furnace, and when they emerged, not one hair on their heads had been singed, their clothes were not scorched, and they didn’t even smell of smoke.
This testimony of going through difficulty with absolute trust in God has inspired generations of people. Today we can draw much encouragement from the fact that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego faced a terrifying situation, one we can assume they wanted to be delivered from. Many think it was the pre-incarnate Jesus who was the fourth man in the fiery furnace with them.
As we follow their example, we can go through trials with stable, positive attitudes, trusting God completely, even against seemingly impossible odds.
Your attitude, whether good or bad, is yours to command in every situation. But I encourage you to maintain an attitude of faith, praise, thanksgiving and positive expectation, and you will definitely come through your situation victoriously.
Selasa, 11 November 2008
A Fresh Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
A Fresh Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
By David Wilkerson www.worldchallenge.org
When God breathes the breath of his Spirit, everyone knows he has come. Luke, the author of Acts, writes, “Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind” (Acts 2:2). I like a different translation of this last phrase, calling it “a strong wind, a blast.”
According to this verse, God’s breath came at Pentecost with a “sound from heaven.” Luke says this sound was mighty, rushing, filling the whole atmosphere: “It filled all the house where they were sitting” (2:2).
Something else also happens when the Holy Spirit comes: he shakes up everything in sight. At Pentecost, the religious rulers in Jerusalem were upset at what they saw taking place among Jesus’ followers. They tried shutting down the effect of that mighty blast from heaven.
But the Holy Spirit moved on Peter, anointing him to say, “You can threaten us and jail us. But you can’t stop the mighty wind that is blowing through the land. You can command us to shut up, but we cannot stop speaking. God has breathed upon us, anointing us, and we have to speak the word he has given us.”
The believers at Pentecost then gathered in a great praise meeting and prayed: “Now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:29–31).
I want to examine what the prophets say about the final outpouring of the Holy Ghost on his church in these last days.
The Bible says in the last days everything that can be shaken will be shaken. This shaking will include the church, the very elect of God: “Whose voice then shook the earth… Yet once more I [will] shake not the earth only, but also heaven” (Hebrews 12:26).
Peter and the disciples saw that what took place at Pentecost was this prophesied outpouring from heaven. Peter immediately stood up and declared, “This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel… I will pour out in those days of my Spirit” (Acts 2:16, 18). Likewise today, we are able to see in Scripture what the Holy Ghost is doing in these last days — indeed, in this late hour.
The Old Testament prophets spoke of a “former rain” and a “latter rain,” outpourings of the Spirit described by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the minor prophets. Malachi — the very last book of the Old Testament — describes the “latter rain” as an earth-shaking event to come. And Malachi offers proof that the greatest work of the Holy Ghost — this “latter rain” outpouring — is happening right now, in our generation.
Malachi’s message is a two-part prophecy. First, he speaks to the ungodly, materialistic, secular, pleasure-mad world. And second, he speaks to those who love and fear the Lord.
1. Here is Malachi’s warning to the godless nations.
“Behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble” (Malachi 4:1). I see evidence all around that we are living in the very time Malachi describes. If ever there was a day like a burning oven, when everything is “hot” the world over — economically, socially, spiritually — it is today.
According to Malachi, a fiery holocaust is coming that will leave the ungodly nothing to protect themselves: “It shall leave them neither root nor branch” (4:1). Every safe haven will be consumed. Who is going into this fiery holocaust? “All the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly” (4:1). This means not just those who indulge in addictions and perversions. The great wickedness Malachi speaks of here suggests an arrogant fist-shaking at God.
We see a modern example of this fist-shaking in the European Union. It proudly boasts itself to be a secular society. According to its constitution, God has no place in its society, no recognition, his name wiped out completely. As far as the leaders of the European Union are concerned, God is dead.
Right now America is headed in the same direction. We are slowly pushing God completely out of our courts, our schools, our society. We refuse to acknowledge his blessing on our nation, saying instead, “We have accomplished everything in our own strength. We are the greatest, mightiest, wealthiest nation on earth, and we have achieved it all on our own.”
I love America, but I shudder that this nation has stuck up its nose at God, shaking our fist at him and daring him to act. The Hebrew word for “wicked” in Malachi 4:1 means “arrogance.” It is the worst kind of arrogance to flaunt sin before heaven and say, “God doesn’t see. He can’t do anything. He has nothing to do with us.”
It is arrogance to trample his holy Word, mocking everything that reflects his heart. Consider the mockery being made of marriage by the glorifying of sexual perversions. It is total arrogance to legalize marriages between two men or two women and allow them to adopt children, an issue now before the courts in California. Meanwhile, man-boy movements are demanding rights for men to have sexual relations with children.
As this wickedness unfolds before our eyes, we seem helpless to stop it. Yet I wonder: how long do the wicked think God will wink at such arrogance and not judge it?
Malachi’s prophecy has been fulfilled in the past when wicked societies crossed the line.
It is clear from Scripture that America has now out-sinned backslidden Israel, out-sinned Sodom and Gomorrah, out-sinned Noah’s violent and wicked society. Isaiah prophesied, “Behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people” (Isaiah 60:2). The Hebrew word for “gross” here means “gloom.” Isaiah was saying, “A dark gloom is coming that will cover the whole earth.”
Jeremiah spoke of such darkness when he cried out to backslidden Judah: “Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness” (Jeremiah 13:16).
Malachi also speaks of that day to come, a time of darkness and gloom when God will humble the proud and arrogant. When that day comes, the prophet says, all roots and branches will be totally consumed, meaning there will be nothing left to rebuild upon. Before that point in history, the Lord had never destroyed the roots of recovery completely. But now the prophet says God will dig up everything and “leave them neither root,” meaning no way of recovery.
Right now, the day of reckoning has come upon America and the world. All branches of the U.S. government — including federal banks and financial institutions — will see the crashing and burning of our economy. The old, established corporations — age-old institutions rooted in our society — will be affected, with no visible way of recovery. Gloom will spread with the greatest minds confused as to any way out of the darkness.
Even the secular world sees America is headed for hard times. A recent issue of The Economist shows the Statue of Liberty sitting dejectedly with her face in her hands, her flame lying on the ground. The headline reads: “Unhappy America.” Its editors wrote the following, word for word: “There is a furious gloom sweeping the whole world”…“We have been greedy for so long, and it has caught up with us”…“It is too late. The slide is on”… “America is in a horrible mood. We’re slouching toward Sodom and Gomorrah”…“The economy is tottering”…“The world is cooking” (my italics).
Ten years ago, I released a book titled America’s Last Call, predicting an economic holocaust. At the time I was ridiculed and called a doomsday preacher (though I never preach judgment without tears). Recently, our ministry’s phones have been ringing off the hook with orders for the book.
America isn’t the only nation facing a time of gloom. Recently, our ministry sent a team into a major city of Russia. They came back reporting that economic despair has overtaken that part of the nation. The costs of gasoline, electricity and other basic needs are skyrocketing, with salaries only half of what people need to survive. Our team said they couldn’t find a smile anywhere — except in the churches, where hope was thriving because people’s trust is in the Lord.
You may say, “Things are different in America. Our economy will always right itself. There have been problems like these before, and recovery always followed. It may take five years, but all will be restored.” Yet, what if Malachi’s word is true? What if all roots of recovery are scorched to the lowest point, beyond any hope of recovery?
Now let me suggest something to you: Suppose Malachi were alive today. And suppose he preached this same message next Sunday at your church. Imagine Pastor Malachi standing in the pulpit. As he finishes his message, rehearsing the words of the prophets and detailing the things to come, he closes his Bible. Then he walks off the podium and goes out among the congregation.
The people tremble at what they’ve heard, a coming day of darkness and gloom. But as Malachi stands before them a big smile crosses his face. Suddenly, he spreads out his arms and cries, “Rejoice! This prophecy you have just heard is not for you. It isn’t meant for those who love and fear the Lord. Rather, this word is for the proud, the arrogant, the lawless. It is a holy warning to the ungodly world.
“Yes, there will be collateral damage from the coming day of burning. Christians also will suffer as an effect of it. That cannot be helped. But God has sent a word to you, and that word will keep you through hard times. Let the mountains fall into the sea. Let the economy quake and fall. Let everything be shaken that can be shaken. But for those who fear the Lord, God has given a very different word.”
2. For the overcoming church, there is an entirely different prophecy, a glorious one.
For God’s people, the message is not one of gloom but of gladness. When darkness covers the earth — when men’s hearts fail them with fear over all the dreadful things happening — we’re told that in that moment “shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings” (Malachi 4:2).
In the darkest hour, when things look hopeless — when there is fear on all sides, with everything overshadowed by gloom — Jesus is going to rise in greater revelation than at any time in history. And the world is going to witness his saving and keeping power in all its glory. In a world gone mad — when radical Islamics boast they have prevailed, when agnostics cry, “God is dead!” — Jesus Christ will rise up. And he will shine as a healing Sun, brighter than in all past generations.
Something will happen to God’s people as a result of the Son’s appearance. The rest of this verse reads: “And ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall” (Malachi 4:2). The original Hebrew translates this as, “You will go forth leaping as calves released from the stall.”
This speaks of the latter-rain outpouring, the promised fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit, including a greater, mightier sound from heaven. When it comes, the Holy Ghost is going to restore the miraculous: “Grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus” (Acts 4:29–30).
There are three words many Christians do not speak of anymore: signs, wonders, and miracles.
For an entire generation of believers, these three words conjure up memories of many abuses in the church. At a time when so many were looking for genuine works of God, “with signs following,” charlatans were staging fake “holy works.” So-called healing evangelists made a circus of it all — covetous men and women who offered “healings” for a price.
Now whenever many of us hear these three words, there rises up in us uneasy feelings: a fear of fanaticism, embarrassment over the mockeries, painful memories of dear brothers and sisters whose faith ended on the ash heap because of all the fakery. Tragically, many in Christ’s church do not expect God to perform miracles anymore.
Yet, please hear what I am about to say. The devil knows the Scriptures, and he knows that a genuine, Holy Spirit-inspired revival of healing is prophesied. This is why he is even now promoting his own perverted “healing” meetings. In his meetings, Christ is not the center but rather the exalting of angels or an individual.
But what Malachi is prophesying cannot be promoted by man. It won’t be localized, and it won’t revolve around any personality or individual. Rather, it will feature the holy preaching of Christ. And it will happen in the homes of overcoming believers everywhere, as well as in churches. Pastors and lay ministers alike will receive anointing to pray for the sick. Elders will rise up with fresh faith in the power of Jesus’ name to work wonders. All will lay hands on the sick and pray for them to be healed.
Now let me add a fourth word to this list of terms we don’t speak of anymore: manifestations. We fear manifestations of flesh, where people act in bizarre ways. Yes, there have been many such fleshly abuses that were called “manifestations of the Spirit.” But if the Holy Spirit truly moves upon us, as he has done with his people throughout Scripture, we shouldn’t be afraid of a true manifestation.
And the manifestation that is going to take place in the last-day outpouring of the Spirit will be a Holy Ghost joy. While the world sits under a cloud of gloom, the testimony of God’s people will be one of pure joy. As the very foundations of society are being plucked up, followers of Jesus will be seen praising God in the midst of the rubble, offering help and hope to those in greatest need.
This manifestation of joy is needed more than ever. Day after day I hear God’s people saying, “Is this all there is to the Christian walk? Are we always to be focused on suffering and trials? Doesn’t the Lord still speak? Doesn’t he still heal? Shouldn’t we expect answers when we pray? Where is the miraculous that his Word promises?”
Let me give a very simple response to these questions: Miracles and healings are made possible by and through the power of the Holy Ghost. The book of Acts tells us Stephen was a man “full of faith and power, [who] did great wonders and miracles among the people” (Acts 6:8). If we are honest before the Lord, many of us will have to admit we have lost all heart for such faith.
In multitudes of Christians, the fire of the Holy Ghost is waning.
God cannot answer where there is no faith. And Satan will not flee where there is fear and unbelief. The fact is, we have failed to take our God-given authority over the devil and his demonic empire. God’s Word tells us the enemy is not in control. It is written we have power over him: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Yet many have let Satan run roughshod over their faith with no resistance.
If this describes you, Malachi offers you a most wonderful word: “You will go forth leaping as calves released from the stall” (see Malachi 4:2). What an incredible word to the people of God in these last days. Malachi pictures believers as calves confined in stalls. The Hebrew root word for “stall” here means “tied up,” “circling around and around.”
Have you ever seen frisky calves locked up in stalls? They go in circles, kicking and making noise. Do you get the picture Malachi is giving us? Satan has succeeded in locking up a multitude of believers in little stalls. He has kept them locked out of Christ’s green pastures, away from his cool, refreshing waters. Consider:
Some Christians are confined in a stall of hopelessness. These believers are bored to death, getting up every day only to circle around and around their tiny world. They are tied up in a spirit of bondage — of self, materialism, their own needs — without a drop of joy. Many such Christians have given up any hope of ever being free. They sigh as they remember the former times when they rejoiced in the Lord. Now they constantly wonder, “God, where are you?”
Some Christians are locked up in a stall of bitterness. The Bible says bitterness is a deadly poison, calling it “the gall of bitterness.” I must send out a warning here, in Christ’s love: if you have a single root of bitterness — if you have any racial animosity, any unforgiveness, any “righteous” grudge — you are in the bondage of iniquity. And if you remain in this bondage, you will remain confined in a stall. You will live in fear, a stubborn calf, and it will end in spiritual death.
Other confining stalls could be mentioned here: unbelief, despair, unbridled fear, besetting sins. No matter what any confinement may be, the truth is we cannot open our own stalls. We can’t rid ourselves of fear or despair or unbelief in our own human strength. Simply put, we need a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit. Dear saint, I urge you: do not go another day satisfied with the way things are. The Lord gives his Holy Spirit to those who ask. And your release must come by faith. When God promises, “You will go forth leaping as calves released from the stall,” it means more than release from confinement. When he opens the gate of our stall, we are going to emerge from it leaping with joy. We’ll no longer have a cloud of gloom hanging over us, but will be released into a walk of hope, freedom and abundant life.
In these days of uncertainty and gloom, the testimony of God’s power will be those who have been released from their stalls. They will be seen rejoicing to see the Son rising. And God’s everlasting promise to his people will be evident to all.
We have a part in getting released from our stall.
The Holy Spirit is given only to those who ask. Pray for the Holy Ghost to bring back your fire, to renew your faith, to draw you closer to his heart.
Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. As God’s people, we must sing aloud, making a joyful noise in the Lord. We must praise him, whether we feel like doing it or not. Scripture says God dwells in the midst of our praises.
You may object, “But it’s hypocrisy to leap with joy when you don’t feel like it. That kind of ‘joy’ doesn’t mean anything when you’re depressed and in pain.”
Listen again to Malachi: “Ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 4:3). The moment you accept your release — when you step out of your confinement by faith — you will put the devil to flight. Demons will flee. No matter what news the world brings, no matter what afflictions or troubles come, God’s Word remains true. You can receive a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit, leaping as a calf from a stall.
I leave you with these glorious words of promise:
“The Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody” (Isaiah 51:3).
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted…to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord…to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified” (Isaiah 61:1–3).
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Senin, 03 November 2008
THE DESTINY OF NATIONS
The Destiny of Nations
Alice Smith
Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him. For he spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance (Ps. 33:8-12).
This is a day of new beginnings. Around the world economies are shaking, stock markets are quaking, currencies are collapsing, terrorists are threatening, retirement accounts are evaporating, and our trust in God is being challenged. Nations once faced crises like these individually. This is no longer true. Never before has there been a worldwide rippling effect exposing man's greed and the evil agreements made "behind closed doors."
All the while the Church, whether in Nigeria, Canada, Kenya, Australia, the UK, Korea, Argentina or the United States, is engaged in its own battle. Tragically out of touch with God’s plans and purposes for the nations of the earth, we are investing in more massive buildings, grander ministries, larger salaries, and owning bigger houses. Sadly, Christians are compromised and complacent regarding the conditions of humanity and the part we play to see the "glory of the Lord fill the earth."
Good news! There is an answer. Two thousand years ago, God made covenant with us, and sealed it with the redeeming blood of His Son, Jesus. His covenant insures us against defeat in the midst of failing world systems. We’re not to cower in intimidation. We are to shine as lights in this present darkness. But our freedom in Christ requires continual personal vigilance. We must refrain from personal immorality, not compromise with the world through greed, and selfishness. We, children of the light, must diligently seek God’s face in prayer with fasting, and confront lies with truth—especially when others would seek to stifle us. We must enter the election booth and vote biblical principles, not just popular world views.
God’s plan in this earth will ultimately prevail. He will implement His plan through men and women like you and me. God always looks for men and women to carry out His plan. Let’s agree today to be those men and women--prayer warriors who’ll stand in the gap for the nations to fulfill their God-given destinies!
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