Rabu, 28 Agustus 2013

KUWAIT


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555 Challenge

Week 33
   

#33 - Kuwait

Rated as - Moderate in Persecution
Rank: 33
Score: 49/100
Leader: Emir Sheikh Sabah
Government: Constitutional emirate
Main Religion: Islam
Population: 2.9 million (420,000 Christians)
Christian Persecution in Kuwait
*Representative photo used to protect identity.


There are a few countries on the World Watch List that we can’t share stories from. Even if we were to use different names, the information could be traced back to the Christians mentioned in the stories. For their security, we are providing a different way to pray for this country this week.

Here are the top 10 things to know about what life is like for Christians in Kuwait:
  1. Although Islam is the state religion and the constitution requires the state to safeguard ‘the heritage of Islam,’ it also calls for ‘absolute freedom’ of belief.
  2. Religious tolerance in Kuwait is significantly higher than in most of the region.
  3. In practice, religious minorities experience some discrimination as a result of governmental policies.
  4. Non-Muslims - and those who are not Sunni Muslims - find it difficult or impossible to obtain legal permission to establish new places of worship.
  5. Evangelization of Muslims is prohibited.
  6. The Christian population consists mostly of migrant workers from outside the country. There are only a few hundred indigenous Kuwaiti believers. Most of them are descendants of foreigners who have moved to Kuwait before the establishment of the state.
  7. Christians from other countries are free to gather informally for worship. Four denominations are registered and have compounds where they can gather, but these places are too small for the number of people who meet there.
  8. Converts often face persecution from their families.
  9. Converts also risk harassment, police monitoring of their activities, arbitrary arrest and detention, physical and verbal abuse, legal discrimination and property challenges in court.
  10. In May 2012, the Parliament of Kuwait voted for an amendment to the country’s blasphemy legislation to make insulting Allah and the Prophet Mohammed by Muslims punishable by death. Since then, the Emir has dissolved parliament, and vetoed the amendment, but his veto might be overruled in a later parliamentary vote.

Iran Rejects American Pastor Saeed Abedini's Appeal and Affirms Eight Year Prison Sentence


Iran Rejects American Pastor Saeed Abedini's Appeal and Affirms Eight Year Prison Sentence

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. (ANS) -- The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which defends human rights and religious freedom, said an appeals court in Tehran has rejected the appeal of American Pastor Saeed Abedini, a U.S. citizen, and refused to reduce his eight year prison sentence.
Saeed Abedini and his family.
Speaking in an ACLJ news release, Abedini's wife Naghmeh called the decision "devastating."
The ACLJ said it is now exploring all legal and governmental options available.

"While we remained hopeful that Iran would use its own appeal process to finally show respect for Pastor Saeed's basic human rights, again Iran has demonstrated an utter disregard for the fundamentals of human rights," said Jordan Sekulow, executive director of the ACLJ, (which represents Abedini's wife and their two children) speaking in the news release.
Sekulow continued, "We are exploring all options with Pastor Saeed's family, including options in this country and abroad to bring more pressure on Iran from the U.S. and other countries around the world."

He added, "This legal decision also signals a new level of concern for Pastor Saeed's safety. By keeping the eight year prison sentence in place, Pastor Saeed now potentially faces additional beatings and abuse inside Evin Prison - treatment that has significantly weakened him during h is first year in prison."

"The news out of Iran is devastating to our family," said Naghmeh Abedini in the news release. "Our family will be consulting with legal counsel in Iran to determine the next course of action. The family could appeal the case to the Supreme Court in Tehran or plead for the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, to intervene and pardon Pastor Saeed."
She added, "From past cases, we know that the decision to release my husband lies solely at the mercy of the Supreme Leader. It is imperative in the coming days, weeks and months that we remain vigilant to call for Pastor Saeed's release. This includes continuing to put pressure on Iran from the U.S. government and governments around the world."

Naghmeh Abedini also expressed disappointment in the U.S. government. "I am disappointed that as a country that was founded on religious freedom, our government has been awkwardly silent as an American citizen is wasting away in an Iranian prison because he chose to practice his God-given right to choose his religion."
She continued, "My husband is serving eight years in the notorious Evin Prison, and facing daily threats and abuse by radicals because he refuses to deny his Christian faith. And yet my President, President Obama, has not spoken a word about him."
The ACLJ said in its news release that the decision to reject Abedini's appeal came from Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals, and was handed down by a two-judge panel that refused to provide Abedini's Iranian attorney with a written copy of the decision.
One of the judges who issued the decision is Ahmad Zargar, who the ACLJ said was sanctioned by the European Union for issuing long term and death sentences for peaceful protesters.

Abedini, 33, was convicted of threatening the security of Iran because he chose to peacefully gather with other Christian believers.
On Jan. 27 2013, Judge Pir Abassi, a judge presently sanctioned by the European Union for his human rights abuses, found Abedini's Christian faith and activities amoun ted to a national security threat, and sentenced him to a prison term of eight years.

The rejection of Abedini's appeal comes just one month before the first year anniversary of his imprisonment.
The ACLJ said there will be prayer vigils in this country and around the world on Sept. 26 - a united effort to call attention to Abedini's plight, and an opportunity to advocate his release.

The ACLJ has been working in this country and abroad to secure his freedom, and says it has heard from nearly 620,000 people demanding his release.

Led by ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has affiliated offices in Israel, Russia, Kenya, France, Pakistan and Zimbabwe.
For more information visit www.aclj.org or www.SaveSaeed.org.


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Muslim Mob Injures Church Leaders, Choir Members in Nigeria


Muslim Mob Injures Church Leaders, Choir Members in Nigeria

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

ABUJA, NIGERIA (ANS) -- A Muslim mob with knives and iron rods injured several members of an Anglican church in Nasarawa state on Aug. 17 over a dispute about less than 1 cent in change, area Christians said.
According to a story by Morning Star News, three pastors, four elders and choir members of the St. James Anglican Cathedral were wounded in Lafia, capital of Nasarawa in central Nigeria, as they met for study and worship preparation.

Area residents said they got cuts on their heads and other parts of their bodies when about 30 Muslims attacked with motorcycle chains and wooden clubs, along with the other weapons.

An area member of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ in Lafia, Joshua Nuhu Kuju, told Morning Star News that a Muslim woman incited the Muslims to attack after she had an argument over payment with a young Christian man who runs the church's water borehole (a way to get water).

Property damaged at St. James Anglican Cathedral
 in Lafia, Nigeria.
(Morning Star News photo)
"The Muslim woman sent her children to purchase water from the church's borehole, and then a misunderstanding over about 5 naira (less than 1 US cent)," he said. "The Muslim woman then went and invited some of her Muslim neighbors, who stormed the church and attacked the members of the church."

The assailants also damaged Bibles and broke chairs, he said.

Rev. Isaac Onwusongaonye of St. James Anglican Cathedral, of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), told Morning Star News that at about 6 p.m., as he and six other church leaders were meeting for Bible study preparation and the choir was about to begin rehearsal, a church member told them that someone was arguing with the young man in charge of the church-run water borehole, Peter Aleku.

"When we enquired of the water seller what happened, he said that a girl, a (Muslim) neighbor, came and bought water worth 20 naira (1 US cent) and did not pay," Onwusongaonye said.
He added, "Shortly after, the girl's sister came and fetched water worth 5 naira an d paid 20 naira and demanded 15 naira in change. But the water seller told her that, for the change, to meet her sister who bought water earlier and did not pay."
The girl was upset and told her mother about the exchange, the clergyman said.

"The woman came and threatened that she had a son who was capable of demolishing the church, and that she would call him to come and fight the water seller," he said. "One of our sextons decided to give the woman the 20 naira, which the woman collected; the woman also slapped the water seller two times, yet she called her notorious son."

When the woman's son arrived, security guards prevented him from entering the church premises at two points - the borehole area and the main gate, Morning Star News reported Onwusongaonye said. One of the church leaders suggested they report the matter to police, but another suggested they wait for tensions to cool and instead talk with the family the next day, he said.

"As we resumed our Bible study, all we saw was a mob coming into the church through the main gate," Onwusongaonye added.
He continued, "This notorious boy went and called his gang, mostly butchers. They came with knives, clubs, motorcycle chains, iron poles, wood, etc. As they were terrorizing the church members, their fellow Muslim youths playing football at the field adjacent to the church jumped in through the fence and helped the gang. This gang beat the security men at the gate mercilessly with wood, chain and iron."

Seriously wounded, the security guards were rushed to the hospital, he said.

"They also slapped some of our elders who tried to appeal to them," Morning Star News reported Onwusongaonye said. "They even forcefully collected a handset from one of our pastors. I narrowly dodged a big stone thrown at me, and Ven Shigudu narrowly escaped from being stabbed."

The clergyman said intervention by police who were told about the attack saved the cathedral from burning down.

"After some minutes of terrorism, the boys left - some of them were asking w hy they did not destroy the church, especially the window glass," Onwusongaonye said. "So they later regrouped to come back for total destruction, but with the quick intervention of police from A Division, the boys ran as they saw the police van."

Police detained the ringleader's mother when the gang fled, releasing her only after the family later produced her son. He was arrested, and Morning Star News reported that at press time the case was still under investigation.

Many years ago the church had decided to create a water borehole and charge a minimal fee because of the community's difficulties in securing drinking water, Onwusongaonye said. Established in Lafia in the early 1940s, the church has about 300 members.

Nasarawa state is located in Nigeria's volatile middle belt, west of Plateau state, between the predominantly Muslim north and largely Christian south. Christians make up 51.3 percent of Nigeria's population of 158.2 million, while Muslims account for 45 percent.
Those practicing indigen ous religions may be as high as 10 percent of the total population, according to Operation World, so the percentages of Christians and Muslims may be less.
For more information visit http://morningstarnews.org

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Dakpa of Bhutan

 
Dakpa of Bhutan
Most of the Dakpa are farmers. Their principal crops include corn, barley, and beets. They work long hours in the fields in order to produce enough to feed their families. Other important activities include herding yaks and sheep. Since only about 3% of the land in Bhutan is available for farming, the fields are often built in terraces up the mountain sides. The most distinctive part of the Dakpa outfit is the unique felt hat. The hats are flat felt discs made from yak hair. Each hat has five tail-like "spouts" that allow water to drain and the head to stay dry. The Dakpa are virtually 100% Buddhist, following the "Red Hat" sect of Tibetan Buddhism. In addition, traditional Tibetan shamanism is practiced by some. The Dakpa remain isolated and resistant to the Gospel.
Ministry Obstacles
Geographic isolation makes access to the Dakpa difficult, and the country of Bhutan does not welcome Christian witness.
Outreach Ideas
Translation of scripture into the Brokpake language is needed, as well as Gospel recordings. Pray for funds and workers.
Pray for the followers of Christ
There are a few followers of Christ among the Dakpa. Pray they will grow in their faith. Pray they will desire to share the good news of Christ with family and friends, not being unduly timid. Pray that scripture will soon become available in their language.
Pray for the entire people group
Pray these Buddhist peoples may be given the gift of awareness of sin, and the need for a Savior. Pray their hearts will be prepared when the good news of Christ comes to them.
Scripture Focus
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" Isaiah 52:7
 

People Name: Dakpa
Country: Bhutan
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 5,700
World Population: 5,700
Language: Brokpake
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Bible: None
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: No
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.2

Senin, 26 Agustus 2013

Bisaya, Sabah Bisaya of Malaysia

 
Bisaya, Sabah Bisaya of Malaysia
The Bisaya are an indigenous people of the northwest and the coast line of Borneo, Malaysia. Bisayas indigenous people settled in Borneo thousands of years ago. The traditional musical instruments consist of Kulintangan, gong, and many small gongs. "It is as if somebody just beats the gong and everyone - men, women, young, and old - just starts to dance." Most Bisaya are Muslims, but usually mixed with traditional religions. The dukun, or herbalist-curer, acts as a witch doctor. A spirit medium uses trances at public ceremonies to cure people.
Ministry Obstacles
Spiritual opposition will be encountered as Jesus Christ is presented to this Muslim/ Animist people. Pray against this.
Outreach Ideas
There are quite a number of evangelical Christians in Malaysia. Please pray that some will be given an interest in and a burden for the Bisaya people. Pray the Lord will lead them to share Christ with the Bisaya, and will remain to disciple them.
Pray for the followers of Christ
There may be a few Christians among the Bisaya people today, but even this much is not certain. Pray for those followers of Christ who will soon be coming to faith, that they will learn to be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
Pray for the entire people group
Pray all the Bisaya tribe will be drawn away from worshipping created beings, and will be set free to worship the one and only Creator God.
Scripture Focus
"And to Him was given dominion,Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations, and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed." Daniel 7:14
 

People Name: Bisaya, Sabah Bisaya
Country: Malaysia
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 22,000
World Population: 36,000
Language: Bisaya, Sabah
Primary Religion: Islam
Bible: Portions
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.1


Silti of Ethiopia

 
Silti of Ethiopia
A considerable number of Silt'e live in Addis Ababa, Adama and other cities and smaller urban centers of southern Ethiopia where they make a living as merchants or keepers of petty shops. In the countryside the Silt'e practice mixed farming and cultivate ensete. They inhabit today's Silt'e Zone which is part of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region. The name Silt'i is derived from the alleged ancestor Gen Silt'i. The modern ethnonym Silt'e was chosen in memory of this ancestor and as a reminiscence of the old Islamic sultanate of Hadiyya the Silte, whom people claim a historical relation to. Almost all Silt'e are Muslim.
Ministry Obstacles
Spiritual opposition can be expected when Jesus is presented to a person or to a people. Workers should be prepared for this by being constant in prayer.
Outreach Ideas
There are wonderful opportunities to show the love of Christ to the people of silti especially in areas of health and education.
Pray for the followers of Christ
Followers of Christ among the Silti need prayer support. Pray they will live holy lives, honoring Christ in all they do.
Pray for the entire people group
There are wonderful opportunities to show the love of Christ to the people of silti especially in areas of health and education. There is a need for addressing poverty, human development, rural development, food security, capacity building, greater commercialization of agriculture, enhancement of private sector development, and industrial development.
Scripture Focus
"...that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no one else." 1 Kings 8:60
 

People Name: Silti
Country: Ethiopia
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 1,155,000
World Population: 1,155,000
Language: Silt'e
Primary Religion: Islam
Bible: Portions
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.2

Q&A: What is Prayer?

Q&A: What is Prayer?

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A reader recently sent in this question using the “Submit a Question” section in the sidebar:
What is a prayer?
Now that is a concise question! Ha! Of course, it cannot be answered so concisely…but I will try.

What is prayer?

what is prayer
Why do we think this is what prayer looks like?
We can always begin by defining prayer according to the standard English, Greek, and Hebrew dictionaries, but I think that the person who asks “What is prayer?” is not so much looking for the dictionary definition of prayer, but rather, how to pray, and how to see answers to prayer.
So in trying to answer the question, “What is prayer?” I think the simplest and most practical answer is best.
You see, most people learn about prayer by listening to others pray, and this often leads to some very bad prayer habits and practices. Most people, when they pray, seem to think that prayer requires a spiritual tone of voice, a new set of words, a sing-songy cadence and rhythm, and maybe even the repetition of certain words or phrases.
So it is not uncommon to hear people pray this way::
Father God in heaven, holy art thou above all things, and thy name, Father God, is worthy to be praised, Father God.  Hallelujah! Praise Jeeeezus! Can I hear an Amen?
Oh, Father God, Lord God, Holy Jesus, we come before you today, as your children, Father God, to beseech you with our many needs, Father God. But before we do so, oh Holy Father in Heaven, we ask thee to forgive us for our many sins. We have failed thee in so many ways, Father God, so that as the prophet Isaiah says, all our righteous works are as filthy rags before thee, Father God! And so we thank thee for sending thy holy Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord of the universe and the master of all, the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world, to die for our sins on that wretched cross, oh holy Father God, – Hallalejujah! – praise Jesus – so that we might be forgiven of our many trespasses against you, Father God…
And the prayer goes on this way for many minutes. What is prayer? Not this. The person doing the praying will often work himself up into a bit of a frenzy, until he is shouting and shaking, and people who are listening are nodding their heads, shouting “AMEN!” “HALLELUJAH!” “PRAISE JESUS!” and so on.
This may not be your practice in praying, but it is a common practice and illustrates that when it comes to the question of “What is prayer?” we often learn what prayer is not by thinking about prayer or learning from Scripture what prayer is, but rather learning by watching and listening to others pray, and frankly, we learn some very bad practices this way.
What is prayer?Even if you do not pray the way I have written above, listen to yourself pray sometime, and ask yourself, “Where did I learn how to pray this way?” Why am I saying these certain words? Why am I changing my voice? Why am I bowing my head and folding my hands? Why am I closing my eyes? Why do I pray to Jesus, or to the Holy Spirit? Why do I repeat this certain phrase over and over, or use those certain words?
So when it comes to asking, “What is prayer?” I like to tell people that prayer is nothing more than talking to God as you would talk to a spouse or a friend. Of course, although I have said it is “nothing more” than that, prayer is certainly nothing less! Think about it! The fact that we can talk to God as a man would talk to a friend! There is no idea more shocking, more amazing!
People are often jealous that Moses spoke to God as a man speaks to a friend, but the fact of the matter is that Jesus has enabled all people to speak to God in this way! We do not need a priestly mediator, or special words, or a holy language, or a spiritual frenzy in order for God to pay attention to us. All of that is religious prayer, which is not the kind of prayer God wants.
I think sometimes God sighs at our religious prayers. He rolls his eyes as we go on and on and on.
I think sometimes God sighs at our religious prayers. He rolls his eyes as we go on and on and on.
He is always paying attention to us, and is with us throughout the day, going where we go, doing what we do, and hanging out with us as we eat, as we work, as we drive. This means that we can talk to him as a man speaks to a friend.
What is prayer? it is simply telling God what is going on and keeping him the in the loop on your life. Are you angry? Tell God. Are you sad? Let him know! Did you just sin? Yeah, he saw it, and he is not mad about it, but he does want to talk to you about it. Did you see something beautiful or experience something joyful? Thanks him! Are there needs and concerns? Ask him for advice or help.
What is prayer? It is simply talking to God in a normal way, just as we talk to anybody else. 
What is prayer? It is simply talking to God in a normal way, just as we talk to anybody else. 
What this means it that if you are asking “What is prayer?” you don’t really need to read books on prayer. You don’t need to be taught how to pray. You don’t need to attend prayer training seminars. You don’t need to learn a prayer language. You don’t need to memorize lots of Scripture in order to pray. If you know how to talk, you can pray! Just imagine God sitting next to you, and talk to him as you would talk to anyone else!

KADOS -- Edisi 164 (26 Agustus -- 1 September 2013)


KADOS -- Edisi 164 (26 Agustus -- 1 September 2013)

Shalom,

Jawaban yang Tuhan berikan atas doa-doa seseorang belum tentu membuat orang itu lebih dekat kepada Tuhan, memiliki kehidupan rohani yang lebih dalam, atau memiliki gaya hidup yang penuh dengan ucapan syukur. Hal itu bisa kita lihat ketika Bangsa Israel berada di padang gurun. Ketika mereka mengalami kesulitan, Tuhan menolong mereka dengan cara yang luar biasa. Namun, hal itu tidak membuat mereka lebih taat dan dekat kepada Tuhan. Malahan, mereka berkali-kali menentang Tuhan. Biarlah melalui hal ini, kita diingatkan untuk mengucap syukur kepada Tuhan atas setiap berkat yang Tuhan berikan kepada kita. Mari berdoa.

Staf Redaksi KADOS,
Yusak
< http://doa.sabda.org >


26 Agustus 2013 -- Jemaat yang Sedang Mencari Pekerjaan

Terbatasnya lapangan pekerjaan di sektor formal masih akan berlanjut meskipun pemerintah sudah berusaha untuk menciptakan lebih banyak lapangan pekerjaan baru. Tidak sedikit pencari kerja yang menjadi korban perusahaan penyedia jasa tenaga kerja (PJTKI). Doakan agar jemaat yang sedang mencari pekerjaan dilindungi dari PJTKI yang tidak bertanggung jawab, sebaliknya mereka bisa mendapatkan penyedia pekerjaan yang tepat.

27 Agustus 2013 -- Orang Tua dalam Mendidik Anak

Tidak jarang, kita mendengar berita mengenai orang tua yang berlaku kasar terhadap anaknya yang masih berada di bawah umur. Hal ini menyebabkan anak merasa tidak nyaman di rumah, menjadi trauma, dan akhirnya anak bisa meninggalkan rumah tanpa izin orang tua. Anak-anak harus mendapatkan kasih sayang yang penuh sehingga ketika dewasa nanti, mereka dapat menjadi pribadi yang berguna. Berdoalah kepada Tuhan agar para orang tua bisa mendidik anaknya dengan baik dan penuh kasih sayang. Doakan pula anak-anak yang diperlakukan kasar oleh orang tua mereka, kiranya Tuhan senantiasa melindungi mereka supaya mereka tetap memiliki karakter yang baik kelak.

28 Agustus 2013 -- Kenaikan Harga Kebutuhan Pokok

Kenaikan harga BBM turut memberikan andil terhadap kenaikan harga bahan-bahan pokok seperti beras, minyak, dan aneka bumbu dapur. Hal ini berdampak pada kehidupan masyarakat karena mereka harus menggunakan jumlah uang yang lebih banyak untuk memenuhi kebutuhan hidup sehari-hari. Berdoalah agar Tuhan memelihara dan mencukupkan kebutuhan anak-anak-Nya. Kiranya kenaikan harga yang terjadi sekarang ini disikapi dengan lebih bijaksana dalam mengatur setiap berkat yang Tuhan berikan kepada kita.

29 Agustus 2013 -- Perpustakaan Umum

Pentingnya membaca menjadi alasan utama seseorang suka membeli buku, membacanya, bahkan mengoleksinya. Tidak jarang, dari hasil koleksi buku yang dilakukan oleh seseorang, bisa ada dampak yang sangat baik untuk kemajuan masyarakat Indonesia. Caranya adalah dengan membuka perpustakaan umum. Beberapa orang sudah mulai membuka perpustakaan umum, baik di rumahnya maupun di dalam mobil (biasanya disebut perpustakaan keliling). Kegiatan ini sangat bagus dan berguna, bahkan peminatnya pun tidak hanya orang dewasa, tetapi juga anak-anak. Berdoalah kepada Tuhan Yesus agar kegiatan ini bisa terus berlanjut, menginspirasi banyak orang, dan membantu meningkatkan pengetahuan dan kecerdasan masyarakat Indonesia.

30 Agustus 2013 -- Orang Percaya yang Tinggal di Perkotaan

Kehidupan di perkotaan, terutama di kota-kota besar, sering kali bisa menjadi sangat kejam. Banyak orang yang melakukan apa pun untuk mendapatkan apa yang mereka inginkan. Hal itu bisa menimbulkan rasa tidak peduli terhadap sesama dan tidak segan-segan lagi melakukan tindakan yang bertentangan dengan norma-norma yang berlaku. Di antara mereka, ada juga orang-orang Kristen yang harus menghadapi tantangan-tantangan hidup sekuler yang tidak mengenal kasih Kristus. Berdoalah agar orang-orang percaya yang tinggal di perkotaan tidak terjerumus dan mengikuti arus untuk melakukan hal-hal yang bertentangan dengan firman Tuhan.

31 Agustus 2103 -- Kekeringan di Berbagai Daerah

Musim kemarau sudah mulai terjadi di beberapa wilayah di Indonesia. Hal ini menyebabkan beberapa daerah mengalami kekeringan, panas udara meningkat, dan kuantitas debu semakin banyak. Kekeringan ini mengakibatkan masyarakat mengalami kekurangan air bersih. Doakan agar pemerintah daerah mengirimkan bantuan air bersih ke daerah-daerah yang membutuhkan sehingga mereka dapat menggunakannya untuk kebutuhan sehari-hari.

1 September 2013 -- Hari Polisi Wanita

Hari ini diperingati sebagai Hari Polisi Wanita. Polisi Wanita atau sering disingkat dengan nama Polwan tidak dapat dipandang remeh karena mereka memiliki peran yang sangat penting dalam kesatuan Polisi Republik Indonesia. Tugas Polwan di Indonesia terus berkembang tidak hanya menyangkut masalah kejahatan wanita, anak-anak dan remaja, narkotika dan masalah administrasi, bahkan berkembang jauh hampir menyamai berbagai tugas polisi pria. Beberapa Polwan bisa menduduki posisi Kapolres. Pada tahun 2008, untuk pertama kalinya, terpilih seorang Kapolda wanita di Indonesia bernama Brigjen Rumiah yang menjadi Kapolda Banten. Doakan agar para Polwan dapat menjalankan tugas mereka dengan baik. Terlebih lagi, sekarang ini kasus kekerasan terhadap perempuan dan pelecehan seksual di angkutan umum semakin marak. Doakan juga para Polwan yang beragama Kristen agar dapat menjadi berkat di mana pun mereka ditempatkan.

Akha, Eupa of Laos

 
Akha, Eupa of Laos
The Eupa Akha tribe migrated into Laos from southern China some time during the 19th century. "Although the Akha have no written history, a rich heritage of legends, proverbs, and rituals gives them a sense of who they are and what being an Akha means." The Akha tribes in Laos prefer to remain separate from the Lao people and other ethnic groups, and are not often seen in urban centers. Results from the 1995 census found only 3.8% of Akha adults could read Lao, and 94.3% of Akha adults had never attended any level of school.
Ministry Obstacles
A potential obstacle to the Gospel is that it may come to the Akha people only in written form. This is not of much value if the people are unable to read it.
Outreach Ideas
Workers trained in telling stories from scripture are needed for the Ahka tribes. Also, audio recordings of stories and scripture will be helpful.
Pray for the followers of Christ
Although there are presently no known followers of Jesus among the Eupa Akha, pray for those the Lord will soon draw to himself. Pray for workers who can speak their language to be sent to teach them the scriptures.
Pray for the entire people group
Pray for rising literacy rates among the highly illiterate Akha tribes, and for the availability of good schools for the children.
Scripture Focus
"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples." Psalm 96:3
 

People Name: Akha, Eupa
Country: Laos
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 800
World Population: 800
Language: Akha
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Bible: Complete
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.1

Bengkulu of Indonesia

 
Bengkulu of Indonesia
The Bengkulu are descended from the union of multiple ethnic groups who have migrated to the area, and live mainly in the city of Bengkulu. Every extended family has a respected and esteemed leader who is called ninik mamak. All the ninik mamak from the extended families form a council to lead the Bengkulu community. Their arts are very similar to those found in other Malay groups. For instance, the Bengkulu Malay sing and perform the randai dance, the umbrella dance, the candle dance, the plate dance, and the handkerchief dance. The majority of the Bengkulu are Muslim. However, they still hold certain traditional ceremonies and rituals according to their older animistic beliefs. These animistic ceremonies are focused on seeking protection from spirits.
Ministry Obstacles
The Gospel of grace, undeserved favor from God, is difficult to believe and accept by those who have been taught a religion of personal effort in order to obtain favor from God.
Outreach Ideas
Perhaps Christians in other Indonesian tribes will gain an interest in the Bengkulu people, and will take steps to tell them of eternal life to be found in the person of Jesus Christ. Pray these Christians will persevere in this, and not give up.
Pray for the followers of Christ
It is doubtful if any of the Bengkulu people know and follow Jesus Christ at this time. Pray the Lord will begin stirring hearts so they will be interested in the good news of Christ when it comes to them.
Pray for the entire people group
They need better technology and increased investment to better manage their fishing and boat making. Malaria is still a great problem as well. They need better knowledge on how to better build and maintain their homes so that they can endure the harsh coastal storms.
Scripture Focus
'Again he says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people." And again, "Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, And let all the peoples praise Him." Romans 15:10-11
 

People Name: Bengkulu
Country: Indonesia
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 76,000
World Population: 76,000
Language: Malay, Central
Primary Religion: Islam
Bible: New Testament
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.1

Jumat, 23 Agustus 2013

MYANMAR

#32 - Myanmar

Rated as - Moderate in Persecution
Rank: 32
Score: 50/100
Leader: President Thein Sein
Government: Transition to parliamentary democracy
Main Religion: Buddhism
Population: 54.5 million (4.6 million Christians)
Christian Persecution in Myanmar
*Representative photo used to protect identity.


Attacks on Christians in Burma continue in Kachin state as Burmese Army troops killed a civilian, and destroyed church property despite President Thein Sein's order to stop the war against insurgents.

A Baptist church in Loije, Bhamo district, held a funeral for 47 year-old Maran Zau Ja, who was shot dead without provocation by the Burmese Army's Light Infantry Battalion. Zau Ja was a farmer who was returning from his sugarcane field with a friend when troops sprayed bullets at them. His friend survived the gunshots.

The two were not armed insurgents of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the armed wing of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) that has fought for autonomy in the Christian-majority state since the early 1960s, when then-Burmese Prime Minister U Nu made Buddhism the official state religion.

About 90 percent of the roughly 56 million people living in Burma, also known as Myanmar, are Buddhist, mostly from the Burman ethnic group. Burmese soldiers see, "all Kachin civilians as the enemy," the Kachin News Group recently quoted a Kachin village elder as saying.

ARBORE, ERBORE OF ETHIOPIA

 
Arbore, Erbore of Ethiopia
The Arbore people live west of the Woito river (which flows from north to south into the swampy plain which was once lake Stefanie), northeast of the lake, and on the right bank of the lower Sagan. They are very active traders and spread into distant areas. They exchange cattle for agricultural products from the Amare Kokke and acquire worked iron from the Kerre and Borana. They build their huts slightly oval in shape. The Arbore have a bodily mutilation of raised dots on the chest and abdomen. They believe in a Supreme Being creator and father of men whom they call Waq.
Ministry Obstacles
Spiritual opposition will almost always be present when Jesus is presented. Pray against this, so the Arbore will be free to understand and believe the message.
Outreach Ideas
There are many evangelical Christians in Ethiopia. Pray that some of these will be given a burden to take the Gospel to the Arbore people.
Pray for the followers of Christ
There are probably about 100 individuals in this tribe who are evangelical Christians. Pray they will be taught accurately the ways of Christ, live in harmony with one another and live holy lives.
Pray for the entire people group
Please pray the Arbore tribe will soon hear accurately of who Jesus is, and what he has done for them. Pray they will hear this message several times, and in different formats.
Scripture Focus
"Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations." Luke 24:46-47
 

People Name: Arbore, Erbore
Country: Ethiopia
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 9,000
World Population: 9,000
Language: Arbore
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Bible: None
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.2