Amdo, Hbrogpa in China

Amdo, Hbrogpa in China "Hbrogpa" which means "nomad" or "herder" in Tibetan, is the largest of the four main Amdo languages. Most Amdo are semi-nomadic herders of sheep, yaks, and goats. Horrendous clashes with the Chinese have resulted in massive loss of life among the Amdo. The Dalai Lama listed 49,049 deaths from battles within the Amdo regions before 1983, in addition to 121,982 deaths from starvation. Ministry Obstacles The Tibetan region is difficult for outsiders to enter. Outreach Ideas Christians need to build bridges of trust and friendship with the Amdo, being genuinely concerned with their physical and material needs. Pray for the followers of Christ Pray for the Amdo who follow Christ, that they will fellowship together and will grow in love for Christ and for each other. Pray they will be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Pray for the entire people group Pray the Amdo will increasingly be aware of their need for a savior, and will understand that a savior has been provided. Scripture Focus "How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" Romans 10:14-15		People Name: Amdo, Hbrogpa Country: China 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 724,000 World Population: 724,000 Language: Tibetan, Amdo Primary Religion: Buddhism Bible: Portions Audio NT (FCBH): No Jesus Film: Yes Audio Recordings: Yes Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level:

Finding God in the Graveyard of Hope: The Smile

Finding God in the Graveyard of Hope: The Smile

ICC visits Kandhamal, the site of the largest incident of Christian persecution in India's history. Read More

Time to send a ‘May Day’ signal!

Time to send a ‘May Day’ signal! (Writer’s Opinion)

By Charles Gardner, Special to ASSIST News Service

DONCASTER, UK (ANS – July 16, 2016) -- “May Day” was how one of Britain’s top-selling tabloids greeted the announcement of Theresa May as its new Prime Minister.

It was quite appropriate, really, as the country reels from the shock of the referendum vote to leave the European Union. But there is indeed a call for much alarm and “dis-may.” For in spite of appearances of calm assurance, we are all at sea as a nation, and rapidly heading for the rocks, unless…

The short-term effect, from Israel’s perspective, is helpful. Both Mrs. May and new Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson are friends of the Jewish state. But just as God expects more from his chosen people than mere survival and economic prosperity, so he does of Great Britain which has experienced huge blessing over the centuries. As our Lord said, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required…” (Luke 12.48 ESV) More than anything else, God wants his people to repent of their waywardness and return to him.

Yet in her speech outside No 10 Downing Street, the PM’s official residence, Mrs. May made a priority of commending her predecessor on the “social justice” he had achieved by changing the law on marriage to allow people of the same sex to wed. [1] And I’m led to believe that Mrs. May (as Home Secretary) had encouraged David Cameron on this measure in order to appeal to Britain’s gay community.

Opposition Leader Jeremy Corbyn also commended the outgoing PM on this achievement while reminding him that it wouldn’t have passed without Labour support. And Mr. Cameron himself told Parliament in response that a comment of gratitude from one of his staff, who had benefited from the new law, was among the highlights of his time in office.

When I think of social reform, I think of the Bible-believing evangelical leaders of the 19th century like slave trade abolitionist William Wilberforce and those who campaigned against child labor like Lord Shaftesbury and James Montgomery. [2]

But instead of hanging our heads in shame at the brazen promotion of homosexuality (see Romans 1.26 & 27), our political leaders actually boast about it! And it is seen as among an otherwise competent Prime Minister’s special legacies.

As to Wilberforce, the abolition of slavery was only one element of his two-pronged goal, the other being to effect a “reformation of manners” in the nation, by which he meant moral reform and a return to living by biblical principles. And with the help of great gospel preachers, he lived to see his nation receive a “new heart” expressed in compassion for men and love for God. Now we are enslaved by sin, selfishness, secularism – and much besides.

Most of us are aware that we in the UK are sailing in choppy, uncharted waters and that, if we are not careful, the ship of state will crash onto the rocks. Yes, it’s time to send that “May Day” signal!

The urgent need of the hour is to return to the Lord who has never failed us in the past. When we turned as a nation to prayer as the dark shadow of Nazism hung over our shores, God delivered us through the miracle of Dunkirk which saw a host of little ships rescue our men, and our hopes.

Who among our leaders now is brave enough to call the nation back to prayer and godly living?

Notes

1) By contrast to Mrs. May, the vicar’s daughter, Margaret Thatcher, the grocer’s daughter, nailed her colors to the mast by quoting the Prayer of St Francis on entering No 10 in 1979: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith…” True, she made many enemies because she refused to compromise over principles, but her motivation was undoubtedly borne of faith.

2) Wilberforce and Lord Shaftesbury were also at the forefront of promoting Jewish restoration, both physically to the land and spiritually to the Lord.

Photo captions: 1) Theresa May outside her new home at 10 Downing Street, London. 2) Theresa May and her husband, Philip, entering Downing Street.  3) Theresa May meets with the Queen at Buckingham Palace to present her credentials. (EPA). 4) The “Iron Lady” -- Margaret Thatcher. 5) Charles Gardner with his wife, Linda.

About the writer: Charles Gardner is a veteran Cape Town-born British journalist working on plans to launch a new UK national newspaper reporting and interpreting the news from a biblical perspective. With his South African forebears having had close links with the legendary devotional writer Andrew Murray, Charles is similarly determined to make an impact for Christ with his pen and has worked in the newspaper industry for more than 41 years. Part-Jewish, he is married to Linda, who takes the Christian message around many schools in the Yorkshire town of Doncaster. Charles has four children and nine grandchildren. He is the author of Peace in Jerusalem, available from http://olivepresspublisher.com. Charles can be reached by phone on +44 (0) 1302 832987, or by e-mail at chazgardner@btinternet.com .

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Nice -- no longer a nice place to vacation

Nice -- no longer a nice place to vacation (Writer’s Opinion)

Why France has become such a target for terrorists?

By Janey DeMeo, Special to ASSIST News Service, who lived in France for 22 years

NICE, FRANCE (ANS – July 16, 2016) -- As terror has once again hit France, this time killing 84 people -- including ten children and two Americans -- and wounding over two hundred, many fears and questions arise.

As onlookers enjoyed Bastille Day celebration fireworks on Thursday, July 14th (similar to America’s Independence Day), a huge refrigerated truck driven by a 31-year-old Tunisian, Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, which was full of explosives and ammunition, charged into the crowds at the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, southern France, wreaking chaos.

This deadly massacre came just eight months after the deadly terror attack at the Bataclan club in Paris (see my article here: http://www.assistnews.net/index.php/component/k2/item/1225-paris-city-of-sadness), and was preceded by the deadly January 2015 Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack, also in Paris.

Earlier this year, Belgium was struck with terror, not to mention many other parts of the world, including closer to home in Orlando, at the gay Pulse nightclub last month (and in San Bernardino, California, in November 2015). The rapid escalation of these massacres is alarming.

But what is it about France that particularly allows such heinous acts to creep in? Let’s look more closely at what happened in Nice and try to understand it.

First take a look at the killer, Tunisian-born Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel who was a career criminal known to police. He was also a radicalized Muslim. According to Col. Allen West’s recent article, Lahouaiej-Bouhlel was heard shouting “Allahu Akbar” — “God is great” in Arabic, before opening fire on police officers there to protect the once joyful crowd of 30,000.

France’s President, François Hollande, says that Lahouaiej-Bouhlel “was radicalized very quickly.” He was known as being aggressive and a loner who became depressed when his wife left him. But none of this suggests why someone would open themselves up to radicalization, so we need to look at it in its context in France.

As a former missionary, ministering in France with my husband, Louis, for some 22 years, I will share my experience of living there. Many people we met were charming, but very few knew God. And it was nonetheless not uncommon to meet people who were also aggressive, lonely or depressed. No doubt, an education system which propagates that God does not exist, didn’t help; in fact, it offered no hope.

We lived in a village between Nimes and Montpellier (where we founded a church and the Nimes Theological Institute). Many of our neighbors were Muslims. Among them, several were violent, and threatened to beat up kids in our church. In our many years there, few Muslims received the Lord in spite of our reaching out to them. Only one girl in our Bible College, Naima, was a former Muslim. (She had escaped from Algeria where her life was in danger because she had received Christ via a radio broadcast.)

Our strategy to reach the Muslims was no different than the way we hoped to reach everyone else: prayer, friendship (where possible), and evangelism.

Louis and I often rose early to walk around the village and pray for souls, and many people from our church joined us. Then, every Saturday night, together with people from our church, we would evangelize in Nimes, Montpellier or even Marseilles -- a port city about 1½ hours from where we lived, which is reportedly 40% Islamic. And, one of my favorite activities, on Saturday afternoons, was when we held a Bible club for kids living in the Zup (aka project areas).

Many of those children came from Muslim families. We would ask the mothers (we rarely saw any fathers) if we could take the kids for a few hours to play games, enjoy a yummy snack and -- wait for it -- teach the Bible. Perhaps the prospect of getting rid of their kids for a few hours was too much to resist, so many let the kids come.

But here’s the cruncher. Contrary to French people, who average one child per family, sometimes two, Muslims have many children. They are encouraged to proliferate and thereby take over nations. So we typically had, for example, Achbed, Rachid, Mohamed, Karim and Moustafa -- all from one family. This was between 1981 and 2004. Thus, all those children are adults today. To my knowledge few are going on with Jesus today, but all of them who attended regularly heard the Gospel. When things get rough, let us hope they will remember who the real God is.

But what about all of the Muslims who have never heard the Gospel? When we lived in France, there were reportedly only ½% evangelical Christians in the nation. No wonder we never came across another church or Christians evangelizing. Such absence of the Gospel message leaves a vacuum. And together with a sense of hopelessness, vacuums can open doors to dangerous ideology.

It is wort noting that France, like the UK and Germany, has for decades opened their arms wide to refugees and particularly those from Muslim countries. Marion Maréchal-Le Pen, the Front National MP for Vaucluse, sees this as a link to terrorism. In a video posted on Facebook, she recognized that terrorism is the killer’s goal, but suggests that it is fostered by excessive immigration. “Those also responsible are those who, each year, allow a number of immigrants equivalent to the size of the city of Bordeaux, to legally enter France,” states Maréchal-Le Pen. She also tweeted, “If we don’t kill Islamism, it will kill us.”

Whether we agree with those statements of not, it seems that France has reached a tipping point. And it came about progressively, slowly, like boiling a frog. And while the influx may have begun in part because France feels bad about colonizing Algeria in the 1800s, it is now a way of life and will probably not be stopped. So what can we do? I do not pretend to have all the answers but here a biblical response. Let’s pray for laborers to go into the harvest, for churches to actively live and preach the Gospel. Let’s pray for souls and evangelize.

Who knows: God might put someone on our path who doesn’t yet know Jesus but who, like my husband and I, may end up church-planting and evangelizing in France. Some sow, some water. Everyone has a part to play. What is yours?

Photo captions: 1) 1) The killer truck surround by first-responders after the driver was killed. (Reuters). 2) Bodies strewn in the street. 3) The killer’s ID. 4) Muslims living in France make their views known. 5) The DeMeo’s and their original team to France in the 1980s. 5) Louis and Janey DeMeo, pictured at the studios of the Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network (http://hsbn.tv), after doing an interview there about their time in France. (Photo: Dan Wooding).

About the writer: Janey DeMeo is founding-president of Orphans First -- a Christ-centered non-profit ministry helping underprivileged children around the world. She is an author, freelance writer and Bible teacher -- and has worked with husband, Louis, as a church-planter in France for 22 years. Her website is: www.orphansfirst.org.

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Where is God in This Madness?

Where is God in This Madness?

By Brian Nixon, Special to ASSIST News Service

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO (ANS—July 17, 2016) -- As I type these words, a push notification from BBC news tells me that three policemen have been shot and killed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana [1]. This, of course, comes on the heels of five officers slain in Dallas, Texas [2]. And when you add the second terrorist attack in France [3], the coup in Turkey [4], the ongoing struggle against terrorist worldwide, and ecological and human destruction [5], one may ask, “Where is God in all of this madness.”

The answer of the question is found in scripture. In Psalm 46, the writer paints a picture of a similar scene: in the midst of ecological destruction (vs. 2-3), national unrest (vs. 6), and war (vs. 9)—God was in the midst, acting as His people’s “refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

And what was true in ancient days is true today. God is with us in trial and turmoil.

“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

“There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

“The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

“Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.

“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

“The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.”

Notice some key words at the beginning of Psalm 46 (I like that they’re at the beginning—a reminder that God is present with His people at the start, not just at the end):

Refuge. The Hebrew word used by the writer is machaseh. It means a shelter. Its larger meaning is a place of refuge and hope. In times in trouble God is our shelter, our home of hope.

Strength. The Hebrew word used is oze. It means, might, power, and security. In times of insecurity, God is our secure Savior, providing power in the midst of the pain.

Present help. The phrase “present help” are the two Hebrew word, matsa and ezrah. They carry the meaning of meeting someone in order to provide aid. God is meeting us in the midst of the madness, providing aid—His presence, His word, His salvation to help mend the malady.

The writer then describes the madness in his day—as described above. Yet in the midst of the madness, God is establishing repose through a river (vs. 4), stability and strength in the midst of sadness and sudden change (vs. 5-6), and healing in the midst of hurt (vs. 8-9).

Yet it’s the final verse that is the great reminder for us in times of trial: we need to be still and know that He is God. The Hebrew word for “Be still” is of primitive root, meaning, “to slacken.” In other words, relax and release the situations to God; allow Him to render, restore, and bring restitution. Our job is to let him lead. As theologian Vernard Eller reminds us—our task as believers is to “switch from fighting their [people’s] wars to join God in fighting his war” [6]. God’s way is the best way. And God’s war is not against people, but against principalities and evil powers (see Ephesians 6:12).

Yet in order to fight according to God’s principles, we first must know God. In order to have recognition of someone or something, we must realize the reality of that person or thing.

So in times of trial, yes, be still. But while you’re still, pray that the men and women providing the dread, discomfort, and death will repent and return to God, recognizing the reality behind the scenes is ultimately not man, but evil. And pray that these people will leave the filth and find faith in Christ, learning to be still and know that He is God; joining God’s army of love.

And when the stillness is over, continue to listen as He leads, letting Him be the Lord.

1( http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36820782 

2) http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/11/us/dallas-shooting-investigation/ 

3) http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/16/europe/france-attack-on-nice-isis/ 

4) http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36818401 

5) http://time.com/4404981/biodiversity-study-human-welfare/ 

6) See Manual of Arms for the Armless: War and Peace for Genesis to Revelation

Photo captions: 1) Police in Baton Rouge. 2) Police in Dallas. 3) Police caring for the hurt in France. 4) Brian Nixon.

About the writer: Brian Nixon is a writer, musician, and minister. He's a graduate of California State University, Stanislaus (BA) and is a Fellow at Oxford Graduate School (D.Phil.). To learn more, click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Nixon.

Note: If you would like to help support the ASSIST News Service at this violent time in world history, please go to www.assistnews.net and click on the DONATE TO ASSIST NEWS button to make your tax-deductible gift (in the US), which will help us continue to bring you these important stories. If you prefer a check, please make it out to ASSIST and mail it to: PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609, USA. Thank you.

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God's Mercy is Bigger than your Mistakes

God's Mercy is Bigger than your Mistakes (Writer's Opinion)

By Carol Round, Special to ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net)

GROVE, OK (ANS - July 17, 2016) -- “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time” — 2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV).

Posting encouraging sayings and Bible verses on Facebook is part of my ministry. The responses I receive from others about my posts encourage and bless me too.

Recently, I posted the following: “God’s mercy is bigger than your mistakes.” I received the usual responses like “Amen” and “Praise God.” However, one response baffled me. The woman who responded is not a “friend” on Facebook but can still see my posts. She wrote, “I don’t know about that.”

When I answered with, “Yes, it’s true,” she replied with “I hope you’re right.”

I encouraged her to read the Bible. Later that day, I decided to search for scriptures to reassure her. After locating 37 different verses about God’s mercy, I posted several below her response in hopes it would help her. I wondered why she felt God’s mercy could not overcome her mistakes. I also wondered about the mistakes she had made.

We all make mistakes. None of us are perfect. It’s how we learn, and if we are willing to admit we made wrong choices, we grow in wisdom.

Paul reminds us in Romans 3:23-24 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Former pastor and Christian blogger Lon Hetrick wrote, “In regard to our mistakes, we sometimes say that God is the God of second chances. But, I think it’s more correct to say that God is the God of zero chances. We learn from Scripture that favor with Him doesn’t depend on us and our wisdom, or goodness, or faithfulness. He isn’t waiting for you to get your act together, your head screwed on straight, to try again and get it right this time.

“He offers his favor freely because of Christ’s wisdom, goodness and faithfulness, not yours. It’s done. Finished. Sealed. If you belong to Christ, if you have come to Him, He will not turn you away, nor let you wander away. Ever. He is faithful to His people. No second chances offered. No second chances needed. He will not abandon you.”

I don’t know about you, but I find that very comforting. Numerous times in scripture, we read the words, “He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Does that mean He will only remain with us when we do everything right? Hardly. Remember the Israelites in the desert? They grumbled constantly. They ignored Moses’ directives from God. They doubted God.

Yet, we read in Deuteronomy 31:8, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. ‘Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’”

Don’t let poor choices and sins define you. God’s grace is bigger than that. It’s amazing.

Photo captions: 1) God's mercy is bigger than your mistakes. (https://prestonrentz.wordpress.com/). 2) Carol Round.

Note: I always love hearing from my readers. Please feel free to email me with your thoughts at carol@carolaround.com. You can also visit my blog at www.carolaround.com.

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Khampa, Western in China

Khampa, Western in China For centuries the Khampa have terrorized other Tibetans. During the 1950s they formed guerrilla groups and took over considerable territory. Many Khampa wear lucky charms, magical strings, or amulet boxes around the neck. The men are never without a weapon. The practice of brothers sharing one wife still occurs in some places. The Khampa rely on demons, ghosts, and the spirits of disembodied deities to guide their decisions. Many monks are able to call up fearsome demons, who sometimes become visible in front of them. The Western Khampa are "the epitome of an unreached people group." Ministry Obstacles To follow Christ within the Khampa community is likely to require overcoming fear. Fear of evil spirits, and fear of other people's reactions. Outreach Ideas Much focused prayer is required to set the Khampa free from darkness. Pray for the light of the Gospel of Jesus to deeply penetrate the darkness. Pray for the followers of Christ There may be a few followers of Jesus among the Western Khampa. They need prayer support. Pray they will grow in Christ, resting fully in his provision. Pray they learn to live in the power of His Spirit, demonstrating love, joy, peace, and all the fruit of the Spirit. Pray they will forgive one another, just as Christ forgave them. Pray for the entire people group Pray the Western Khampa people will be released from the bondage and fear of evil. Pray they will be fully set free by the power of Christ. Scripture Focus "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6		People Name: Khampa, Western Country: China 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 260,000 World Population: 260,000 Language: Tibetan, Khams Primary Religion: Buddhism Bible: None Audio NT (FCBH): No Jesus Film: Yes Audio Recordings: Yes Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level:

Being Homeless Can Be Deadly!

Being Homeless Can Be Deadly!

By Jeremy Reynalds, Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service (jeremyreynalds@gmail.com )

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (ANS-July 17, 2016) -- The National Coalition for the Homeless  (NCH) recently released its report   “No Safe Street: A Survey of Hate Crimes and Violence Committed Against Homeless People in 2014 & 2015" It’s alarming, to say the least!

The report says that last year there were 77 documented cases of attacks resulting in 27 deaths. It also notes that the FBI does not currently recognize protected status for people who are homeless.

In 2014 and 2015 combined, there were 199 attacks, 53 of which resulted in death.

Over the past 17 years, NCH has recorded 1,657 crimes committed against this unprotected group. As a result of these attacks, 428 people lost their lives.

While these statistics are troubling on their own, it is quite possible that the number of attacks were much higher as it’s likely that a number go unreported.

However, some recent violent and deadly attacks on the homeless in San Diego have made national news and are horrifying examples of the dangers with which the unhoused homeless have to contend.

Of the five homeless men who were attacked in early July, three have died and two are in critical condition.

 According to CNN,  San Diego police have now arrested a 39-year-old man in connection with the series of attacks.

Jon David Guerrero was taken into custody Friday. He's been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, and two counts of arson.

“We can all rest a little easier tonight knowing that this predator is off our streets,” San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman said at a news conference Saturday.

Zimmerman added, “These evil acts of violence committed by Guerrero were some of the worst that I've seen in my 34 years in law enforcement. This killer has targeted some of our community's most vulnerable citizens while they were sleeping.”

Guerrero had a long history of crime and mental health issues, and was living in subsidized housing for the poor and homeless according to an NBC affiliate.

We asked some of our Joy Junction guests whether they had ever felt unsafe while experiencing homelessness.

One woman said she had been attacked with a knife and thrown down after she finished working a late shift. She said that everything was taken from her, including her purse. Understandably, it traumatized her.

She added, “I still hold that fear today. I am learning to call on the Lord for his protection everyday when I have to go into town. I never know what might happen.”

One man said he spent two years on the streets, and for many nights didn't sleep for fear of being robbed or assaulted.

“One night I got jumped by two guys just so they could steal my backpack with my last few dollars in it. There are many dangers on the streets here.”

Another guest said that he’s felt unsafe primarily because he didn’t know who he could trust.

He added, “Would I be harmed or not? Who would take my belongings? I also feel unsafe because I don't know how to defend myself if such a situation ever arose. So far, I've never been physically attacked. Thank God! (However), I have been insulted many times for just being homeless.”

One man has experienced difficulties while using the bus. “I've been insulted many times. Teenagers always like to mess with me. They taunt me and make fun of me. I probably bring it on myself. I don't know. To be honest, I'm getting used to it.’

He added, “I don't have any really nice clothes. I don't bathe as much as I should. So, you can say that I'm the perfect kind of homeless person. Maybe that's the reason I don't change my ways. I try to be nice to others by keeping to myself.’

Somewhat poignantly he concluded, “I feel unsafe, but that’s life for the homeless.”

Another man has also had a bad experience using public transportation.

He said, “I know that whenever I get on the bus, I'm going to hear insults and comments about the homeless. I'm tired of the prejudice. Many homeless people can't help being without a home. The just don't know the whole story.”

A woman told us that after being released from the hospital and waiting for a ride to Joy Junction, some healthcare workers gave her a hard time.

“They made comments about me possibly being crazy and that I had no place to go ... One comment was that I deserved what I had coming to me.’

The woman added, “She didn't even know my situation. I go places, and people stare and make rude comments like I have the plague.”

One woman said being homeless has not caused her or her family to feel unsafe. They’ve never been insulted or physically attacked.

However, she added, ‘We have at times felt unsafe around other homeless people, especially for my children.”

Another woman said she has never felt unsafe because she knows her husband would “protect me at all cost.”

She reflected, “But I still felt unsure and worried – a little scared ... We are thankful for Joy Junction.”

Another guy told us that when he arrived in Albuquerque, he was just coming out of ten years in prison. However, his situation was a little different.

He said his first night on the streets he got into a fight because of being insulted.

He added, “Anger took me over that night. So, I've never been attacked, but I've attacked because of being insulted. I've never felt safe on the streets; probably never will.”

So how bad is the situation? As NCH says in its report, “Hate crimes against the homeless community are a vital issue in need of public attention.”

Photo captions: 1) Young thug about to beat a homeless man with a baseball bat. 2) An attacker mercilessly attacks a homeless man in Venice Beach, California, with a folding chair. 3) Jeremy and Elma Reynalds.

About the writer: Jeremy Reynalds is Senior Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, a freelance writer and also the founder and CEO of Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter, www.joyjunction.org. He has a master's degree in communication from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in Los Angeles. His newest book is "From Destitute to Ph.D." Additional details on the book are available at www.myhomelessjourney.com. Reynalds lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife, Elma. For more information contact: Jeremy Reynalds at jeremyreynalds@gmail.com .

 

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CEN’s ReadyBatonRouge Responds to today’s Officer Shootings

CEN’s ReadyBatonRouge Responds to today’s Officer Shootings

By Michael Ireland, Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net)

PHOENIX, AZ (ANS, July 17, 2016) -- Christian Emergency Network (CEN) is responding to the latest shooting of police officers in Baton Rouge, LA by calling all Christians to prayer and supporting ReadyBatonRouge to assist the community in building bridges between local law enforcement and the community.

In today’s shooting incident, three Police officers are reported to be dead, three officers are wounded and one is in critical condition. Two suspects remain at large while one suspect is dead from an active shooter incident in Baton Rouge, LA today.

“CEN is monitoring the unfolding situation, bringing awareness to the Christian community and setting up a virtual response team to support ReadyBatonRouge. CEN is activating its chaplaincy network on the heels of the Dallas, TX Police Department incident,” Mary Marr of CEN told ASSIST News Service (ANS).

In a statement made available to ANS, Marr said: “CEN stands with Baton Rouge, LA Mayor who has called for Christian churches, in particular, to bring the Hope of Christ by tangibly bringing the community together to bridge the gap between the law enforcement and the community.

“CEN ReadyBatonRouge is responding to that call by assisting local leaders to identify their unique critical needs by offering timely biblical principles to help their community come into agreement to meet those needs together, and by supporting their biblical response to the actual crisis.”

ReadyCity and ReadyChurch FREE trainings equip churches and city networks in these critical times to self-organize and mobilize to respond biblically for such a time as this. Learn More here www.christianemergencynetwork.org.

Marr is asking Christians across the US to pray for the families of the slain Baton Rouge officers as well as the suspect to know the “peace that passes all understanding” as only Christ can provide, and also for first responders to have protection and wisdom for the days ahead.

Marr also suggests prayer for CEN’s ReadyBatonRouge leaders to assist the community to come together in peaceful partnership with local law enforcement, to identify the needs of the community, and to respond to those needs in a God honoring manner.

Finally, Marr is urging Christians to stand together with greater awareness of the threats and risks to the Christian community, by collaborating and training fellow Christians in biblical readiness, and by standing together in biblical response to these multiple attacks nationwide so that Christ may be made known.

CEN’s ReadyBatonRouge response will include prayer gatherings, organizing and facilitating citywide “need identifying” gatherings, tangibly caring for the officers’ families, and by lovingly sharing the Gospel with those who are affected in this community and beyond.

To get started with a CEN ‘Ready’response team in your area:

1. Go to www.christianemergencynetwork.org

2. Download CEN’s FREE ‘ReadyChurch’ online training

3. Contact a CEN Advisor for assistance as needed

Marr concluded: “Every Christian needs to be ready to respond biblically to emergencies large or small. Christian Emergency Network unites Christian volunteers, community leaders and emergency professionals in equipping the Church to be aware and ready to respond in emergencies large and small.”

To learn more about how you or your Christian organization can be prepared to respond to emergencies big and small go to www.christianemergencynetwork.org.

For interviews with CEN please contact: Telephone (800) 260-5637 or mail@christianemergencynetwork.org .

Christian Emergency Network, 39506 N Daisy Mountain Drive, STE 122-614, Phoenix, Arizona 85086.

Photo captions: 1) Armed officers resopond to officer shootings in Baton Rouge (ocregister.com). 2) Mary Marr of CEN (CEN Photo). 3) CEN Logo. 4) Michael Ireland.

About the Writer: Michael Ireland is a volunteer internet journalist serving as Senior Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, as well as an Ordained Minister who has served with ASSIST Ministries and written for ASSIST News Service since its beginning in 1989. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China, and Russia. To help partner with Michael in ministry, log-on to: https://ACTINTL.givingfuel.com/ireland-michael.

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Baton Rouge shooting: What is happening to our world?

Baton Rouge shooting: What is happening to our world?	Dr. Jim Denison July 18, 2016

It has happened again. Three police officers were killed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana yesterday. Three others were injured. The gunman, a former Marine, was killed at the scene. A long-time police veteran said, "I've never experienced anything like this." The president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police noted, "This is perhaps the most difficult and dangerous time in American policing history." Our police need our support and encouragement today more than ever. The heartbreaking news from Baton Rouge followed a bloody attempted coup in Turkey that left 265 dead over the weekend. We are still grieving the tragedy in Nice, France, the police officers killed in Dallas, and the earlier fatalities in Louisiana and Minnesota. Yesterday, a dear friend texted me the question everyone is asking: What is happening to our world? ISIS is inspiring terrorism around the globe; North Korea is advancing its nuclear weapons capabilities; the European Union is fracturing; China's military reach is expanding; violence at home seems to be escalating. But the world is no more fallen today than it was last year. And Jesus is no less powerful than he has ever been. He warned us, "In the world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33a). "Tribulation" translates thlipsis, a Greek term describing the massive stone that crushed grain into flour. But then he added, "Take heart; I have overcome the world" (v. 33b). It's vital that we see our world through a biblical lens, that we view temporal events in light of eternal truth. Now that the political conventions are beginning, the Denison Forum wants to help our readers interpret these historic events in biblical context. So Nick Pitts, our Director of Cultural Engagement, will be reporting from both conventions. Nick will use Facebook Live, a live video function on our Facebook page. Each morning, he will give an overview of the day; each night, he will recap the day's highlights. Throughout the day, he will take pictures and highlight events as they occur. The Denison Forum does not and will not endorse candidates. Rather, we engage cultural issues with biblical truth. I invite you to follow our Facebook page over the next two weeks as Nick reports from the political conventions, connecting God's word with the historic events of these days. And I encourage you in troubling times to remember what matters most: God loves us personally and passionately. "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases" (Lamentations 3:22). He redeems all he allows and calls us to focus our passion and heart on him. Rachel Denison noted in a recent blog, "In our culture plagued by short-lived infatuations, Jesus is offering you an infatuation as long-lived as the stars and angels in heaven, before time began. You and I were made for this holy fixation. And he is waiting patiently with joy in his eyes. . . . He doesn't see your political affiliation, skin color or notions of him, he simply sees you. And you are all he wants. May we allow him to hold us all together. May all mankind find their true purpose and all-absorbing passion in him." Ten thousand millennia after our world and its crises are gone, God will still love you. Of all that is happening in our world, that fact matters most.     If you received this from a friend, you can subscribe here.