Pakistanis Pay Tribute to Cecil Chaudhry, a National Hero

By Ashfaq Fateh Special to ASSIST News Service LAHORE, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- People from various sections of Pakistani life, including many from the Christian community, paid tribute to Group Captain (Retired) Cecil Chaudhry, one of the Pakistani national heroes of 1965 and 1971 wars against India, at his funeral at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Lahore, on Sunday, April 15, 2012. A recent picture of Cecil Chaudhry Chaudhry, 71, a veteran fighter pilot of Pakistan Air Force, died at the age of 71, on Friday, April 13, 2012, at the Combined Military Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, after suffering from lung cancer. At the funeral, and on behalf of the ASSIST News Service-Pakistan, I spoke with Christian activists who had attended the service and they each applauded the role of Mr. Chaudhry as fighter pilot and an icon of minority rights. Rafia Salomi, a women rights activist said, "Cecil Chaudhry was the Chairman of Society for Human Development and he tasked the workers to strive to build strong Pakistan empowering the weaker sections of society including labor, religious minorities, children and women. He made several nationwide visits to educate Pakistanis to struggle for equal rights for minorities. "He trained youths like Clement Shahbaz Bhatti, the former Minister for Minorities Affairs [who was murdered on March 2, 2011] to dedicate their lives to uplift our Pakistan minorities." Rafia Salomi She went on to say, "As the head of the Christian Organizations for Social Action in Pakistan (COSAP), he struggled to restore joint electorate system in Pakistan that enabled minorities to be a part of mainstream politics of the country. His contribution to democracy will remember forever. He addressed various international forums to represent Pakistan and he highlighted the role of minorities in our country's development." Atif Jamil Pagaan, Executive Director the Harmony Foundation, said, "Cecil Chaudhry was a role model for Christian youth. As a great pilot fighter he destroyed India's hunter planes and was awarded with the Sitar-e-Jurat and Tamga Jurat awards from the President of Pakistan in recognition of his services to the nation. Later, he supported India-Pakistan peace process and was a well-known educationist. "He was one of the founding fathers of Punjab Education Foundation, a government-run education department that introduced educational development programs in the province of Punjab. He also inspired hundreds of youth to join hands to educate younger generation with the values of love, peace and hard work. He was a great politician as well." Fr. Bonnie Mendes Fr. Bonnie Mendes, one of the founding fathers of the Christian rights movement in Pakistan had been a close associate of Mr. Cecil Chaudhry and worked with him under the umbrella of Society for Human Development, as well as the National Commission for Justice and Peace, both important Christian Organizations for social action in Pakistan and other countries." Cecil Chaudhry and Fr. Mendes initiated various movements against discriminatory laws affecting religious minorities, restoration of joint electorate and for adding a religious column in national identity card. Fr. Mendes spoke to ANS-Pakistan and said, "The loss of Mr. Cecil Chaudhry is great. Last year, the icon of minorities rights Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, was assassinated and now another strong voice is no more. However, his vision and great examples of service and empowering weaker sections of the society will continue to be followed by others." Johnson Gill, a Christian youth leader, stated, "The death of Cecil Chaudhry is a national loss, but our youth will follow in his footsteps to promote peace, love and harmony in the country." Mian Shahbaz Shari, Chief Minister of Punjab, presenting flowers on the occasion of funeral Mian Shahbaz Sharif, the Chief Minister of Punjab, paid a special tribute to Chaudhry at the funeral, saying "Group Captain (Retired) Cecil Chaudhry was a legendary fighter pilot of Pakistan Air Force, and the services rendered by this legend were beyond the call of normal duty. His aerial battles during the 1965 and 1971 wars with India will be remembered for all times to come." Later, on behalf of ANS-Pakistan, I held a meeting in Lahore with Ms. Michelle Chaudhry, the daughter of Mr. Chaudhry and Executive Director of the Iris Foundation, to give our condolences to the family. Ms. Michelle said, "The Iris Foundation was initiated in memory of my late mother, Mrs. Iris Chaudhry, to empower and help women and children, The Iris Foundation has provided food and other relief aids to Hindus, flood-affected women in Sindh last year. We are pledged to carry on the mission of my great father [and mother] to support the weaker groups of the society in Pakistan."

Bombers Attack Center in Christian Area of Jos, Nigeria

Suspected Islamic extremists throw explosive, killing one person and injuring nine others By Dan Wooding, who was born in Nigeria Founder of ASSIST Ministries JOS, NIGERIA (ANS) -- Compass Direct News (CDN) is reporting that one person was killed and nine others were injured last night (Tuesday, April 24, 2012) after suspected Islamic extremists attacked a TV viewing center in a Christian area of Jos where a crowd had gathered to watch a soccer game. CDN says that at about 10:15 p.m. at the viewing center, one of many such establishments popular in Nigeria for watching soccer matches, attackers drove past the site and threw an explosive device at hundreds of Christians watching the match, eyewitnesses told Compass. Medical personnel at nearby Janvak Hospital were treating the injured under strict supervision of police and other security agents. "The bombing marks the second time in two weeks that the Christian area has been attacked. During Easter celebrations, Islamic extremists were also suspected of detonating a bomb a few meters from the center that injured five Christians," said the CDN story. "Various churches in the Tudun Wada area of Jos commonly use the site as a base for evangelistic campaigns aimed at social venues in the area. Christian and Muslim communities live in close but separate quarters of the Tudun Wada area of Jos, and the attacks have heightened tensions between them. The area comprises eight churches." Note from CDN: Plateau state, in central Nigeria, has been especially volatile recently as it lies between the country's predominantly Muslim north and Christian south. Nigeria's population of more than 158.2 million is divided between Christians, who make up 51.3 percent of the population, and Muslims, who account for 45 percent. The percentages may be less, however, as those practicing indigenous religions may be as high as 10 percent of the total population, according to Operation World. For more information, please go to: www.compassdirect.org

Christians in peril as Sudan and South Sudan head towards war

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

SUDAN AND SOUTH SUDAN (ANS) -- The threat of an all-out war between Sudan and South Sudan is mounting amid intensifying fighting in the disputed border region, putting Christians in both nations in great danger.

3,700 people are said to have fled Jau, which lies across the border from Southern Kordofan,
since the attacks
(AFP/HO Stuart Price)
Barnabas Fund, based in the UK says that Fierce clashes in the oil-rich territory over the last three weeks have been described as the worst fighting since South Sudan gained independence in July 2011.

The UN Security Council last week expressed its "deep and growing alarm" over the "escalating conflict", and said that the situation threatened to return the countries to full-scale war.

Sudan, which has been indiscriminately dropping bombs in the border regions and the South for almost a year, said that if Southern troops do not comply with a UN order to withdraw from the Heglig oilfields, Khartoum "will chase them out" and "hit deep inside South Sudan".

"The tensions threaten a return to the deadly civil war that devastated the South and left more than two million people, mainly Southern Christians, dead," said a Barnabas Fund spokesperson.

"The independence of South Sudan was meant to herald a new dawn of peace, but a number of serious issues between the two countries remain unresolved, including disputed border territory, oil revenue and citizenship rights."

Left in limbo

South Sudanese boy shows he plans
to protect himself
The spokesperson went on to say that the hostility between the two nations has left people of Southern origin, who are mainly Christian and mainly African, in the overwhelmingly Muslim and Arab Republic of Sudan in a state of limbo and increasing danger. They were stripped of their citizenship of Sudan after the South voted to secede in January 2011 and given until 8 April to sort out their papers.

That deadline has now passed, and, treated as foreigners in Sudan, they have been denied work permits, while South Sudan has not yet started issuing identity documents. Thus they have been left without an official nationality.

A deal that would have given citizens of both countries key rights - to live, work and own property - in the other state has stalled, and there is little hope of further progress; a planned summit between the two presidents at the beginning of April was called off because of the violence in the border region.

A mother and child trying to shelter from the possible upcoming all-out war
"Thousands of people are consequently living rough, hundreds of them on wasteland around Khartoum, having had to give up their homes; many do not have the money and resources to transport their families and possessions to South Sudan. Around three-quarters of them are Christians," said the Barnabas Fund spokesperson.

One community leader said: "We've been out of our homes for three months. We're going to South Sudan, but we need the help of the two governments to return to our country. The people here are very tired. The men have no work, no food; that is our situation."

Barnabas Fund is helping to meet the practical needs of Christians in both Sudan and South Sudan. We are providing returning refugees with emergency supplies, including sorghum (grain), salt, plastic sheeting for shelters, mosquito nets, blankets, water drums and cooking pots.

A family that has been provided shelter

Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, said: "A return to war would be a tragedy, especially for Christians in both territories who, during the long civil war, were particular targets of Khartoum's aggression. Christians in Sudan are already suffering greatly as a result of the unresolved tensions between the two countries; many have been left homeless and in great need. The humanitarian situation will only deteriorate as the latest conflict intensifies."

Give Today

If you would like to help Christians in Sudan and South Sudan, please make a donation to the Sudan and South Sudan General Fund (project 48-990). Donate Online (www.barnabasfund.org/donations/usa/?id=48-990&appealCode=SUD%2004/12 ) using their secure server.

Afghan Viewer Testifies to God's Healing Power

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

IRAN (ANS) -- It was only by chance that Mina* caught a glimpse of a SAT-7 program on TV. In fact, she doesn't even own a TV or know what email is. Mina was visiting a friend in Iran who was watching SAT-7 and-as normal social protocol could predict-Mina joined in watching.

An Afghan woman
According to a story by Melissa M. Brown, Communications Assistant at SAT-7® (www.sat7usa.org), at the time, Mina was suffering from depression that followed a serious medical procedure. Doubtless the taxing health problems and psychological stress made this middle-aged woman dream of a more sublime existence.

"A few days before the New Year, Mina had unusual dreams in which Jesus appeared to her. Jesus told Mina that He needed her to help him by making dough from flour," said Brown. "Then, Jesus disappeared and a man saying he was a helper of Jesus told Mina that there is too much dough.half the world is filled with dough and waiting for Jesus to make bread with them. Like most dreams, the vision was an ephemeral experience, but this one was not easily forgotten throughout the day.

"Mina awoke and responded to the suggestions in her dreams by seeking more knowledge about Jesus. She later contacted SAT-7 to share her story. In tears, she said that she is healed of her depression and that she loves Jesus with all her heart."

1 John 1:3 in Farsi
Melissa Brown went to to say, "Mina's faith is exceptional! Personally, I have a tendency to struggle with the intangible. A Bible can be held and passed around and quoted, but a vision or dream? I pit the surreal against the scientific because my ability to explain events in my life makes me feel in control, and superior to other forces at work.

"I tell myself a strange dream means that maybe I shouldn't have eaten that cookie dough or taken melatonin before bed. Not all dreams are necessarily God-inspired, and maybe they are just a sleepy-time manifestation of ideas that have been long-forming in the subconscious. But at the same time, this woman's dream had a productive function-she responded to Jesus! Am I missing out on the miraculous in my own life?

"Not being a theologian, I can't verify to anyone that her dream was definitely a manifestation of God's will. But perhaps the more important point is the spiritual change the dream encouraged in Mina's life by revealing God and drawing her closer to Him. In the Old Testament, dreams and visions were not an uncommon way for God to express Himself."

She then said that the Bible states that in the end days, these experiences will be an integral part of spiritual life: "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." (Acts 2:17)

*Name has been changed for privacy

Mongol of China

Mongol of China
In the thirteenth century, Genghis Khan formed one of the greatest world empires by uniting the Mongol tribes. In the centuries that followed, the once mighty Mongol empire was squeezed between the growing Russian and Chinese empires. One-third of all the Mongols lived in what later became known as the Mongolian People's Republic. The remaining two-thirds lived in the Inner Mongolian region of China.

Ministry Obstacles
The Mongolians live in an area that is somewhat difficult for outsiders to access.

Outreach Ideas
Pray the emerging church among the Mongols will become mature enough and large enough to effectively take the Gospel message to all of their own people.

Pray for the followers of Christ
The Lord is building His church among the Mongols. Pray these early believers will become firmly grounded in the faith, fully trusting Christ for salvation and for power to live this life.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray the Mongolian people may be able to improve their standard of living, being able to provide good schools for their children and employment opportunities for the breadwinners.

Scripture Focus
"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." Matthew 9:37-38


People Name: Mongol
Country: China
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 6,947,000
World Population: 7,089,000
Language: Mongolian, Peripheral
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Bible: Complete
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.2

Uyghur of China

Uyghur of China
The Uyghurs live in the western portion of China. Their origins can be traced back to Turkish nomads who lived in the former Soviet Union, south of Lake Baikal. In 840 AD they were forced by the Kirghiz to leave their homeland, and most of them immigrated to Xinjiang province of western China, where they have remained until today. The strategic location of their oasis homes allowed them to be the "middlemen" for commerce between the orient and Europe.

Ministry Obstacles
For a Uyghur to follow Christ is to lose much of his place in his family and community.

Outreach Ideas
Christians need to form bridges of friendship with the Uyghurs, serving them materially and physically as well as spiritually.

Pray for the followers of Christ
There are few Christian believers among the Uyghurs of China, but pray for those that know Christ. Pray they will be taught the Scriptures, will be hungry to learn and grow, and will follow Christ zealously.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray the Uyghurs will increasingly be drawn to Isa (Jesus) as he is referred to in the Koran, curious to find out more about this man. Pray the Lord will reveal Himself to them, and call many to follow Him.

Scripture Focus
"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Habakkuk 2:14


People Name: Uyghur
Country: China
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 10,779,000
World Population: 11,129,000
Language: Uyghur
Primary Religion: Islam
Bible: Complete
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.1

Pakistani Woman Accused of 'Blasphemy' Illegally Held in Jail

Authorities fail to file charge sheet against young mother of 6-month-old

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

LAHORE, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- Compass Direct News (CDN) is reporting that the mother of a 6-month-old girl has been wrongly jailed for more than a month, as Pakistani authorities have failed to file a charge sheet within the mandatory 14-day period against the young Christian woman falsely accused of "blaspheming" the prophet of Islam, her attorney said.

CDN says that Shamim Bibi, 26, of village Chak No. 170/7R Colony, in the Fort Abbas area of Bahawalpur district, was charged under Section 295-C of Pakistan's "blasphemy" statutes after neighbors accused her of uttering remarks against Muhammad. She was arrested on Feb. 28.

"Speaking ill of Muhammad in Pakistan is punishable by life imprisonment or death under Pakistan's internationally condemned blasphemy laws," said the CDN story. "Her lawyer, Mahboob A. Khan, said police were supposed to register a charge sheet within 14 days of filing the First Information Report under the Code of Criminal Procedure.

"Police say that they have forwarded the charge sheet to the prosecution department, but there has been nothing from them either, he said."

Khan added, "The judicial process is painfully slow, and it's even slower in such sensitive matters. I just hope the judge realizes the gaps in the case, and even if he does not muster enough courage to quash the case, he should at least set her free on bail."

For more information please go to: www.compassdirect.org