GLOBAL PRAYER NETWORK

Bible:

Portions

Online Audio NT:

Jesus Film:

Audio Recordings:

Christ Followers:

Few, less than 2%

Status:

Progress Level:

Kaseng of Laos

Between the first and sixth centuries AD, the area inhabited by the Kaseng was a center of the Mon-Khmer Funan Kingdom, and then part of the Chenla Kingdom (sixth to eighth centuries). Many ruins remain today from that golden area of the Khmer civilization. The Kaseng today are animists. They have never embraced Buddhism. The Kaseng believe spirits can destroy crops, bring sickness and epidemics, and can disguise themselves as people or animals. A host of different deities and spirits are appeased, in order to bring peace and prosperity to their community.

Ministry Obstacles
Laos does not provide easy access to Christian workers coming from outside the country. The Kaseng are such a small group they may be difficult to find.
Outreach Ideas
Two Gospel recordings exist in their language. Pray for the vision of nearby believers to use these tools to bring them the gospel.

Pray for the followers of Christ
There are likely no followers of Jesus Christ in this tribe today, but pray that hearts will even now be prepared to receive the Gospel and its messengers.

Pray for the entire people group
Ask the Lord to protect the Kaseng from the control of evil spiritual influences. Pray for freedom for them to understand and believe the Gospel when it comes.

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:

Kaseng

Country:

Laos

10/40 Window:

Yes

Population:

1,500

World Population:

1,500

Language:

Kasseng

Primary Religion:

Bible:

None

Online Audio NT:

Jesus Film:

Audio Recordings:

Christ Followers:

Few, less than 2%

Status:

Progress Level:

Aimaq, Char of Afghanistan

The Char Aimaq were first known as the chahar (four) Eimaks (Mongolian for tribes), a designation recognizing its make-up of four major tribes: Taimani, Firozkohi, Timuri and Jamshidi. Never politically united, tribal alliances joined for protection against invaders. Aimaq are known as formidable warriors. Once nomadic peoples, they were forced by cycles of severe drought and war into semi-nomadic lives, traveling seasonally to graze decimated herds and/or subsisting as sedentary farmers and carpet weavers in mud-brick villages. Aimaq tribal customs remain stronger than Afghan nationalism, due in part to long-enjoyed independence and geographical distance from the central government in Kabul.

Ministry Obstacles
Afghanistan remains a dangerous place, especially for any kind of Christian witness.
Outreach Ideas
Pray that community leaders among the Aimaq Char may encounter Jesus in dreams and visions and that God will send workers who will tell them of the One they encountered.

Pray for the followers of Christ
If there are any Christian believers among the Char Aimaq they are quite few in number. They need prayer support for protection and to help them become firmly established in the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ. Pray the Lord will encourage them and sustain them. Pray for the new believers the Lord will soon call to himself.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray for peace in Afghanistan. Pray for stability, and for the government to become strong enough to maintain order.

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:

Aimaq, Char

Country:

Afghanistan

10/40 Window:

Yes

Population:

299,000

World Population:

299,000

Language:

Aimaq

Primary Religion:

Bible:

None

Online Audio NT:

Jesus Film:

Audio Recordings:

Christ Followers:

Few, less than 2%

Status:

Progress Level:

Crisis Escalates for Cyclone Victims in India

October 30, 2013

Thousands of coastal homes were seriously damaged or destroyed by Cyclone Phailin in mid-October. Cleanup efforts are underway, but rebuilding will take time and many families have no place to go.

Several ministries in eastern India assisted by Christian Aid report staggering needs as they seek to help victims of Cyclone Phailin. The situation has become critical for hundreds of thousands who remain homeless and destitute.
Two weeks after the superstorm washed away homes and destroyed crops, misery continues for residents of coastal areas in the most severely affected states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Conditions worsened over the weekend when another storm dropped three days of heavy rain on districts still reeling from the devastation of Phailin.
One ministry leader in Andhra Pradesh described the plight of the people as “pitiable” and appealed for an immediate response to the disaster:

“I have received call after call from pastors, missionaries, and evangelists that the rains have been unprecedented [compared to anything we have experienced] the past 30 years. Bridges have been cut off and washed away. More than 80 villages in Prakasam district have been marooned and lost communications with the outside world. Rice, soybeans, cotton, corn and a few other crops due to be harvested are ruined. Over 95,000 acres of agricultural produce has been devastated and the farmers who are new believers are crying out for help.”
“A good number of our missionaries have lost all their belongings in Karimnagar, Nalgonda and Warangal districts. They have no food, clothing, shelter, medical help, cell phones, or transportation. Literally everything has been lost in the floods and severe rains. The government’s help is not reaching Christian brothers and sisters because other groups are given priority, having the contacts and the favor of the political leaders who are from a majority religious community. It is now our responsibility to meet the critical needs of our people who are in VERY DESPERATE NEED OF HELP.”

The Category 4 cyclone affected an estimated 20 million people in India. Loss of life was minimal, however, as the government ordered the evacuation of nearly one million residents in anticipation of the storm.
As floodwaters receded, families left inland shelters and returned to find their homes and entire villages wrecked with little to salvage. Recovery efforts and restoration of electricity have been slowed by miles of washed out roads.
Recent torrential rain added insult to injury when structures partially damaged by the cyclone became inundated a second time. Impoverished Christian families living in the Nalgonda district lost their thatch huts and have nowhere to go.

With little to eat for days, this group of women enjoyed the lunch provided by a Christian Aid-assisted ministry.

In Odisha, some 12 million people were impacted and 17 out of 30 districts sustained serious damage in the aftermath of Phailin. One of our ministry partners has targeted 30 of the hardest hit villages near Gopalpur for emergency relief. Much-needed items include food, medicine, clothing, blankets, plastic sheeting to make temporary shelters, kerosene oil, and matches.
Food packages are being assembled that include 5 kilograms of rice, 1 kilogram of lentils, 1 kilogram of cooking oil, curry powder, and salt packets.
Because of poor sanitation and polluted drinking water, the Odisha ministry leader expressed concern over potential outbreaks of disease. Water purification tablets are also among their most pressing needs.
“Urgently we need resources and emergency materials for the vast number of victims awaiting aid,” he said. “The disaster response work by the government and other organizations needs more outside partners to work together to address the severity of this ongoing calamity. We need to unite to restore the living conditions of the people, before conditions become further aggravated.”
Local believers who lost everything in the cyclone and latest flood event need our prayers and financial assistance to rebuild their lives. The cost to provide food, water, and other essentials for one family for a week ranges in price from $50 to $100. Christian Aid has already sent $10,000 to assist ministries in India in their disaster relief efforts, but much more is needed during this critical recovery phase.

Use the form below to contribute online to help cyclone victims in India. Or call 434-977-5650 to contribute by phone. If you prefer to mail your gift, please mail to Christian Aid, P.O. Box 9037, Charlottesville, VA 22906. Please use Gift Code: 600 DIS. Thank you!

Pray for Persecuted Believers Around the World


China	Colombia	Egypt	Kazakhstan	Laos	Nigeria	Pakistan

Pray for Persecuted Believers Around the World

Christian Aid Mission is asking believers to pray for our brothers and sisters around the globe who face harassment, imprisonment, and even death because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
While persecution is an ongoing reality in many parts of the world, the problem has received greater attention this year from secular media who reported malicious attacks on Christians in places like Egypt, Pakistan, and Nigeria.
The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is designated for Sunday, November 3. The annual initiative encourages Christians to set aside time to remember and pray for fellow believers who endure great adversity for the sake of the gospel.
Indigenous ministries assisted by Christian Aid Mission work on the frontlines in many of these difficult and dangerous areas. Some of their missionaries have been directly impacted by acts of violence and, in some instances, gave the ultimate sacrifice so that they may “finish [their] race with joy, and the ministry which [they] received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20: 24b, NKJV).
Click on the country links below the map for seven stories of persecution and a list of prayer needs. These examples reveal some of the challenges our ministry partners, their missionaries, and local believers confront as they faithfully follow the Lord Jesus and seek to fulfill the Great Commission to the ends of the earth.

Senin, 27 Mei 2013

Shui of China

The Shui are proud of their history, which dates back as far as 200 BC in Chinese records. The Shui live in villages that are arranged according to family clans. All Shui worship their ancestors. This is considered their main religion. It keeps them in bondage to the past and prevents them from receiving Christ, because to do so would be considered an insult to their ancestors.
Ministry Obstacles
As already noted, the Shui live in fear of insulting their ancestors.
Outreach Ideas
Jesus needs to be presented to the Shui people as One who came from God, giving his life for their sins, offering forgiveness and power to live this life.
Pray for the followers of Christ
Pray for Scripture and other resources to be made available to Shui believers, and that they will utilize them diligently. Pray they will have nothing to do with the deeds of darkness, living as children of light.
Pray for the entire people group
Pray the Lord will release the Shui from bondage to ancestral worship, leading to freedom in Christ.
Scripture Focus
"Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; and let them say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns.'" 1 Chronicles 16:31

People Name:

Shui

Country:

China

10/40 Window:

Yes

Population:

517,000

World Population:

517,000

Language:

Sui

Primary Religion:

Bible:

None

Online Audio NT:

Jesus Film:

Audio Recordings:

Christ Followers:

Few, less than 2%

Status:

Miao, Chuanqiandian Cluster

Progress Level:

1.2

Selasa, 30 April 2013

Hmong Bua of China

The majority of Hmong Bua are animists. In recent years the Hmong Bua in Jinping may have benefited from the Christian "radio revival" among the neighboring Hmong Daw, who speak a similar language. As many as 20,000 of the neighboring Hmong Daw people have turned to Christ in southern Yunnan since 1994, due to Gospel radio broadcasts. The Hmong Bua are able to understand most of the Hmong Daw language and have probably been affected also.
Ministry Obstacles
A low level of literacy will be an obstacle if the Gospel is presented only in written form.
Outreach Ideas
The Gospel presented in oral forms is appropriate, including radio, Gospel recordings, films, and storytellers onsite.
Pray for the followers of Christ
Pray the followers of Christ among the Hmong Bua will fellowship together, growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray they lead holy lives, and are zealous in their commitment to Christ.
Pray for the entire people group
* Pray the Hmong Bua will indeed profit from the Gospel radio programs directed toward the neighboring Hmong Daw community. Pray they will listen and understand.
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:

Hmong Bua

Country:

China

10/40 Window:

Yes

Population:

63,000

World Population:

63,000

Language:

Primary Religion:

Bible:

None

Online Audio NT:

Jesus Film:

Audio Recordings:

Christ Followers:

Few, less than 2%

Status:

Progress Level:

1.2

PRAY FOR UZBEKISTAN

Uzbekistan - #16

Leader: President Islam Karimov
Government: Authoritarian (republic)

Main Religion: Islam
Population: 28 million (208,500 Christians)

Dear Dave,

Lena, Ayoub and Latife faced intense persecution when the police had found Christian materials in Ayoub’s father’s house. Police arrested him and Ayoub’s brother, and then took Lena to the police station, where they were all questioned. They were also looking for Ayoub to arrest him as well.

Preparations for court cases were made: the first one being under administrative law, the second one would be more serious and under the criminal law. The tension and stress seriously affected Lena’s health.

Ayoub recently sent Open Doors a note saying:

"First of all, I would like to express our gratefulness to all those who prayed for us during this time of severe persecution. I would like to share the good news with you: God heard our prayers!

During the first court case we faced we were fined for our activities and had to pay 5 minimum monthly salaries, which amounts to approximately US $160. We worried about the second court case as this was going to be under the criminal law and would be far more severe and difficult for us.

We were totally amazed by God’s intervention when we heard that the second court case had been cancelled. God had softened the hearts of the people who were in charge of our case and for some reason or other they decided to close the case. A serious illness of one of the officers’ relatives had occurred and significantly delayed the proceedings. That is probably why the decision was taken to cancel the court case.

We believe that God was in control of each day. What happened was a real miracle to us! We have never heard about a case like ours where the investigators just asked for a traditional meal of ‘plov’ to be served and closed the case. God greatly encouraged our family and we felt your prayer support."

Ready for this week's challenge?

Trying to Save Saeed

Trying to Save Saeed

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service
BOISE, IDAHO (ANS) -- Saeed Abedini is in a battle for his life.

Saeed Abedini and his family

According to an article by Katy Moeller for the Idaho Statesman, the 32-year-old has languished in Iran's notorious Evin Prison for more than 200 days. He was convicted of "threatening the national security of Iran" for his involvement in Christian home churches from 2000 to 2005.His parents are allowed to visit him weekly, and they say he's enduring beatings and other torture. He has suffered internal bleeding and needs medical treatment, according to the American Center for Law and Justice.
Tiffany N. Barrans, international legal director for the nonprofit advocacy center, said it has petitioned to have the Red Cross come in as a third party to treat him.
"That has not been granted by the Iranian authorities," the Idaho Statesman reported Barrans said.
Saeed, a Boise resident with his wife and two children since 2006, was in Iran doing humanitarian work when he was imprisoned in September. In January, he was sentenced to eight years in prison.
The Idaho Statesman said Saeed has told authorities that if he is freed, he will leave Iran and never return, Barrans said. That didn't help his case.
As hopeless as the situation appears, Barrans said there's reason to be optimistic about his release. A decision on Saeed's appeal is pending.
"It gives the Iranian government an out, to save face," the Idaho Statesman reported Barrans said of the possibility that his sentence will be overturned. "They want to look like a country that is following the rule of law."
It's important to get Saeed released before Iran's elections in June.
"During and around those elections, the Iranian government is not going to want to release anyone who is seen as oppositional," the Idaho Statesman reported Barrans said.
Barrans said the key to Saeed's safe release is pressure from other countries - particularly those that have ties to Iran, including Qatar, Italy, Argentina and Brazil.
The Idaho Statesman said the American Center for Law and Justice is seeking support from those nations, and the group hopes the U.S. State D epartment is doing the same behind the scenes.
One positive new development, Barrans said, is that human rights groups within Iran haven taken up Saeed's cause.
"If there is enough stir in Iran - in their media and social media - it may cause unrest," Barrans said. "They may decide it's not worth the unrest during their elections, if this one man's case could disrupt that peace."
Keeping the Pressure On
The Idaho Statesman said more than half a million people have signed an online petition calling for Saeed's release.
Friends at his church in Boise are doing what they can to help.
"We have a constant flow of letters going to Iran, so they know he's not forgotten," said Rhett Allen, assistant director of children's ministry at Boise's Calvary Chapel.
Some of those letters have been written by children from the church, he said. The church is selling neon yellow "Save Saeed" T-shirts for $20 at its bookstore.
"We're exercising every resource that w e have," the Idaho Statesman reported Allen said. "We serve a good God, and we know he can do miracles."
Saeed's wife, Naghmeh, is doing a lot of public speaking, hoping to keep her husband's plight in the public eye.
The Idaho Statesman said a regular on Fox News, she tries to limit travel outside the state to just once a month so that she's not away from the couple's two children, ages 6 and 5.
Naghmeh said most of the money raised on her family's behalf has gone to others who need it more. She said she's sent it to a group of Christian families - associated with her husband - who fled from Iran to Turkey.
"I feel responsible for them," she said.
Raised in Idaho, Married in Iran
Naghmeh (Panahi) Abedini, 36, was born in Iran but grew up in the Treasure Valley.
The Idaho Statesman said her family fled during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s. Today, her father runs a user-interface manufacturing company called PKG User Interface Solutions in Meridian.& nbsp;
Naghmeh graduated from Centennial High School in 1995, and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Puget Sound. She had her sights set on medical school.
Through Calvary Chapel, the Idaho Statesman said, she did some missionary work in her 20s, including a trip to India, and felt God calling her to do the same in her native Iran.
Her parents were stunned at her decision.
"They felt I was going backward. 'We brought you here so you could flourish as a woman and be a doctor,'" she recalled.
The Idaho Statesman said she comes from a well-educated, high-achieving family. Her twin brother earned a doctorate in quantum physics from the University of Chicago.
Naghmeh went to Iran in late 2001 and met Saeed at a Christian gathering in 2002. They had a Christian wedding in Iran in 2004.
The Idaho Statesman said persecution of Christians intensified after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was elected president, and they decided in 2005 that it was time to move to Idaho. Naghmeh was pregnant with th eir first child.
The couple live at Naghmeh's parents' house in West Boise. An ordained pastor, Saeed participated in Christian ministry in Iran via Skype.
In 2009, the Idaho Statesman said, Saeed and his family visited Iran. He was detained at the airport on their way home. He was interrogated every day for two months about his activities with the home churches.
The Idaho Statesman said Iranian officials warned him to stop his involvement with the home churches. However, they said he could do nonreligious humanitarian work and continue to travel back and forth between Iran and the U.S., Naghmeh said.
From 2009 to 2012, Naghmeh said, Saeed complied with the Iranian government's demands. Last summer, he was in Iran to build an orphanage on family land in the city of Rasht near the Caspian Sea.
"It was a big surprise when he was arrested," the Idaho statesman reported Naghmeh said.
Wife Warned Not to Go to Iran
Until he was imprisoned, Saeed was able to talk to his wife and children via Skype and telephone.
The Idaho Statesman reported Naghmeh said her first instinct was to go to Iran to be there for her husband. Officials warned her in-laws against that.
"They said, 'If she sets foot in this airport, she's going straight to prison,'" the Idaho Statesman reported Naghmeh said.
That's because she's a Muslim who converted to Christianity and was involved in Christian house churches in Iran with her husband years ago, she said.

Gujar, Muslim of Pakistan

The Gujur are located in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and several states in northeastern India. In addition, the Gujarat district of western India is named after the historic Gujur peoples. Ever since their conversion to Islam in the eleventh century, the Gujur have been bound by a life of poverty, illiteracy, and social oppression. In general, they are a simple, inoffensive people with a generous, hospitable nature.
Ministry Obstacles
To accept the Christian Gospel means to disturb established ways of living and relating within the community.
Outreach Ideas
Workers are needed to carry the Gospel message to this community, using means such as films, recordings and stories from Scripture.
Pray for the followers of Christ
There are few Christian believers among the Gujuri community, but pray for the beginnings of the church, followers of Jesus. Pray they will honor Jesus with their lives, and become mature disciples.
Pray for the entire people group
Pray the Gujuri community may be able to improve their standard of living, and have good schools available for their children.
Scripture Focus
"Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised." 1 Chronicles 16:24-25

People Name:

Gujar, Muslim

Country:

Pakistan

10/40 Window:

Yes

Population:

4,263,000

World Population:

4,732,000

Language:

Panjabi, Western

Primary Religion:

Bible:

New Testament

Online Audio NT:

Jesus Film:

Audio Recordings:

Christ Followers:

Few, less than 2%

Status:

Progress Level:

Ghao-Xong, Western, Red Meo

Ghao-Xong, Western, Red Meo of China

The Ghao-Xong worship Pan Hu, the dragon-dog they claim as the forefather of their race. Today, the majority of Ghao-Xong have never heard the Gospel. The virtually inaccessible mountains where the provinces of Hunan, Sichuan, and Guizhou meet were the site of countless wars involving the Ghao-Xong. It took the Chinese 18 years (1855-1872) to crush one rebellion.
Ministry Obstacles
Lack of knowledge of the Gospel of Christ stands as a great barrier to acceptance. They live in an area that is difficult to enter.
Outreach Ideas
Chinese believers may be able to enter the region of the Ghao-Xong, and carry the Gospel to them.
Pray for the followers of Christ
Pray for the Christian believers among the Ghao-Xong, that they will clearly understand the basis of their relationship with Christ, that it is based upon faith in the finished work of Christ.
Pray for the entire people group
Pray for the Ghao-Xong community, that they will be able to live in peace and security, and be able to provide adequately for their families.
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:

Country:

China

10/40 Window:

Yes

Population:

1,300,000

World Population:

1,524,000

Language:

Miao, Western Xiangxi

Primary Religion:

Bible:

None

Online Audio NT:

Jesus Film:

Audio Recordings:

Christ Followers:

Few, less than 2%

Status:

Jama Mapun, Bajau Kagayan

Progress Level:

1.2

Kamis, 25 April 2013

Jama Mapun, Bajau Kagayan of Philippines

The Bajau Kagayan are seafaring people (known as "sea gypsies") and fish in the Sulu Sea by the Philippines and Sulawesi, Indonesia. They are non-aggressive people who usually retreat from trouble. They live on their boats or on the coast in houses that are built over the sea on stilts. Their livelihood comes from the sea through fishing. The Bajau Kagayan are Sunni Muslims.
Ministry Obstacles
Establishing trust with the Muslim Bajau Kagayan people may be difficult.
Outreach Ideas
Christians can carry the good news of Jesus to the Bajau Kagayan by telling them stories from Scripture, and by using Gospel films and recordings.
Pray for the followers of Christ
Pray for the few followers of Jesus among the "sea gypsy" people of the Philippines, that good teachers will be sent to help them grow. Pray they will be firmly established on the truths of Scripture, and will be zealous to study and learn, and be faithful disciples of Christ.
Pray for the entire people group
Pray the Bajau Kagayan people will be able to provide adequately for their families, and be kept safe as they fish for their livelihood.
Scripture Focus
"Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; and let them say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns.'" 1 Chronicles 16:31

People Name:

Country:

Philippines

10/40 Window:

Population:

51,000

World Population:

56,000

Language:

Mapun

Primary Religion:

Bible:

Portions

Online Audio NT:

Jesus Film:

Audio Recordings:

Christ Followers:

Few, less than 2%

Status:

Progress Level: