Beja, Bedawi of Egypt

Beja, Bedawi of Egypt The Bejas attach a high importance to their hair. Their prominent crown of fuzzy hair has characterized the Beja for centuries. They worshipped Isis at Philae until the 6th century. After the temple was closed down in the 6th century A.D. by the Byzantine emperor Justinian, Beja converted to Christianity. In the 10th century Islam spread and gained popularity among the Beja people. Most Beja people today are Sufi Muslim, but black magic is practiced against enemies, and sacred fire is used to ward off spirits causing sickness and accidents. Ministry Obstacles The Beja have practiced a diluted form of Islam for centuries. It's part of their culture. Outreach Ideas Egyptian Christians live near the Beja. Pray they will take the good news of Christ to the Beja people. Pray they will be able to overcome any tribal hostilities. Pray for the followers of Christ There are apparently only a few followers of Christ among the Beja of Egypt today. Pray they will meet together to encourage one another and be bridges to reach more of their neighbors for Christ. Pray for the entire people group Pray the Beja will once again discover their ancient Christian heritage, and that the Lord will remember the prayers of their ancestors. Scripture Focus "And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations." Mark 13:10		People Name: Beja, Bedawi Country: Egypt 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 82,000 World Population: 2,530,000 Language: Bedawiyet 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

Vietnamese pastor badly beaten — Please PRAY

 

On Sunday, Jan. 18, Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang and his associate pastor were attacked by five men near the Bible college that Quang founded and still leads.

The five men attacked the pastors without provocation, hitting them in the head with bricks and rocks until they collapsed to the ground. The attackers continued their assault even after the pastors were on the ground, kicking them repeatedly. Both pastors were taken to an emergency room for treatment. Pastor Quang suffered a broken nose, broken ribs and injuries to his teeth and jaw. No arrests have been made in the assault. 

 

Our Daughter’s Prayer

Our Daughter’s Prayer

By C. Hope Flinchbaugh, Special to ASSIST News Service

CAMP HILL, PA (ANS – Feb 3, 2015) -- I texted my 23-year-old Burmese daughter, Doi, last week right after I read the ASSIST News article titled “Burma: Chin State Government Orders Removal of Cross, Elder Prosecuted.”*. Her reply to me has inspired this blog and my homemade map below.

I remember the night our two teenage daughters from Burma stepped into our house for the first time. Doi and her sister Li (not her real name) were hungry on the way home from the airport, so we stopped and got them McDonald’s food. They’d never been inside an American home before. Li sat her Big Mac down on the piano stool and looked around. She turned to us, stood with her back straight, and announced, “I am CHIN.”

Doi piped right up and pointed at her chest and said, “I am KACHIN.”

Obviously, their state origin in Burma was a matter of great pride to both of them. (You can locate their states on the map below).

We climbed the stairs, backpacks in hand. Doi had very little. Li had more. Their bedroom was filled with colored Asian paper lamps hanging from the ceiling, a nice contrast against the pale green painted walls. Their names were tacked onto the door in large white letters. Two white beds with two matching white dressers fit perfectly inside.

Immediately, Doi pulled a black book out of her backpack. She handed it to me. The lines were all squiggley inside and I saw that their native language was indeed foreign to me. The question was in my eyes. One of them said, “Bible”. Li pulled her black book out as well.

I said, “Bible? You know the Bible?”

They nodded. I was in tears. We had no idea if our daughters who were coming to us would be Christians or not. Scott and I knew God called us to bring home two daughters from ANY nation where a child needed to escape from being hurt. Here they were holding BIBLES!

What’s more, Adoniram and Ann Judson are heroes of mine. The Judsons were the first missionaries who ever graced the shores of Burma. Without the Judsons’ careful translation of the Word of God, our daughters would not own their Burmese Bibles.

The next day, I pulled out a picture of Adoniram Judson. I told Li, “Adoniram Judson. JUDSON.” I pointed. “He LOVED Burma. He LOVED Bible.”

Li said, “Yes, Mom. I know JUDSON.”

We both got excited but neither had words to communicate. The pictures would have to do.

Doi did not know Judson, but her family was Christian. Her father died when she was only four years old. He died fighting the Burmese military who tried to kill the Burmese people in the Kachin State. Her mother died about eight years later of tuberculosis. Doi and her older sister were alone in the world.

I’ve never before publicly told Doi and Li’s stories. They were kept close to my heart as the girls grew up in their teen years here in our home. Each one is moved out now and lives in two separate states. I am sharing their stories now for one reason. Doi asked us to pray with her this Saturday for the Christians in Burma. Then she sent me her side of the story of two martyrs in Burma.

In Burmese culture, people take pictures of their deceased loved one lying in a casket as a way to honor that person. After I sent Doi the ASSIST News Article, “Burma: Chin State Government Orders Removal of Cross, Elder Prosecuted, she sent me two such pictures in a text message. Please read Doi’s text in her own words below the photos:

Doi texted: “Our country has a big problem. The Burmese Military Army killed these two Christian volunteer teachers. They were raped and killed like animals. The Burmese military killed many of our innocent people. I cried and cried.

The two teachers were in “Konghka” Village, about eight months ago this happened. In that night, they had the pastor’s daughter’s birthday party. They walked ten minutes away from the pastor’s house. They came home around 10:30 PM. It’s a very small town. Somebody later said that they heard somebody screaming, but they thought it was a husband and wife arguing.

The next day, the students were waiting in the classroom ready for study, but the two teachers never showed up. They sent for the teachers, thinking they were still sleeping or forgot about class or something. The student called his teacher’s name but no one answered. He returned back with another woman, who lifted the blanket. That woman got a shock because blood was everywhere and the women were naked.

The murderer raped them and hit the teachers’ heads with an axe. The UNFC and President Obama and many other countries pushed Burma’s president to investigate the murders. But the Burmese military never cares about our peoples. They hate Christians--they’ve become like Hitler.

Please pray for this--whoever could pray for it, we appreciate that very very much. Thank you. May God bless you all.” Doi.  

I’m her American mom. Of course, I offered to tell all my neighbors (YOU!) and churches to join Doi in her prayers this Saturday.

I created this map--it’s not great, but I had to draw a picture for Doi to show her that I want to help her surround Burma with prayer this Saturday. Doi’s Kachin State and Li’s Chin state are colored in. I want them to see that we are HOLDING UP Burma in prayer.

Maybe you’ll want to join us? Or write a prayer or comment on my blog for Doi and I to read: www.liftjesuscross.com

* See Burma story at: http://www.assistnews.net/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=164

Photo captions: 

1) Adoniram and Ann Judson

2) Tribute to one of the murdered teachers

3) Burmese map

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Barma, Bagirmi of Chad

Barma, Bagirmi of Chad The Barma (or Bagirmi) occupy the territory between N'Djamena (Chad's capital) and Bousso, a small city farther south on the Chari River. In the 1700's, the Barmas' ancestors ruled the Bagirmi Empire, a large area across Chad and into Sudan. At the end of the 1700's, the empire was attacked by Islamic Wadai armies and was never able to regain its political independence. The Barma have been followers of the Islamic faith since the sixteenth century. They are devout Muslims. Ministry Obstacles Chad is not hospitable to Christian workers, and the region is strongly Islamic. Outreach Ideas Pray for Christian radio to blanket the country of Chad, and that broadcasts in the Bagirmi language will be included. Pray for the followers of Christ There may very well be no followers of Jesus among this tribe at present. But pray for those the Lord is preparing to call to Himself. Pray that as they become Christ­- followers they will live holy lives and will honor the Lord with their lives. Pray for healthy marriages among these new Christians. Pray for the entire people group Pray for adequate rainfall for crops and for livestock. Pray also that parents will understand the need of schooling for the children. 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: Barma, Bagirmi Country: Chad 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 104,000 World Population: 108,000 Language: Bagirmi Primary Religion: Islam Bible: None Online Audio NT: No Jesus Film: No Audio Recordings: Yes Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level: 1.1

Dayak, Lawangan of Indonesia

Dayak, Lawangan of Indonesia The Lawangan people make their living through hunting, fishing, farming, raising livestock, making handicrafts, and some have become traders. Generally, the worldview of the Lawangan people is connected with belief in spirits. In the same way, their arts and culture are related to these spirit beliefs. They are typically followers of traditional Dayak beliefs, called Kaharingan. In addition, some follow Nyuli beliefs. Nyuli teaching is that there is a resurrection after death. In addition the Lawangan worship the spirits of their ancestors, which are called duwata. Every family worships its own duwata that acts as their house god. Ministry Obstacles No written scripture is reported to be available in the Lawangan language. Please pray for a translation to soon be provided. Outreach Ideas There are Gospel recordings available in the Lawangan language. Workers are needed to carry these to the people. Pray for the followers of Christ There are followers of Christ among this tribe. Please pray they will grow in numbers and will be given a heart to carry the message of Christ to their entire tribe. Pray for the entire people group The Lawangan need formal education. They also need to develop their skills in order to face the many changes they are experiencing. Better education and skill improvement can help them rise above poverty. Improvement in health is also greatly needed. Scripture Focus "All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will worship before You." Psalm 22:27		People Name: Dayak, Lawangan Country: Indonesia 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 123,000 World Population: 123,000 Language: Lawangan Primary Religion: Islam Bible: None Online Audio NT: No Jesus Film: No Audio Recordings: Yes Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level: 1.2

Ati of China

Ati of China Several hundred years ago, tribes like the Ati lived relatively uninterrupted lives in the hills of central Yunnan. The Han Chinese then flooded the area in massive waves of migration, especially over the last 150 years. Today groups like the Ati, swamped amid the sea of Han Chinese, are barely noticeable to outsiders. As the Han grew in numbers and influence, they forced the Ati off the best land and into the mountains. The Ati were forced to move in order to retain their customs and ethnicity. Those who stayed in the rural areas were soon absorbed culturally and linguistically. The Ati are ardent animists and polytheists. In particular they revere and worship the Dragon god. Most Ati villages have a "dragon tree" set aside for this purpose. Ministry Obstacles Spiritual opposition will surely be encountered as Jesus is presented to these followers of "the Dragon god". Outreach Ideas Pray for Han Chinese followers of Christ to take an interest in the Ati people, and to be willing to overcome tribal barriers in order to take the news of Jesus to these people. Gospel recordings are available to help with this. Pray for the followers of Christ Please pray for the few individuals in the Ati people group who identify themselves as Christians. Pray they will come to truly know Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Pray for the entire people group Pray for the Ati to be completely set free from "the Dragon god". Freedom comes from knowing and serving Jesus Christ. 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: Ati Country: China 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 16,000 World Population: 16,000 Language: Sani 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

Veteran entertainer, Pat Boone, knows all about the power of prayer

Veteran entertainer, Pat Boone, knows all about the power of prayer

By Dan Wooding, Founder of ASSIST and the ASSIST News Service

STUDIO CITY, CA (ANS – January 31, 2015) -- Tuesday, June 19, 2001, was the worst day in the lives of veteran American entertainer Pat Boone and his wife, Shirley, for it was then that they received the shocking news that their eldest grandson, Ryan Corbin, then 25 years old, had fallen through a skylight on the roof of the condo where he was living in Southern California, and came extremely close to losing his life.

His skull was crushed as he fell three floors to a cement floor below. Many thought Ryan would never awaken from the deep coma of his mind. Then, if he did, there was the dreaded fear that he would survive at best in a vegetative state.

But then, the ASSIST News Service, and many other media outlets and individuals, including veteran TV host, Larry King, launched prayer campaigns for Ryan, whose mother is Lindy Boone Michaels, one of the four Boone daughters, and slowly but surely he has been making an astonishing recovery.

And now, Pat Boone, 80, has been honored as one of a star-studded group of Christians who have served as trailblazers and mentors in the entertainment industry by on Thursday, January 29, 2015, at an extraordinary event put on by the Hollywood Prayer Network at a special packed out event called “HOLLYWOOD HONORS 2015” at CBS TV in Studio City, California.

The packed gathering was attended by many believers who have been highly successful in Hollywood over the past 40 years, and also included Al Kasha, Gavin MacLeod, Wink Martindale, Ken Wales, Rosey Grier, and veteran stuntman, Bob Yerkes, to name just a few of them.

This celebration joined mentors and mentees in prayer and fellowship to encourage one another in the body of believers in Hollywood. The younger generation of Christians in Hollywood honored and prayed for the trailblazers who came before them and lived lives of integrity and faith while being successful as film, TV and music professionals.

Before he received his coveted award, I was able to chat with Pat and asked him how he felt about receiving it in front of his many peers.

“I’m so honored,” he began, “especially as the Bible says, ‘Give honor to those whom honor is due,’ and I am always about trying to give honor to other people. So I’m uncomfortable at being a recipient because I just feel like there are so many others that have done more, or are more worthy to receive it.

“But still, I admit that God has used me in some ways that I think must be important to him (laughs) and that’s my point tonight.

“We were each asked to come up with a scripture and I’m going to say that my favorite scripture is Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, and everything in between, because I’m in the midst of reading through the Bible for my thirtieth year straight.”

He then added that he did choose John 1: 12, which says, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (NIV)

“And no matter what you may think about fame or acclaim or any of that it’s all transitory; it’s all temporary; it’s almost nonexistent,” said Pat Boone. “A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or two or three of them, doesn’t matter nearly as much as having your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. That’s what we’re about so I’m happy to be among those fellow performers who are also fellow Christians.”

Boone then spoke about the extraordinary recovery of Ryan Corbin, saying, “Ryan continues to get better and we were with him just two days ago. He’s investigating a different kind of brain therapy to try to help him regain what was lost in that accident some 14 years ago. But he is getting better.

“I helped him stand up and he hugged me – he’s 6 foot 4 inches in height - and we talked and kidded a while, and I let him sit back down. With the help of a walker, he can take deliberate steps and, in a pool, even more. Ryan is fun to be with. He’s intelligent and conversational. We’ve still got a ways to go, but we’re believing God is going to restore him completely.”

So, how important is prayer to Pat Boone?

“It’s vital and it’s every day,” he said. “In fact, the Bible says, ‘Pray without ceasing.’ (laughs). If you walk around praying verbally all the time, people will think you’re nuts, but I like to make my breath a prayer. I’m breathing a lot these days and I always have.

“I start the day asking God to breathe into me his spirit, his breath, and I believe he does. So in everything I do, and everything I’m about, I’m trying to devote it to him and I ask his blessing on it.” With that Boone was off to join his many friends at the event.

About the Hollywood Prayer Network:

The Hollywood Prayer Network (HPN) is a nonprofit organization led by entertainment industry Christians, seeking to impact our culture for Christ through prayer. We are committed to asking Christians everywhere to pray for the artists and professionals, projects and productions, and global impact of Hollywood: the world’s most influential mission field.

“With an attitude of love, it is our passion to mobilize people around the world to engage in culture, pray for the media, and help transform the spiritual climate of Hollywood,” said a spokesperson for HPN. “Whether you’re an industry professional who wants prayer and support or a Christian with a heart for prayer, the group says that it wants to “build the bridges, light the way, and bring hope and healing to an industry that dramatically shapes our world.” To join, just go to: http://hollywoodprayernetwork.org/join-the-movement/ 

To read a previous story with all the honorees listed, please go to http://www.assistnews.net/index.php/component/k2/item/171-hollywood-honors-2015-celebrates-christians-making-a-difference-in-the-entertainment-industry 

Note: I would like to thank Robin Frost for transcribing this interview.

Photo Captions:

1) Pat and Shirley Boone with Ryan Corbin at Pat's 80th birthday celebrations (Photo: Dan Wooding)

2) Members of the Hollywood Prayer Network praying before the start of the event (Photo: Tim Hathaway)

3) Logo

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