Cornerstone University of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. This is your
weekly Mission Network News prayer bulletin.
Here are your weekly prayer items. Please pray over them during your
personal devotional time and at your church prayer meeting.
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Burkina Faso dumps its governors; ministry not concerned
Burkina Faso (MNN) -- Burkina Faso remains tense even after the nation
replaced all of its governors last week. Dean Yoder with Christian World
Outreach was there. "The day before I arrived, 19 people were killed and 60
arrested because of continued unrest." Unrest has been ongoing since
February when youths protested the murder of a peer. Economic protests also
abound. Fortunately, "Even though there's been destruction, looting, damage
to stores, and burned marketplaces, we have not experienced any difficulty
or anyone trying to attack our facilities." In fact, their building project
for a girls' vocational school is still on schedule. "This is allowing them
to bring dignity to themselves and feel self-worth as well as to hear the
Gospel and accept Jesus."
* Pray that the revamped government would bring peace.
* Pray for safety for the CWO vocational school.
* Pray that girls would come to Christ as a result of this ministry.
For more information, go to:
http://www.cwomissions.org/wherewehelp/burkinafaso.php
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World Refugee Day approaches as quiet genocide continues in Burma
Burma (MNN) -- The United Nations' (UN) World Refugee Day is a global
observance observed on June 20 each year. This year's theme for the World
Refugee Day is "Real People, Real Needs." Abigail Zimmer with Vision Beyond
Borders says for the Karen Christians of Burma, a genocide has gone
unnoticed. Hundreds of thousands are living in squalid refugee camps in
Thailand. "We're taking teams over as frequently as we can. We're also
sending a 40-foot container of clothes and toys and things for the refugees.
We just got back from a short-term medical clinic trip where we went over
and treated over 500 patients." Many of the Christians face deportation and
expulsion from camps that are closing. A cup of cold water in Jesus' name
goes a long way toward restoring the hope of the Gospel. "Pray for strength
and protection [for the refugees]. Also pray for a change and a shift in
their government leadership that they'll soften and turn to help the people
instead of run them out."
* Ask God to reveal Himself to the government leaders in Burma.
* Pray for open hearts to the compassion and love of Christ.
* Pray for wisdom and strength for their ministry team leaders.
Learn more at: http://www.visionbeyondborders.org/get-involved/pray.aspx
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Syria violence won't stop ministry
Syria (MNN) -- Over the last several weeks, an estimated 1400 people have
been killed in Syria. Citizens are ready to flee. Yet amid the turmoil, Open
Doors was recently able to host a women's conference. Open Doors' Carl
Moeller explains that strengthening the church now is vital. "The hope of
any nation is found in the church of Jesus Christ. The believers on the
ground there--the ones who speak the language and are part of the local
culture--are the ones that have to form the primary foundation and backbone
for any rebuilding efforts that go on in places that are ripped apart by
violence." By providing Bibles, conferences and business assistance, Open
Doors is preparing believers for any persecution that may come as a result
of government changes. But they're also preparing them to build the Kingdom
in this harvest time. "When people are bereft, and loss of life and property
have made them question their very existence, pray that the Christians there
would be able to point them to hope in Jesus Christ."
* Pray that the church would be strengthened to face whatever comes
next.
* Pray for protection for believers.
* Pray that people would turn to Christ in these uncertain times.
* Pray for violence to end in Syria.
For more, go to:
http://www.opendoorsusa.org/press/press-release/2011/06-June/First-Open-Door
s-Womens-Conference-in-Syria-Makes-Impact.
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Greeks strike over budget cuts, clash with police
Greece (MNN) -- A national strike over budget cuts brought Greece to a
standstill this week. The Prime Minister offered to step down to make way
for a national unity government. Paul Jenks with AMG International says,
"The primary parts of this austerity movement will be to privatize those
enterprises in health care, education, and all the utilities," which means
tax hikes and deep cuts to wages and benefits. AMG's St. Luke's Hospital has
already done some belt-tightening. "Some of the insurance companies were
just refusing their insured clients because they basically made no payments.
We've had to cut salaries of the staff there by about 7%, trying to bring
the hospital in line with the reduced income that we do have." The bright
side? Refugees from Egypt and Libya are coming to Greece. "There are
opportunities in times of crisis for the hope that we have in Jesus Christ
to be proclaimed, perhaps even with a louder voice and with greater clarity
than when times are good."
* Pray for the resources to keep the AMG hospital open in Greece.
* Ask God to give government leaders wisdom and the strength to hold to
a difficult course.
* Pray for wisdom and safety for the ministry leaders as they move
forward.
Learn more about the medical ministry of AMG at:
http://www.amginternational.org/www/docs/11.
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Syria continues crackdown; calls refugees back
Syria (MNN) -- Syria's military assaults continue in a bid to silence the
uprisings of the "Arab Spring." However, it's like a game of "Whack-a-Mole."
Whenever security forces gain control in one place, another towns rises up
and they have to start over again. Greg Musselman with Voice of the Martyrs
Canada says "There's slaughter going on there, and people are being killed.
As a result, now you've got another refugee crisis." The risk of sectarian
trouble is rising, too. Some of the refugees are Christians who were
targeted in Iraq. "One of the countries of destination, because of
proximity, was Syria. So you have the Assyrian and the Chaldean Christians
that left Iraq, and now they're in a situation where they're having to leave
again." The mass movement of people also means new opportunities. "People
that have been locked under Islam and have not had an opportunity to respond
to Christ are going to places like Turkey (we're in Istanbul). Some had come
to Christ as a result of being out of their countries."
* Pray for a restored peace.
* Pray that doors stay open for the peace of Christ.
* Ask God to embolden, comfort and encourage Syrian believers.
Learn more at: http://www.persecution.net/syria.htm.
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Mission Network News is dedicated to keeping Christians informed about
missions and evangelism around the world. Our goal is to help you
become engaged in missions through praying more effectively, giving or
going to the field short or long term.
Thank you for your dedication and heart for world missions. Your
prayers are greatly appreciated. May God richly bless you as you
serve Him today!
In His grip,
Greg Yoder, Executive Director
Mission Network News
1.800.284.9361
616.942.1500
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