---------------------------------------------
 
 

News headlines for May 19th 2004
=====================================================
Mission Network News is brought to you in part by MTS TRAVEL. MTS TRAVEL
announces a new money saving program for the closest supporters of
missionaries on the field.  Deeply discounted FAMILY, FRIENDS & PARTNER
airfares make it easier for families to reunite, and for friends and
partners to see missionary work with their own eyes. Simply enter your
email address, and the location of the missionary you wish to visit.   MTS
TRAVEL sends notifcation when there are special airfares to that
destination.  For more information, or to sign up for this special service,
please click on: http://www.mtstravel.com/familyfriendsandpartners/
 
 
 
Romania gets ready to ban international adoptions.
Romania (MNN)--We begin today in Romania, where parliament is set to pass
a law banning foreign adoptions altogether.   Bethany Christian
Services'[1] Romania adoption coordinator, Toni Carter says the country
already imposed a three-year moratorium on adoptions amidst a storm of
international protest.   "They're getting a lot of political pressure.
They're hoping to be admitted into the European Union, and there has been
negative publicity surrounding international adoption--and this became a
political issue, unfortunately, because as they debate the issue, there's
still 83, 811 children still in temporary care."  Carter says while this
would be a setback, it won't stop their Christian staff from sharing the
love of Christ.  "Bethany still has several social service projects and
about 80 employees in Romania doing wonderful programs, like recruiting
and training foster homes, promoting domestic adoption, life-skills
programs for children who are aging out of the institutions."
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/6028
 
Pamphlet drop terrorizes Christians in Pakistan.
Pakistan (MNN)--Elsewhere, the Pakistani Christian Post reports a wave of
leaflets hitting parts of Central Pakistan are causing concern for
believers.  The pamphlets are hitting Christian colonies in Quetta at
night, threatening a holy war, and accusing blasphemy.  To make matters
worse, the area government has already enacted Sharia law in the province
and now says it will enforce against blasphemers.   The pamphlet also
threatens all agencies and workers associated with evangelistic work.
Pray for those involved in ministry in Pakistan.
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/6027
 
Hugs open the hearts of hurting women.
Ghana (MNN)--Fetish slaves are women sold into bondage to atone for
someone's sin.   Every Child Ministries'[2]  Lorella Rouster explains they
are dedicated to freeing such women in Ghana, West Africa.  Many of them
hold secrets they are afraid to share, too humiliated to give them voice.
But, Rouster says their counselor, known as 'Bible woman', discovered a
little hug goes a long way.   "That was saying to them, 'You like us; we
are real people, we are worthwhile.  We have worth in God's sight.'  So,
it really has been a great door opener, just a little thing like a hug."
  ECM works in partnership with Ghanaian national efforts to end slavery in
as many places as possible, and help those freed to rebuild their lives.
"Our hope for the women is that they come to know the Lord, and that they
allow Him to heal the hurts and the wounds that have been inflicted on
them."
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/6030
 
Teen ministry in the Ukraine helps bring answers to tough questions.
Ukraine (MNN)--Meanwhile, like teens in any other part of the world,
Ukrainian youth are searching for answers.  Roman Matviyiv with New Hope
International says through educational programs they can talk in schools
about important issues.   "We teach them about abstinence.  We talk about
all these problems from a Biblical perspective.  And so after that we
invite kids to youth clubs.  Again the youth clubs, Christian youth clubs
are neutral territory.  Kids feel free to come because we have fun, we
have music, we do some message also."  Matviyiv says most teens have tried
being self-reliant but times are changing.    "Now they, you know, they
don’t have assurance about the future.  They not sure about life and there
are a lot of questions, a lot of doubts, and I think we, we have to use
that opportunity to share about Christ."   Pray for the Ukraine as an
upcoming presidential election will help shape the country’s future.
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/6029
 
Former Haitian Witchdoctor could lead many to Christ
Haiti (MNN) -- And finally, a former Witchdoctor in Haiti has become a
faithful witness for Christ.  According to  OMS International[3]  Yon Yon
came to Christ around the first of the year.  It only happened after he
told his voodoo followers he wanted learn more about Christ by listening
to 4VEH through a fix tuned radio provided by OMS.  Yon Yon came to Christ
while in the hospital recovering from his injuries.   Since he's an
influential man, missionaries in Haiti believe he'll be effective in
leading his fellow Haitians to Christ.
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/6026
 
 
[1] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=BCS
[2] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=ECM
[3] http://mnn.gospelcom.net/media/group.php?agencyAb=OMS
 
 

-----------------------------------
 

News headlines for May 17th 2004
=====================================================
Mission Network News is brought to you in part by MTS TRAVEL. MTS TRAVEL
announces a new money saving program for the closest supporters of
missionaries on the field.  Deeply discounted FAMILY, FRIENDS & PARTNER
airfares make it easier for families to reunite, and for friends and
partners to see missionary work with their own eyes. Simply enter your
email address, and the location of the missionary you wish to visit.   MTS
TRAVEL sends notifcation when there are special airfares to that
destination.  For more information, or to sign up for this special service,
please click on: http://www.mtstravel.com/familyfriendsandpartners/
 
 
 
Ministry leaders stunned, but excited about India elections
India (MNN) -- We begin today in India, where ministry leaders are calling
last week's election results nothing short of miraculous.  The radical
Hindu ruling party known as the BJP was unexpectedly defeated.  It's
expected that Sonia Gandhi with the Congress Party will be named
prime-minister.  President of  Gospel For Asia[1] , KP Yohannan. "If that
is the case, 'what does that mean for Christian work or anti-conversion
laws?' I believe they are going to throw it out and they're going to
change this kind of approach to oppress minorities and cause difficulties
for Christian missionaries and workers who are trying to help the nation."
  While the election is good news for the future, Yohannan believes
short-term it's not. "We may have greater persecution launched by the
localized fundamentalists sect groups.  I'm telling our people (to) be
prepared to lay down your life because (while) Congress (is) in power,
never means persecution will decrease."
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/6016
[2]
 
Water need in India still great
India (MNN) -- Meanwhile, there are one-point-two billion people without
clean safe drinking water and many of them live in India. That's why
Living Water Internaitonal[3]  is involved in that Hindu nation. Living
Water's President Jerry Wiles says many Indians aren't allowed access to
water. "In many areas, especially in rural areas, Christians in many cases
are denied access to the community water supply.  But, we're able to work
with a small church plant, we will work with them in drilling a water
well.  They freely share their water with the other religions, which
really opens the door for the Gospel." This oppression isn't expected to
change with government leadership.  Wiles says that's why more well are
needed.  "We've done well over 100 water projects in India. Of course, the
need is vast and we have many other requests to do water projects.  We can
drill a water well for about $1,200," Your gift could make an eternal
difference in the lives of thousands.
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/6019
 
A mission group shares exciting news for ministry in India.
India (MNN)--Next, we turn to India, where  Audio Scripture Ministries[4]
continues to report encouraging growth.  In parts of India, there is an
unusual freedom distributing God’s Word in audio.  Church leaders are
excited about having recently recorded the gospel of Mark in the Irula
language.  This is the only translated portion available in the Irula
language. In addition to the gospel of Mark, some songs and Bible stories
were recorded.  Pray that the political and religious situations would
allow this freedom to continue.
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/6014
 
"Hope" reaches prison inmates in the U-S.
USA (MNN) -- Meanwhile, it's a group of people that are sometimes
forgotten by Christians. Some believe they're unable to be reformed
through normal means.  We're talking about criminals in the prison system.
  Book of Hope International[5]  is developing material to help reform
them in a supernatural way.  Book of Hope's Rob Hoskins.  "In conjunction
with Prison Fellowship, we've created a Book of Hope special edition.  The
English edition is now completed and now available and in fact, Florida is
a pilot program where they will be distributing 25,000 copies to the
prison population in Florida." The plan is to translate this special
version into multiple languages, but that may have to wait a while. "As
soon as we can get the funding, hopefully we can roll out the program in
other states and around the world to reach the prisoners around the world.
  Just 33-cents puts the Book of Hope into the hands of one of those
prisoners."  The project would be a great ministry opportunity for Sunday
school classes.
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/6020
 
Over a half-million Scriptures are placed in Monterrey, Mexico.
Mexico (MNN)--And finally, the  Bible League[6]  is celebrating the
success of “Project Philip Monterrey”.  This two-year Scripture placement
project was designed to further develop the Bible League’s ministry in
Monterrey, Mexico.  Original goals were to place a half million specially
designed and easy-to-read Spanish New Testaments; final totals exceeded
that goal by several thousand.  Church leaders say the discipleship
process in Latin America takes about two years, so they expect continued
results.
Full Story: http://mnn.gospelcom.net/article/6015
 
 
 

-------------------------------------------