Pray for the World 13 October 2005 Update From HCJB World Radio
Today's Headlines:
VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT ORDERS NEW TRIBES MISSION TO LEAVE COUNTRY
INDIA'S SUPREME COURT TO CONSIDER CHALLENGE OF CASTE SYSTEM
PERSECUTED CHINESE CHRISTIAN GETS GREEN LIGHT TO STAY IN U.S.
OUTREACH DIFFICULT AS UNCERTAINTY GROWS IN DEM. REP. OF CONGO
Today's Top Stories:
VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT ORDERS NEW TRIBES MISSION TO LEAVE COUNTRY
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ordered a U.S.-based Christian missionary
group working with indigenous tribes to leave the country Wednesday, Oct.
12, accusing the organization of "imperialist infiltration" and links to
the CIA.
Chavez said missionaries with New Tribes Mission (NTM), based in Sanford,
Fla., were no longer welcome during a ceremony in a remote Indian village
where he presented property titles to several indigenous groups. "The New
Tribes are leaving Venezuela. This is an irreversible decision that I have
made," Chavez said. "We don't want the New Tribes here. Enough
colonialism!"
Nita Zelenak, an NTM representative reached by phone, declined to comment
on Venezuela's decision or say how many missionaries are working in the
country. The mission specializes in evangelism among indigenous groups in
the world's remotest places. The organization has 3,200 workers and
operations in 17 nations across Latin America, Southeast Asia and West
Africa.
NTM's website states, "We would welcome any opportunity to address the
president's concerns and help him better understand our organization and
the work of NTM in Venezuela. The primary concern is for the indigenous
people of Venezuela whom our missionaries serve. In addition to religious
teaching, our missionaries also minister in areas of humanitarian
assistance, community development and literacy.
"We have the highest regard and respect for the people, laws and country
of Venezuela. We hope that President Chavez will reconsider his decision
and allow us an opportunity to clarify misunderstandings and
misinformation that exists regarding the work of NTM in Venezuela. NTM is
not and has never been connected in any way with any government agencies.
Our goal is to serve the indigenous people.
"We are confident that President Chavez wants the best for the people of
Venezuela. NTM considers it a privilege to have served the indigenous
people of Venezuela for the past 59 years. We deeply desire to be able to
continue serving them. Please pray that our leaders in Venezuela will have
wisdom as they pursue further dialogue concerning this matter. And pray
that our missionaries will know God's peace in the situation."
Sources: Associated Press, New Tribes Mission
INDIA'S SUPREME COURT TO CONSIDER CHALLENGE OF CASTE SYSTEM
On Tuesday Oct. 18, India's Supreme Court will review a case that could
grant to millions of Christian Dalits the same rights that Hindu, Sikh,
and Buddhist Dalits already enjoy. Under current law, Dalits, people
outside of India's caste system, have virtually no rights once they
convert to Christianity. Gospel for Asia President K.P. Yohannan says that
could change when India's high court reviews this momentous human rights
case. There are approximately 300 million Dalits in India. If those who
convert to Christianity from Hinduism are guaranteed basic human rights,
many will be open to the gospel of Christ. If the court rules favorably,
Yohannan says hundreds of millions of people trapped in a modern-day
system of slavery could soon have a major obstacle removed, freeing them
to respond that much more readily to the gospel. (Agape Press)
PERSECUTED CHINESE CHRISTIAN GETS GREEN LIGHT TO STAY IN U.S.
Li Xiaodong, a Chinese Christian accused of attending an illegal house
church, will be allowed to stay in the U.S. after the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) reversed an earlier decision denying his
application for asylum. Jubilee Campaign, a human rights organization
dubbed the DHS's decision on Tuesday, Oct. 4, an "abrupt and surprise
move." An appeal board determined that Li was "credible, had suffered
persecution as a house church member in China in the mid-1990s, and should
receive America's protection from the likelihood of persecution in China
(if returned) because of his religious faith," reported Jubilee Campaign
in a press release." Christian Freedom International reported that Li fled
to the U.S. in August, seeking asylum after his apartment was raided by
police in Ningbo, China. Li said he was punched, kicked and shocked with
electric batons until he "confessed" to organizing "unauthorized"
Christian house-church meetings. (Assist News Service)
OUTREACH DIFFICULT AS UNCERTAINTY GROWS IN DEM. REP. OF CONGO
Skirmishes in the Democratic Republic of Congo are threatening to bring
down the country's struggling peace accord. According to the reports,
warring factions are stoking tensions in the country's volatile east,
scattering the innocent civilians. This makes continued outreach, training
and other ministry exceedingly difficult. Sam Vinton, of Grace Ministries
International (GMI), says their teams haven't been directly affected by
the violence, but the tension does have an impact. Vinton reminded, "We
have to continually put these people before the Lord." He says he thinks
the Lord will use some of the believers "to be the catalyst in bringing
back change." Five GMI missionaries work with the national church
organization in the areas of evangelism, church planting, education,
medical work, and community development projects. (Mission Network News)
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