27. India One in three of the worlds poor is Indian.

Most vulnerable of all these are within the Dalit community. The name Dalit is used by Indias untouchables and tribal peoples and means crushed or broken. However, since OMs involvement with the Dalits began in 2001, God has drawn large numbers to faith in Christ. Every day a growing number of Dalits find true spiritual freedom. Give thanks for this amazing and spontaneous move of the Holy Spirit. (OM) 28. Afghanistan All Afghan Christians come from a Muslim background. If their conversion to Christianity is discovered, they will be put under huge pressure to recant their faith, both from Muslim clergy and local authorities. Tribal values are deeply entrenched and anyone embracing something new and maybe even foreign will be looked at as a traitor and excluded from the community. Pray too for the Afghan government - presidential elections are to be held in April. With the withdrawal of international forces in 2014, the regime will have to deal with the threat of the Taliban as well as the different ethnic factions in the country. (Open Doors) 29. Bangladesh One recent Monday afternoon, more than 60 teenaged girls squeezed their way into the local Christian girls club to play, sing, listen to a story and learn a memory verse. The next day most of them were homeless and the room where the club meets was gutted by a fire that had swept through the slum, destroying more than half of it in a short time. Thankfully, no-one was badly hurt but many families have lost everything they owned. One believer looked at the remains of her home and wept: My verse has gone! Ive lost my verse! She had asked the team to paint on one wall: Jesus said: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. She had put her trust in

Jesus through that verse and wanted everyone to see it. Pray for the affected families to experience Jesus as the Way even through loss and devastation, giving them the strength, comfort and courage to start again. (OM) 30. Turkmenistan Turkmenistan's regime seems to do whatever it deems necessary to stay in power, suppressing all groups it perceives as dangerous. Every meeting for religious reasons is met with suspicion and all Christian assemblies need to register. All unregistered religious activity is strictly illegal and the government uses the 'Council on Religious Affairs' to monitor and pressure churches. There are informers in the churches, so Christians always have to be careful about what they say and how they say it, whether registered or not. Please pray for these oppressed believers who have hardly any freedom to practise their faith. Pray too for the translation and distribution of God's Word in local languages. (Open Doors) 31. Pakistan Friends of a popular Pakistani preacher killed by a hit-and-run driver suspect he may have been murdered because of his conversion from Islam. Rashid Mehmood, 33, came from a rich, influential Muslim family but turned to Christ in 2005. Though he trained as a lawyer, he decided to become a pastor and to preach the Gospel, despite strong opposition from his relatives. He was riding on a motorbike driven by another pastor friend on Boxing Day when a car began to chase them, then deliberately drove into them. He suffered serious head injuries and died later in hospital. Pray that God will comfort Rashids church and strengthen their faith so they will continue his ministry by reaching out with boldness and love to their community. (Release International)

March - April 2014

A Worldwide Family of Faith

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lords holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledgethat you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:16-19) As Christians, God has drawn us into a worldwide family of faith. We are a people drawn from every nation, tribe, people and language (Revelation 7:9) from across the contents continents and across the centuries. We are family called to be devoted to one another in love (Romans 12:10). Around the world many of our Christian family are persecuted, imprisoned and even killed for their faith. Today around 200 million people are persecuted for following Jesus. Approximately 60% of them are children. Lets be devoted to our persecuted brothers and sisters and pray for them the prayers from Ephesians that the Father would strengthen them, that they would be rooted in love, that the would be filled with the fullness of God. Lets pray too for their practical needs for access to a Bible, fellowship with a new Christian fellowship for those rejected by their biological families, for safety and justice. Before Christmas, one of my friends was imprisoned for his evangelistic work in the Middle East. As the worldwide church family prayed, we saw God answer. He was given a Bible, a fellow Christian in his cell and opportunities to share the gospel with others. Let us stand with our persecuted brothers and sisters and pray to the God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. Anna Bishop Minister (World Mission) All Souls Langham Place

22. Cambodia Made in Cambodia is an increasingly common label to be found on our cheap clothes. With the rise in wages and living standards in countries like China, garment manufacturers have been relocating to countries with cheaper labour. The garment industry is now Cambodias main export earner bringing in 3 billion per annum and employing 600,000 workers. Factory conditions are often poor with wages kept to a minimum. At the beginning of the year striking workers demanded that the minimum wage be doubled. The demonstrations led to a violent crackdown by the police. Pray for Cambodia at this time of rapid change, for fairness in the workplace and for political stability. (OMF) 23. Burma (Myanmar) In January we received this brief note from our friends working among the Kachin people who had just come under attack. A total of six civilians were killed and buried in the village. One of them was mentally disabled and did not know he needed to run away. He was severely tortured and killed. The rest were not identified. They had already been buried and as the graves were being dug up for identification, we came under attack again. Houses and refugee camps were destroyed and damaged. Valuable materials were taken and the remaining materials and utensils including aid recently supplied, were destroyed. There are also unexploded mortars lying around the village which is very dangerous for the people. We ask that you continue to pray for Burma - that political change would be genuine, lasting, and would filter down to remoter areas. (AsiaLink) 24. Japan Pray that many of the Japanese who live overseas will have their eyes opened to the truth of the gospel during 2014 and that they will put their trust in Jesus. Ask that those new

believers who return to Japan this year will do so with eagerness and boldness to serve and to witness. Pray for them to be strengthened and encouraged amidst the potential challenges of settling back into a culture and mind-set that will often be very different to what they have experienced overseas. Please pray that Japanese pastors and Christians will embrace these returnees, endeavour to understand and support them, and equip them to flourish and bless the churches, communities and workplaces they inhabit. (Japan Christian Link) 25. Indonesia Ricky*, who comes from a Muslim background, had promised his friends he would not become a Christian. However, after three encounters with God, he decided to give his live to Him and get baptised. I have grown fast as a Christian, said Ricky. [Initially] it was difficult to be a Christian. I got a lot of injuries, troubles in my family, school and so on, but again, Jesus met me... He said, Dont worry about anything; Ive taken all your worries to the cross. While on a retreat, Ricky sensed God calling him to soccer ministry. Now, my dream is to travel around the world and tell the people about Jesus, and also to share my testimony with Him through soccer. he said. Praise God for calling Ricky. Pray for wisdom and protection as he shares his faith. *Name changed. (OM) 26. Asia Pacific Radio Planting One hundred Christian radio ministries have been established in the Asia Pacific Region in the last 10 years. The 100th station was a radio plant in Thailand that was dedicated during a large celebration in February. Stations have also been installed recently in Indonesia, including one in a highly sensitive, unreached area. Pray that God would prepare the hearts of listeners within the coverage areas of these stations and that many would come to Christ. (Reach Beyond, formerly HCJB Global)

Vol 59 No 2

Editor: Paul Tuckwell

Hon. Editor: Martin Lee

12.00 Rest of world

The annual cost including postage for copies sent to the same address: One copy per issue 5.00 UK only 8.00 Europe All subscriptions should be addressed to: Global Connections, Caswell Road, Leamington Spa, CV31 1QD Telephone: 01926 487755 Email: info@globalconnections.co.uk Registered in England & Wales as Evangelical Mission Association. Company number 3886596. Charity number 1081966

17. Egypt Pray Gods peace over Christians in Egypt. They have been treated as scapegoats by supporters of the Morsi presidency, and have been attacked with apparent impunity. Pray for an end to the violence and political turmoil. Thank God that pastors whose churches have been attacked are working for reconciliation with their Muslim neighbours. Pray that God will bless these efforts and pray that other Christians too will have the courage to seek reconciliation, not retaliation. (Release Int.) 18. Hidden casualties There is an African proverb which says, When elephants fight its the grass that suffers the most. Where there is conflict it is always the most vulnerable, defenceless and innocent who suffer - often that means children. The on-going conflict in the Middle East and North Africa may no longer be taking centre stage in our news, but from Tunisia to Bahrain uprisings and political unrest continue to severely affect peoples everyday lives. In many of these countries, children were already struggling to get access to food, healthcare and education. The unrest is turning many childrens daily lives into a fight for their very survival. Pray that God would move powerfully to bring about peaceful resolutions to these conflicts and for Christians in the affected countries, and throughout the world, to speak out on behalf of the children who are suffering. (Viva) 19. Iraq Canon Andrew White, known as the Vicar of Baghdad, has asked for urgent prayer for the church in Iraq amid intense violence. With frequent bombings and shootings in cities such as Baghdad and Mosul, monthly death tolls have soared recently. Januarys toll of 1,000 dead was the highest for almost six years. Hundreds of our people have left the church

because they have left the country, he says. The hundreds left are those who cannot afford to leave, so the poverty and needs seem greater than ever. I honestly cannot tell you how terrible things are. We are in more than a desperate crisis. We need your prayers. Ask God to protect and sustain Iraqi Christians amid the worsening violence. Pray for an end to the bloodshed in Iraq and an end to the fighting, which is mainly between Sunni militants and the Shia-dominated government. (Release Int.) 20. Syria Four sisters-in-law crammed into one small apartment with their seven children it hardly sounds like an ideal domestic arrangement. But for Hana* and her family, their new home in Lebanon has one significant advantage over the life they left behind in Syria. Here, at least, they are safe. They lived in Aleppo in north-west Syria before fleeing to Lebanon almost a year ago. The family had wanted to stay but then, tragically, Hanas son was killed in the shelling. He was only three years old. After this, they knew they had to leave. At the time of writing peace talks are on hold. The negotiations have seen some positive outcomes but there is still a long way to go. Lets continue to pray for peace until it becomes a reality. *Name changed (Tearfund) 21. Searching for truth Every month, hundreds of Bibles and thousands of evangelistic resources are downloaded by Arab Muslims exploring the Christian faith. The online ministry maarifa.org sees several thousand Arabs exposed to the truth about Jesus every week. Last year, media workers received over 600 emails in just three months from Arabs searching and wrestling with the truth. The team follows up every message personally. Pray that millions of Arab Muslims will continue to be drawn to the website and have hearts open to the Spirit of God. (AWM)

1. Honduras The Miskito people are an indigenous group living in the remote area of La Mosquitia in Honduras. For many years they have been marginalised and subject to unfair occupation of their lands. Their struggles have been met with indifference from the government and society as a whole. Tearfund partner Mopawi has been working with the Miskito people for many years, promoting development, justice and indigenous rights in what has often felt like an uphill and unpopular struggle. Finally, their persistence has paid off with the government recently granting significant land and territorial rights to the Miskito people. Pray this will quickly translate into big material and spiritual change for this vulnerable group. (Tearfund) 2. Brazil The 2014 World Cup being held in Brazil this summer will bring challenges such as a cocaine boom and increased sex tourism. Yet with around 600,000 visitors, there are plenty of opportunities for reaching out with the gospel. The church has the chance to speak out for those with no voice, including those being trafficked, and to hold authorities accountable on child abuse and how public money is spent. However, in order to make a lasting difference in peoples lives beyond evangelism during the tournament, the Brazilian church will have to overcome its lack of unity and unwillingness to work together. Please pray for the church to seize this opportunity. (Latin Link) 3. Chile In Chile 70% of students will be the first generation of professionals in their families. That means that in 5 years time there will be a new society, a new culture, a new mentality and new expectations being born... (Evangelicals, Politics and society in Chile, Fediakova, 2013). Please pray for the church in Chile, that it would

have an influence in the new country that is being born. Pray that the church in Chile will get a vision from God to be an influence to those who will be leading the country in the next generations with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (CMS) 4. Haiti Nan Figue was a poor community even before Hurricane Sandy devastated the village in 2012. The storm destroyed much in its path, including the local church building a crucial source of hope and practical support for many local people. Responding to this disaster, Tearfund partner World Concern provided the community with the financial and technical support it needed to rebuild the church themselves. Now the church is fully equipped to re-start its lifechanging work in the community. Plus the new church building is better and stronger than before - built to withstand future storms. Four years on from the 2010 earthquake, please continue pray for the people of Haiti - praise God for the progress thats been made and ask for protection from future disasters. (Tearfund) 5. Argentina Since 2008, Salta authorities have authorised the clearance of approximately 840,000 acres of native forests (roughly the size of Essex). 28% of that has been in areas where deforestation is prohibited by law. Last year ended with a barrage of deforestation projects being approved by the Salta government. In some cases landowners are even bribing indigenous people to support their proposals for deforestation. The Christian conservation group Land for Life (Refugio) have presented at public hearings at different locations across the Chaco region but they and others are often left asking if what they are doing is worthwhile as more and more land is being given over to deforestation. (CMS)

6. Lithuania 83% of people in Lithuania claim to be Catholic, yet an overwhelming majority of them are nominal. There is a tiny minority of evangelical Christians (1.1%). The younger generation of Lithuanians think Christianity is mostly irrelevant and interest in other forms of spirituality is growing. To be an evangelical Christian is seen as too radical, intolerant and sectarian. LKSB, the evangelical student movement, is small, without many resources, and facing many challenges. On some campuses the movement has contacts with one or two interested students, but regular meetings are not held. In general there is a lack of commitment from students to get involved in ministry, a symptom of the general youth climate in Lithuania. The leaders can see many opportunities, but lack the numbers to reach out. Please pray for students to grow in love for Christ, and to become more committed to ministry. (IFES) 7. United Kingdom (1) God is doing a new work in an English city where 25% of the population of this city are Muslims, with immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and North Africa. A small group of Christians who are committed to reach their Muslim friends with the gospel is regularly meeting to encourage each other, worship and pray together. Please pray for fresh vision to reach Muslims in the UK - for new strategies and resources and for more believers with a heart to reach them. (YWAM) 8. Denmark Tolerance is valued in Denmark, so it is safe to talk about faith in public. On the other hand it is widely believed that religion is a private matter. In 2009 KFS, the evangelical student movement, set a goal of reaching every single educational institution in Denmark with more than 100 students within a three-year period.

Staff or student leaders gained permission to visit high schools and speak to students between lessons or attend lessons and give an introduction to the gospel. By 2012 only two places remained closed of KFS. A strength of KFS is the high school students strong commitment to the movement. The main challenge is that so few stay involved with KFS at university. Some think that student ministry in the university is unnecessary, others are not aware of KFS. Please pray that Christian university students will see the need for ministry among their peers and the value of KFS. (IFES) 9. Ukraine Reports of violence, discussions of amnesty and government resignations have passed through international news sources since protests were sparked by the November announcement that Ukraine would not be strengthening ties with the EU. The international community and the church are worried that the country will descend into civil war if common ground cannot be found between the opposition parties and the current government. As protests continue, please pray for the work of BMS World Mission partner organisation, Russian Ministries, as they seek to spread the gospel and messages of peace and compromise in the hearts and minds of both sides. (BMS) 10. United Kingdom (2) Hundreds of thousands of students come to UK universities from all over the world. During February many Christian Unions ran weeks of events and talks that offered opportunities for international students to hear the gospel for the first time. Pray for the students that took the opportunity to find out about Jesus, that God would open the eyes of their hearts to the truth of what they heard. Pray too for effective follow up and for new Christians to be discipled and connected to churches. (Friends International)

11. South Sudan (1) Please pray for the worlds youngest country, South Sudan. Since violence erupted in December its been estimated that thousands have died and a staggering 600,000 have had to flee their homes leaving them incredibly vulnerable. Pray for the safety of the South Sudanese. The Archbishop of Canterbury, in a recent visit to the country, encouraged the South Sudanese to plant trees of reconciliation instead of trees of bitterness. Pray for leaders to find a new way, that Jesus would invade the culture, and for justice and mercy to rain down on this nation. (MAF UK) 12. Republic of Congo More than 100,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have recently fled across the border to the Republic of Congo, close to the Pioneer Christian Hospital in Impfondo, where a new Christian radio station has been installed. The station is broadcasting a message of peace in the midst of this unrest. Pray for safety for the station personnel and an ability to keep the message of the Good News on the air so that the refugees can be encouraged and know that Jesus loves them, even in the midst of these horrific days. (Reach Beyond, formerly HCJB Global) 13. Central African Republic (CAR) Pray for Catherine Samba-Panza, the new Interim President of CAR - for wisdom, protection, perseverance and a good team around her as she starts working for peace. There is hope after her election, but she has taken on a hard role as many people have been killed and more than 800,000 people are still displaced. Pray too that the international community will keep its promise to ensure humanitarian and peacekeeping work continues in CAR, so that the vulnerable can be protected and peace restored. (Tearfund)

14. Mali One of the worlds poorest countries, Mali suffered an inconclusive military coup in 2012 followed by French military intervention against Islamist fighters. Although civilian rule was reestablished last year, a truce with Tuareg separatists in the north remains fragile. During the coup many Christian radio stations were destroyed, but now a process of rebuilding is slowly taking place. Pray for technical and radio production training taking place at an FM station in an Islamic area of Mali this Easter. There is still great opposition to the gospel. (Reach Beyond, formerly HCJB Global) 15. South Sudan (2) Please pray for the those affected by leprosy in the Malek region of South Sudan. Two women have been shot dead, one of whom was elderly. Because she was severely disabled, she was left behind and later found shot in her head and chest. The leader of the village was also shot, but is still alive with a head injury. He too, is severely disabled with leprosy. Please pray for the other people in their community that they will not be afraid and that they will be comforted by Gods love. Pray that the leader will be healed and for all the families affected to find their comfort in the Lord. (TLM) 16. Kenya The Tumaini Counselling Centre in Kenya is run by professional counsellors and psychiatrists, who are also missionaries. They support missionaries who often work in difficult, isolated, sometimes dangerous situations, and are in the front-line of spiritual attack. The centre works with those experiencing personal crises, family stresses, marriage problems, or traumatic events in their missionary work. Consequently, many are able to resume effective ministry without having to leave the field. Please pray for this vital work of healing and restoration. (AIM)