Turkiye expanding relgious and cultural freedoms

The Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) will launch programs for the Alevi community during the first 12 days of Muharram, a month held sacred by them. Alevi beliefs and practices are quite different from the more common Sunni Islam. The decision came only days after the broadcasts for TRT’s first Kurdish channel, which aired last Thursday. Alevis, thought to number around 6 to 12 million (out of 72M Turks), have for long complained about being deprived of their cultural and religious rights. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) recently devised a new initiative to find solutions to problems faced by the Alevi community.

Praise the Lord for the majority Sunni Muslim Turks making room for others.
Pray this freedom and acceptance would expand to Christians as well.

#38 The Lost Boys of Sudan Dominic's Story

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Dominic shares some of his story of adjusting to life in the USA as a refugee from Sudan.

GlobalCAST is a ministry for YWAM Colorado Springs ...live the story!

#37 Prayer that transforms spheres of society

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Jenny and Laurie chat about how prayer can be the context for followers of Christ to understand God's desire to bring transformation to the sphere's of society that they live and work in.

GlobalCAST is a ministry of YWAM Colorado Springs... live the story!

Christians are being killed in Orissa

Please pray for the Christians in Orissa India.

There is a new wave of systematic violence against Christians in Orissa.
Go to www.friendsofOrissa.org to see what you can do to stop the violence.

Fox News Report
http://www.myfoxla.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=7577588&version=1&locale=EN-US

Radio Public Service Announcement
http://www.friendsoforissa.org/Home_files/ORISSA%20%231a.mp3

The power of prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ during this dark time is the most effective thing all believers can do. Pray for their safety, courage to stand strong, and pray that barriers to restoration of the peace, relief aid, rebuilding lives be removed today. Pray that Christians in India and around the world will support efforts to stop this current course of genocide to prevent a mass genocide of hundreds of thousands or even millions if not checked now.

1. Pray for a movement of God in withdrawing the 'Hate Campaigns' against Christians.
2. Pray for the peace to be restored immediately in all places and levels.
3. Pray for the bereaved families who have lost their near and dear ones.
4. Pray for the thousands of Christians who live either in the jungle or relief camps.
5. Pray that God would minister, console and encourage all and remove their fears.
6. Pray for the churches of all denominations and levels have been affected greatly by this violence.
7. Pray for the rebuilding of houses, churches and mission centers burnt in the violence.
8.Pray for the 51 different IMA member missions that are working in Orissa.

Muslims make Pilgrimage

More than two million Muslim pilgrims gathered around a mountain east of Mecca on Sunday at the peak of the Hajj to beg God's forgiveness, chanting "O God, I am answering your call!" Pilgrims trickling to the area where they will pray until sunset set up thousands of tents in a vast plain.

Count it all Joy—Reflections on Suffering

Count it all Joy—Reflections on Suffering  

Suffering in all of its various forms is a central theme of the Bible. How we respond to the suffering and injustice around us, or that which we personally experience, matters to God. From Haiti to India and Georgia to Southern Africa, YWAMers have stood alongside those suffering through a variety of situations in 2008, and in many cases have suffered themselves because of their Christian witness. 
In the December prayer letter, YWAM Chairman Lynn Green presents thoughts on a Christian response to suffering, followed by reflections on suffering from around the world, told by those who’ve experienced suffering personally or were working closely with those who suffered. We are exhorted in the Bible to “consider it pure joy” (James 1:2) and to stand in the gap for those who are suffering, which we ask you to do during your prayer time on Thursday, December 4.

Additional resources. Here's a link to a Gregory Boyd video teaching about suffering: [ javascript:void(0);/*1227784405635*/ ]http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4228731679569222656&hl=en.
Please note that these are Dr. Boyd's personal views and not the official position of YWAM International.

An Amazing True Story about the Zhuang

This is a story written by a long-term missionary about what happened
in the town he is working in among the Zhuang:

Almost 50 years ago, an American missionary shared with a man within the government. It just so happened that when the Communists took over China, this man was arrested and executed along with countless others. However, because this missionary had shared with him, he believed in Jesus and had told his 2 sons that they should also believe in Jesus, the only way to God. Because of their father's execution, both sons tried to escape. One attempted an escape to Hong Kong without success. One attempted an escape to Taiwan with success. But before leaving, he wrote down what he remembered of the story of Jesus on a scroll for the brother that did not make it out. He kept this scroll and constantly told his family for over 50 years that they should believe in Jesus, although he did not know how or what they should do, not having a Bible or knowing any other Christians.

In 2007, God....

To be continued...

#34 Emerge Justice

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Josh & Jenny chat about the amazing opportunities for anyone to be involved in bringing positive change to areas of injustice around the world. The Emerge Justice Outreaches July 17 - August 1: Sudan, Uganda, China or Thailand.

 GlobalCAST is a ministry of YWAM Colorado Springs at the "The Park"

Need for "Common Man's Bible" in Kashmiri

Talking with some friends about Kashmir or Indian Occupied Kashmir, I realized that the Kashmiri people did not have a good translation of the Bible or even a good translation of the New Testament in the Kashmiri language. There is a group of Scholars working on the translation of the Old Testament and they have completed the New Testament.

BUT these scholars doing the translation work were not Christian believers, but Hindu scholars. Even the work translating the New Testament into the Kashmiri language that had been done already was not for the Common Man but for scholars. The language used is not understandable to the common Kashmir and the translation not accurate and therefor not a trustworthy translation.

SO Please pray for an accurate current translation of the Bible into the Kashmiri language with us.

We pray for an accurate translation of Your Word Oh GOD into the Kashmiri language, a translation that every Kashmiri could receive and understand, AMEN!

This is a key to the Kashmiri coming to know God. Thank you for your prayers.

"Princess Fergy" does expose on Turkish orphanages

"Princess Fergy," the Duchess of York, apparently works for a news agency, and snuck into an orphanage. They secretly filmed the children and conditions inside, which were described as "inhumane". Needless to say, this has shocked and embarrassed the Turks, who feel this is a personal attack. Indeed, it is quite purposeful, as the visit was apparently related to Turkiye's bid to join the EU and wanting to "bring things into the light"

Pray that action would be taken by the government to improve conditions for "the least of these".
Pray against lashback that would hinder the ability of our workers to work inside these orphanages.

What do you think?
Is she helping right an injustice, or does a Western tactic not work with an Eastern culture?

# 33 Homes of Hope

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A quick glimpse of a YWAM ministry that allows all types of folks to participate in providing adaquate housing for the poor. For more information check out thier website.

GlobalCAST is a ministry of YWAM Colorado Springs at "The Park"

 

Who's the Bully?

Talks on the future of the Himalayan region have failed to make any progress. The blame game continues... independence vs. autonomy. Both sides have very differing opinions and are frustrated. Both sides feel that ethnic cleansing is taking place.

While future talks have not been ruled out, there doesn't seem to be much chance of real progress any time soon.

Maybe the two sides should clarify definitions... what does independence mean, and what does autonomy mean? And what compromises need to be decided upon. Or is compromise impossible because of the size and power of the bully?

#32 Childrens Ministry & Missions

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Jenny and Rachel chat about the incredible potential of children's ministry for bringing positive change to lives both locally and overseas.

 GlobalCAST is a ministry of YWAM Colorado Springs at "The Park"

Thailand Bombings

Today as I was scanning through BBC News online I ran across an article about a bombing in Thailand's Southern most province Narathiwat.  Now I know bombings happen there, but I was surprised because I am in Thailand and had been out and about, at the market and such, but hadn't heard one person even mention it.  I looked at newspapers back in the states and, if they mentioned it at all, it was at most a couple paragraphs.  

Before I came, my mom had been worried about my safety in Thailand.  I thought she'd heard about all the bombings in the South, about the more than 3,300 people who have died since the attacks started in 2004.  Instead she was worried about the protests in the capitol, she hadn't even heard of the bombings in the South.

Tuesday's attacks killed one person so far, but injured at least 71 people.  A car bomb went off outside a district government office where meetings were being held with village chiefs and local officials, and that meeting was believed to be the target of the blast.  Unfortunately, nearby the blast was a fruit market filled with shoppers.  A few minutes later a bomb on a motorcycle outside a teashop also went off.  I can only imagine the chaos, confusion, and fear everyone must have been feeling.

The fighting it the Muslim majority South is said to be Muslim Insurgents, but in actuality it is mainly criminals and gangs fighting over supremacy in border trade.  Bombings have been some of the biggest "headline makers", but the violence hasn't been limited to that.  There are also drive-by shootings and beheadings, and they're targeted towards both Thai Buddhists as well as Thai Muslims.  Over and over "peace" is declared and "ceasefires" are claimed, but it's never seen.  

The world overlooks the problems of three troubled little provinces in Southern Thailand, but the world taking notice may be the only thing to bring the violence to an end.  To let those 3,300+ get the headlines they deserve, for justice to come to those who not only commit the acts but orchestrate them from above, and for the families to get the prayer and compassion that they need so badly.

Photo Used Top: AFP/Muhammad Sabri

#31 Mobilizing Latin Workers - Franklin's Story

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God is raising up Latin Missionaries to go to the most unreached parts of the earth! Listen in on Franklin's story as he tells us about the calling on his life to go to India.

GlobalCAST is a ministry of YWAM Colorado Springs ... live the story!

 

Court further curbs Internet freedom in Turkey

The latest in a series of bans on popular Web sites has spurred many to question the future of Internet freedom in Turkey. YouTube has been banned off and on for the last year and a half. This week, the very popular blogspot.com was banned without explanation.

Pray for freedom of expression and speech in Turkiye.

Registering with the local police

From a team member:

Each time we visit the "Promised Land" we must go to the local police and register. We need to let them know where we are staying, how long and our passport information/phone numbers etc and the purpose of our trip. We have built a relationship with them over the years and God has given us great favor. This time there were new regulations put in place. We had more paperwork and had to meet again with my landlord and sign new forms of agreement. We noticed that though the local police were still friendly they were more reserved and asking more questions than any other time. They reviewed all the rules again with us for being in the town. All of these we were in agreement with.

Please pray that these relationships with the local authorities continue to be covered by Gods authority and power and favour.

Thailand Patriotism

Patriotic

This is normally a word we think of in connection to America, but we are definitely not the only country that is patriotic.  Patriotism is seen in pretty much every country, this is especially true in Thailand.

Thailand is patriotic in a way that is sometimes hard to understand, some people see it as worshipping the king, but in reality it's them being proud to be Thai.  In Thailand they wear yellow shirts every Monday to show their patriotism, to show they love their country and king.  When you go to the movies, it starts out with everyone in the audience standing up silently while the national anthem was played.  Anytime the Thai national anthem plays, everyone stops what they're doing and stands in respectful silence.  

Once I was was walking through a street market and the national anthem started playing, everyone stopped and waited in silence.  As I stood there, I started thinking about the wonder of the whole thing.  In the US, when the national anthem is being sang at a sporting game or something, we sing along, cheer, or if we're at the concession stand we continue ordering and getting our food or snacks.  I couldn't imagine walking through the mall in the US and everyone stopping while the national anthem plays.

It has donned on me that the Thai people's patriotism is a rarely seen devotion to their country.  From there God began to reveal to me that if the Thai's can show that type of devotion to a government, imagine how beautiful that devotion would be when turned towards God.  

Pray that more and more Thai's turn their eyes toward the one true God.

#30 Contextualized Missions Media

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Jenny & Carol discus how media is being used as an effective tool in contextualized evangelism to the least-reached peoples of the world. Carol is the co-founder of Create International. Check out their website.

GlobalCAST is a ministry of YWAM Colorado Springs  ..live the story!

Trade between India and Pakistan Opens first time for 61 years. Keep praying for Peace

Pray for Peace between India and Pakistan, Here is a sign of Peace and an answer to Prayers for Peace, another step. Keep praying!!!!

"More than a dozen trucks carrying apples, honey, rice and rock salt rumbled across a long-disputed frontier between India and Pakistan in the Himalayan region on Tuesday as an ancient trade route was reopened. It had been shut down after the two countries gained independence 61 years ago.

"I am extremely happy. I can't believe that I myself am crossing the line of control," Babar Ali, the driver of the first truck from Pakistan into India told reporters on the Indian-controlled side. "Never in my dreams had I imagined that I would drive my truck to the other side."

The opening of the 106-mile road -- running along a mountain valley from Srinagar in India to Muzaffarabad in Pakistan -- is seen as another tentative step by the two governments toward building peace in the disputed Kashmir region. India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir and came close to a third one in 2002."

from Washington Post story

#29 Midwifery and Missions

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Jenny and Ashley chat on the unique topic of how midwifery and primary health care can serve as a wonderful means of bringing postive change to the world.

GlobalCAST is a ministry of YWAM Colorado Springs ...live the stroy!

Subscribe to GlobalCAST for free in iTunes. got feedback? globalcasts@gmail.com

Promoting Development

Most of my people group have been nomadic herders for centuries. They live in tents and eke out a living through their animals. The government has decided to settle many of them permanently in brick homes to "promote development". They feel the government is trying to destroy their way of life.

Is development and modernization more important than a way of life? Is there some way to make a compromise, a way that will make schools and clinics available... without forcing the people into brick villages after centuries of living and moving freely out on the plains? What do you think?

Church burnt in Karnataka, (where ?. India)

Church burnt in Karnataka
IEM Pastor implicated on false charges of forced Conversion in Madhya Pradesh
Bangalore, (Karnataka) October 13, 2008: At around 1 am in the morning, St Anthony Catholic Church was set ablaze by a group of unidentified fundamentalists at Yedavanahalli village in Attibele, near Hosur, in Bangalore Urban district, Karnataka.
A group of four to five miscreants unlawfully entered the church and set fire to the Holy Bibles, hymn books, musical instruments and amplifiers used for prayer.
The tabernacle, a dozen chalices and at least 50 vestments were also gutted in the fire. According to Fr. Santosh, property worth Rs. 10 Lacs, has been gutted in the fire.
Fr. Santosh told Christian Legal Association, that two police constables were deployed at the church on the fatal night, the doors of the church were kept open so that they could take shelter if it rained.
Inspector Prushotham, of the Attibele police station, told EFI that a case has been registered under Section 448 & 436 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) the FIR No: 219/08.
He further, stated that investigation is taking place to find the cause of the fire.

IEM Pastor implicated on false charges of forced Conversion in Madhya Pradesh
Dhar, (Madhya Pradesh) October 12, 2008: Pastor Ganesh Kharde of Indian Evangelical Team (IEM) was arrested on October 12 in Dhamond, of Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh.
This incident took place, at around 11am in the morning when the Bajrang Dal activists unlawfully entered the church with a video camera and began to film the church service.

#28 The Lost Boys of Sudan - Daniel's Story

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The Lost Boys of Sudan are refugees from a civll war in Sudan. Daniel share with us some of the events in the very difficult journey he has made to the USA via several refugee camps.

 GlobalCAST is a ministry of YWAM Colorado Springs ...live the story!

 got feedback? globalcasts@gmail.com

 

The young girls of the district of Durankaya in the southeastern province of Hakkari are campaigning for a local high school so they can continue their educations. The girls put up a canvas banner at the center of the town reading "We do not want to wait for our wedding doing nothing at home; we want to go to high school and university." The boys are allowed by the parents to go to a high school in another town, but they tend to be more protective of their daughters. Over 300 young women are being denied a higher education. - from Today's Zaman
Imagine a life where your entire ambition in life was restricted to waiting for a husband to marry you.

Project Kashmir movie coming out

Just saw the trailer for the Movie; Project Kashmir and it seemed to give a good idea of the situation in Kashmir. The movie is made by 2 Kashmiri/American women, one Muslim and the other Hindu. The situation concerning Kashmir does not have easy solutions. Please pray for Peace in Kashmir and Jammu.

Psa 24:1 Of David. A psalm. The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
Psa 47:2 How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth!
Psa 83:18 Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord-- that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
Psa 124:8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psa 148:13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

From a Short Term Trip Participant

No trip like this would be complete without funny moments and cultural shocks, a few being....

• The team's introduction to smelly 'long drop' toilets, and our scenic potty-stops were hilarious.
• Doing an inter-tribal powwow style dance with the people and looking over and seeing dear S. and B. doing the 'twist & shout' to the powwow song.
• I was sitting behind a bus driver and saw his head nodding like he was falling asleep. I yelled to get his attention, and my friend next to me started hitting him to wake him up, only to find that he was not falling asleep at all, and naturally he was pretty shocked.
• It was common for monks to walk the streets begging for money for their monastery and as one was holding out a $5 Yuan C. thought he was giving it away and took it and kept walking. The shock on his face was worth a thousand pictures. She did return it...

Our prayers are with those few who are working long term amongst these beautiful people who know not whom they worship. It is not an easy calling to learn two languages, suffering exposure to illnesses we are not accustomed to, and to have to always fight to stay in the country. Please keep them in prayer as well as justice for the peoples.

Pray for Nepali Believers

We all know that there is persecution in Orissa, India. This fire is igniting fires in some places in Nepal too. A Catholic father who was working in east Nepal was murdered few months ago. I heard recently that there is a threat coming to Christians in south Nepal and some pastors are fleeing to Kathmandu; the capital city for safety, because the threat is directed at them. Please pray for them. Also, in the mid-western part, some people are threatening Christians to force them to leave the village. In the past these Christian brothers and sisters had to go through a time of persecution, and many house were burned. They were beaten horribly and forced to leave the village and their property behind. So they left their village empty-handed, not knowing where to go. Please pray for our beloved Christian family in Nepal!

#27 Media and Missions among least reached peoples

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Jenny and Cal discuss the ministry of YWAM's Create International and how media is serving as an effective tool in fulfilling the great commission of Jesus to bring the good news of God's love to the ends of the earth. Visit Create International online.

GlobalCAST is a ministry of YWAM Colorado Springs ...live the story!

got feedback? please email us a globalcasts@gmail.com

#22 Latin American Mobilization

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Kristina shares about what God is doing to raise up workers from Latin America to go to the least-reached nations in the world.

GlobalCAST is a ministry of YWAM Colorado Springs ...live the story

Find us in iTunes!

It's Enjoyable!

It's enjoyable being a liaison between our people group, my team and Christ-followers around the world. I get to do lots of stuff including facilitating/leading prayer times.

On Monday I was able to share the need and some of the hinderences that my team and our people group face. It turned into an amazing time of worship in many different ways... through marching, dancing, drawing, praying... all at the same time. It looked somewhat "messy" at times, but there was order in the chaos (if that makes any sense). It was active participation and God moved!

Next week I might share what some of the participants told me, so you can join in praying for the needs and ultimately rejoicing with us for the results!

EMERGENCY PRAYER ALERT“ CALL TO PRAY FOR INDIA!
Esther Fast Monday the 29th to Wednesday the 1st of October.

Youth With A Mission staff members have been among the thousands of followers of Christ in India who are suffering under violent persecution by Hindu radicals.

The violence has increased in recent months across the nation, most particularly in the states of Orissa and Karnataka, where thousands are fleeing their homes in an attempt to escape the persecution. In the state of Orissa alone, 51 people are confirmed dead, while over 40 000 have been forced to flee their homes as gangs of Hindu radicals storm through, beating up pastors, priests and nuns, burning churches and homes and vandalizing property.

Reports have come in from over a dozen YWAM staff and students who have suffered beatings and injuries, the loss of their homes and damage to personal and ministry property. Other teams are engaged in efforts to support the refugees who are often left with nothing. All are desperately praying for God to intervene, and they are asking YWAM International to join them.

A group of 90 Christian leaders meeting last week in Mumbai felt in prayer that the situation for Indian Christians is similar to that in the book of Esther, when God's people were also being subject to a plan of extermination. YWAM leaders from India who were at the meeting explain, Queen Esther appeals, through Mordecai, to the people of God to go on a three day fast. The rest is history. God intervenes. That's the objective of this call to pray and fast. Accordingly we are urging all our friends to declare three days of prayer and fasting for India from Monday the 29th to Wednesday the 1st of October.

YWAM International Chairman, Lynn Green, echoes this call to prayer. This coming Thursday is YWAM's monthly Global Day of Prayer and our focus is on strengthening yourself in the Lord," Lynn says. "Our brothers and sisters in India are suffering in a way many of us have never faced and we must stand with them, strengthening them with our prayers as they pursue God's purposes in that nation.

Prayer Points for India :

1)Read Esther chapter 3 and 4 to see parallels between what is happening in India today and the enemy's goal at that time to wipe out God's people. Pray for Esthers to rise up and speak to influential people in India who can work to prevent further violence.
2)Pray that God will bless those who persecute, according to Jesus' instructions and that they would come to faith in Jesus through the example of the believers and the supernatural intervention of the Holy Spirit
3)Pray for believers across India to be strengthened in their faith and persevere through these hardships. Pray that God would use them especially in this time, to be salt and light in India.
4)Pray for the victims of this violence, and for intervention from the Central Government to prevent further attacks. Pray for relief efforts which are assisting those who have been hurt or have lost everything.


For updated news on violence against Christians in India, please go to the Evangelical Fellowship of India website at http://www.efionline.org

For this month's Global Day of Prayer teaching, go to "http://www.prayerday.org

A full list of prayer points from the Esther fast and other information is available from : ict@oval.com. Please include your full name and location when requesting further information.

Finding "God" in Zhuang Part 2

Continued from Friday, August 26, 2008:

One day, we got together in our kitchen with two linguists, and hashed out some of the most difficult terms with our two young Zhuang translators. We had asked one of the translators to bring his father along, a man who has been a believer for a short time, and has spent most of his life in a small rural village. He stoically sat at the table, trying to look interested in the conversation, but contributing little. After we had discussed the God term for awhile, he spoke up.

"Have you considered using the word Boh-fax?" he said.

We looked at each other, and then at the two young translators who looked as clueless as we did. We knew what the two syllables meant, literally, "sky-father," but did not know the rural Zhuang had such a term in their culture.

"Everyone knows about Boh-fax," he continued, "Boh-fax made everything, he controls the weather, and is responsible for what happens in our lives."

Each of us proceeded to pop out questions like, "Is he good?" "Is he eternal?" "Is he all-powerful?" and so on until we were convinced that we had indeed found a local Zhuang term for God that met the necessary requirements.

Later, we replaced the old word with the new one in our script, and have already seen its effectiveness as our teammates have shown the video in remote villages.

These villagers said, "We have heard this story in Mandarin before, but now we understand it!"

Praise Boh-fax that he had already revealed himself and his name to these local Zhuang!

A popular singer is on trial for speaking out against the war against the PKK in eastern Turkiye. The prosecutor accuses Bulent Ersoy of making dangerous propaganda for the PKK, describing military service as the "sacred duty" of every Turk.

But Ms Ersoy told the judge she had committed no crime. The singer said she stood by her words and her right to express her thoughts freely - as a loyal citizen of her country.
"Even if they hang me, I'll keep talking," she said.

Article 318 of the penal code - "dissuading people from military service" - is frequently used by the military against its critics. Meanwhile another article, 301, makes it a crime to insult the Turkish nation and its institutions, which is used to stifle free speech.

What are the limits of free speech vs. harming the country?

Learning about Central Asia

This is my first post to this blog and hopefully you will find the things I have to share informative.  My focus will be to share with you about the part of the world that we call Central Asia.  Most of the countries in this region of the world were once part of the Former Soviet Union.  Most of the countries have a majority Muslim population.  Let me start by directing you to a web site that is a great resource to learn about the region and it's people.

http://www.eurasianet.org

Enjoy!

Finding "God" in Zhuang Part 1

Below is a story about Translation work among the Zhuang:

In 2007, we were working on a translation of a Chinese language evangelistic video into a Zhuang dialect. Our work was primarily with young Zhaung translators, as they had a higher level of education, and knew some English. There were several hurdles to overcome in the process, one of which was to find appropriate words for some of the key religious terms used in the video‚ the most significant being the word for "God."

Most of the local Zhuang believers were using the term "Cangj-dij" for God, which is a direct transliteration* of the Mandarin Chinese term, "Shangdi." We were not satisfied with this term, however, as our goal was to have the message understood by villagers with little or no access to Mandarin Chinese. Our heart was to see Zhuang churches established using their own concepts, and not being overly influenced by the Chinese church.

To be continued on Monday....

*transliteration simply means to translate using the closest corresponding letters from one language to another. This means that the pronunciation is transferred but not meaning.

We are quite worried and concerned about what is going on in this nation

Diary, update Sept 2009. Hello Every one,
This week was pretty slow due to the bomb blast from the last week. City is still under deep hurt and great panic. The police caught some of them who were behind the blast and it's mastermind. Some of the guys were studying and living in the same community. The situation is unrest and very sensitive right now!
Our family is doing well; God has been good and faithful to us. We have been blessed in many ways. K is doing well and going to her school and learning so much every day. ...
We are quite worried and concerned about what is going on in this nation right now.

Many of you are aware of the recent attacks on Christians and Christian Institutions across the nation, natural disaster in Bihar and Orissa and growing terrorist activities in major cities in our country. Hundreds of Christians were murdered, over 200 people were killed in the bomb blast and hundred thousands of people became homeless in the last two months.

We cry out for God's mercy, protection, provision and work of the Holy Spirit. We also ask your prayers for unity in the body of Christ and brotherly love and care for one another!
...
With much joy in serving Jesus,

Please pray for,
God's protection, direction for our family and team (YWAM),
Persecuted Christians and the body of Christ in our nation,
People in Orisa and Bihar, who affected by the flood,
God's work manifest in tough and painful situation,
Our family would be sensitive to Holy Spirit.

Favor From God

One night in the mountains I had a dream/vision. All I could actually see was a bunch of colors, but I knew they were multi-colored coats and that the people in them were tied down and being beaten. (I couldn't see what was tying the people down or any blood from the beating so it wasn't "ugly", but I knew both were there).

The story of Joseph in Genesis started off with a multi-colored tunic. His father gave him the robe as a sign of love and favor. His brothers got jealous and angry at Joseph and sold him into slavery. The brothers took his tunic and tore it, then dipped it in blood, and took it back to the father. They let him think Joseph was dead. Joseph, in the meantime, ended up in a foreign land. God gave him favor and blessed everything he did. But then he was thrown into prison for something he didn't do. God gave him favor in prison and put him in charge of most of the prisoners. While there he interpreted some dreams that turned out exactly as he had predicted. Finally he was able to interpret a dream that the Pharaoh had and ended up second in command of the country. He was able to save his own family and the whole country from dying from a famine... and God redeemed the whole situation.


I believe my people group have been given multi-colored coats as a sign of favor from God. (I never saw a coat there that didn't have several colors in it). They have, in essence, been sold into slavery by their brothers. They have been in agony. But it's God's plan to redeem them! Will you pray that they will receive hope and strength, and redemption? Will you pray that they will begin to understand God's favor and move deeper into His love?

Thailand---hospitality

In Thailand hospitality is practiced by all.  They are truly a people who would give you the shirt off their back if you needed it.  

Here in the West we treat hospitality as a necessary inconvenience.  We welcome a guest into our home, get them a drink and sit with them, it never really goes beyond that.  Thai's don't just practice hospitality with guests in their home, they are hospitable to everyone they encounter during the day.  They honor the people around them by not being noisy or disruptive, or by being smelly or dirty.  When you are guest in their home they dote on you, giving you the place of honor, and going out of their way to make you feel welcome.  Thai's will invite you in off the street, having never met you before that moment, and treat you to a delicious dinner.  As a general rule, Thai's will believe the best in everyone, which is why they don't think twice about bringing a stranger into their homes and to meet their family.

Being in Thailand made me think twice about how I practice hospitality here in the states.  One of our YWAM values is to "Practice Hospitality", but what does that mean?  It would mean different things to a Thai person than it would an American.  Seeing the Thai's definition of hospitality has really made me want to be more like that; more helpful, more trusting, more considerate, and more loving.  Not only because the Thai's are like that, but because I think God would want to call us to the higher standard. 

#25 Compasio & Ministry to Burmese Refugees

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Jenny and Al chat about the ministry of Compasio to Burmese (Myanmar) Refugees on the border of Thailand. Al shares a story of how God opened his eyes to see this crisis and his role in bringing postive change. For more information visit  Compasio's web page.

GlobalCAST is a ministry of YWAM Colorado Springs

...live the story

The Cost of "Free" Education

In our educational system, teaching about our nation's history, culture and religion is often actively discouraged and even punished. Because of this many parents avoid sending their children to primary school altogether, send them (where possible) to "alternative" institutions, remove them at an early age or send them out of the country at great risk to both themselves and their children. By law, attending school is required and it's supposed to be free... but extra costs keep getting added, and "gifts" are often expected by the teachers.


Would you want to be forced to learn another language in your own country in order to move beyond primary school? Wouldn't you want to know your own country's history and culture? Wouldn't you want "free" to actually mean no cost, especially if you couldn't afford it? How can you "get ahead" under those kind of circumstances? Or do you lose heart and fail, re-enforcing the vicious cycle of illiteracy?

(from a city in India)

(from a city in India) Diary – a weekly update Sept.
City is under a great panic from the tragic BOMB BLAST on Saturday. Twenty-three people died and over 70 people injured. We are deeply sad for those victims in the Blast. We are so grateful for God's protection and safety for our family and team. We have over 160 working in the city and God protected all of us.

The spiritual retreat was quite different experience, retreat and church planting seminar. Our family had great fun and wonderful time with many of our friends and co-workers. We were able to meet with P. and her three sons in the seminar place. They are doing much better from the death their dear one.
Our health is much better now. God has been so gracious and kind to our family. We received God's protection, healing, provision and much joy in the past weeks. We are so thankful for your prayers and thoughtfulness to our family. We are so blessed, encouraged by your friendship, regular prayer. We praise God for you and your family for your great love for God and your deep concern. Thank you very much for believing in us in many ways. We deeply appreciate that, May God bless you abundantly!
With much gratitude and love, ( ) Prayer Requests: Pray for deep devotion to God as a family, God's continuos protection and covering upon us, school admission and God's provision for schooling.

The young girls of the district of Durankaya in the southeastern province of Hakkari are campaigning for a local high school so they can continue their educations. The girls put up a canvas banner at the center of the town reading "We do not want to wait for our wedding doing nothing at home; we want to go to high school and university." The boys are allowed by the parents to go to a high school in another town, but they tend to be more protective of their daughters. Over 300 young women are being denied a higher education. - from Today's Zaman
Imagine a life where your entire ambition in life was restricted to looking ahead to marriage.

#18 Ministry to the poor of India

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Kevin & Pastor Sunil chat about his couragous ministry to the poor of India.

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a ministry of YWAM Colorado Springs

 

Thailand

Thailand, the land of smiles, and Thailand is truly a "land of smiles".  Everywhere you walk in Thailand you will see Thai people smiling, and if they aren't smiling then one flash of your pearly whites will force a smile on their face.

It's so easily however to reckon that because they smile that they're happy.  While a smile may be a genuinely happy one, it doesn't mean all of them are.  Thailand could also be called the "Land of Facades", put a smile on your face and no one will know your worries, insecurities, failures, or suffering.  Same as their smiles cover what's beneath in their soul, the glittering gold of the temples covers the failing infrastructure beneath.  

One example is a famous temple called Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, which is in Northwestern Thailand.  The outside is so beautiful, the gold and jewels that encrust the temple  shimmer in the hot Thai sun.  Underneath the awe inspiring beauty, the foundation is crumbling.  

We pray that just as the foundations of that temple are crumbling, that the foundations of Buddhism would continue to crumble.

Join millions of Jesus followers around the world who are setting aside time to pray for Muslims during the month they fast, called Ramadan. This is a global prayer initiative called, "30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World". Will you join your prayers with millions of Jesus people to pray for Muslims to come to faith in Jesus?

Check out the 30 Days of Prayer website. At this site you can order an awesome 30 Days of Prayer Booklet that helps you learn more about Islam, and gives daily prayer requests for specific Muslim people groups around the world

Sign up for daily prayer. This list sends you an email each day of Ramadan, with a summary of a specific Muslim people group and how to pray for them that day.

Pray for the violence to end in India

A Church of N. India Church was burnt in Madhya Pradesh on September 7. see http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/2373/45/

Let's pray 1 Timothy 2: 1 - 6
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.

Losing Their Identity

There is similarity between what the U.S. has done to Native Americans and what's happening to the people here. They are losing their identity! Men are unable to be providers or fathers, children go without supervision, young men turn bitter without direction, poverty is the norm, turning to alcohol or drugs deadens the pain, illiteracy is common.

How do we fight the injustice when a whole people group is losing their identity... and it's built into the system? How do we earn the right to speak into it and bring change?

Finding a Christian spouse in the Muslim world

Next week, in a smaller town in rural Turkey, a Christian young man will marry a Christian young woman. It will be the church's first wedding ever. Although the church has been around several years, there are so few Christians in Turkey, finding a spouse is a very difficult proposition. Consider the issues - do you marry a Christian from the maybe two or three available, or a Muslim - maybe a long-time friend - who you might have a greater natural attraction to? Or does becoming a Christian mean giving up your hopes of ever having a family?

Pray for the Kids

Let me begin with an introduction: I'm a mostly a stay at home mom AND I have a heart for the unreached. Let's start by praying for some of the missionary kids. Here are some that I know:





Let's pray that they have a really really great school year. And that they find favor with their family and community.

Be with them sweet Jesus and we pray that these little ones will love you more and more and more.

Please Pray for India

Hi!

I was wondering if everyone could offer a quick prayer for India every now and again. There are a few issues plaguing this God-loved nation.

1. There was a massive flood in Bihar, one of the poorest states in India. The relief response seems to be really slow.

2. There are a lot of Christians being killed in violence in Orissa. Please pray for peace there and for the Christians to have a godly response to this present trouble.

3. Kashmir is under 24 hour curfew and with an economic blockade.

More information is available on BBC/south asia news.

Thanks for praying and loving India!

Please pray for Peace in north India

There has been violence in north India, communal violence among Hindus in Jammu and the Muslims in the Kashmir valley. Please pray for Peace in Jammu and Kashmir north India.
So please pray for:
1. Wisdom for the government to know how to handle this situation with justice.
2. For the blockade of the Kashmir valley to be lifted so supplies can come again. Many patients are dying in the hospital because there is no more medicine. People will run out of food soon and with Ramadan on, it will be difficult.
3. Peace in Jammu. They are staging violent protests.
4. For the army & police to excercise self-control and refrain from reacting out of anger.
5. Pray for God to bring peace and healing to the hearts of Kashmiris and to let justice reign.
6. Pray that God will being to initiate reconciliation between the muslims and hindus, Kashmiris and India.

Visit from Native Americans

The group of Native Americans who recently came to visit had a wonderful time. It was a hard 15-hour bus ride from the city to the town but they hung in there. Several of the things they were led to do included:


* prayer walking in pairs around the city and in different key areas.
* having “night watches” of intercession for the people, the workers and for more people to come.
* praying, drumming, chanting and dancing on the property we are planning to use for work among the local people.
* giving gifts of gratitude and honor to the local officials who allowed them to come and cared for their safety while there.
* mingling with the locals in the markets and giving gifts to those He brought across their path.
* in all areas, worshipping Him as the one true God and lifting Him above all other names in the area.


We were grateful for their time here and obedience to Him to come. We believe that there will be many more Native Americans in the future who will follow their pioneering leads.

#23 Lost Boys of Sudan - Paulino's Story @ GlobalCAST

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Paulino Chol one of the "Lost Boys" of Sudan tells some of his story and helps us understand how the "lost Boys" got their name. Paulino is also the founder of "Lost Boys & Girls Future" an organization dedicated to helping individuals who are experiiencing his circumstances... there are still thousands of "Lost Boys" in countries like Kenya who have not been resettled.

GlobalCAST is a ministry of YWAM Colorado Springs ...live the story!

 

#22 Latin American Mobilization

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Kristina shares about what God is doing to raise up workers from Latin America to go to the least-reached nations in the world.

GlobalCAST is a ministry of YWAM Colorado Springs ...live the story

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#21 Human Trafficking Symposium

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Jenny & Isaiah Chat about the issue of Human Trafficking. Isaiah invites us to learn how to take action to end modern day slavery by participating in the Human Trafficking Awareness Symposium. This Symposium is being held in Colorado Springs on 9/20/08. To RSVP call 1-800-FOR-YWAM or for more info surf to www.htasymposium.blogspot.com

GlobalCAST is a ministry of YWAM Colorado Springs ...live the story!

Stories from the Field

We're trying something new here at YWAM Strategic Frontiers in Colorado Springs. We want to make the stories of what we're doing around the world more accessible to the public.

We're changing names and will be posting stories by region instead of county to protect those who are persecuted for their faith, but we hope you will learn more about what God is doing around the world through Christ Followers, and how you can be a part of it.

Live the Story