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.

...another world is possible! Subscribe to GlobalCAST for free.

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!