Nigeria: Villages raided, more Christians killed
Many Christian villages in central Nigeria were attacked and a number of people were killed in raids by suspected Fulani militants on Sunday (the Fulani, mainly Muslim, are one of the most powerful people groups in west Africa). Militants attacked 20 villages in the Agatu local government area of Benue state, killing more than 30 people. Many fled to displacement camps in neighbouring Kogi state. Meanwhile, in the Barkin Ladi area of Plateau state, militants attacked several villages in Dorowa. Nigerian military responded to the attack but ‘made no search nor any arrests’. As Boko Haram attacks gradually build up around the north-east states, Fulani terror activities are also on the rise in central Nigeria. Please pray now for our brothers and sisters in Christ, facing this new threat.
Australia: New South Wales - financial stress rising
Financial stress has increased to 44% of the households in New South Wales as people spend more than they earn, according to a Wesley Mission report launched in Sydney. Almost four in ten or 1,022,010 households are now technically insolvent. Politicians of all persuasions draw the analogy between government and household spending and the need to balance the budget. Households are not balancing their budgets and the burden of debt is increasingly shifting from the public to the private sphere. The evidence from the Wesley Report suggests, ‘Financial hardship and financial anxiety are impacting the health, safety and wellbeing of individuals and their families.’
Global: This week - heatwaves, floods, droughts and tornadoes
A heatwave sweeping India has killed 1,118 since last week and the numbers are increasing daily. With temperatures of 48 C (118F), authorities are urging people to stay indoors and drink plenty of water. But people have to work! In Texas the governor said this week’s floods were the worst the state had seen. A wave of water had a ‘tsunami-like’ power. 1,000+ homes were damaged and more floods are expected. In Mexico a tornado reached 186mph, killing many who were walking on the street when it struck. The Philippines has placed eight provinces under a state of calamity due to a drought caused by 2015’s El Nino weather phenomenon. The rainy season due next month may not alleviate the drought’s impact. 40% of farmers’ crops are destroyed. Scientists have officially declared a major El Nino event due to an increase in sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. See also
Nepal: Nepalese leaving their gods after second quake
The earthquake has shaken the faith of many Hindus in this predominantly Hindu nation. Christian pastors are well-equipped to handle the spiritual side of things and are often the best people to turn to when it comes to emotional care. According to Mission Network News these uncertain times are laying the groundwork for churches to provide tangible aid. They are a point of light in these dark neighbourhoods of death and loss. Pastors and motivated Christians are reaching out with emergency aid as well as with the message of the Gospel. Thirty years ago there were hardly any Christians in Nepal. The Christian population is small but has been growing fast for the past three decades.
