Iran: Baluchestan Province earthquake
The second earthquake to hit Iran in less than a week toppled homes and shops on both sides of the Iran-Pakistan border on Tuesday. Iranian TV criticized international media for ‘exaggerating’ the death toll, raising questions about the full extent of the damage in the rugged region that's a front line in Iran's battle against drug traffickers and the Sunni-based militant group, Jundallah. The earthquake damaged area is home to the Baluch people- a remote tribal society. Iran's state-run Press TV initially said at least 40 people were killed on the Iranian side but later removed the figure from its website and news scroll. The website of Tehran Geophysics Center said the quake was the strongest in more than 50 years in one of the world's most seismically active areas. Pakistan reported 34+ killed on their side of the border and 80 were injured. Up to 1,000 mud homes were damaged, Pakistan Television added.
Pray: for all who were affected by the earthquakes especially those living in desolate hills and valleys. Pray also for those attempting rescue operations in a complicated emergency situation. (Ps.60:1-2)
More: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/04/16/earthquake-iran-pakistan/2087047/
Uzbekistan: Protestants harassed and bullied
Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov rules according to Communist Soviet methods, so society is heavily regulated. Revolutionary and jihadist Islam are real threats to his regime. Religious laws primarily targeting these Islamic groups are also used to persecute Protestant Christians whom the regime considers are threatening social cohesion. Small house churches are routinely raided by hostile security police. Protestants charged with breaching the religion law by possessing Christian literature, witnessing or worshipping without registration face exorbitant fines often 50 and 100 times the minimum monthly wage. These fines leave them destitute. This persecution has nothing to do with state security and everything to do with making Protestant Christianity undesirable to its members and to the masses. Despite this, Uzbekistan's Protestant and independent churches are growing.
Pray: that God, who rules heaven and earth, will raise up political and civic leaders in Uzbekistan who will establish justice and liberty. (Karimov has poor health and the next elections are in 2015.)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13040091.htm
Zimbabwe Anglicans celebrate return to churches
A Godalming curate was in Zimbabwe earlier in the month to join Anglicans celebrating the return to their churches after five years in exile. Anglicans in the eastern Diocese of Manicaland were finally able to return to their churches and cathedral after being barred from places of worship for the last five years. They were forced from their buildings when two renegade bishops in Manicaland and Harare attempted to take control of diocesan properties. Even as they worshipped outside, they faced violence and harassment. All the while, priests were not funded and church assets were stolen. The hardship only came to an end when Zimbabwe's Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Anglican Church and legally restored their ownership of the buildings. The focus of the weekend's celebrations was on forgiveness. Joining them was the Reverend Kate Wyles, whose father's family were missionaries in Manicaland.
Praise: God for this change and the court's move to bring freedom to worship again to the Anglican Church. (Jer.34:15)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/zimbabwe.celebrate.return.to.churches/32139.htm
Zimbabwe Anglicans celebrate return to churches
A Godalming curate was in Zimbabwe earlier in the month to join Anglicans celebrating the return to their churches after five years in exile. Anglicans in the eastern Diocese of Manicaland were finally able to return to their churches and cathedral after being barred from places of worship for the last five years. They were forced from their buildings when two renegade bishops in Manicaland and Harare attempted to take control of diocesan properties. Even as they worshipped outside, they faced violence and harassment. All the while, priests were not funded and church assets were stolen. The hardship only came to an end when Zimbabwe's Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Anglican Church and legally restored their ownership of the buildings. The focus of the weekend's celebrations was on forgiveness. Joining them was the Reverend Kate Wyles, whose father's family were missionaries in Manicaland.
Praise: God for this change and the court's move to bring freedom to worship again to the Anglican Church. (Jer.34:15)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/zimbabwe.celebrate.return.to.churches/32139.htm
