Colombia: Former world murder capital sees youth revival
Who would've thought that the very city identified as the ‘former murder capital of the world’ by Ambassador Charles S. Shapiro would be the place where 2,500 youth leaders would be inspired to touch the world for Christ? In Medellin, Colombia, Global Advance partnered with Youth Solutions to bring their Youth Leaders Missions Conference to over 2,500 youth plus 3,500 viewers online. The conference was held in early June and included several inspiring speakers, worship sessions, and a time of response from the attendees. These youth attending the conference face many challenges within their own country. It's not only identified as being the ‘former murder capital of the world,’ but according to the CIA, Colombia is also the world's largest producer of cocaine and a major producer of other illicit drugs. Also, nearly half of Colombia's population is below the poverty line.
Praise: God for the move of His Spirit among the youth leaders and pray that their influence will bring much fruit. (Jn.15:16)
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue13162.html
Colombia: Former world murder capital sees youth revival
Who would've thought that the very city identified as the ‘former murder capital of the world’ by Ambassador Charles S. Shapiro would be the place where 2,500 youth leaders would be inspired to touch the world for Christ? In Medellin, Colombia, Global Advance partnered with Youth Solutions to bring their Youth Leaders Missions Conference to over 2,500 youth plus 3,500 viewers online. The conference was held in early June and included several inspiring speakers, worship sessions, and a time of response from the attendees. These youth attending the conference face many challenges within their own country. It's not only identified as being the ‘former murder capital of the world,’ but according to the CIA, Colombia is also the world's largest producer of cocaine and a major producer of other illicit drugs. Also, nearly half of Colombia's population is below the poverty line.
Praise: God for the move of His Spirit among the youth leaders and pray that their influence will bring much fruit. (Jn.15:16)
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue13162.html
Southern Sudan: Independence and beyond
South Sudan will come into existence on Saturday. An ongoing conflict with the North combined with numerous warlords pursuing their own agendas bring challenges. The country's problems of rampant corruption and a low productivity remain unresolved. The ministries are predominantly led by men who have much more experience cleaning weapons than heading efficient administrations. There is a shortage of teachers and schools, doctors and hospitals, bridges and roads. The United Nations is expected to help the country get established, but its soldiers and vehicles are routinely blocked from entering contested regions. The head of the UN peacekeeping mission is an American, who has been there since 2004 based in a mobile office unit at the airport. Six warlords, veterans of the liberation war, are stirring up fresh conflicts. The government in Khartoum is doing nothing that might contribute to stabilizing the South.
Pray: for God to fulfil the dreams of the South Sudanese Christians as they begin to develop their country. (Pr.16:3)
More: http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,772691,00.html
Pakistan: Tribal leaders oppose military operations against Taliban
A tribal assembly in Pakistan this week has opposed ongoing military operation by Pakistan against the Taliban and are urging the government to hold talks with the militants to resolve the issues. The security forces have recently launched a major operation against the Taliban in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). A 'jirga' (tribal assembly) was organised by a conglomeration of different political parties in Peshawar and they supported talks with the Taliban militants. The parties included Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Awami National Party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and both factions of the Pakistan Muslim League. The 'jirga' rejected the newly-introduced regulations and demanded that the government carry out political and administrative reforms in the region. In a joint declaration it urged the government to bring insurgents to the negotiating table.
Pray: for restrained Taliban members to move responsibly towards peaceful negotiations in the region. (Pr.1:10)
