USA: Government inaction on asylum seekers
They came to the USA seeking protection from persecution in their home country but have been caught up in what some are calling an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ situation. In one case a young man from South Sudan trying for years to get permanent residence in the USA was denied sanctuary because of his possible ties to a terrorist organization. The tie is the time he was held at a Sudanese rebel army's training camp for a month after being abducted as a child. He escaped and resettled in the U.S. but his case remains on hold. Human rights groups argue provisions in immigration are overly broad. Others who have been placed in the terrorist category include doctors who assisted the wounded and were unaware that the patients were terrorists and women who were forced to feed terrorists at the threat of their lives. Pray: that the United States continues to be a beacon of freedom and hope for those seeking asylum. (Lev.19:15)
Israel: Children forgoing meals due to economic status
More than half of the country’s children living below the poverty line went without at least one meal a day over the past year due to their families’ economic difficulties. Based on data collected from more than 100 food aid charities countrywide and on in-depth interviews with individuals and families living below the poverty line, the organization’s Alternative Poverty Report for 2010 shows 55% of the estimated 850,300 children in this category had to forgo a nutritious meal every day because of their families’ economic status. This is an increase of 38% over the previous year. During the past 10 years poverty has significantly increased; more than 15,000 families joined the ranks of the poor in 2009, and overall 435,100 families – 1,774,800 Israelis – lived below the poverty line in 2009. For those living below the poverty line recession or economic growth makes little difference in their troubled lives, the poor are abandoned and neglected. Pray: for the gap between rich and poor to decrease and for the poor in Israel to have a voice. (Ex.23:6) More: http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=200513
Vietnam: Authorities stop Protestant Christmas events
In a central government crackdown on Protestant Christianity in Vietnam, hundreds of Christians from 10 northern provinces were locked out of a Christmas celebration due to take place on December 19th when police locked the doors and sent them away. Some of the deeply disappointed Christians began singing and praying in front of the building. Police moved in, striking some with fists and night sticks in the melee that followed. Video clips of the action were posted online by Monday Dec. 20th. Christian leaders calmed the crowd, which eventually left, but not before at least six people – including the Rev. Nguyen Huu Bao, the scheduled speaker - were arrested. Similar incidents occurred on Dec.19 in at least four other places throughout the country. As Christmas Day approaches, it appears the 400,000 Protestants in unregistered churches will be denied celebrating together. Pray: for those beaten and wounded to know God's comfort and healing and for officials to see Christians in a positive light and no threat to their authority. (Is.9:6) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/vietnam/30101
Iran: Pastor facing death sentence
Youcef Nadarkhani, a father of two and an Iranian pastor was arrested in October 2009 after he objected to the teaching of Islam to Christian children in schools and he has been held in prison ever since and sentenced to death for apostasy - even though this is not a crime under the country's penal code. His wife Fatemeh Passandideh was arrested in June 2010, and sentenced to life in prison. But praise God she was released on appeal in October. Youcef was born to Muslim parents and accepted no religion before becoming a Christian aged 19. His case is seen as part of a growing campaign against Christians involved in the house church movement in Iran. The pastor will become the first person in 20 years to be executed for apostasy in Iran unless the sentence is overturned. Pray: for the international community to pressurise the Iranian judiciary to uphold its own law and set Youcef free. (Ps.36:6) More: https://barnabasfund.org/UK/News/News-analysis/Pastor-facing-death-sentence-in-Iran.html
