Pakistan/Afghanistan: Peace process
President Karzai will visit the White House next month and then participate in an international peace conference between Afghanistan and Pakistan. About 1,400 Afghans representing the nation's ethnic, regional and political factions are scheduled to gather for a peace jirga next month to reach a national consensus for talking with insurgents to end a 9-year-old war. Jirga is a term for a decision making assembly of male elders used in criminal cases rather than by laws or police. Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Afghan President Hamid Karzai agreed on Wednesday to revive the joint grand jirga process to develop a strategy for reintegration and reconciliation. Jirga could be the way forward to restore peace as the two countries redefine their ties and engage with the Taliban to restore peace and end years of suspicion and political feuds. The US visit is extremely important as the US doubt this is the right time for talks with top Taliban leaders who think they are winning the war.
Pray: for God's purposes to regulate the White House meetings and for His intervention in Jirgas to bring internal peace for the area. (Is.32:3)
More: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hvWEqwq3CrRvaQCmt21MfoYhjZJQD9F7PPUO0
Iran: House-church pastor assaulted and arrested in Karaj
The Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN) says that that on Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at 4:30 pm, several plain clothes security officers, introducing themselves as ‘agents of the Ministry of Information,’ invaded the home of a local house-church pastor in the city of Karaj, which is situated about 13 miles west of the capital of Tehran, and after threatening those who were present there, assaulted and arrested the pastor, named Behnam Irani, and transported him to an undisclosed location. ‘Sources in and around the city of Karaj report than approximately 10 young men had gathered to fellowship and practice their newly found faith by studying the Bible, void of any political or current issues, when this attack occurred,’ said a FCNN spokesperson. ‘Each attendee was informed that they had attended an illegal meeting and in the coming days they would be called and summoned for further questioning by the authorities.’
Pray: for the believers in Iran that the Lord would protect them and uphold those who are being imprisoned for their faith. (Ps.32:6-7)
Bangladesh: Buddhist extremists capture Christians
Buddhist members of an armed rebel group and their sympathizers have been holding three tribal Christians captive in a pagoda since April 16th. They were severely beaten to try to force them to return to Buddhism. Pastor Shushil Jibon Talukder aged 55 was bludgeoned nearly to death; Bimol Kanti Chakma aged 50; and Laksmi Bilas Chakma aged 40 were also severely beaten and all three are to be kept in a pagoda for 15 to 20 days as punishment for having left the Buddhist religion a Christian source said. Local Buddhists are considered powerful as they have ties with the United Peoples Democratic Front, an armed group in the hill districts. After taking the men captive the following day the armed extremists seized all blankets, Bibles and song books from the Maddha Lemuchari Baptist Church and then forced the congregation to demolish the Church building with their own hands.
Pray: for the captives to receive a powerful touch of the Holy Spirit with comfort and inner strength and for the congregation to also experience God’s embrace at this time. (Is.66:24)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/bangladesh/17879/
Churches appoint new Safeguarding Adviser
Elizabeth Hall has been appointed to the post of Safeguarding Adviser for the Church of England and the Methodist Church in Britain. Rev Dr Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of the Methodist Church, said: ‘Our churches take the safety and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults very seriously, and we have a responsibility to offer the highest standards in safeguarding. This role is central to that work and we are pleased to welcome Elizabeth to our team.’ The Rt Revd Anthony Priddis, Chair of the Church of England’s Central Safeguarding Liaison Group, adds: ‘Elizabeth’s range of experience in the statutory sector will be of great benefit in helping churches across both denominations keep up to date with the latest good practice in this area, and in offering professional support to our network of diocesan safeguarding advisers.’ Elizabeth said, ‘I am excited about taking on this role. I look forward to the opportunity to use my safeguarding and child protection expertise within the church communities.’
Pray: for Elizabeth as she takes up this challenging role to to care for our youngsters. (2Ti.1:14)
More: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/prsafeguardingadviser.html
