(Photos by Clav: Cover photo of the capital, Banju. Story photo of Kombo)

Gambia (MNN) -- Struggling to overcome an economic meltdown, The Gambia now faces the added challenge of natural disaster.

Heavy rains produced another major flood that swept The Gambia over the weekend. 

The raging floodwaters destroyed hundreds of homes and left thousands more homeless. It compounds the damages left in the wake of severe flooding last month.

Global Aid Network contact in Gambia is David Jatta, whom we spoke with through a spotty Skype connection. "It is worsening. It is getting very serious. The government cannot handle the situation."

Survivors in Kombo's Central and Southern districts need food, shelter and medicine. Jatta just returned from an assessment trip to Gunjur and Brikana, two of the worst-hit areas. 

He says as a result of the disaster, there are 3,000 more displaced, added to the 5,000 they were already helping--a small percentage of all of the affected flood victims.  

Agricultural crops were also affected, and the government is overwhelmed. This is peak farming season, and waterlogged fields now mean severe food shortages in the fall and winter. 

Jatta says GAiN is responding. They've already sent some help, but this relief effort includes the means to recover so that displaced farmers may bring life and hope back to their land. "There is another container that is arriving with seeds and food. This is going to be used toward giving food to the people. GAiN is giving capacity to the government."

While dealing with a crisis, the physical assistance is a key part of being the hope of Christ. Jatta explains, "People say, ‘Yes, you tell me about God's love. You tell me God loves me. But how is that relevant to the kind of challenge in the situation I'm facing currently?'"

GAiN's approach to meeting needs has opened some new doors in this Islam-dominated country. "Global Aid Network has helped us demonstrate God's love in the situations that people face. So we are allowed in because of our demonstrative care to the people in need. We've been given a certain allowance to show the JESUS film in the city, to distribute Bibles, to do things that would have been impossible without having been officially recognized."

For each $1 you send, you will help ship $27 worth of compassionate aid. A single container holding more than 270,864 meals will meet the immediate needs of those who are starving. These shipments are due to leave for Gambia and other impoverished areas within the next 60 days. Click here to help.  

It costs just $5 to provide a blanket to a poor family, which also enables them to hear the Gospel.

India (MNN) -- India's economy continues to make headlines around the world. Last week reports indicated that the nation's economy grew 8.8 percent. While this is good news for the nation, it does little for the nation's poor, especially in the north.

Global Action is a ministry dedicated to serving alongside nationals and global partners to meet both physical and spiritual needs. This fall and winter, India will be a focus of their work.

Global Action President Lars Dunberg says while India is known for being very hot, it also gets very cold. "The northern part--which includes the capital of Delhi and all parts of India that borders the Himalayas--gets below freezing every winter. [It happens] from December to about February."

While this happens every year, Dunberg says, "The problem is that this is one of the most poverty-stricken areas. People have very little clothing. They certainly don't have any winter clothing."

Through the help of local churches, Global Action identifies the poorest of the poor. Once they're identified, they send in their local orphan choir in the town square. "And then, we call these people forward that are on the list and provide them with a $5 woolen blanket--a heavy military type blanket that will shield them completely from the winter cold."

As the people hear songs and God's Word, seeds of the Gospel are planted. And because the local churches are organizing the events, many people turn to them for physical and spiritual guidance.

The blanket distribution is in its fourth year. "This year, we are shooting to give away 17,000 blankets: 15,000 in India and 2,000 in Nepal."

Your gift of $25 will provide blankets to five families and ensure that they hear the Gospel.

This year, Global Action is recruiting teams to go to India to distribute blankets. Dunberg says this is important. "In some of these villages, people have never, ever seen a non-Indian. So it becomes very, very special. We will go every day out to a group of villages and distribute a couple hundred blankets a day in those places."

As Christians spend time in these communities, Dunberg says they get opportunities to share Christ. "Very often, they say, 'Why are you here?' And we say, 'We are here because we love you.' [They say], 'Why do you love us? You don't know us.' [We respond], 'Well, we love you because [God] loved us first.' That's just a natural way to share the Gospel, says Dunberg.

Five different teams are heading to India this fall and winter.

For the second year in a row, Global Action is having a contest. "We like to offer to take someone along [with us] at our expense."

If you'd like to win a free mission trip to India, all you have to do is register on the home page of our Web site. Make sure you fill out the information completely. Then, on October 4, 2010, MNN and Global Action will be drawing the winner. The winner's name will be announced on the Web site, via e-mail, and on our radio broadcast.

You may also call 1-800-284-9361 for more information.

International (MNN) - A "rave" is an all-night techno dance party. 

It has international appeal for young people, freeing them to spend uninhibited time with other ravers. As a result, the subculture of the rave often involves promiscuity and substance abuse.

Some say it's about the creation of a community and re-connecting with something perceived as lost.  For others, it's about finding hope. Founder and President of One Hope, Bob Hoskins, agrees.  

His son, David, was a prodigal. For 15 years, he was a leader on the rave circuit promoting electronic music and the raves throughout Europe. When he finally came back to the Lord, he said, "I don't want to leave those kids behind. Those are kids who will probably never go to church; they will probably never read a Bible, even if it's given to them. We have to go into their world."

David's own journey led him to develop a ministry geared to reach these kids with Christ. One and a half years later, they're ready to launch "True Love." The ministry blends the light shows and music of the rave culture with the message of the Gospel. Bob Hoskins says OneHope has produced "24 ten-minute capsules which is a meta-narrative of salvation starting with Creation, the Fall, the Brokenness, Christ, Restoration, the Church, extending the Message, and finally, the new Heaven and the new Earth. Overriding it all is God's love for humanity."

Right now, the Web site (trueloveculture.com) only delivers the capsules in English. But by the end of the year, they're hoping to be ready with the full complement of 24 capsules in 20 languages with 20 separate sound tracks to help customize the message to the culture and audience.

Does it work? The One Hope team just completed a test run, airing 10 capsules at an event in Ecuador.  A church sponsored the event and sold tickets for $3 a piece, hoping for 300 attendees. Word of mouth grew, and the church sold 1000 tickets. On the day of the event, 2500 showed up.

Hoskins says what happened next was nothing short of a miracle. "They ran 10 capsules, and at the end of 10 capsules, the local pastor got up and gave the salvation message. Understand: these are not Christian kids. So they show up, and they hear the Gospel, and over 300 of them came forward to accept Christ and be discipled by the Church."

Discipleship is important to keep new believers grounded in their faith. "We're creating a special ‘True Love Book of Hope', and wherever the events take place, the special edition ‘True Love Book of Hope' will be distributed."

Because of the success of the test run event, One Hope is gearing up to launch a new campaign. "On October 10 -- we call it '10-10-10' -- there will be events in 10 cities around the world. We work with the churches, so in these 10 cities, we're working with major churches."

Pray that God keeps preparing hearts to receive the message of Christ's love. Click here to help.

International (MNN) -- Have you ever wondered if the money you're pouring into a ministry to help the materially poor is being used well? Have you ever wondered if the ministry for which you work is as effective as it can be in reaching the poor?

Some guidelines from The Mission Society may help you to better assess whether ministry time and money are being used wisely.

There are various ways to help the materially poor, from immediate aid relief to microloans. But no matter what method is being used, paternalism often comes into play.

This sort of stepping in and fathering can be helpful to ministry, but when not done with the utmost sensitivity and understanding, it can actually become harmful to ministry. There are a number of questions to be answered to determine the best way to respond to each particular situation. The Mission Society has released a few things to consider as you allocate funds to help the materially poor or enter the field to help directly.

One tactic often employed to assist the physically impoverished is known as Resource Paternalism. Resource Paternalism is the tendency of Western believers to solve the issues of international poverty by pouring funds and goods into a struggling community. The danger in providing constant handouts is that it can sometimes deprive the people of learning stewardship and may actually overturn local businesses.

Something else that can actually hinder outreach is Spiritual Paternalism, where believers come into an impoverished community with the assumption that they know little of faith and that it must be taught. The Mission Society, however, warns that many of the materially poor have had to rely on God so much throughout their lives that their faith has actually grown stronger than many others'.

Knowledge Paternalism is akin to the childhood taunts of, "I know something you don't." Knowledge Paternalism is when believers assume they know the best way to plant crops, operate businesses and cure diseases no matter the culture. To counteract this, ministries need to recognize that the materially poor may have insights that they do not, and should thus engage in conversations with them to really find the best solution.

Labor Paternalism is another thing to look out for. This is essentially the practice of doing work for someone that they can and should do themselves. Parents would not continue to tie their children's shoes through high school. Yet, ministries have a tendency to coddle the poor this way. The Mission Society suggests that this may be harmful to recipients who are not learning to take responsibility and do things on their own. It can also be a bit degrading to them to set expectations so low.

"Managerial Paternalism is perhaps the hardest nut to crack," notes a Mission Society publication. Often Western Christians step in simply because it seems that no one in the country or community is taking charge, or at least not quickly enough for Western ideology. However, the reason no one is taking charge may be attributed to one of a few things: the people benefitting from the ministry don't take charge because they know someone else will; they don't have enough confidence to take charge after watching only outsiders do so in the past; they have internalized the message that "Caucasians run things and everyone else follows;" they know from experience that the current project won't work but they are afraid to say so; they think that if others take over, it will be done more efficiently and provide more resources.

These are simply a few things to be aware of when looking at a good ministry model for your church, for a mission organization, or for your own journey onto the field. To truly win people to Christ, Western Christians must be willing to listen and understand the cultures into which they're stepping. Christ makes it clear that believers should care for the materially and spiritually poor. Doing so with respect and knowledge will be the best way to show people the love of and compassion of Christ.

International (MNN) -- College is a wonderful time to get involved with clubs and extracurricular activities. But how many of these organizations actually have deep meaning? What if a club existed that actually made an impact for Christ?

The E3 Partners program I Am Second offers just this sort of opportunity. I Am Second is a worldwide multimedia movement to get believers reaching out by serving those around them. We've talked about the program in the past, but let's get a deeper look.

I Am Second UNT is barely a year old. This particular Texan chapter of the outreach shared with E3 how they conduct their meetings and their mission as a group.

The group is described as "directed toward the college generation, open to anyone and free to join." Within the 35-member group on the University of North Texas campus, several smaller groups have been formed. These small groups meet throughout the week, but every Sunday a large group meeting is held.

At large group, several things happen. Updates are given as in any other club. But unlike other clubs, prayer and worship are also conducted. The group also watches an I Am Second video every week (many of which can be viewed at their Web site), and they read a passage to go along with the video and answer questions about how to practically apply what they've learned while interacting with others.

"I Am Second is primarily focused on relating and befriending those who would never darken the door of a church," explains I Am Second UNT's Lauren Haynie.

The discussions surround serious issues like child abuse, prostitution and racism. The club is very much an outreach, and as discussion starts flowing, anyone in attendance is free to ask questions and share their thoughts.

Beyond just talking about issues however, I Am Second clubs are designed to do something. I Am Second UNT members volunteer with a Homeless Ministry on a weekly basis, and also donate time to a local church.

This ministry is a wonderful way to not only serve as Christ served, but also to spread His love to nonbelievers. Click here to find an I Am Second chapter near you.

(Photos by AsiaNews)

Indonesia (MNN) -- Christians in Bekasi, West Java have faced growing opposition in recent months from Muslims opposed to "Christianization."

Tired of government inaction, Christians and other religious minorities in Indonesia are pushing back against rising violence by Islamic hard-liners.  

Though it has been relatively calm in the last few weeks, the tensions never really go away. "It's always bubbling near the surface, and then these Islamic groups get together and they come against the church," said Greg Musselman, spokesman with Voice of the Martyrs Canada.

Over the last year, there's been a spike in trouble for Christians in this region. Church services throughout the city have been repeatedly interrupted and Christians intimidated into silence.   

In June, the Bekasi Islamic Congress met and set up a "mission center" along with a youth army to oppose Christian efforts. That movement is going up the ranks into the legislative arena. "The talk of sharia law in any Muslim country is always there by a radical element."

Meanwhile, the attacks are growing bolder and more frequent. Leaders of a church in West Java, Indonesia have demanded justice from police after an attack from Muslim protestors left at least a dozen people injured.

As some 20 members of the Batak Christian Protestant Filadelfia Church in Bekasi gathered for Sunday worship August 8 on a church-owned plot of land in Ciketing, hundreds of members of the Islamic People's Forum (FUI) and the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) broke through a police barricade and ordered them to leave. When the church members refused, the protestors assaulted the group.

Why are they attracting so much attention? Because transformation is taking place. Musselman explains: "Even though some of these churches in Bekasi have to be very careful, all of a sudden literally hundreds of people are worshipping on the street. That's catching the attention of the neighborhood."

It's a mixed bag. Where one church might be undaunted, the Gospel efforts might be severely hindered by fear. "Those that are staying there growing in their faith, and persecution is strengthening it. Pastor is preaching on persecution, and he's seeing a spiritual maturity within those who have stayed."

Although it's stressful, many believers are praying that their conduct would continue to be a witness for Christ. "Pray that they would be strong through it," asks Musselman. "That is the prayer that we get most requests for: not necessarily that the persecution would stop, but that they would be strong through the persecution, and also that justice would be done."

(Photo by Gospel For Asia)

Pakistan (MNN) -- Pakistan's displaced flood victims say a lack of clean water and high temperatures are causing illnesses sweeping through relief camps with children most at risk.

Dr. K.P. Yohannan, president of Gospel for Asia, emphasized, "Clean water is a definite priority, and it is our joy to give out 'cups of water' in the name of Jesus."

To that end, GFA Compassion Services teams are providing clean drinking water. Among those affected are at least 1,000 Christians, including several GFA-supported missionaries and their congregations.

Overall, seventeen million Pakistanis have been affected, and the United Nations says only 64 percent of the funds required to meet the $458 million cost of the crisis have been found. Of those seventeen million, almost five million are still without shelter.

The combination of over-population in the camps, inadequate sanitation, and contaminated drinking water is deadly. Thousands are contracting waterborne diseases among the most vulnerable populations of women and children.

For those who are able to help in the relief, Yohannan said they view the floods as an opportunity rather than a setback: "Calamities and crisis and pain--regardless of country or culture--[are a] huge opportunity for us to demonstrate God's love for these people."

Pray specifically for safety and health of those in the areas where contaminated water brings the threat of disease. You can help. Click here.

Flooding struck in the southeast Mexican states of Veracruz and Oaxaca.

Mexico (MNN) -- Floods in Pakistan displacing millions. Floods in India destroying homes. Floods in Gambia adding to the disaster of famine. When it seems like the earth cannot possibly harbor any more rain, high waters strike again, this time in Mexico.

In the past few months, Compassion International has been forced to temporarily shut down child development centers in India for flooding. They also have had children affected by floods in Burkina Faso. Now, a natural disaster has shut down centers again as heavy rains strike Mexico, as well.

In the neighboring Mexican states of Veracruz and Oaxaca, heavy rains have affected a total of six Compassion-assisted child development centers. In Veracruz, flooding has temporarily ceased all activity at center ME-777. One center in the state, ME-881, has now become home to four families who have been displaced from their homes due to flooding. Center ME-882 is on alert.

The trouble in Oaxaca is even worse. The flooding of four rivers has caused significant damage to many homes and buildings. Three Compassion-assisted child development centers in the state--centers ME-836, ME-838 and ME-839--have reported families who have lost possessions and who have experienced damage to their homes. Some children have also fallen ill from the floods. As of right now, ME-836 is the worst off in Oaxaca and has suffered the most.

Compassion Mexico will continue to update Compassion International via their Web site. Anyone whose Compassion-sponsored child has been affected by the flooding will be contacted by Compassion International.

Please pray for the many families who have lost possessions and suffered damage to their homes. These are families who are already struggling, and now they have even less to their names. Pray that the flooding would stop, but also that this would be an opportunity for families and children to cling to Christ as their only hope. Pray that their faith in God's provision would be a testimony to others affected around them.

If you would like to donate to Compassion International's disaster relief, click here.

Biblica provides Bibles and other resources to U.S. military chaplains.

USA (MNN) -- Last week United States President Barak Obama announced an end to combat operations in Iraq. That's good news to military families whose loved ones are in harm's way in this troubled region of the world. But that doesn't mean trouble is over, as suicide bombers continue their attempts to stymie the peace.

As fatalities continue to mount, U.S. military chaplains are being used by God to minister to soldiers and their families both at home and abroad.

Biblica has been a friend of soldiers for years, providing resources to help chaplains minister to soldiers headed into service. Biblica's Director of Military Ministries Mark Rader says, "There is a shortage, as I understand, of chaplains."

But Rader says this isn't dampening their enthusiasm for ministry. "The people that I've been with--the chaplains and chaplain assistants--are really committed to getting the ministry to the military."

Biblica provides specific military Scripture resources to help their ministry. "We're helping to provide Bibles and other spiritual resources for the men and women in the military and even much broader for our ministry around the world."

Those in the military seem to be more open to reading God's Word as they face their own mortality each time they go to the field. Rader says that why their Chaplain fund is important. "We're able to grant Scripture at no cost to military units going overseas and also those here in the States. We also have an ability to put their unit imprint on the front of the Bibles. And the chaplains tell me that enhances the possibility that many of the soldiers will pick up the Bibles."

Biblica could use your help to resupply their grant program. Your financial and prayer support will ensure soldiers are able to receive God's Word.

For every $3.50 you donate, Biblica will supply an NIV Camouflage Bible to a military chaplain. With the ongoing troop rotation, the need is great. Please give generously. Biblica will quickly get the Bibles into the hands of those ministering to our military.

Bentley will be out on the open road for one month raising money for his favorite ministry. (Photo from Bentley's blog)

USA (MNN) -- A lot of Americans do something big for their fiftieth birthdays, maybe throwing an oversized party, taking a trip to Europe, or purchasing a new car. For Mark Bentley's fiftieth birthday, he wants to do something big, but his birthday wish is a bit out of the ordinary. He wants to celebrate by celebrating a ministry.

Bentley is an avid cyclist and enjoys riding long distances on his bike. After deciding to go on a long bike trip for his birthday, Bentley decided to make things more interesting, not to mention meaningful.

"I love to bicycle ride, and [to ride] long distances, but I also love to witness and hand out tracks along the way," says Bentley. "I have a passion for Bibles for the World and their ministry, so [I] kind of combined all three of those together."

Bentley has planned a bike trip that will take him from Illinois to the Bibles for the World headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and back. He will be handing out tracks, CDs, and Christian literature along the way as he makes his journey through dozens of towns. Bentley will also visit 16 different churches throughout the month-long ride.

Bentley is excited to do ministry on his own, but his trip will support more than just his own goals. Bentley has turned this trip into a fund raiser for Bibles for the World. Many people have sponsored Bentley, and so far he has raised about $1,200.

The total funds raised will go to bring the Gospel to people across the globe, and even to child sponsorship. A Bibles for the World sponsorship is $29, meaning Bentley has already raised enough to care for 41 children, if that's what the ministry chooses to do with the funds. None of the money raised is going to fund Bentley's trip; it is purely an opportunity for people to honor his birthday journey by donating to the ministry he holds so dear.

Bentley's experience with Bibles for the World goes back to 2001 when the Bibles for the World India Children's Choir visited his church. Bentley and his wife got to host a few of the Indian girls and decided to sponsor a child through the ministry. Since then, Bentley has been passionate about the ministry's work to build the kingdom.

Ultimately, Bentley hopes that's what his trip will do. "If I knew that one person was gained for the Lord and His kingdom, it would be worth it all," he says of the journey.

Pray that as Bentley rides, he would have the opportunity to share Christ with many people. Pray that his 2,000 mile journey would be a good conversation starter and lead to witnessing opportunities in churches and along the road. Pray that others would come to know the Lord as a result of the money raised for Bibles for the World which will translate into Gospel sharing in various places. Pray also for Bentley's safety as he makes this dangerous trek.

If you would like to support Bentley's cause, head to the Bibles for the World giving site and click on "2,000 Mile Bike Ride." Visit Bentley's blog, Manna for the Journey, to stay posted on his bicycle trip, which started last Friday and ends in early October.

Many Pakistani are living in temporary shelters on any dry ground they can find. (BGR photos.)

Pakistan (MNN) -- As floodwaters have ravaged Pakistan, many ministries have rushed to bring aid to the estimated 17 to 20 million victims. Unfortunately, many ministries seem to be coming up against a mammoth problem: no funding.

"The giving is really lagging behind right now," explains Jeff Palmer, executive director for Baptist Global Response, a close partner of International Mission Board. Although many have given generously--for which BGR is grateful, much more is needed to properly respond to the dire need in Pakistan.

The numbers can be put in perspective when measuring them against the funds given after the Haiti earthquake. It's about a month into the severe Pakistan flooding at this point, and BGR has received somewhere between $50,000 to $60,000. A month after the Haiti quake, at least $2 million had been donated to the ministry for relief work. To further highlight the need, BGR has already poured about $600,000 into Pakistan relief--a number not remotely covered by donor response to the crisis. Within the next month, the ministry estimates a need for another $1 million.

So why the contrast in response to the needs in Pakistan vs. Haiti? Palmer says it could be a number of things. He confirmed that people may be skeptical of the Middle East, but also that they may simply be burnt out from giving. In general, many may not see it as such a big issue as the Haiti catastrophe because less lives have been lost, even if more have been affected. For Americans in particular, Pakistan is just too far removed for many to get emotionally involved.

"Not many Americans travel to Pakistan," notes Palmer. "A lot of Americans travel to Haiti, and a lot of mission organizations have work going on in Haiti. Pakistan...is not as near and dear to the hearts."

Ironically, rather than safe and dry Christians in other countries, Pakistani believers are the ones helping the most. These brave believers have been affected by the floodwaters themselves, undoubtedly lost possessions and perhaps even loved ones. Yet, they are on the frontlines of flood relief, despite the fact that they are coming up against many who are angry to see aid doled out in the name of Christ in a predominantly-Muslim nation.

"The first responders in Pakistan are the Christians that are there--the believers, the local Pakistani. Many of them are putting themselves in harm's way. Because of the predominant culture in the country, they're not looked on very favorably. The first number of projects we've been able to do actually are supporting local believers who are able to go out and minister to their neighbors with food and with water and with blankets."

The lack of emotional attachment from believers elsewhere around the world, however, is an unfortunate blow for Pakistani in need and could hinder the work of believers in the country. Believers there are not only providing necessities for the survival of their fellow countrymen, they're also providing the hope of the Gospel as traumatized Pakistani seek answers.

"An event like this does a couple of things," explains Palmer. "It displaces people, and it makes them ask questions. It also opens up cultural questions as to why these things happen."

Victims need spiritual questions answered, but they will listen only if they have their immediate needs of shelter, food and medicine met. Believers cannot continue to hand relief items out in the name of Christ if there is no funding to provide those things.

If you can help by giving even a small amount to help the tens of millions of people who have lost so much and are looking for hope, please prayerfully consider giving money to BGR or another ministry helping in Pakistan. To give with BGR, visit their Web site at gobgr.org. This may be an opportunity to trust in the Lord as you support the work of our faithful brothers and sisters in Pakistan.

Please continue to pray for the people of Pakistan as well. Pray for the floods to recede and for people to find their ways safely back to their homes. Pray that in the midst of turmoil, many Pakistani who may never have considered Jesus Christ in the past would now turn to Him wholeheartedly and put their trust in Him.

Pray for strength and boldness for believers who are spreading relief and the Good News. Pray for their safety from the Pakistani who oppose their lifesaving work.

Syria (MNN) -- The spiritual climate in Syria is a changing one. While Syria's Christian minority is generally respected, conversions to Christianity from Islam are rare and sometimes met with opposition.

Voice of the Martyrs reports that evangelizing is legal, but visas are not granted for missionary work. And while there is freedom to worship, any activity that could threaten communal harmony is suspect, making it difficult to spread the Gospel.

Despite the challenges, Reach Global in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) began in 2008. The team working in the area is focused on holistic ministry: meeting physical and emotional needs as well as the spiritual needs of an individual.

They have been working together with churches, national partners, and collaborating with like-minded ministry organizations in order to reach the Syrians with the hope of Christ, and there has been success. A church has been planted.

Enter: opposition. This June, the Syrian government closed the doors of that evangelical church. The group is still hoping to meet for worship and Bible study, but they are praying for wisdom and discernment on how to do that and still remain within the law.

Pray for the Syrian government to demonstrate more tolerance for establishing evangelical churches. Pray that Christians will be able to reach out to the Muslim population in Syria. Pray that Syrian converts to Christianity will be a strong witness to their family, friends and neighbors.

Haiti (MNN) -- 1.3 million are said to be living in the temporary camps in Haiti, nine months after a devastating quake leveled the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Although it is making headway in recovery, the United Nations notes that the country is still struggling with reconstruction and rebuilding a government.

However, Haiti has successfully avoided a second-wave disaster of epidemics and social unrest. The people's resiliency has been astounding. There are hundreds of reports of a spiritual revival taking place amidst the squalor of the temporary housing sites. 

It's a picture of beauty from ashes, and Baptist Haiti Mission is in the middle of it, sharing the hope of Christ.  

Baptist Haiti Mission is involved with the rebuilding of homes for the surrounding communities, as well as continued food distribution to various schools in the mountain region around Fermathe.

BHM teams were able to provide food for schools to use through the end of the school year. At that time, they provided supplies for the schools to distribute to the children for their families.  

One such school is Qui-Croit, located in the mountain above the Baptist Haiti Mission. The primary school at Qui-Croit has about 422 students, from kindergarten to 6th grade.  

This particular delivery takes place up a steep, narrow mountain road that needs repair. The BHM team arrived to provide 30 sacks of rice, 9 sacks of beans, 5 cartons of oil, and one sack of salt to the school for the families. The help, accompanied by the attitude of the staff and the reputation they stand behind as Christians, opens many doors for them to share the hope of the Gospel with the recipients.

BHM is very thankful to have the opportunity to deliver food to these communities and to help the people of Haiti in this way. You can continue to help. Click here.

SAT-7's viewer response has doubled in the first six months of this year, compared to the same amount of time last year. Calls, text messages and Web hits are all up. (SAT-7 photo)

International (MNN) -- In recent months, SAT-7, Christian satellite television to the Middle East and North Africa, has seen tremendous growth.

"[In] the first six months of 2010, compared to the first six months of 2009, many of our response mechanism have at least doubled," said David Harder, SAT-7's Communications Manager. Responses are up for calls, text messages, and Web site hits.

Harder attributes the growth partially to the expansion of their programming to a second, more popular satellite system last October.

However, he believes that's not the only reason for an increase in responses. With so much recent upheaval throughout the Middle East and North Africa, flooding in Pakistan, suicide bombings in Somalia, the Iranian government's continued tyranny and economic instability wherever you turn, people are looking for answers and turning to God: "When there is great pressure, people are pressed, and they are interested in spiritual things, whereas perhaps before, when their life was relatively easier, they weren't considering those things. So you see more responses when life is tough. In a way, it's unfortunate, but it's fortunate because God can use those times to really reach out and touch people's lives."

Recently, a SAT-7 PARS counselor heard from a viewer who was overwhelmed by the mounting pressures in his life and who had lost the will to live. He sent a text message saying, "This world is nothing. I'm going to kill myself."

Troubled and afraid a text message reply would not be enough to help this viewer, the counselor said: "I prayed and then sent this message back to him: 'If you do that, you are only scared and just running from your problems. Life is a challenge. God is the only one who can help you. I'm a Christian, and I have lots of problems, but God helps me to have victory. If you kill yourself, it's not a brave thing. What will you solve?"

After a delay in responding, the viewer finally wrote back: "You have changed my mind."

Not all of SAT-7's viewer contact is this frightening. In fact, as their responses have doubled, they have also seen an increased number of people calling in to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ or to request a Bible or other Christian resources.

With an increase of responses and ministry expansion comes an increased need for wisdom among SAT-7's counselors, show creators, and the rest of the staff.

Pray that SAT-7 will continue to grow and the God will grant each member of their team wisdom and strength in every situation they face.

Help SAT-7 continue to expand and grow by clicking here.

USA (MNN) -- Have you ever felt out of your element when face-to-face with a different culture? Are people at your church nervous to go on mission trips because they feel that way? Are there cross-cultural issues within your own church body? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions (and even if you didn't), Cornerstone University has a conference for you!

David Livermore with Grand Rapids Theological Seminary has written two books entirely devoted to this topic of cultural intelligence. Livermore will be conducting the Cornerstone's Cultural Intelligence Conference, which will also include speakers from overseas and a special ‘CQ' assessment.

"We have a lot of people coming who are already pretty up-to-speed on their own understanding of how to interact with different cultures, but they're trying to think through ‘How do I help somebody on my short-term team do this well without having had a lot of experience doing it?'" explains Livermore, who says the church can be the place where cultural intelligence is most important.

"The church often tends to be the place where they're dealing with a whole myriad of cross-cultural issues. They may be trying to deal with a growing multicultural community in their own neighborhood, or engaged in international partnerships overseas, sending their teams overseas on short-term trips," says Livermore.

The CQ assessment will help participants learn their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to different cultures within their church body or in an overseas setting. Livermore says the test will even help in one other unique way: "This particular approach to cultural effectiveness even looks at how you help different generations get along together."

The CQ Conference will undoubtedly put you in a better position for spreading the Gospel. Knowing how to navigate through various cultures and being able to teach other believers how to do so are invaluable skills to have in order to create boundless ministry. Increasing cultural intelligence will help you and your church know how to best reach out to the nations, as Jesus has commanded.

The CQ Conference will be in the seminary building on the Cornerstone University campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan on September 13. The $159 entrance fee covers a day of invaluable learning and the CQ test assessment, which is not being offered at any other Christian conference right now. If you'd like to register for this one-day event, click here. To learn more first, head to cornerstone.edu/cqconference.

Ethiopia (MNN) - After months of evading his pursuers, they finally caught up with him.

Voice of the Martyrs Canada confirms that on August 21, Islamic militants in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia found Mohamed Ali Garas, a prominent Somali church leader and convert from Islam, and beat him severely. 

Five years ago, Garas fled his Somali homeland. VOMC's Greg Musselman says Garas he sought refuge in Ethiopia because "he was involved in church work there as a pastor. Attempts were made on his life. He's been threatened, he's been arrested."

On the night he was attacked, he was walking home when he heard two men calling his name. He turned to see what they wanted, and they attacked, fleeing only when a neighbor arrived on the scene. Although the beating was severe, Garas survived.

The attack itself is unsettling, explains Musselman because "they [extremists] are not just leaving it back home; they're taking it wherever they find these people that have converted to Christ from an Islamic background."

This incident shows that the persecution is not contained within Somalia's borders. For al Shabaab, they're ramping up to an all-out war meant to eradicate Christianity. 

Shortly before a deadly suicide bombing attack on August 24, an al Shabaab spokesman was quoted as saying: "The operation is meant to eliminate the invading Christians and their apostate government in Somalia. The fighting will continue and, God willing, the mujahideen will prevail."

Somali Christians living in Ethiopia have come under increased attacks from Somali Muslims in recent months. That's a trend that is likely to continue. Musselman says, "When you understand a little bit of the group like al Shabaab...you're not surprised that they will go to any length. They're thinking is that ‘the only kind of a Somali Christian is a dead one.'"

International Christian Concern notes that a Somali pastor in the Ethiopian capital has described this latest attack as "an apparent attempt to scar the Somali Christian community in Addis Ababa who considers Ethiopia a safe haven from religious persecution."

Musselman notes that prayer is a powerful recourse. "Lord, our brothers and sisters in Somalia are such a small group. They're trying to be faithful. There are other Somalis that have left the country; they're trying to be faithful, and they continue to suffer attacks, and it's difficult for them. But we ask You, Lord, to move on the hearts even of the enemies that are persecuting these believers, that they would have the freedom to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

Ask God to heal Garas. Pray that his attackers will be brought to justice. Pray that he and other Somali believers facing persecution in Ethiopia will continue to trust in the Lord to guide and embolden them as they serve Him.

Bangladesh (MNN) -- A Christian convert from Islam was falsely arrested for cattle theft last weekend in a bid by influential Muslims to stop his Christian activities, area villagers said.

According to a story by Compass Direct News, day laborer Abul Hossen, 41, was arrested on Aug. 21 for alleged cattle theft in Dubachari village in Nilphamari district, about 180 miles northwest of the capital, Dhaka.

Christian villagers told Compass that Hossen was the victim of "dirty tricks" by influential Muslims.
"There is another Abul Hossen in the village who might be the thief, but his father-in-law is very powerful," said Gonesh Roy. "To save his son-in-law, he imputed all the blame to a different Abul Hossen who is a completely good man."

Compass reported that Hossen, who converted to Christianity from Islam in 2007, has been very active in the community, and Muslims are harassing him with the charge so his ministry will be discredited and villagers will denounce his faith, Roy said.

"If he can be accused in the cattle theft case, he will be put in jail," Roy said. "He will be a convicted man, and local people and the believers will treat him as a cattle thief. So people will not listen to a thief whatsoever."

Compass reported that some 150 villagers, about 20 percent of them Christian, went to the police station to plea for his freedom, he and other villagers said.

Sanjoy Roy, a lay pastor with Christian Life Bangladesh, told Compass that Hossen was a committed Christian, and that some Muslims have been trying to harass him since his conversion.

A former union council chairman who is Muslim, Aminur Rahman, also told Compass that Hossen was a scapegoat. "He is 100 percent good man," said Rahman, who also went to the police station to plea for Hossen's freedom the day after his arrest. Compass reported he added, "There are two or three people named Abul Hossen in the village. Anyone of them might have stolen the cattle, but I can vouch for the arrested Abul Hossen that he did not do this crime."

Muslims have pressured Hossen before, threatening to hang and torture him if he didn't convert back to Islam. However, those threats didn't change his resolve.

Pray that God will use his arrest to lead more people in Bangladesh to Christ.

USA (MNN) -- When Muslim extremists open fire on American soldiers at Fort Hood or attempt a bombing on Christmas, it can be difficult for Christians to sympathize with Muslims. So why should believers focus outreach specifically to the Muslims around them?

Fouad Masri with Crescent Project says there are multiple reasons. First, believers should understand that the reason behind extremist attacks are not so much religious as they are relational. In other words, without entering into a relationship with the loving Christ, no one can stand above sin. Anyone filled with hatred as these extremists clearly are "needs to know the love of Jesus," says Masri. "And Islam has not given that."

A second reason to reach out? The harvest is ripe. This is especially true during these last few days of Ramadan--a Muslim holy month in which many Muslims are really seeking truth. Many Muslims do not understand the love of Christ, but as they see believers living out their faith--loving those closest to them as well as their enemies and doing their best to be obedient to Christ, Muslims often respond.

The proof is in the numbers. "In the last 15 years, more Muslims have become followers of Jesus than in the previous 1,400 years," notes Masri. "And the number one reason is that they met an authentic Christian."

Perhaps above any other reason, Masri points out that believers have a responsibility to reach out to the nations, as Jesus commissioned in Matthew 28. American Christians have a unique opportunity to reach Muslims in the States--a region with freedom of religion and freedom of speech. The fact is, though, the opportunity is still limited.

"Outreach and reaching out and sharing the Good News is the only thing we cannot do in heaven," explains Masri. "Worship we can do on earth, but it'll be greater in heaven. But reaching out to others and sharing the Gospel cannot happen in heaven. It's done. Now is the only time we can do this. This is the window to share the Good News."

The harvest is ripe, and believers have been called to reap it. But what if you don't feel led to this mission field? Is direct outreach the only way you can help? The simple answer is "no." If you don't feel led to this mission or perhaps do not even know any Muslims, you can still help on this important and fertile mission ground. First, you can help by diligently praying for the Muslims in the United States. Second, for only $10 you can get a Bible into the hands of a Muslim, given to them by a believer who understands Islam and has been called by God to reach out to some of the 7 million Muslims in the country.

If you would like to give a donation of $10, $50 or even $100, please visit the "Give" section of the Crescent Project Web site and select "Give-A-Gospel." Your donation will go specifically to bring the Word of God to Muslims by a believer who loves them. Pray for the recipients of these Bibles as you give.

To learn more about Crescent Project and how you can get your hands on resources that will help you best reach out to the Muslims around you, click here.

Participants in Spectrum serve their first year aboard one of OM's ship, where they gain multi-cultural mission experience and learn to work with other missionaries from around the world. (Wycliffe USA photo)

International (MNN) -- Do you feel God leading you toward the mission field, but you aren't sure where you would want to go or what you would want to do?

Approximately six years ago Wycliffe Bible Translators and Operation Mobilization joined together to create a program that allows young people, ranging in age from 19 to 26, a chance to explore various aspects of missions.

They called it Spectrum, and the experience lasts two years. President and CEO of Wycliffe USA, Bob Creson, said, "The power of the partnership really is to give young people a two-year opportunity to let God work in their lives to see what they might do in relation to being involved in missions. So, they do a year on the [OM] ship and then do a year in a Wycliffe assignment somewhere in the world. During that two-year period, we believe that God will speak to their hearts and give them added direction for their future."

Aboard an OM ship, participants learn how to live and work with other team members from countries across the globe, as they also participate in street ministry and book distribution.

During their year at Wycliffe, participants can choose which area of Wycliffe to become involved in, such as translation, teaching, publishing, linguistics, or medical, which exposes them to the various aspects of Wycliffe.

Why is it called Spectrum? Creson said, "These opportunities that are offered in Wycliffe USA, as well as OM USA, just give young people a spectrum of opportunities to consider in terms of what God might be doing in their lives."

The program was established six years ago when Wycliffe and OM realized, almost at the same time, that they shared a common focus at their ministries. They came to this realization when OM USA's president, Andrew Scott, paid Wycliffe a visit: "Andrew actually came down here to visit us ... and [we] were just exploring. And immediately we began to realize there's a strength in what we could do with OM ... So, as we began to look at the way in which OM USA and Wycliffe USA are focused on giving people the opportunity to hear this Good News of the Gospel, in a language and form they understand best, there was real power in a short-term opportunity partnership."

Now years later, the partnership is still going strong, and Spectrum has proved an invaluable tool in helping young people prepare for the mission field.

As Wycliffe presses on with its Last Languages campaign, both ministries realize it is a historical time in the world of missions, as ministries make the "final push" toward the remaining unreached people groups.

So now more than ever, Creson said they need willing workers to enter the harvest field and proclaim the message of Christ.

Use Spectrum as your first step to getting involved. Visit wycliffe.org/gsp to get started.

Cuba (MNN) -- A team working with Vision Beyond Borders will be traveling to Cuba next month. 

In a typical month in Cuba, a ration book will provide one person with 5 pounds of rice, 5 pounds of sugar, 1 pound of black beans, 1 pound of cooking oil, 1 half of a chicken leg, 5 eggs, 1 bar of soap for bathing, 1 pack of matches, 1 dinner roll per day, and 1 roll of toilet paper. 

These meager supplies mean a black-market is thriving in Cuba. An average couple in a city makes about $20 per month, which makes "extras" for ministry hard to come by. 

"Extras" include simple things like underwear. Many of the pastors' wives have had to use the supplies brought for men because there was nothing else, and purchasing anything specifically for women was out of the question.  

As a result, the VBB team is collecting used laptop computers, basic medical supplies, Communion cups, simple musical instruments as well as new undergarments in all sizes for both men and women. 

As far as resources go, there's good news. In a huge answer to prayer, a Christian School and their Spanish program recently donated Spanish Bibles for Cuba. The team will carry them to Cuba in October.

VBB's history is a long one in Cuba. The ministry supports 150 Cuban pastors through a sponsorship program, which gives them the freedom to share the Gospel. 

$25 a month supports a Cuban pastor for an entire month. Meeting those needs means the offering collected in his church can be used for other things such as purchasing ministry tools and helping the poor. Monthly financial support of a pastor frees him to have more time to focus on ministry, and increases his effectiveness in spreading God's Word as his need for secular employment is reduced.

Pray for continued open doors for the team as they visit, and for encouragement for the pastors they connect with. Click here if you want to help.