Nigeria: Boko Haram survivors - food shortages
Since Nigeria's army began clearing areas of the country's northeast from Boko Haram, some internally displaced people have started returning home. But thousands could now face severe food shortages as reconstruction is delayed. Some trade has resumed in towns, but ghostly pockets and haunting reminders of the insurgent takeover are evident. Three months after the fighting ended, the smell of rotting corpses still clings to the air by the Church of the Brethren near Mararaba. People have returned to Adamawa province, but health clinics, banks and schools are still lacking and vast stretches of farmland stand barren. People are afraid and lack the equipment and manpower to farm, so for the moment they can’t live off the land. There is no sign of government aid. The rainy season comes next month and landmines are still dotted around. About a week ago a bomb exploded when people went to clear the land.
Gardai monitoring Islamic radicals ahead of Prince Charles's Irish visit
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will visit Ireland and Northern Ireland next week, and security is being stepped up. Concerns have been raised that Irish Islamic extremists may try to target the visit. In addition to the risk from dissident republicans, Gardai (Irish police) are monitoring a number of radicalised individuals who they fear may attempt to disrupt the trip. Among suspects under surveillance is Irishman Khalid Kelly, who converted to Islam in 2000 while imprisoned in Saudi Arabia and is thought to have recently worked as a nurse in Syria before returning to Ireland. Mr Kelly knew Michael Adebolajo, the man who brutally killed British soldier Lee Rigby. Speaking at a mosque in Cavan, Mr Kelly said that Gardai were monitoring him ahead of Prince Charles’s visit.
Macedonia: a country on the brink?
Eight policemen and 14 gunmen were killed following a day-long gun battle in the Republic of Macedonia. Native Albanians from Kosovo are believed to be behind the violence, but on Wednesday the opposition claimed that the government orchestrated Saturday’s shootout. Many believe that ethnic tensions could destabilise the country. Macedonia now appears to be grappling with its deepest political crisis since gaining independence from former Yugoslavia in 1991. The tensions have been exacerbated by a number of factors. In 2001 the Albanian National Liberation Army demanded greater rights and autonomy for the Albanian minority. Since then, the country has been governed in a delicate power-sharing arrangement between Macedonians and ethnic Albanians, followed by a rising ethnic Macedonian nationalism. Last month EU envoys accused the government of leading the country towards disaster and urged those in power and the opposition to agree to a roadmap which would steer it away from ‘exploding.’ See also:
European Trumpet Call - Timisoara Romania
Over recent years trumpets have been blown in many parts of our Continent as an act of obedience to the Lord. In the UK it started in Birmingham in response to the reading of the scriptures in Numbers 10 v9 which says, "When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy that is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the Lord your God and rescued from your enemies." From that and other scriptures we see that the sounding of trumpets were for gathering the people, moving the people, calling the people to war and celebrating the feasts and all that God had done.
As many of you know our brother Werner Woiwode from Switzerland, has not only blown the trumpet across Europe but in many other places around the world. In June 2014 we gathered in Macedonia and the Trumpet Call there encouraged our brothers and sisters across the Balkan nations and southern Europe.
Following recent Skype calls and a gathering of prayer leaders in Brussels, we believe it is right to go to Timisoara, Romania and blow the trumpet for the whole of our Continent. This invitation is to you, your church, your prayer ministry, your mission agency to come and join us in sounding the trumpet again over the Continent of Europe.
Our friends at The Christian Centre Timisoara/Agape Church have kindly made the church available for the week. We shall gather from 31 August early evening through to 4 September where for four days we shall have continuous prayer, worship, reading of scripture and declaration of the truth of God's word and the frequent sounding of the trumpets.
There is accommodation nearby where you can stay. The lulius shopping Mall is very near the church with restaurants and coffee shops. There will be a charge of 10 Euros per person to go towards Trumpet Call Timisoara expenses. There will be full details and booking facilities on a Trumpet Call website soon but we were keen for you to get these dates in your diary.
To help in your planning suggest you visit the web site of the International Airport of Timisoara at http://www.aerotim.ro/index.php?lang=en from here it is only a short ride to the Christian Centre.
We would appreciate your help in making this known across your networks; we would love to see as many Nations represented as possible. This will be an unique time since friends from the Ends of the World will join us to welcome the King of Glory in our continent.
May God continue to bless you in all He does through you
On behalf of European Trumpet Call Team
Ioan Peia: Romania
Ian Cole: UK
Representing International Prayer Council Europe
Ortwin Schweitzer: Germany
Ian & Jill Jeal: France
Representing European Union of Prayer
Werner Woiwode: Switzerland, Abraham Ministries, Trumpets over Europe
Henning Schikora: France/Norway, Operation Capitals of Europe, YWAM
Lee Saville: England/Romania, Balkan Prayer Network
Berthold Becker: Germany, Intercession movement
Levi Graudins: Latvia, Latvia House of Prayer for All Peoples
George E Markakis: Greece, Shalom Center Athens
Andy Page: United Kingdom, Prayer Alert Net
Claudius Samartinean: Romania, IHOP Timisoara, Agape Church Timisoara
Daniel Matei: Romania, Christian Centre Timisoara
Vanco Nakov: Macedonia, Balkan Prayer Network
John Robb: USA, International Prayer Council
Brian Mills: United Kingdom, International Prayer Council
Sheena Tranter: International Prayer Council
Jussi Valkonen: Finland, The Finnish prayer network
Michael Maeliau: Solomon Islands
Milo Siilata: New Zeeland
Elijah Titus: Papua New Guinea
Geoff Armitage: Australia
Timothy Map: Papua New Guinea
Hezekiah Loloi: Vanuatu
Representing All People Prayer Assembly
Please pray for the organizers and that the right people will be called to come from across Europe and other nations. May this event be anointed and mightily used of the Lord to bring about a new atmosphere for His Church and for this crucially important continent that needs so much to see a new era of spiritual revival and social transformation!
