Denmark: Danish Church waking to Gospel call
In Denmark, at least 4 percent of the country's population claims to be of the Muslim faith. Now, one former Muslim is sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. Massoud Fouroozandeh was born a Muslim in Iran. Fouroozandeh was called up for military duty, but instead of serving, he fled Iran and eventually settled in Denmark. Today, he is the pastor of one of the fastest growing churches in Denmark with a special outreach to Denmark's Muslim immigrants. He is the author of the book titled ‘The Forbidden Salvation.’ His journey to Christianity began when his mother, who also became a Christian, gave him a Bible. This angered him and he decided to disprove it, but something different happened. Fouroozandeh was running his own business in Denmark when he says Jesus appeared to him in a dream and called him to serve Him. He later began the Church of Love. Praise: God for this wonderful testimony and may Fouroozandeh’s Church continue to grow. (Gen.1:28a) More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/May/Frmr-Muslim-Danish-Church-Waking-to-Gospel-Call-/
Qatar: Faith communities grow through service of Anglican centre
In a section of Doha, in an expanding development that has come to be known as Church City, thousands of Christian migrant workers worship freely with the blessing of the Qatari authorities. Christianity in this Islamic state was once an underground religion, but today it thrives, thanks in part to people like the Rev. Bill Schwartz, an Anglican priest and an Episcopal Church missionary. In one part of Church City, Schwartz is overseeing the construction of an Anglican Centre. More than 10,000 Protestant Christians from 37 denominations already worship in the Anglican Centre and many more are waiting for space to become available. Until recently, Qatar was seen as a purely Islamic country, but as new leadership tapped vast natural gas resources, economic development exploded. The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, knows that such development brings migrant labour and different faith traditions, provided the land for Church City. Praise: God for the growth of Church City and pray that its influence will continue to grow. (Heb.13:20-21) More: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79425_128330_ENG_HTM.htm
Japan: Workers at reactor & Greenpeace warning
Workers briefly entered Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant measuring radiation levels and checking damage as they attempt to bring the reactors to a stable, cold shutdown by January. It was the first time anyone had entered reactor two building. There are signs that damage to the nuclear plant was worse than initially thought. Radioactive runoff has leaked from dousing operations into the sea causing 620 fishermen to halt fishing and demand damage payment. However from May 20th, fishermen will begin harvesting seaweed for public consumption from the 12-mile territorial waters. Greenpeace research indicates a significant risk that this seaweed will be highly contaminated as they have detected radiation far above legal limits in seaweed 40 miles off Fukushima nuclear plant and are calling on Japan's government to undertake comprehensive radiation testing of seaweed along the Fukushima coast. See:
Pray: for God in His mercy to minimise the ongoing repercussions from this disaster. (Ps.86:8-9)
Syria: Tanks shelling Tel Kelakh
Tanks have been bombarding border town Tel Kelakh since Saturday as they crush protests against President Bashar al-Assad following Sundays demonstrations demanding ‘the overthrow of the regime’ - the slogan of revolutions that toppled other Arab leaders. The army is storming houses and making arrests, then withdrawing from neighbourhoods after these raids. Some families are resisting, preferring death to humiliation. Human rights groups say Assad’s crackdown has killed at least 700 civilians. ‘We're without water, electricity or communications’, a resident of Tel Kelakh said on satellite phone. Artillery and heavy machinegun fire hit the main road to Lebanon on Tuesday night, some people trying to escape to Lebanon turned back because shelling was too heavy. The Tunisian government threatens to report Libya to UN Security Council if shelling on the border does not stop. See: Pray: for the homeless refugees fleeing Syrian violence and for the terrorised residents left behind. (Ps.23:4) More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/18/us-syria-idUSLDE73N02P20110518
