MISSION FOCUS: South Asian Earthquake
"And the King shall answer and say to them,‘Truly I say to you, to the extend that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’” Matthew 25:40
PRAY FOR PEOPLE DEVASTATED FROM THE EARTHQUAKE IN PAKISTAN AND INDIA. PRAY THAT BELIEVERS WILL REMAIN STRONG IN REACHING OUT TO OTHERS AFTER THE HEAVY TOLL OF GIVING THAT HAS FOLLOWED MAJOR DISASTERS THIS YEAR.
Facts and Updates: Eleven days after the Northern Pakistan earthquake struck the number of deaths reported was a estimated at 80,000 with the majority being in Pakistan (1,300 were in India). Some have estimated that the death toll could reach 100,000. An estimated 3.3 million were left homeless in Pakistan. The UN reported that over 4 million people are directly affected.
KASHMIR: Pakistan and India have been divided and fighting over Kashmir for almost 58 years. The struggle has resulted in tight control of their borders and families have been separated as the result. In Pakistani Kashmir, the capital city of Muzaaffarabad is almost 90% destroyed. President Musharraf of Pakistan appealed to India’s prime minister Singh to allow the borders to be opened especially so families could help their relatives who are suffering. Both sides have agreed! For the first time in over 58 years these countries which have fought each other are now working to bring relief and are talking about working on the reconstruction efforts. Pray that through this disaster God can reach the hearts of leaders, military, government officials and others to bring healing to the Kashmiri people. Estimated religious affiliation of Kashmiris: Muslim 64%; Hindu 32%; Sikhs 2%; Buddhist 1.5% and a few Christians. Christian persecution has increased in the last few years.
PAKISTAN: Population of Pakistan is estimated at 160 million. The people are divided into over 170 ethnic groups, six major language families and numerous dialects. The primary people groups are: Panjabi 61%; Sindhi 12%; Urdu 8%; Tribal groups 2%; Iranian 13 %; Baloch 3%; Others (Tibetan, Turkic, Arab, British and Chinese ) 1.5% and Afghanistan refugees 3,500,000. RELIGION: Muslim 97% (Sunni 68% and Shi'a 28%); Ahmadiyyah Islamic sect (1.5%); Hindu 1.5% and Others 1% (Tribal, Baha'i, Animists, Parsee a Buddhist and a small group of Christians). Christian converts are primarily from Pakistani Hindus and primarily live in rural areas Persecution and intimidation have been a growing reality against Christians in Pakistan. Some have been deported. Currently there are a number of these believers in the United States and other parts of the world who are working hard with Christian agencies to bring help to the people of Pakistan. Many Christians in India again have shown great courage and strength. Many have very little themselves but they are willing to give. At this time of Ramadan, some Muslims around the world are reaching out to other Muslims who are in need.
With in this last week the President of World Visions, Richard Stearns, made the following comment: “In this year, 2005, there has been a decreasing giving for each world disaster. There was almost 3.2 million given for the tsunami, 1.3 million for Hurricane Katrina and currently about 480,000 for the Pakistan earthquake. Some people are becoming numb to these tragedies. What we call ‘compassion fatigue’ may be setting in.”
One fact that we know is God’s love and power is great! He will gives us the strength, the compassion and the means to work with Him to reach hearts of people who never before have seen the faces and the love that can only come from Him. Pray that believers will be encouraged to pray and give during this time when the world is experiencing some of the hardest struggles it has known. Pray that believers will be encouraged by God’s words in Matthew 25:40. PRAY THAT THE PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN AND INDIA WILL KNOW GOD’S ETERNAL LOVE.
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#405
Please share this news-bulletin with others for prayer & encouragement.
PRAY FOR PEOPLE DEVASTATED FROM THE EARTHQUAKE IN PAKISTAN AND INDIA. PRAY THAT BELIEVERS WILL REMAIN STRONG IN REACHING OUT TO OTHERS AFTER THE HEAVY TOLL OF GIVING THAT HAS FOLLOWED MAJOR DISASTERS THIS YEAR.
Facts and Updates: Eleven days after the Northern Pakistan earthquake struck the number of deaths reported was a estimated at 80,000 with the majority being in Pakistan (1,300 were in India). Some have estimated that the death toll could reach 100,000. An estimated 3.3 million were left homeless in Pakistan. The UN reported that over 4 million people are directly affected.
KASHMIR: Pakistan and India have been divided and fighting over Kashmir for almost 58 years. The struggle has resulted in tight control of their borders and families have been separated as the result. In Pakistani Kashmir, the capital city of Muzaaffarabad is almost 90% destroyed. President Musharraf of Pakistan appealed to India’s prime minister Singh to allow the borders to be opened especially so families could help their relatives who are suffering. Both sides have agreed! For the first time in over 58 years these countries which have fought each other are now working to bring relief and are talking about working on the reconstruction efforts. Pray that through this disaster God can reach the hearts of leaders, military, government officials and others to bring healing to the Kashmiri people. Estimated religious affiliation of Kashmiris: Muslim 64%; Hindu 32%; Sikhs 2%; Buddhist 1.5% and a few Christians. Christian persecution has increased in the last few years.
PAKISTAN: Population of Pakistan is estimated at 160 million. The people are divided into over 170 ethnic groups, six major language families and numerous dialects. The primary people groups are: Panjabi 61%; Sindhi 12%; Urdu 8%; Tribal groups 2%; Iranian 13 %; Baloch 3%; Others (Tibetan, Turkic, Arab, British and Chinese ) 1.5% and Afghanistan refugees 3,500,000. RELIGION: Muslim 97% (Sunni 68% and Shi'a 28%); Ahmadiyyah Islamic sect (1.5%); Hindu 1.5% and Others 1% (Tribal, Baha'i, Animists, Parsee a Buddhist and a small group of Christians). Christian converts are primarily from Pakistani Hindus and primarily live in rural areas Persecution and intimidation have been a growing reality against Christians in Pakistan. Some have been deported. Currently there are a number of these believers in the United States and other parts of the world who are working hard with Christian agencies to bring help to the people of Pakistan. Many Christians in India again have shown great courage and strength. Many have very little themselves but they are willing to give. At this time of Ramadan, some Muslims around the world are reaching out to other Muslims who are in need.
With in this last week the President of World Visions, Richard Stearns, made the following comment: “In this year, 2005, there has been a decreasing giving for each world disaster. There was almost 3.2 million given for the tsunami, 1.3 million for Hurricane Katrina and currently about 480,000 for the Pakistan earthquake. Some people are becoming numb to these tragedies. What we call ‘compassion fatigue’ may be setting in.”
One fact that we know is God’s love and power is great! He will gives us the strength, the compassion and the means to work with Him to reach hearts of people who never before have seen the faces and the love that can only come from Him. Pray that believers will be encouraged to pray and give during this time when the world is experiencing some of the hardest struggles it has known. Pray that believers will be encouraged by God’s words in Matthew 25:40. PRAY THAT THE PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN AND INDIA WILL KNOW GOD’S ETERNAL LOVE.
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#405
Please share this news-bulletin with others for prayer & encouragement.
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