Exloring Life Eternal

Links indexed from A-Z!
http://www.missionresources.com

from: OSCAR (http://www.oscar.org.uk), UK information service for world mission

It is obvious but often overlooked. Missions and missionaries depend on prayer support.

When you pray for those in mission work, do you struggle with what to pray? Maybe you have so many things to pray for that it is difficult to focus on the real issues. We don't just need to pray longer and harder, we need to pray smarter. Several valuable resources highlight prayer topics for missionaries and their families. There is even one about how to pray for missionaries' children! Several of these resources are available in print form and on-line.

OSCAR’s Mission Directory
http://www.oscar.org.uk/opportunity/organisations/index.htm
can put you in touch with missions who will gladly supply you with fuel for prayer and have you join their ministry in this way.
Prayer Points - Pray for the current needs of a number of mission organizations.
http://www.PrayerPoints.org

Prayer Square - Pray for the needs of various individual missionaries.
http://www.PrayerSquare.org

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Alternatively, you can pray for individual missionaries’ needs through one of the following sites:
Missionary Prayer Shield:
http://www.prayercentral.net/engage/prayercards/#mshield

24-7 Prayer:
http://www.24-7prayer.com

People Teams:
http://www.peopleteams.org

A leaflet entitled 'Praying for Missionaries' that can help you focus your prayers:
http://www.clc.org.uk/praying%5Ffor%5Fmissionaries.cfm

A further on-line guide entitled 'How to Pray for Missionaries' Kids' is on OMF USA's web site:
http://www.us.omf.org/content.asp?id=9167

Abbreviated version:
http://www.omf.org.uk/content.asp?id=27458

Source (http://www.oscar.org.uk/supporter/roles/pray.htm).

NOTE: OSCAR is also featuring an article about praying for missionaries:
http://www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/rich.htm

We enjoyed last month's feature on raising kids overseas:
http://www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/knellm.htm

Kudos to Mike Frith who is continuing to build OSCAR into a helpful and dynamic web site for missions resources. He welcomes your submissions!

FREE MP3 DOWNLOADS IN 3190 LANGUAGES
Global Recordings Network (Gospel Recordings) has placed 4326 evangelistic audio programs in 3190 languages and dialects on their web site. These can be downloaded free in MP3 format. Audio Cassettes and CD's can also be obtained in many more languages through this site.

Go to
http://globalrecordings.net/
Look for "RESOURCES" on the sidebar
Click on "Language List" or "Country List"

UK: HARD FACTS
*100,000 children a year run away from broken homes.
*41% of all children born in the UK are to unmarried couples.
*The UK has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe.
*Over the last 35 years, an average of 1 abortion has been legally carried out every three minutes, 80% funded by the National Health Service.
*Each year 140,000 people attempt suicide and 4,000 children every day call the Childline.
*24 million anti-depressant prescription items are issued each year.
*Regular annual drug users: 5 million use cannabis, 3.4 million ecstasy, 2 million amphetamines and cocaine.
*British Telecom blocks 20,000 attempts per day of people trying to watch pornographic acts with children on the internet.
*Program sex scenes on British TV have increased 300% in the last 5 years.
*At peak times, 8 out of 10 admissions to Emergency Rooms are a result of drinking, costing the UK £12 billion a year.
*60 million acts of crime take place annually.
*380,000 people are living on British streets.
REPORTED IN AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER, compiled from various sources]

ISRAEL TO RECEIVE CHRISTIAN TV STATION
Daystar Television Network announced a new contract allowing them to become the first TV channel to broadcast 100 percent Christian programming into every home in Israel. Daystar, which owns and operates 50 US television stations, is excited about the opportunity. President Marcus D. Lamb commented on the pioneering project saying, "Up until now, it has either been illegal, impossible, or impractical. The message of the Gospel will now be going into every home in Israel 24 hours per day, seven days per week. This is a moment in time that we will always remember." The contract came after a year of negotiations and a six-month trial period featuring popular shows "Celebration" and "The Joni Show." Daystar's global purpose is to reach as many people with the good news of the Gospel through an extensive blend of interdenominational and multi-cultural programming. [ASSIST, 9 May '06]


200,000 IMPRISONED NORTH KOREAN CHRISTIANS
Rev. Carl Moeller, president of the persecution watchdog group Open Doors USA, says an estimated 200,000 Christians are imprisoned in North Korean labor camps where many face torture and execution. Escapees testified in April at congressional hearings and demonstrations in Washington as part of North Korea Freedom Week. The goal was to appeal for prayer and international pressure on the communist regime. For the fourth year in a row, Open Doors has ranked North Korea as the worst violator of religious rights in the world. Moeller calls it "one large concentration camp with the entire population trapped in a nightmare that doesn't end." [AGAPE, 28
April'06/Associated Press]

TOP RELIGIOUS PERSECUTORS
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has released its 2006 report naming the world's most severe persecutors of religious followers. The U.S. State Department uses the panel's recommendations to establish "counties of particular concern" (CPCs) in the area of religious freedom. Retained from last year's list of CPCs are Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Vietnam. Additionally, the panel repeated recommendation that Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan be designated CPCs, despite Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's refusal to include those countries in a State Department report in November. A "watch
list" of additional religious persecutors included Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia and Nigeria. The panel continues to analyze reports from India, Russia and Sri Lanka as well. [BAPTIST PRESS, HCJB 12 May '06]

RESOURCES:
BRIGHT IDEAS for getting kids into missions:
http://www.wycliffe.org/catalog/BrightIdeas/home.htm

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH MINISTRY site to equip leaders:
http://www.reach-out.org

PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS:
Recent headlines and media resources, updated almost daily:
http://www.christianmonitor.org/

************************************************************
NEWS BYTES is compiled monthly by Debbie Meroff of OM News & Information [OMNI] in London, England. Material may be freely copied and circulated. Items do not necessarily reflect OM position and questions should be directed to the original news source. Html version can be found on www.om.org. Please do not hit "reply" to this email as subscriptions are automated. For a free e-mail subscription send a message to:
newsbytes-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Check out the Visualized Bible Series. Bible Visuals International prints picture-based Bible lessons that cover the entire Bible, highlighting major doctrines, in over 85 languages. They even give rights for national churches to print materials in their language in their country. Contact them to receive a resource catalogue or more information on our overseas printing efforts.

GO TO:
http://www.biblevisuals.org
Or Write for: info (at) biblevisuals(dot)org
Call: (Intl. Prefix) + 1-717-859-1131 .

George Verwer of Operation Mobilization is recommending a new 94 page directory with information on where to obtain key resources for frontier missions world-wide - help with church planting, technical assistance, healthcare, travel advice, training, tentmaking, development, medical supplies, children's education while abroad, etc. etc.. "Ian Benson is on the cutting edge of mission mobilization and his Resources for Missionary Work is a very useful and valuable tool in the great task that so many of us are involved in."

Cost GB £2.75 or US$5 plus postage. To order,
GO TO:
http://www.missionarytraining.org/resource.htm

OR Write To: orders (at) missionarytraining(dot)org .

My wife wants a quilt frame, so what's the first step? ... Search the internet!! & Why keep all that info to myself since it is obvious other quilters are into quilt-making! You gotta have a quiltframe or a quilt rack to do it right, right?

?? A DXF format plan for CAD folk, I suppose. - Not me.
Scroll down to 2nd page & Tom Lewis has a quilt frame plan.
tomlewis burgoyne dot com

Your basic, basic model. Beginners (like-me) could handle making this one. Both A. & B. would require "C" clamps.
A. FREE Plan. Really simple frame. Sqaure.
http://www.texasbob.com/documents/simpquiltfrm.PDF
B. Fancier corner stands plans for quilting-bee-type frames. ($9.95)
http://www.claudiasquiltshoppe.com/patternsMFS42QuiltStandsPlans.htm

Here are a couple of simple plans for one to two person quilt-frames that have rollers. A little more complicated to build.

C. Plans for a simple foldable, roller-type quilting frame. ($3.95)
http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/plans/index.cfm/plan_details/5/64/1151
(Also other sewing-related projects.)
http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/plans/index.cfm/show_plan/5/64
A simple T-type roller frame. $8.00 plan.

D. http://www.nvo.com/hearthside/quiltingframe/list.nhtml
Simple plan. $8.95 for the plan. Dimensions: 3 ft wide x 8 1/2 ft long. Height is adjustable.
http://www.cherrytreetoys.com/store/prodinfo.asp?number=230431

E. For the professional, who cares more about framing the plans than building the frame: $9.50 – for detailed CAD drawn plans.
http://www.moritzdesigns.com/quilting/frame.html

F. Don't have time to do the work of cutting?? How about a kit? Sturdy. Similar to those above, but with some basic hardware already pre-packaged.
F. You supply the major lumber, they have the hardware: ~$60.
http://www.hinterberg.com/easybuild.htm

G. More fancy & less work. Ends of the frame are supplied. $140
http://www.hinterberg.com/easybuildplus.htm

H. OK. You are rich & lazy. Here are fotos of pre-made stuff:
http://www.hinterberg.com/index_handframes.htm
I. Lap hoops.
http://www.hinterberg.com/index_hoops.htm

J. For the Rich & Lazy who have a Taste For Qualite'! This is the nicest quilting frame I saw, with lamps overhead. But no plans. Maybe it would spark an idea. It looks like it may well be worth the invested time & effort though to draw & sell plans for those who are interested in doing so: $24.95 a pop for plans, eh?
http://www.pleasant-mnt.com/traditional.htm
The features are compared:
http://www.pleasant-mnt.com/comparison.htm

BTW: Quilt Racks (Quilt-Racks / Quiltracks) are not the same thing!)

GRAND PRIZE: CHEAP, STYLIN', (BUT -NOT- SIMPLE):
http://www.shopsmithhandson.com/archives/july_aug_04/html/major_project.htm

SIMPLEST & CHEAPEST PLANS prize goes to - FREE!! from Lowes:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Build/QuiltRck&topic=howToLibrary\

Second runner up, & still low tech for just $2.95:
http://www.newwoodworker.com/kdsqltrackpln.html

A SIMPLE & Classic pattern by a company whose prospective customers are often calling my cell fone. Glenn designed this one, available for just $9.95. (Note their FONE # 800-279-4441 ... Thanks.):
http://www.rockler.com/findit.cfm?page=1853

Available also through the Better Homes & Gardens (R) site bhg.com, this one is a little snazzier, but all your neighbors have one already, so why copy them?:
http://woodstore.woodmall.com/quiltrack.html
Downloaded: $6.95
Mailed: $9.95

These plans are a little more antiquey looking, from the same store:
http://woodstore.woodmall.com/coclqura.html
Downloaded: $5.95
Mailed: $8.95

Luggage &/ Quilt Rack plans: $10
http://www.woodcraftplans.com/fd212.htm

=====
FOR THE TEACHER & HOMESCHOOLER out there:
A lesson plan on quilting from East Texas. Lots of links for teachers.
http://tides.sfasu.edu/qset/LessonPlans/art5.htm

=====
FREE WOODWORKING PLANS:
Alphabetical:
http://www.drillbitsplus.com/free_woodworking_plans.html

Topical/Alphabetical:
http://www.freeww.com/

RESOURCES FOR GLOBAL PRAYER

“Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I
am going to do something in your days that you would not believe,
even if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5

The next Global Day of Prayer is Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 2006.
http://www.globaldayofprayer.com
Are you ready? Millions of Christians are expected to pray for the ten days preceding Pentecost as well. An useful guide has been published by Waymakers:
http://www.waymakers.org

Other resources and details are also available at GDOP USA:
http://www.gdopusa.com

This day of prayer coincides with the launch of an even more
extensive prayer campaign, an unprecedented year-long prayer
focus on the world’s least-reached peoples:

Ethne' - http://www.ethne.net
[See below!]

Global Prayer Digest - http://www.global-prayer-digest.org

Joshua Project - http://www.joshuaproject.net

... and others are teaming up to provide information to fuel this effort, which will last from June 2006 through May 2007. We expect united prayer will open doors and fuel effective outreach efforts throughout the earth!

Each month will be dedicated to prayer for one of 12 regions:

June 2006: South Pacific
July 2006: Southeast Asia
August 2006: Northeast Asia
September 2006: South Asia
October 2006: Central Asia
November 2006: Middle East and North Africa
December 2006: East and South Africa
January 2007: West and Central Africa
February 2007: Eastern Europe and Eurasia
March 2007: Western Europe
April 2007: Central and South America
May 2007: North America and the Caribbean

A map is available here:
http://www.joshuaproject.net/ethne globalregion.php

Ethne' has produced a DVD with video testimonies and videos highlighting each world region and its prayer needs. They are currently finalizing global distribution channels. “Other
resources will be available through the Ethne site and are being uploaded now as quickly as possible. You are given permission to duplicate and distribute as much as possible,” write the Ethne staff.

Write to request further information:
prayer (at) ethne (dot) net

FREE STUFF: http://www.freecycle.com

World Relief is offering Christian congregations a free, 5-part DVD video
curriculum titled "Fighting AIDS through Church Mobilization." Call
toll-free in USA 1-800-535-5433 or e-mail worldrelief@wr.org

CHINA RESOURCE PACK AVAILABLE FROM OMF
OMF International has recently published a resource that covers "all things China." The China Resource Pack includes a book, four videos, a 30-day prayer guide written by China expert Tony Lambert (author of China's Christian Millions), brochures, PowerPoint presentations and a web site: http://www.chinasmillions.org Cost: $30. See http://www.omfbooks.com

=====
NEWS BYTES is compiled monthly by Debbie Meroff of OM News & Information
[OMNI] in London, England. Material may be freely copied and circulated.
Items do not necessarily reflect OM position and questions should be
directed to the original news source. Html version can be found on
www.om.org. For a free e-mail subscription send a message to:
newsbytes-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

WEST BANK CENTER DESTROYED
Armed militants firebombed the Living Stones Christian student centre on the West Bank community of Bir Beit on February 28, leaving the spray-painted warning to "Get out of here." No one was injured. The Palestinian Bible Society bookshop in Gaza also suffered damage from small pipe bombs and was temporarily closed after death threats to staff. Christians continue to have a positive attitude but ask others to pray. Bible Society Director Labib Mandanat says the tiny Christian community associated with the Bible Society in Gaza has impacted Muslims with the love of Christ. "Out of this chaos, God has brought good."
[CHRISTIAN POST 12 March '06]


LITERATURE MINISTRY CONTINUES IN IRAQ DESPITE VIOLENCE
As violence in Iraq continues to escalate, Open Doors remains committed to
carrying out its ministry in the country. Last year staff distributed 20,000 Arabic children's Bibles, set up 12 libraries for adults and children in churches nationwide, translated six children's booklets and produced a special music cassette. This year copies of the handbook, "Counseling Youth," as well as a newly published daily devotional called "One Year Through the Bible" and the "Chronicles of Narnia" series will be distributed throughout the country. Open Doors will also produce and print 40 brochures and leaflets concerning medical issues, opening opportunities to build bridges between Muslims and Christians. [HCJB/OPEN DOORS 27 Feb.'06]


CHRISTIAN SITES A 'HIT' IN MIDDLE EAST
A boom in Christian websites is occurring in the Middle East. According to the Strategic Resource Group (SRG), these websites are receiving nearly 9 million hits per month and more than 2,000 Arabic Bibles are downloaded from the internet each month. One Christian organisation that hosts chat rooms for Arabic-speaking visitors estimates that more than 42,000 people visit these Christian sites every day. More than half of the population in the Middle East is 25-years-old or under and most have easy access to computers, either in their homes or in public venues such as internet cafes and schools. [ASSIST 9 Feb.'06]
Go to: http://www.srginc.org
Go to: http://www.assistnews.org

PERSECUTION LIST
Open Doors' annual "World Watch" list of 50 countries where Christians are subjected to the most persecution puts North Korea in first place, followed by Saudia Arabia, Iran, Somalia, Maldives, Bhutan, Vietnam, Yemen, Laos and China. Open Doors President Carl Moeller contends that the communist government of North Korea has detained more political and religious prisoners than any country in the world. In addition to North Korea, countries with communist governments include Vietnam, Laos and China. Islamic-dominated countries are Saudi Arabia, Iran, Somalia, Maldives and Yemen. 70 expatriate Christians in Saudi Arabia were arrested in 2005 during worship in private homes, in what has been called this country's largest crackdown on Christians in a decade. Iran moved from number 5 to number 3 after the election of a hard-line conservative president. [OPEN DOORS]
http://www.opendoorsusa.org


BACKPACKER'S MAGAZINE (HEBREW)
A 12 page, full colour, glossy magazine is filling a unique gap in reaching out to Israeli young people. 7,000 copies of the 4th edition of "Lo B Mikre," which means Not By Chance, has hit the streets this March. The magazine bears the subheading 'The alternative magazine for different life,' and includes personal testimonies, comics and articles about current topics like the DaVinci Code and Santo Daime cult that is gaining popularity in Israel.
Go To: http://www.lo-bemikre.co.il/]


RESOURCES:
A helpful website for news and prayer about ISRAEL, or for those who want to explore the Jewish roots of Christianity: www.saltshakers.com

Caleb Project's newest curriculum, "Outside the Lines: Connecting Kids to God's Global Purpose" is being tested at 14 locations around the U.S. and should be released early this summer. The 13 three-hour lessons, based on the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course, cover biblical, historic, and cultural themes written at different levels for children from kindergarten to eighth grade. Outside the Lines includes Bible lessons, prayer activities, crafts, skits, games, and simulations, all in printable PDF form, and two DVDs of videos, songs, slide-show presentations, and animation clips. Outside the Lines is a great way to help kids discover they don't have to wait to grow up before they can make an important contribution.

To view sample pages and learn more visit
http://www.calebproject.org/outsidethelines

SHARPEN YOUR INTERPERSONAL SKILLS -- International Training Partners
offers Sharpening Your Interpersonal Skills Workshops in different
parts of the world. These five-day, highly interactive workshops focus
on biblical application of skills in relating to one another and to the
host people. A workshop hosted by International TEAM will be held in
Dubai, UAE April 22-27, 2006.

Go to http://www.itpartners.org
for details on all of the workshops and information on ITP.
If your mission is interested in sponsoring a SYIS workshop, contact Paul:
plere(at)itpartners(dot)org.

Debbie Meroff
Reply-To: newsbytes-owner@yahoogroups.com
N E W S * B Y T E S - February 2006
*************************************************
A Free Service of OPERATION MOBILISATION NEWS & INFORMATION*

TEL AVIV: GAY CAPITAL?
Israel tourism officials have announced that they plan on turning Tel Aviv into the gay capital of the world. "Tel Aviv and gay people are a perfect fit," said an official with the Israel Hotel Association (IHA). The idea was born when IHA Director-General Eli Ziv visited London to participate in the 2005 World Travel Market exhibition and met with representatives of the homo-lesbian travel industry. "We are drafting plans to encourage gay tourism from Germany, England and Holland," said Ziv. Tourism Ministry Director-General Eli Cohen said he would offer any financial assistance necessary. Tel Aviv hosts the largest Gay Pride Parade in Israel, drawing up to 100,000 people. [Ynetnews.com]

"YEAR OF THE FAMILY"
At its annual Partnership Conference in Cyprus, SAT-7, the Arabic Christian satellite TV channel in the Middle East and North Africa, announced the launch of the "2006 Year of the Family" Campaign. The campaign will include special programs on SAT-7, book distributions and seminars in churches with the aim of strengthening families. SAT-7 is sponsoring the event in association with local churches and Bible Societies in the Middle East. The slogan is "Together we can shape the future!" SAT-7 is also aiming to raise awareness of the needs of the disabled in the Arab world, and expanding programming for youth. [www.sat7.org/]

IRAQI CHURCHES BOMBED
A spate of car bombs exploded outside churches in Iraq on Sunday 29th January in what appears to have been a coordinated attack. The explosions occurred within a half hour period, apparently chosen to coincide with the time at which Christians would be going to church. Two churches in the northern city of Kirkuk and at least two others in the capital Baghdad were targeted. At least three people, including a 13-year-old boy, were killed and an estimated 16-20 people injured. According to some reports as many as 7 churches were bombed. On the same day, Christian students at Mosul University were beaten up by Muslim students. Many Iraqi Christians believe the events were retaliation for the Danish cartoons of Mohammed. [BARNABAS FUND 2 Feb.'06]

FIRST-EVER TURKISH CHRISTIAN SATELLITE TV CHANNEL
A broad coalition of sending organisations and Turkish local churches are pooling resources to start TURK-7 TV, the country's first Christian satellite TV channel. Programs were scheduled to begin airing in January on the same frequency as SAT-7, the successful Christian TV broadcasters for the Arab-speaking world. Initially TURK-7 will be on for 2 hours each Tuesday and Thursday, but it is hoped the channel will eventually have 24/7 programming. Follow-up (audience relations) will be an important part of the effort. Says one leading Turkish pastor, "Television is a very effective method for communicating across the entire nation. The most exciting thing is that TURK-7 is helping Turks to proclaim Christian truths to their own people, in their own language". [www.sat7.org/ ]

BIBLE GROUPS IN ETHIOPIA
Starting at zero four years ago, Ethiopia's capital Addis Adaba now has 185 Bible listening groups meeting regularly to listen to audio cassettes of the Bible and talk about the Scriptures. The groups are part of the Bible Society's "Faith comes by hearing" project. "Many participants have told us how listening to God's Word has changed their lives," states the project director. He says the people come together for fellowship and nourishment from the Scriptures. [BIBLE SOCIETY, EN 1/06]

YOUNG PEOPLE JAILED FOR READING BIBLE
Eritrean military authorities have jailed 75 Protestant Christians at the Sawa Military Training Camp for "reading Bibles and praying during their free time," local sources in the small East Africa nation confirmed. Most of the newly arrested evangelicals, 37 of them women, are student youths doing their compulsory national military service at Sawa, a remote center near Eritrea's mountainous western border with Sudan. The young conscripts had not attempted to conduct a Christian meeting or transgressed any other military law. Muslim conscripts are allowed to have their own copy of the Quran and pray 5 times a day. Since May 2002, the repressive regime of President Isaias Afwerki has closed down all independent evangelical churches and refused to allow their members to meet anywhere for worship. [COMPASS 2 Feb.'06]

RESPONSE TO CHRISTIAN RADIO IN INDONESIA TRIPLES
The coast of Indonesia is being rebuilt after the December 2004 tsunami, although survivors are still dealing emotionally and spiritually with their loss. A new radio station was launched in November by Back to the Bible in North Sumatra, one of the worst-hit areas. The station was launched through relief funds that came into Back to the Bible after the tsunami hit. Several programs are being aired, including a live call-in program. In the future, Aceh-language programming will be added to reach the hard-hit and spiritually needy area of Banda Aceh. The message of hope is resonating with listeners, many of whom write asking difficult questions. Response has nearly tripled since November. [MNN 2 Feb.'06]

INCREASE IN MISSION INTEREST BY STUDENTS
Jerry Rankin of the USA's Southern Baptist International Mission Board says more and more students are showing interest in missions. In 2001 and 2002, the board has seen more candidates than they have ever had in their history, with over 1,000 missionaries dispatched to fields in each of those years. "Even though we have a higher number of retirements," he said, "we're seeing the highest [number] of missionary appointments." This past year, over 3,000 people applied as candidates to be apprentice missionaries, expressing a sense of call to missions. And "these are candidates for our long-term service, accentuated Rankin, "not our short-term service." [CHRISTIAN POST 6 Feb.'06]

USA [TRADITIONAL] CHURCHES LOSING ATTRACTION [YET HUNGER REMAINS]
A growing number of Americans no longer view a local church as their primary religious meeting place. A study by the Barna Group shows that new forms of religious experience, such as house churches, marketplace ministries, and cyberchurches, are becoming the norm for millions. Discontent with traditional churches, changes in lifestyle and a desire to get closer to God have spurred a megashift. 2/3 of adults have internet access and the internet now serves as the foundation for faith experiences for more than 1 in 10 adults, although most also use it in tandem with another form of corporate religious experience. [RELIGION TODAY]

SHOCKWAVE! [PERSECUTED CHURCH]
For the fifth year, a prayer initiative organised by Open Doors International's youth branch, "Underground," will involve thousands of youths worldwide in praying for persecuted Christians. The March 3-5 event kicks off in New Zealand and travels across all time zones, both online and in other creative ways such as all-night events or prayer breakfasts. For more information in various languages or to obtain resources visit:
http://www.odshockwave.org/

RESOURCES:
TO ENCOURAGE CHRISTIAN WORKERS, especially those working in difficult or dangerous places, a new 15 minute daily radio program produced by Trans World Radio. For details see www.memcarebyradio.com Audio of programs also available on the web.

"France 2006," 40 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING DAYS FOR FRANCE, will take place from March 1st to April 9th. Prayer guides, promotional leaflets, and a new DVD called "God in France" can be ordered online. See www.objectiffrance.org

KIDS OF COURAGE website helps kids, parents and teachers link up with
mission prayer and projects worldwide: http://www.linkingup.com/

EZINE FOR MOBILIZERS "Missions Catalyst" by Caleb Project is a weekly
bulletin designed to inspire and equip Christians worldwide to be a voice
for strategic ministry.
See http://tinyurl.com/ar8ac
email info@cproject.com

==========

NEWS BYTES is compiled monthly by Debbie Meroff of OM News & Information
[OMNI] in London, England. Material may be freely copied and circulated.
Items do not necessarily reflect OM position and questions should be
directed to the original news source. Html version can be found on
www.om.org. Please do not hit "reply" to this email as subscriptions are
automated. For a free e-mail subscription send a message to:
newsbytes-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To unsubscribe write: newsbytes-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

A Most Blessed 2006 to you all in this ministry, Amen. I am hoping that you can assist me in two things. The first is I would really like to receive some more tracts geared specifically to witnessing to Muslims about who Isa really is. The ones I had were titled "For My Muslim Friend." Are there any more like these? Or some diffferent ones? I would be most grateful to receive some of either kind, for there are quite a few Muslims (a lot from Yemen) living/working in my immediate community.

- Dr. I.R.

==
<+>< + ><+>

http://www.multilanguage.com
Look under Amharic or English or Arabic.
- MJH

===
I visited the site! and I am overjoyed! I am so thankful to our dear
Lord Jesus that all these resources are available. Thank you so much for providing this information. Of course, if at all possible, I still would like to have specific information about Ethiopian Muslim Women, and Ethiopian culture. I'll check the local library today. Again, thank you so much for your kind assistance. If I can be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to write me. My whole heart and life is given to seeing Muslims come to a saving knowledge of our beloved Lord Jesus, all for His glory, amen.

In Him who is our Life,

Dr. I.R.

===
<+>< + ><+>
Some resources I found via google's scholarly search page:

Search Page:
http://scholar.google.com/

====
Search terms: Ethiopia muslim women Christian Witness
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&lr=&q=Ethiopia+muslim+women+Christian+Witness

The resources that came up looked like they came at it from a variety
of theological perspectives.

=====
Search terms: Ethiopia muslim women
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Ethiopia+muslim+women&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en
This yielded some more medical pages.

====
Women’s Health and Life Events Study in Rural Ethiopia
http://www.cih.uib.no/journals/EJHD/ejhd17-special-issue-2/EJHD,2003,%202nd%20special%20issue.pdf

====
The prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of mental distress in
Butajira, Ethiopia.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10470355&dopt=Citation

====
Religion, male violence, and the control of women:
M Macey - Gender and Development, 1999

http://taylorandfrancis.metapress.com/(sbvp5mmtbtp4evitjwi4sw55)/app/home/contribution.asp?referrer=parent&backto=issue,7,12;journal,18,30;linkingpublicationresults,1:103705,1

taylorandfrancis.metapress.com ... Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim
Relations: Birmingham ... eds.) (1992) Refusing Holy
Orders: Women and Fundam ... female genital mutilation in Ethiopia
using popular ...

====
Violence against women: global scope and magnitude -
http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Violence_Against_Women__Global_Scope_and_Magnitude.pdf
C Watts, C Zimmerman - Lancet, 2002 - hawaii.edu ... Bangladesh
Netherlands Barbados Israel Ethiopia ... For example, estimates of the
number
of Muslim women raped by Serb soldiers during the 1992–95 conflict in ...

=====
Factors Influencing the Use of Maternal Healthcare Services in Ethiopia
http://www.icddrb.org/images/jhpn2104_factor-influencing.pdf
Y Mekonnen, A Mekonnen - J HEALTH POPUL NUTR, 2003 - phishare.org ...
unmarried women. Muslim women were 30% more likely to receive Page 4.
Use of
maternal healthcare in Ethiopia 377 professional antenatal ...

======
In the Shadows of the Twin Towers: Muslim Immigrant Women's Voices Emerge
http://www.springerlink.com/(pspnrlqeuz52ip55dy0eduu0)/app/home/contribution.asp?referrer=parent&backto=issue,9,12;journal,16,102;linkingpublicationresults,1:101600,1
Journal: _Sex_Roles_

- MJH


=========
Again, I thank you most kindly for the wealth of sites you've provided here for me, perhaps I would have made it there eventually, but it makes a big difference knowing just what to plug in, does it not? I've not had a chance to begin looking at them yet, but I am most eager and full of joy to do so.

Thanks so much for your assistance, and may our dear Lord Jesus continue to richly supply you in this ministry, Amen.

In His Life,

Dr. I.R.

BOMBING IN INDONESIA MAY HAVE TARGETED CHRISTIANS == A marketplace bomb blast in Palu, Indonesia, killed 8 people and injured 56 others on New Year's Eve. Authorities say two shrapnel bombs were placed in key areas meant to target a specific group of people. The bomb exploded in a marketplace in a Christian area as residents were buying pork for their festive meals. Pork is offensive to Muslims, and the bombing of what locals call a "Christian market" where the meat is sold may point to Islamic terrorists. Indonesian authorities have widely condemned the attack, and there have been a series of arrests. The bombing is the latest in a string of violent incidents over the past two years, echoing conflict between Muslims and Christians from 1998 to 2001 that claimed more than 1,000 lives. A peace accord was signed in December 2001, but sporadic attacks have continued ever since, with Christians forming the overwhelming majority of victims. [COMPASS, 6 Jan.'06]

A YEAR AFTER THE TSUNAMI == One year after the Dec.26 '04 tsunami that took over 200,000 lives, agencies in Indonesia say that rebuilding will take over a decade, and healing more than a generation. However, many ministries in hard-hit areas report that God has opened doors where once they were closed. In India and Sri Lanka many churches have grown as a direct result of the practical love shown by believers. World Vision was named as the top provider of emergency aid in Indonesia, according to a recent study done by Fritz Institute. World Vision was also one of the top aid providers in India. The study showed that the recipients of aid considered international relief organizations to be superior to government and local relief groups. [MNN Dec.22-30'05]

3.3 MILLION COMPLETED BIBLE STUDIES == Amid earthquakes, droughts, famines, hurricanes and civil wars, people around the world last year responded to the Bible League's outreach in record numbers. More than 3.3 million of the ministry's Bible studies were completed during 2005, and many of these people received their own copies of God's Word as a result. In Southeast Asia alone more than 1 million Bible studies were completed, a 34% increase from 2004. These totals reflect the dedication of the ministry's staff and volunteers in more than 50 countries, said Mike Southworth, executive vice president of ministries. "It's through these incredible people and their local churches that the ministry of the Bible League is extended to others living in some of the remotest parts of the earth." [BIBLE LEAGUE Jan.'06]

NEW MISSION FEATURE FILM == "End of the Spear" is being released in U.S. theatres this January, telling the story of Nate Saint and four other missionaries who were slain 50 years ago by the Waodani tribe (previously called Aucas) in the eastern rainforests of Ecuador. CEO Mart Green formed Every Tribe Entertainment, the company that produced the film, after hearing the story of Nate Saint's son, Steve. Every Tribe is devoted to creating "motion picture experiences that affirm life and inspire hope for a broad international audience through true stories presented in highest quality on film." Every Tribe's affiliated Bearing Fruit Communications has produced Beyond the Gates of Splendor, a documentary of the same events that is being marketed to churches and other Christian audiences. [Townhall.com]

RESOURCES:
Ebay recently launched `Ebay for Charities', a scheme whereby anyone can
auction something and give a percentage of the proceeds to charity. See
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/community/charity/index.html

MK CONNECTIONS:
Websites of interest to Missionary Kids and Third Culture Kids:
http://www.mknet.org
http://www.mkplanet.com
http://www.mkministries.com/index.htm
http://www.tckworld.com

MISSION FINDER: A US-based service offering free personal assistance for
finding worldwide mission projects: Vocational, medical, short term,
orphanages. Classified lists of sending agencies, mission resources, travel tips, insurance, and more. Website: http://www.mfinder.org Email: finder@mfinder.org

BUDDHISM: Valuable training tools and resources for Christian ministry to Buddhists. Access vital maps, charts, testimonies, and short vignettes on historic missionaries to the Buddhist world. http://www.sonrisecenter.org/

************************************************************
NEWS BYTES is compiled monthly by Debbie Meroff of OM News & Information
[OMNI] in London, England. Material may be freely copied and circulated.
Items do not necessarily reflect OM position and questions should be
directed to the original news source. Html version can be found on
www.om.org. Please do not hit "reply" to this email as subscriptions are
automated. For a free e-mail subscription send a message to:
newsbytes-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Monday, November 21, 2005

"Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on!'" Exodus 14:15

PRAISE:
We are very excited that several tentmaking expatriate Arabs from Jordan. Lebanon, Syria and Egypt have stepped out in faith and came to the region to seek out employment opportunities. All of the brothers received offers of employment and are praying through the next stage of living in the Arabian Peninsula. The expatriate Arab church can be a powerful tool in the establishing of the church in the AP.

PETITION:
Pray for the work of a medical NGO in a rural mountainous region of the southernmost country in the Arabian Peninsula. This ministry must travel by military escort due to the hostile militia active in the area. Pray for faithfulness and grace.

Pray for the family in our country that had to leave the field due to many issues with their older teenaged son. Pray that they would get the help they need in their home country, that the Lord would keep his hand on this young man’s life and for a continuation of the relationships with National Muslims and MBBs this family leaves behind.

Pray for the 4 MBBs in our country that are struggling in many areas of their lives – relationships with spouses, near and distant families.

Pray for the continued spiritual growth of Sandra, a National woman who recently came to faith. She has real challenges in relating to her non-believing husband who has been violent with her before.

Pray for the special prayer ministry that a couple have for our country and the whole region. This couple operates a house set aside for prayer – for personal needs, country and regional needs and ministry opportunities.

Pray that more workers would come to the Arabian Peninsula. The current tentmakers on the ground cannot follow-up the MBBs that need discipling let alone reach out to new people.

TESTIMONY:
Our family first met Moza when she was a pre-teen girl out for a walk in our neighborhood with her cousins and a friend. They saw my husband and children playing in the empty desert lot near our home. Moza was the exact same age as our oldest daughter and a friendship quickly developed. We would see them in the winter and at every Eid they would come over for a visit. Each visit was a mish-mash of English and Arabic – many times the girls trying to evangelise our daughters.

When the girls became teenagers, things changed. We didn’t see them out and about in the neighborhood often and only for a short while during the Eid. We didn’t know why they came less and less and finally not at all. We had great hopes for a local girl friend for our daughter. Their families had discouraged the girls from interacting with us and sought to encourage greater adherence to Islam witnessed by tight hijab (head scarf) and wearing outer abayas (gowns).

After a 4 year gap, Moza knocked on our door and asked for our oldest daughter. She was now in the university and needed help with her English. Gladly the two young ladies studied her books together and the relationship rekindled. Moza stayed away from religious topics but was warm and friendly. After our daughter went to our home country to study, Moza still came for English help and more and more to hang around our house. She liked being in our busy home and to be part of our family. She still kept religious things out of the conversation or would politely listen to me read the Bible when explaining an English concept to her.

However, just last week, during a study time together she was very straight forward and asked why Christians and Muslims are different. It was an opportunity to clearly share about the relationship I have with God through Jesus, not based on my works but on His finished work. She was very interested and is open to more discussion.

It took several years of family witness to this young National woman before she opened up to hear the Gospel. We are thankful for our long-time relationship and through it earned the privilege to share the Good News. We are asking God to speak to her through dreams and visions and to use our times together for His glory.

<+>< + ><+>
RESOURCES:

THE WORLD OF ISLAM ONLINE -- Caleb Project is pleased to announce EWI Online, the distance-learning version of Encountering the World of Islam. In 12 wweeks, EWI Online provides a positive, balanced, and biblical perspective on God's heart for Muslims and equips Christians to reach out to them in Jesus' love. Students learn about Muhammad and the history of Islam, gain insight into today's conflicts, discover the frustrations and desires of Muslims, and learn how to pray for and befriend them. EWI Online involves textbook readings, downloadable lectures, weekly online discussions, meeting a Muslim and visiting a local Islamic center, four quizzes, one paper and a Concert of Prayer. Students complete one lesson each week. Winter classes begin January 2!

For more information, email: info(at)encounteringislam(dot)org
[Please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
Or visit: http://www.encounteringislam.org
[rcv'd via Brigada Today 11/11/2005. http://www.brigada.org]

INTERCESSORS' NETWORK <intercessors.network@comhem.se>
Sends out news for intercession from a diverse number of countries around the globe, sometimes including items from the Arabian Peninsula. For example, this past week, news was sent regarding Mohammad al-Harbi, who was brutally treated in Saudi Arabia.

(IsraelNN.com) A secondary school teacher in Saudi Arabia was charged with "dubious ideology, mocking religion, saying the Jews were right, discussing the Gospel and preventing students from leaving class to wash for prayer," according to the Saudi newspaper Al-Madina. The teacher, Mohammed Al-Harbi, was sentenced to 40 months in jail and 750 lashes for his "crimes". He was denounced by colleagues and students at his school. The Saudi authorities and Arab newspapers are presenting it as a case of the teacher "mocking religion" and receiving the appropriate penalty.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3169812,00.html

Please pray for Al-Harbi & all involved in this case.

<+>< + ><+>

<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray through the heart of the Muslim world so that church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

====
To learn how you can support this & other work in the Middle East, visit:
http://www.srginc.org

Or write:
ptap@srginc.org

Or:
PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

TXT42DAY
The Bible Society in Australia has launched a complete Bible in SMS (short message service) text for users to download and send verses to friends and family. All 31,173 verses are free to download from the Society's website, although callers pay a standard rate for transmitting them. The process of converting the full Contemporary English Version translation to SMS text took just four weeks, rather less than the average ten years of most translations. While devotees of the King James Bible are unlikely to be impressed, Michael Chant of the Bible Society in Australia said "We want to open up [the Bible] for people of all ages, backgrounds and interests." Scripture passages up to 150 characters can be sent and received to give people daily encouragement. [DAILY TELEGRAPH/ THE INDEPENDENT, 7 Oct.'05]

WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? Alternative to Monopoly, a new game called 'Salvation Challenge' also teaches mission giving. The first to give away their million to missions wins! See details and a free downloadable 'Jesus Loves Kids' Game in 10 languages also at the site. www.Mission316.com

====
RCVD via the OM service: NewsBytes

IRAQ: THE GOOD NEWS
Despite bombings, hostage-taking and political wrangling, some positive news has emerged about the growth of Iraqi churches. In Baghdad, 15 evangelical congregations have started since the removal of Saddam Hussein's regime in April 2003. Officially, only two existed before. Now local Iraqi pastors lead all congregations, and many Christians who fled the country have returned. "The people are open like never before," said Pastor Ghassan Thomas, adding, “Muslims too want peace. Many of them are frightened. When the hostages are killed, often a Quranic verse is used to justify it. So many Muslims are scared of their own God. When we preach that God is love, it is so liberating to them." In the northeast, Iraqi Kurdistan offers a haven for Christian activity as the two rival Kurdish governments reportedly grow in their toleration of Muslims becoming Christians. Kurds compose about 25% of Iraq’s population. Pray that the country’s new constitution will ensure freedom of religion. [COMPASS, 8 July ‘05]

RADICALS IN INDONESIA ORDER 8 MORE CHURCHES CLOSED
A campaign by a radical Islamic group to close down Christian churches in the Indonesian province of West Java has escalated in recent days, reported the Christian human rights group Jubilee Campaign. “Members of the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI), an organization of Muslim clerics that receives 5 billion rupees (nearly US$600,000) in support from the government of Indonesia, entered 8 churches during worship services on Aug. 14 and ordered the churches to close.” The incident brings to 35 the number of West Java churches shut down since the MUI issued a series of 11 religious rulings (fatwas) at the end of July. [ASSIST NEWS/HCJB 16 Aug.’05]

“CHRISTIANS IN CRISIS”
A Filipino pastor and evangelist who was tortured and scheduled for public hanging in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Christmas Day, 1992, now leads an organisation that supports persecuted Christians worldwide. Wally Magdangal had just two days left when he was spared execution through the intervention of international human rights groups, the U.S. Congress and White House. Accused of blasphemy, Magdangal said he was actually imprisoned for leading an underground church in Riyadh for 10 years. This had become one of the largest churches in Saudi Arabia with between 300 and 700 people attending services. After being deported, he and his family moved to the U.S. where he now operates “Christians in Crisis” [http://www.christiansincrisis.net], visiting heads of state to tell them about the persecution and torture of Christians and other groups in Saudi Arabia. [CHARISMA/CMDNET 6 Aug.05]

ARABIC SAT-7 VIEWERS FORM CHURCH IN SWEDEN
Ten Arabs in a small city in Sweden came to know Christ through broadcasts from the SAT-7 Arabic satellite network. Centres affiliated with SAT-7 in Europe often help viewers find and integrate into local Arabic churches. But since these new believers had no Arab-speaking church in their city, they decided to start their own. [MNN 25 July ‘05]

"BOILER ROOM" PRAYER FOR LONDON
The City of London is the latest location for a new type of prayer community known as "Boiler rooms". The centres owe their name to the claim of Victorian preacher CH Spurgeon that his ministry only bore fruit because of his "boiler rooms" of prayer warriors who prayed in the basement while he preached. The new breed of boiler rooms – five have opened so far – are an initiative of the 24/7 Prayer Network. The latest, in Tabernacle Street, Moorgate, includes lunchtime prayer for the business community and evening "complines" and has seen members praying on the tube in the aftermath of the London bombings. The groups seek to echo monastic principles as a refuge for prayer and hospitality. [NEWSWATCH/CHRISTIANITY 9/05]

GROWING MISSION-MINDED KIDS
Through the OMS International "Kids Can Do" education programme, kids can take a virtual mission trips and support project that make a huge difference. Says Susie Howard of OMS: "In a lot of Sunday Schools and Vacation Bible Schools, the children will actually raise money for a project, but sometimes they really don't know what they're doing. By educating the children they have a better idea of who these people are. They have more compassion for them, tend to pray for them more at home, and hopefully someday be even open to the thought of going somewhere else and doing something." It's a programme not just for kids, but for adults who want to help develop missions-minded kids. For games and more info visit the Kids Corner page on the OMS website www.omsinternational.org [CMDNet 16 July ‘05]

RESOURCES
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 6, 2005. Find out more at:
http://www.releaseinternational.org/idop

Treasury of where to look for resources connecting children and missions!
http://missionresources.com/teachingkids.html

Free missionary stories for kids with downloadable coloring sheets from The National Children's Ministries Agency of the Assemblies of God
http://bgmc.ag.org/files/true-missionary-stories/index.cfm

NEWS BYTES is compiled monthly by Debbie Meroff of OM News & Information
[OMNI] in London, England. Material may be freely copied and circulated.
Items do not necessarily reflect OM position and questions should be
directed to the original news source. Html version can be found on
www.om.org. Please do not hit "reply" to this email as subscriptions are
automated. For a free e-mail subscription send a message to:
newsbytes-subscribe@yahoogroups.com