USA: Fighting for $15 minimum wage
02 Apr 2015
Over recent months there has been a mushrooming national campaign of workers seeking a $15-an-hour minimum wage. The most recent demonstration was in Atlanta. With fists pumping in the air, some 500 low-wage workers from across the South filled the sanctuary of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church with a resounding chant to open a one-day mobilizing conference. ‘I believe that we will win’ was the defining slogan as fast food, Walmart, home health care, child care, college adjuncts, retail and auto parts workers gathered from as far away as Missouri and Texas, Virginia and North Carolina to build for the April 15 ‘Fight for $15’ day of action. Many participants wore the brightly coloured T-shirts of their area’s campaign to win economic justice and a liveable wage. The achievements of this young movement so far have raised the minimum wage in Seattle and Los Angeles, and wrestled decisions from Walmart and others to raise starting pay by a dollar an hour. See also: http://april15.org/
Asia: 24-7 prayer gathering
02 Apr 2015
The first 24-7 Prayer Asia Gathering was held in Hong Kong between February 12th and 14th. It was a key moment for the Asia 24-7 network. For five years many have been steadily sowing into relationships across the continent and this gathering was both a culmination and a new beginning. Eighty people gathered from Japan, India, Singapore, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, China, and Australia. The theme of the gathering was ‘to gather with God and with one another.’ Gathering with family and close friends around holidays and special occasions is important to Asian peoples and this kingdom gathering was no exception. For many this was the first time they’d met in person after hearing of one another and interacting on the 24-7 Prayer Asia Network Facebook page. A good degree of personal sacrifice was required of those who made the trek to Hong Kong. They were all rewarded with the delight of being together and encouraging each other.
Yemen: Christians suffering while Muslims fight
02 Apr 2015
Yemen is the Arab world's poorest country. Life for Christians in Yemen is very hard. All Christians there are from a Muslim background and it is forbidden for Muslims to convert to Christianity. Yemen's constitution provides for religious freedom but it's a farce. Christians are routinely harassed and face daily persecution. It is impossible for any Christian in Yemen to own a Bible. This latest crisis involving Saudi Arabia and Iran will make it worse for Yemeni Christians caught between the ideologies of Shia Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia, (supported by ten countries). Neither allow the free expression of Christian faith. The Saudis have started bombing Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen. The tension between the two countries has been in the making for years. The leading Sunni power, and the leading Shia power are facing each other for influence in the Middle East and now that proxy fight is playing out in the desert sands of Yemen.
Every year, thousands of Cambodian migrants cross the border with Thailand searching for employment and better living conditions. They enter the country without documents after paying unscrupulous traffickers who profit on trafficking with promises of a job. The lack of documents and permits makes them vulnerable and easy victims of forced labour; as happened to more than 300 fishermen who were rescued in Indonesia after being locked in cages or hidden in the forests of the islet of Benjina. They were reduced to slavery, subjected to harassment and abuse and forced to work for Thai-flagged vessels. The Jakarta government discovered the migrant workers following a year-long investigation conducted by Associated Press reporters. The investigation revealed 1,000+ fishermen from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia trapped on the island at different times, a true international hub of forced labour and of modern slavery linked to the fisheries sector. In February the Catholic Church dedicated a day of prayer to the issue of human trafficking and modern forms of slavery.
Afghanistan: A mission agency request
02 Apr 2015
The tribes of Afghanistan are hearing about Christ as media reach where people can’t physically go. Films, radio, websites, cell phones, SMS messaging, and even Twitter are receiving responses never seen before. As more people hear or watch programmes there is a curiosity that could have taken years to develop by more traditional means. The responses to this new media input are so numerous and significant that the need for effective follow up has grown exponentially and the infrastructure is just not there to handle the needs. What a good problem to have, yet this is still a problem. Infrastructure needs at this time are: - Mother-tongue like-minded speakers who are capable of answering questions as people call in. - High tech and website workers to develop and operate new media vehicles. - Creative minds to develop the next generation of media outreach to spiritually searching people.
Pakistan: ‘Letter from Lahore’ update
09 Apr 2015
Last month you were asked to pray for teams of intercessors to be prepared spiritually as they plan to pray at satanic strongholds from Saturday, 11 April to Monday 13 April. The organiser has asked us to continue to pray about this as there is some fear due to tensions in the country and ‘people should not go unless they are spiritually prepared., We are asked to please pray for God to show each group from each area exactly what He wants them to do. Usually when prayer is planned at a stronghold, a team is sent ahead to prepare the place, not to do spiritual warfare, but just to pray for the team that will come and for God to clear the way for them. That isn´t possible this time. Please pray here for wisdom, clear guidance from the Lord and for spiritual protection.
Nigeria: Historic election outcome
02 Apr 2015
Incumbent Goodluck Jonathan phoned former military leader Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday to concede defeat in Nigeria's presidential elections, he then followed the phone call with a written statement to his countrymen. Jonathan’s speedy action and words have hopefully prevented violent protests breaking out after calls for calm from the two main candidates and a warning by the United States and Britain against political interference amid earlier claims of vote-rigging and voter intimidation. ‘I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word,’ Mr Jonathan said. A spokesman for Gen Buhari's All Progressives Congress party said, ‘Mr Jonathan will remain a hero for this move. The tension will go down dramatically.’ After a close election there will be many who are unhappy with this outcome but ‘democracy is deepening in Nigeria’ even though the poll has revealed dangerous religious and regional differences - violence still threatens. Further reactions and prayer guidelines available on http://www.Pray4Nigeria.org
American Tribes defend traditional marriage
09 Apr 2015
Months before the US Supreme Court rules on the issue of gay marriage, Native American tribes have taken steps to defend traditional marriage. Eleven tribes with a total membership approaching a million people will not recognize same-sex marriages. Just weeks after North Carolina began issuing marriage licenses to gay couples, the state's Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians updated its law to prevent gay couples from having marriage ceremonies on tribal land. Tribes that don't recognize same-sex marriage include the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma and the Navajo Nation.