Skateboarding priest in Hungary
A Hungarian Catholic priest has become an internet sensation for spreading the word of God - from his skateboard. A video of Reverend Zoltan Lendavi has become a YouTube hit. The video shows 45-year-old Lendavi, in full clerical dress outside his church in Gaborjanhaza, a small village on Hungary's border with Slovenia. Father Lendavi, whose first skateboard is said to have featured the Papal coat of arms, said he believed his skateboarding could help encourage more youngsters to go to church. He learnt his skateboarding skills when he was a teenager, but it wasn't until he became a priest, he realised he could use his skills to help youngsters find God by spreading the word from his wheels. He said he got the idea from Saint John Bosco, an Italian priest and educator in the 19th century who dedicated his life to improving the lives of youngsters and used games as part of their education. Praise: that the Spirit continues to work in mysterious ways. (Col.4:3)
Skateboarding priest in Hungary
A Hungarian Catholic priest has become an internet sensation for spreading the word of God - from his skateboard. A video of Reverend Zoltan Lendavi has become a YouTube hit. The video shows 45-year-old Lendavi, in full clerical dress outside his church in Gaborjanhaza, a small village on Hungary's border with Slovenia. Father Lendavi, whose first skateboard is said to have featured the Papal coat of arms, said he believed his skateboarding could help encourage more youngsters to go to church. He learnt his skateboarding skills when he was a teenager, but it wasn't until he became a priest, he realised he could use his skills to help youngsters find God by spreading the word from his wheels. He said he got the idea from Saint John Bosco, an Italian priest and educator in the 19th century who dedicated his life to improving the lives of youngsters and used games as part of their education. Praise: that the Spirit continues to work in mysterious ways. (Col.4:3)
Burma: International action needed
A CSW report included a Burmese man’s cry, ‘We are so forgotten. Our suffering continues. We have never experienced freedom. No one cares for us. Inside Burma it is getting worse and worse. We want the world to know we are still suffering.’ With democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi imprisoned CSW said free and fair elections in November was impossible and called the EU, USA, the Association of South East Asian Nations and the UN to unite and send Burma the strongest possible message that its continuing crimes against humanity are not acceptable and will no longer be tolerated. They are calling for a universal arms embargo and the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate crimes against humanity and war crimes. They are also calling for more humanitarian aid and protection for the displaced peoples receiving sanctuary in Thailand. Pray: the world would no longer ignore the suffering in Burma, and for God to release the country into physical and spiritual freedom. (2Sam.22:7) More: http://dynamic.csw.org.uk/article.asp?t=report&id=125&rnd=0.0109064
World: Thirty Days movement
Millions of Christians around the world are participating in the largest ongoing intercession for the Muslim world as they pray for Muslims for 30 days. This prayer movement began in the Middle East in 1992 when believers heard God's call to intercede for Muslims during the Islamic season of Ramadan. Today globally, Christians are setting aside the 30 days of Ramadan to pray specifically for Muslims and see precious souls set free from the bondage of Islam and introduced to the Saviour of all mankind. The ‘30 Days’ movement emphasises God's love for Muslims, encouraging all believers to cultivate a spirit of humility, love, respect and service toward Muslims. For more information and to download the 30 Day Prayer Guide click the more button, for Prayer Alert Ramadan INSIGHT go to: Pray: that Ramadan 2010 will become a window of opportunity for the Holy Spirit to speak to Muslims and open their eyes to the salvation available only in Jesus Christ. (Eph.1:17-18) More: http://www.30-days.net
Maldives: Poor religious freedom
After Saudi Arabia, the Maldives is the only nation that claims a 100-percent Muslim population. The Indian Ocean archipelago has more than 70,000 expatriate workers representing several non-Islamic religions, including Christianity, but those who intermingle must exercise caution. ‘If you engage any Maldivian in a discussion on Christianity and the person reports it to authorities you can be in trouble.’ said a source who requested anonymity. ‘A Maldivian youth studying in Sri Lanka became a Christian recently but when his parents came to know about it they took him away. We have not heard from him since then.’ According to President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom no religion other than Islam should be allowed in the Maldives. Public practise of the Christian religion is prohibited. In 1998 all known Christian foreigners who were suspected of missionary work were expelled and some indigenous Christians were arrested. Christian missionaries are not allowed. The collective identity of the people of the Maldives is Islam. Pray: for Christians to be wise and more intentional in sharing God's love with their Muslim neighbours and fellow workers. (Jas.2:24)
INSIGHT ARTICLE: Afghanistan hazards for Christian workers
The Asia Evangelical Alliance has condemned Taliban's slaying of ten aid workers in Afghanistan. See: The bodies of a Briton, six Americans, a German, and two Afghan interpreters were discovered in northern Afghanistan. Media reported that the aid workers were associated with the International Assistance Mission (IAM), a non-profit Christian NGO working in Afghanistan since 1966. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the killings saying the medical workers were ‘foreign spies’ and were spreading Christianity. Executive Director of IAM spoke of the ‘senseless killing of people who have done nothing but serve the poor.’ This week’s INSIGHT ARTICLE comes from a Christian NGO in Afghanistan. Pray: for humanitarian workers protection in Afghanistan and other countries under Taliban influence. (Dt.5:32-33) Info: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/Afghanistanconcerns2.pdf
Pakistan: Rapes of Christian girls escalating
Three Muslim men raped a 16-year-old girl at gunpoint on July 21 stand her father was later kidnapped and tortured. He was working the fields when three men who work for his Muslim employer overpowered his daughter at their home, dragged her into one of the rooms at gunpoint and raped her. The following evening in a different district more than a half dozen madrassa students gang-raped a 12-year-old schoolgirl. Her teacher overheard one student saying, ‘We will teach these Christians a lesson they will never forget.’ Seven or eight of them then raped the girl while the others looked on. Local police admitted to Compass Direct they were under pressure from Muslim leaders and extremists to refrain from filing a report. The Centre for Legal Aid said Muslim landowners and their relatives see Christian girls or women as their chattel. Day by day the rate of rapes of Christian girls is escalating instead of plunging. Pray: that God would comfort and strengthen Christians at the times of persecution, and enable them to forgive as they face hatred. (Mat.24:13-14)
Global: Persecution increases during Ramadan
For some Christians around the world, Ramadan represents an opportunity to talk about Christ while Muslims are seeking truth, but for believers in mostly Muslim nations, this Islamic holy month is a time to lay low. Open Doors reported there was an upsurge against Christians in the Muslim world during Ramadan last year. Egypt being one of the worst with a church burned to the ground and at least 155 Egyptian Christians arrested for not participating in Ramadan. This year tension rises after Muslims attacked Christians in Afghanistan, Somalia, Pakistan and other nations just before Ramadan. The potential for a increase in persecution in the next 28 days is high. For Muslim-background believers who have come to Christ from their Islam background, there's extra pressure on them to return to Islam. These new converts have tremendous pressure from their families, including death threats and many have to leave their homes and families. Pray: for believers protection and ability to recognise opportunities to share Christ - particularly when Muslims have dreams or visions of Jesus. (Joel 2:28)
Pakistan: Humanitarian crisis
Tens of thousands of villages are still underwater with 17 million acres of desperately needed crops wiped out. This will mean food shortages in the near future for a country so poor that it is dependent on foreign aid to get by even in the good years. Eight million of the 20 million affected have yet to see any aid, and angry citizens complain their government is failing them by not getting them food or transportation. Private boat owners are taking people through the floodwaters, but charging so much that few Pakistanis can pay. Pray: that neither greed nor compromise thrives in Pakistan, but rather a spirit of humble service would be birthed and permeate throughout disaster relief. (Mt.5:7) More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/August/Food-Shortages-Next-for-Pakistan-Flood-Victims/
INSIGHT ARTICLE: Kenya: Referendum repercussions
Further to last week's INSIGHT ARTICLE we give thanks to God that apart from a few incidents in the Rift Valley the Referendum vote last week was peaceful with no inter-tribal violence. Although 70% of those who voted were in favour of the Constitution only about 30% of the total electorate voted ‘yes’. It is probable that many didn’t read the document and voted as their leaders told them to. The National Council of Churches of Kenya said the ‘yes’ vote did not nullify their concerns and Canon Peter Karanja, doubted the integrity of the vote saying, ‘We are saddened by the fact that the pre-referendum process was marked by malpractices and irregularities which continued right into balloting and tallying phases. This calls into question the validity of the process and its outcome.’ A summary of Kenyan Christians' prayer requests for their country are in this weeks Insight Article click the info button. Pray: that Kenya would be a symbol of hope in Africa and post-colonial violence will not become a stronghold over the nation. (Ps.22:28-31) Info: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/HowtoprayforKenya2.pdf