http://mnnonline.org/ News Worth Listening To en webmaster@mnnonline.org http://mnnonline.org/article/12887 Gospel for Asia says a group of believers was attacked this week by 40-50 weapon-toting individuals. Believers refused to participate in a Hindu festival, honoring a Hindu deity, saying 'No, we don't want to have anything to do with it. We'll just stay at home.' The mob then began to break open the door and break the windows; they went inside and beat three of our believers. They were actually looking for our pastor to kill him." However, the believers kept him hidden. While the central government is pushing laws to protect religious minorities, Punose says, "Wherever the Gospel goes, there is going to be persecution, no matter what laws are passed or not passed. So, some of the laws that will be passed will help to give a little bit more protection to believers and have freedom to worship. But at the same time, all of these believers expect persecution to happen. They're willing to give their lives." Pray for a peaceful solution and for the attackers to come to know the true God--Jesus Christ. ]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://mnnonline.org/article/12887 http://mnnonline.org/article/12884 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://mnnonline.org/article/12884 http://mnnonline.org/article/12885 Open Doors reports that Islamic extremists in Somalia are beginning to enforce the brutal aspects of sharia law. They're responding to a recent case involving thieves who were punished by amputation. Their team expressed concerns over the severity of the punishment for petty crime, wondering what it would be for forsaking Islam. Across the country, evangelism is frowned upon and in many areas, prohibited. Only a handful of Somalis are Christians, practicing their faith in secret. Pray for the believers to persevere through the hardship they face. ]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://mnnonline.org/article/12885 http://mnnonline.org/article/12882 World Hope International. "The reason that the U.S. government is interested in reporting on this and giving updates is that in the world, there are over 12.3 million adults and children at any time who are in forced labor or sexual servitude. And not only does this affect many countries around the world, but it exists in our own country." World Hope works to prevent traffickin, and runs women's shelters for survivors. "When we see girls who have gone through such trauma laughing and staying out of prostitution even years after being in our program, we are just really pleased with that work." Pray for the spread of the Gospel through World Hope's trafficking ministries. ]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://mnnonline.org/article/12882 http://mnnonline.org/article/12886 Bright Hope International learned last year that the program in Nairobi, Kenya, would be terminated in June 2009. 14,000 school children would go hungry without it, and the school risked closing its doors, as well. Knowing this, Bright Hope aggressively sought partners to help save the program. They happily report that 14,000 children are still being fed and are able to continue getting an education. Go to our Web site to learn how you can help (Story 5 - 7/03/09). ]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://mnnonline.org/article/12886