Weekly Report

Kenya (MNN) -- In the fall-out since Kenya’s tense presidential elections last week, the losing candidate Raila Odinga will challenge the election results in Kenya’s Supreme Court. But some election observers are concerned that Odinga’s refusal to concede defeat to President Uhuru Kenyatta will lead to more violence. So far, 24 people have been killed in election riots. Bernice Gatere with Trans World Radio explains why there is such mistrust in Kenya’s voting process. "Our election seems to be very tribal-based…and that is what makes this situation tense and volatile." TWR is working to spread peace in Kenya at this time. "We have already started producing peace messages that we are airing on all our stations, and that is basically calling people to the peace that when the Lord Jesus left, he said, ‘My peace I leave with you.’ We are calling on our listeners to extend that peace that they have received from the Lord Jesus Christ to their neighbor. We are also asking for people to do practical things. If you have a neighbor who is from another tribe or from the other party that you do not support, make a deliberate effort to reach out to them and show them kindness so they can experience the love of Christ." Please pray that the Church in Kenya will be a conduit of Christ’s peace.

Sierra Leone (MNN) -- Disaster struck Sierra Leone when torrential rains caused landslides and flooding early Monday morning. Many didn’t have time to run. Between 300 and 400 people have been found dead, and at least 600 others are missing. It’s one of Africa’s worst natural disasters in recent years. Cynthia Williams with Crossroads Prison Ministries explains, "Entire families have lost either their lives or, of course, their homes in the flood. Just finding shelter is very difficult as the rains continue and are projected to continue. People, of course, are without food [and] without drinkable water." Crossroads has ministry to prisons in Sierra Leone. "Our team will be visiting the juvenile prison today to be able to assess the situation, encourage the boys being held there, and spend time with them. And then our team members will also be going out into the communities today to minister [and] to pray for people affected by this." They’re asking for your help. "We are hoping to mobilize support to provide some of the basic needs. So we would need the financial support for food [and] drinkable water. Many of them have lost all possessions, so even just blankets to stay warm with the rains." If you’d like to give, we’ll connect you in the FULL STORY.

North Korea (MNN) -- In the war of words between North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un and U.S. President Donald Trump, North Korea threatened to launch missiles at Guam. But Guam has already been launching something else into North Korea. Something they can’t shoot down. Something that has extreme impact. Something that combats the stalwart grip of tyranny and fear and hatred -- radio broadcasts of the Gospel. Lauren Libby with Trans World Radio says, through their ministry in Guam, "TWR has been broadcasting into North Korea for the last 40 years. Every night, we’re on the air, we’re encouraging people, we’re putting hope into North Korea. And I think it’s kind of like one of our missionaries said: ‘You know, the North Koreans may lob missiles at Guam, but we’re going to lob hope back in response.’" Doing so is risky, but the results are spiritual encouragement. "The stories we’ve got is that people who have a radio keep it in a plastic bag and will bury it during the daytime and then dig it up at night and listen to the broadcast. We know that there are groups of believers in North Korea and we know that the Church is alive and well and probably growing under persecution." Pray for the situation with North Korea to de-escalate and for the Gospel to be proclaimed.