DAWN Fridayfax 1997 #36

DAWN News from UK, India, Albania, China, Thailand

England: Diana, a prophetic death?

"I can't imagine any other event which could cause such strong reactions in England and all around the world as the tragic death of Princess Diana," writes Englishman Andy Hall. "Millions of people are crying not only because Diana is gone, but because a loving, humble, compassionate and realistic part of a stiff monarchy seems to be lost with her. The event of 31 August 1997," according to Hall, "is not only tragic but also strategic." Diana herself prophesied that she would do something which would shock the world. Obviously, she was not speaking about her death, but even so: her death shook the world awake. "People on every corner want to talk about death and eternity. The churches are fuller than ever before," according to pastor Steve Dixon (King's Church) in Slough, England.
Source: Andy Hall, e-mail: Andy_Hall_CHCF@compuserve.com

India: Prophet in a box

Paul Isaak, the innovative pastor of the Living Word Assemblies of God church in Madras, plans to plant 5 new churches this year alone with the 60 members of his small church. But how should he start? Isaak gave a sermon about the New Testament ministries of apostles and prophets, which, he is convinced, are still important today for planting new churches. Pastor Isaak soon noticed, though, that the members of his church were imagining powerful men of God coming from far-off lands to perform the ministries, so he took a box and let every member of the church look inside, telling them that it showed where today's apostles and prophets are. As they looked, they began to understand. And what was in the box? we ask. "A mirror," says Isaak.
Source: Pastor Paul Isaak, Madras

Albania: Saved from an earthquake by an angel

Albania was recently hit by several earthquakes, one of which destroyed 2 blocks of apartments in the town of Gramsh. As Linda Qosja, a Christian teacher, felt her classroom in the third floor start to shake, she lifted her hands and prayed, commanding the earthquake. As she did so, the children saw an angel in white clothes standing behind her, according to the German mission agency 'Josua'. The class was unharmed. Desard, a 10-year-old boy, said that God had showed him in a dream that there would be an earthquake.
Source: Nick Wakely, Elbasan, Albania, via Josua Ministries, fax (49)-30- 6721415

Albania: protection during civil war

Josua also reports that many Albanian Christians tell of extraordinary protection during the civil war. Here are some experiences: "Leku Mera was playing football when he heard the sound of a bullet passing his ear. A shell landed 30 centimeters from builder Mondi Emini, in the wet concrete he was mixing. Liri Peqini's 18-year-old son was shot in the chest, and the doctors at the hospital had no hope that he would survive. His mother and many other Christians prayed day and night, and after 4 days, he was out of bed. He says that Jesus appeared to him in a vision while he was in hospital. The doctors are amazed..."
Source: Nick Wakely, Elbasan, Albania, via Josua Ministries, fax (49)-30- 6721415

China: from heart-patient to pastor

The father of C., a Chinese house-church leader, was suffering from a serious heart disorder. He had already spent all his money on doctors and sold his property and investments, but his condition only worsened. When he heard "he who believes in Jesus has eternal life," he started to think. He obviously did not have long left to live, so he asked someone to drive him to a Christian meeting, where he decided to become a Christian himself. The other Christians there prayed for him one after the other the whole night and for the next 7 days. After that, the man could feel that God had healed him, and decided to return to his village and open his house for God. Because of his testimony, 90% of the villagers decided to also become Christians. The church which he leads already has over 200 members.
Source: Neil Anderson, Fax: (852) 2668-0407. The Sowers Ministry, P.O. Box 608, Fanling, N.T., Hong Kong. E-mail: anderson@hk.super.net

Thailand: demonized girl set free - 9 churches planted

Sunthon Rawang, a missionary from Buriram Province near the border between Thailand and Cambodia, reports how a demon-possessed girl showed her village the way to Christ. The people in the area, he says, are animist spiritists. One demon was particularly feared, because anyone who joked about it became ill. The missionary fasted and prayed before entering the village with his team to evangelise. As he stood in front of the people, preaching, the demon spoke through a girl, saying that it was very displeased that Christians had come into the area, and that they should be forbidden to preach in the village. Before anyone could do anything to stop the missionary, he commanded the demon to leave the girl. "Everyone stood there with their knees knocking," says Rawang, "but others from the village soon came and asked us to pray for them too, which we did. Within one month, nine churches were planted in the district."
Source: Neil Anderson, Fax: (852) 2668-0407. The Sowers Ministry, P.O. Box 608, Fanling, N.T., Hong Kong. E-mail: anderson@hk.super.net

This Web version of the DAWN Fridayfax is maintained by the Jesus Fellowship Church (Jesus Army) as a service to the Christian church. Please visit our web pages which feature the e-zine Streetpaper and its special Revival section.