DAWN Fridayfax 1999 #45

Indonesia

Blind for 15 years, then healed by Jesus

It all started 15 years ago. Novi's father was an Indonesian fisherman who had caught nothing for weeks. In his frustration, he went out and got drunk one night. On his return, he threw a lit oil lamp at 18-month-old Novi and her mother. The glass broke and the hot oil burned Novi's eyes. From that day on, she could hardly see. Fifteen years later, Novi's aunt, a Christian, invited her to a special showing of the Jesus film, believing that Jesus would touch her... Before they went, they prayed together that God would miraculously restore Novi's sight. During the film, Novi heard the words of the blind beggar: "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!" And then it happened: Novi felt something touching her neck. "What was that?" she called. "It's Jesus," answered her aunt. Novi again felt something, this time as though fingers were touching her eyelids. Novi had no way of knowing that Jesus was touching the beggar's eyes in the film at that moment. When Novi opened her eyes, she could see! She saw the stars, the trees and her aunt who had prayed for her so faithfully. Everyone knew that Novi had been blind for years, and were astonished at what had happened. As the Muslim villagers saw her, they began to understand the good news about Jesus Christ. Many hundred people have decided to follow Jesus, and the region's churches are growing.
Source: Brian Andrews

Belgium

Meeting the Lord of life just before death

"Project West Flanders '99" is an evangelistic project which started in March 1999 with the aim of helping Belgian Christians reach their fellow Belgians with the gospel. "A few weeks ago, a man from Menen called the project office to ask if someone could come to visit him. He insisted that someone come that day. A Christian who lived nearby went to his house and spoke with him for several hours, and the man finally decided to give his life to Christ. The following day, he underwent a serious operation - and died. He is now with his new Lord, whom he would never have met if it were not for the project..." according to a project report.
Source: BEM (Belgian Evangelical Mission)

USA

Churches in Reading hold common Sunday services

A growing number of churches are deciding to identify more strongly with each other and stand united. On 20 and 21 November 1999, seven churches in Reading, Pennsylvania, will meet for common Sunday services and prayer. Their aim is "a spiritual breakthrough and a transformation of the atmosphere in the city". "These churches are not just celebrating an occasional Saturday evening service together, but are increasingly holding common Sunday morning services, huge 'Church of the City' celebrations," report Robert Stearns and an "Eagle's Wings" movement prayer group.
Source: EAGLES' WINGS MINISTRIES, Tel (+1)-716-759-1058; Fax (+1)-716-759-0731

Worldwide

IDOP-day: millions pray for persecuted Christians

"Over 300,000 churches in 100 countries will take part in the International Day of the Persecuted Church (IDOP) on 14 November 1999," reports Johan Candelin of the World Evangelical Fellowship's Religious Freedom Commission. That reveals a constant increase in the number of Christians who actively address the issue of persecution. It is estimated that some 150,000 Christians are killed for their faith every year, some 2 million persecuted and many millions live in areas with no religious freedom. China, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Iran, Irak, Serbia and Sudan are currently at the top of the US Department of State's list of countries which persecute Christians. Political leaders are also beginning to react positively, according to an IDOP report, "because Christians are raising their voices in an informed and intelligent manner."
Source: IDOP

USA

Seek first the Kingdom of God

A small boy experiences how God stands by his word

During a childrens' Bible week, an 'Overseas Crusade' missionary spoke about mission in southern Africa. He mentioned that they still needed some money for the missionary work, and the children agreed to collect what they could. Ruairi, a small boy, brought all his money, which he had been saving for a trick bicycle. Ruairi's father was out of work, and his mother had told him that there was no other money to buy a bike. Despite that, Ruairi wanted to give all his money, some 100 dollars, to the mission. That very day, his mother was able to give extra tuition to two pupils, for which she was paid 26 dollars. She then saw an advert in the newspaper for exactly the bicycle Ruairi had been looking for, for 25 dollars. Ruairi could give all his money to the mission, but in the end still didn't have to do without his hard-earned bicycle.
Source: OC International

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.