DAWN Fridayfax 1999 #49

Uganda

A land repents

The central African nation Uganda was once known as 'the home of witchcraft', according to Ugandan pastor John Mulinde during a European tour. An aggressive fight against Christianity began as soon as the first missionaries arrived in 1875, and many Christians died as martyrs. The 'East African Revival' which swept many countries did not take place until 1935. Years of catastrophe began In the 1960's, with the rise of Communist governments; in 1975, Idi Amin took over and declared the country Islamic, despite the fact that only 3% of the population were Muslims. The country became infamous around the world for its suffering and the evil perpetrated there. During that time, Christians were persecuted, and many fled into the forests to cry out to God for help. A new move of God began in 1980, following Idi Amin's deposal. Under Obote, though, things were even worse. 10,000 Christians met in secret, and 80% promised to pray day and night until God gave a breakthrough. Obote was deposed in 1986 - but then came AIDS. Uganda had the highest rate of infection in the world, and the WHO predicted that a third of the population would die by 1997, with another third too weak to walk.

AIDS rate sinks for the first time

"In 1986, God gave me a special mission," reports Mulinde: "Stand up and travel through the country, calling Christians to prayer; every Christian house should become a house of prayer. Work with everyone; fill the nation with prayer." Before setting off as part of a team, Mulinde fasted for 90 days, which is a medical impossibility. Hundreds of Christians fasted for 60 days, thousands for 40, and a national intercession process is now in full swing, with a prayer net for every geographical area and social group, for banks, hospitals and schools. Not only the President, but also 64 of the 240 Members of Parliament have become Christians. Round-the-clock prayer groups have formed in many areas, and Uganda is today the only African nation in which the AIDS rate is declining, and at a rate faster than anywhere else in the world.

Seek God, not the solution of your problems

Mulinde says "God is telling many leaders throughout the nation 'Do not pray against the nation's problems. That will solve them, but others will rise in their place. Pray that Uganda finds its redemptive purpose, and I will take care of the problems' Become one with God's purpose for your nation, and God will take care of the problems, almost as a side-effect. When people hear of what God is doing in Uganda today, they consider it impossible. But Uganda's example demonstrates that God can turn impossible situations around, and reveal himself as the living God in the midst of immense problems." [Editor's note: a complete report is available in German under the title 'Licht oder Finsternis ueber Europa', available from Josua Dienste e.V, Strittmatt 49, D-79733 Goerwihl] An international prayer conference is being held in Uganda from 17-30 January 2000, to show other Christians the principles of the current revival.
Source and info: World Trumpet Mission, PO Box 8085, Kampala, Uganda, tel (+256)-41-232813, fax (+256)-41-271862, e-mail trumpet@starcom.co.ug

China

Farmer plants 198 churches

Tong (name and address withheld) is a friendly Chinese farmer, with a wife and two children. Following the birth of their second child, Tong's wife began to behave strangely, breaking things and attacking people as though she were possessed by demons. Tong was powerless against the attacks, which became so serious that he could not leave her alone with the children. Tong's sister-in-law took her to a secret house church meeting, where Tong's wife decided to follow Jesus. From that moment, the attacks ceased. A while later, she was given a Bible, and asked Tong to read it to her, because she could not read. Tong was so touched by John 3 that he also decided to follow Jesus. Less than a year later, he started travelling around to preach the gospel. He has planted 198 house churches so far, with a total of several thousand members.
Source: German Bible League, fax (+49) 791 857035

England

The Lord's Prayer tops the charts

At the end of November, English pop singer Cliff Richard topped the British charts with his song 'The Millennium Prayer'. Insiders call the 59-year-old's comeback 'a miracle'. Richard had to fight hard to publish the song, because the music industry had written him off. His promise to celebrate the millennium with a special song was met with derision, except from a small number of people who stood with him, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is also a practising Christian. Neither Richard's record company nor EMI shared Blair's opinion, and refused to publish the song. All major radio stations placed a strict ban on the record, claiming "it is too antiquated and kitschy for our young and dynamic listeners". In reply, fans started petitions, bombarded the radio stations with telephone calls and bought the records like hot cakes. With no advertising, 'Prayer' displaced competitors such as 'Boyzone' and Gerri Halliwell from the top spot. One final note: Richard will donate all proceeds from the sale of the record to the charity "Children's Promise"
Source: various newspaper reports

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