DAWN Fridayfax 2004 #28

India

Hundreds of Muslims become Christians

Operation Agape reports that 800 Muslims in Northern India recently became Christians. Over 100 house churches have been planted in various districts of Uttar Pradesh State in the past six months alone; every member used to be a Muslim. Many of the new believers are already actively sharing their faith with friends and relatives in their surroundings.

15 Islamic priests baptised

In West Bengal State, 15 Islamic priests and their families have been baptised, and there is a growing church planting movement among the region's Muslims.
Source: Operation Agape, agapeLdh@aol.com

India

Amputation unnecessary, healed of cancer

"Two of our full-time evangelists were looking for accommodation for the night," reports German missions agency "Stimme der Zigeuner" (Voice of the Gypsies). "When they eventually found a place to stay in Khamman, Andra Pradesh State, the house owner refused to let them in because they were Christians. The housewife bravely decided to let them in. The unfriendly owner, a rich landowner, suffered from diabetes, and had open wounds on his feet. His doctors had prescribed various medicines to prepare him for an amputation the following week. His wife asked her guests for prayer for herself and her husband; the evangelists told her that she too should pray to God. The healing was rapid; the surprised doctors cancelled the amputation, because the man was completely healthy. When his wife told of her husband's healing in the nearby store, the store owner, who suffered from cancer, also started praying to God. She was healed too. The thankful landowner donated land, on which a church building was opened in April 2004."
Source: Stimme der Zigeuner

From the Oceans

Volleyball for God

"Volleyball was always important to me," writes Simon Schori, Swiss member of the crew on Operation Mobilisation ship Logos II. "I invested a lot of time in the sport, and really enjoyed it - but I was always disappointed that I could not use it for God, as musicians can. Then I came on board the Logos II. The first crew member I met was Swiss, and head of the ship's athletes' ministry. He organises competitions with local teams, thus coming into contact with the local population, through which he has the chance to talk about Jesus and distribute copies of the New Testament. The ship only had a football team though. The first thing he told me, though, was that he wanted to set up a volleyball team, and only needed a trainer! So God can use volleyball to build his Kingdom, and I am definitely in the right place!"
Source: Simon Schori, Logos II

China

Can you sing?

The most recent wave of persecution of house churches by the Chinese Government began in January 2004, when the DVD 'The Cross, Jesus in China' became available. "Between one hundred and one thousand house church leaders are currently imprisoned, receiving sentences of up to three years," reports mission agency Open Doors. Brother Zhong from central China tells of his first imprisonment, which lasted 33 days: "All of our house church leaders were arrested in a raid by the National Security Office while we were training them. In prison, our heads were shaved, and we were interrogated for days. We were told that the other inmates were waiting for their chance to beat us up when we were sent to our cells. Up until then, every new prisoner had been beaten up. I entered my cell shaking with fear. It was a fearsome sight: sixteen other prisoners standing in two rows, fists ready. My heart was beating hard, and I prayed rapidly for help. Suddenly, the leader of the gang asked 'Why are you here?' 'Because I am a Christian,' I answered, timidly, expecting the first blows. 'You don't beat people up?' he asked. 'No,' I answered. The next question surprised me: 'Can you sing?' 'Yes,' I replied, wondering where this was heading. The gang leader told me to sing. The song 'I give myself as a seed' came to mind, so I sang. The words are:

Who doesn't have a brother or sister?

Who doesn't have a wife and child?

Who doesn't want to be with his family?

Who doesn't want to be among his relatives?

But if the Lord calls me to carry His Cross,

I would ignore them all,

Even if they passed by my house.

Tears ran down my cheeks as I sang. The Holy Spirit came in our midst, and half of the other prisoners were in tears when I finished. The leader stepped forward and clapped me on the shoulder. He then asked me to read the Gospel to them. They wanted to hear it every day. One day, when we sang again, a guard came to ask what we were doing, and who was responsible. I stood up, and was punished. I had to take off my clothes and stand against the wall in a very uncomfortable position. The leader stood up and demanded to be punished as well. Many of the others also stood up, demanding the same punishment. The guard became very angry, and stormed out of the cell. One of the other inmates became a Christian that day. I was released soon afterwards, because my wife managed to pay my bail of 150 Euro. My time in prison impaired my health, but the spiritual gain was worth far more. I am very grateful to God."
Source: Brother Zhong, Open Doors.

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