1040 Window Reporter July 2010

SENEGAL – UNDER SEIGE
 
After more than half of a century under French rule, the nation of Senegal gained independence in 1960, only to enter a period of poverty and violence that has extended to the present day.

Despite the introduction of “ambitious economic reform program” in 1994, Senegal continues to be one of the poorest nations in the world. It is ranked 166th out of 188 on the United Nations Human Development Index. The average life expectancy is only 59 years and about 59 of every 1000 live births results in death. Nearly half of the people are unemployed and 54% live below the poverty line.

Besides poverty, the people of Senegal must deal with ongoing strife. Separatist rebels have been wreaking havoc since a violent uprising in the 1980s. Tens of thousands have been displaced and untold numbers are now suffering from “the post-traumatic stress of being injured by landmines, seeing relatives raped or killed and living in constant uncertainty.” As one young boy explained, “We are constantly scared.”

Muslim extremists are responsible for destroying schools throughout Senegal in an effort to keep girls from being educated. According to their interpretation of the Qur’an, girls should not attend school. At present, the government is seeking “new ways to get and keep girls in school” and attempting to eliminate “gender inequality.”

One of the most potent threats to the welfare of the people of Senegal is a spiritual threat. Islam has been practiced in this nation for more than a thousand years. During French rule, Senegal became a secular state. Since independence, it has remained officially secular. However, Islam has great influence on all areas of life.

It is estimated that 94% of the population is Muslim, with the majority practicing a mystical Sufi version of the religion. This involves membership in brotherhoods and a system of “marabouts” (Islamic teachers and leaders). Part of this system requires boys to attend madrassas (Qur’anic schools) where they are educated in the ways of Islam. These boys, called Talibes, are often forced to beg, turning their collected earnings over to the marabouts.

“…At least 50,000 children attending residential Quranic schools live in slave-like conditions and are forced to beg on the streets for up to 10 hours each day. …The children are beaten with electric cables, clubs or canes if they bring home less than their teachers demand.”

Senegal is under siege to economic, physical, and spiritual oppression. Yet God is at work in this nation and among its people. In the past ten years, members of previously unreached people groups have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. As Missions Insider puts it, “Through the intervention of the gospel, change is coming.”

PRAY FOR:

• the Lord to provide relief to those who are suffering from poverty and unemployment, as well as the children forced to beg on the streets. (The Bible, Genesis 22:14)

• Christian humanitarian agencies to have the opportunities and resources to minister to those in need, preaching and demonstrating the Kingdom of God. (The Bible, Mark 16:14)

• the people of Senegal to look to the Lord to satisfy their economic, physical, and spiritual needs. (The Bible, Psalm 120:1)

• the government of this secular nation to take action against the inhumane treatment of Talibes by marabouts. Pray for these boys to be set free and for them to have the chance to hear the Gospel. (The Bible, Isaiah 61:1)

• the work of the Lord to continue, bringing liberation to those in bondage to Islam and transformation to Senegal as the Kingdom of God comes in power. (The Bible, Colossians 1:13)

Sourced: VOANews, United Nations, Youth With A Mission, Back to Jerusalem


DON’T EAT THE SEED!
 
“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” -The Bible, II Corinthians 9:10,11

Do you believe those promises?

Will God really supply the seed and bread you need? Will He increase your store of seed and enlarge the harvest? Can you depend upon Him to make you rich in every way in order for you to be generous on every occasion?

It all comes down to an issue of trust. Do you trust God? Is His Word faithful and true? Will He fulfill His promises?

Each and every day, the world tells us that God will not take care of us. It tries to prove He doesn’t exist. It attempts to convince us He doesn’t care about us. The enemy comes to us with the same messages, impugning God’s character and accusing Him of being distant and unconcerned.

Maybe that’s why many of us end up eating the seed instead of sowing it!

As soon as our gaze wanders from Jesus, we’re in trouble! Like Peter walking on the water, we suddenly “see the wind” and panic. Abandoning our mission to take the Gospel to every nation and sow liberally into the 10/40 Window, we find ourselves worrying over our own needs. Convinced we are “going under,” we resort to stingily hanging on to the seed we’ve been given and even start to gobble it down in the fear that we may go hungry.

That’s the spirit of poverty: the fear of not having enough. And it isn’t God’s plan or purpose for our lives. He wants us to live in the abundance and freedom of His extravagant goodness, always depending upon Him for our daily bread, as well as for the seed we must have in order to fulfill the Great Commission.

Are you eating the seed? Start sowing it today. Give generously so that God can make you rich in every way. The end result will be thanksgiving on the part of the nations – the lost and unreached will rejoice when they hear the Good News and celebrate as they enter into relationship with Jesus Christ.

Sow into the Kingdom of God right now by visiting www.WIN1040.com/donante. Invest your seed in God’s work by supporting Window International Network. Then watch as He provides you with more seed and enlarges the harvest in the 10/40 Window.

“Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” -The Bible, II Corinthians 9:13


3@6 – HARVEST PRAYER

Is it possible to hold a mini-Global Day of Prayer every day of the year? Dr. Victor Choudhrie, a church planting leader in India, thinks so. Which is why he has issued a summons to the Body of Christ to pray in harmony each morning and has even provided an outline to help make it happen.

3@6 (our name for it, not his) invites Believers the world over to spend 3 minutes praying for global evangelism at 6AM every morning. Choudhrie’s suggestions for utilizing this time (edited and adapted) include the following:

1st minute: Pray for the harvest. Ask the Lord to reach the unreached, seek and save the lost, and for the Gospel to be preached in every nation, among every tribe, tongue, and people. Pray for the Lord of the Harvest to send workers into His harvest field.

2nd minute: Pray for the fields. Ask the Lord to open doors to closed nations, open hearts and minds, and remove the veil from the eyes of those in bondage to Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and ethnic religions. Pray for tentmakers, undercover missionaries, and members of the underground Church to be protected and encouraged, to have opportunities to share the Good News, and for their efforts to bring forth abundant fruit.

3rd minute: Listen. Ask the Lord to reveal His strategies and plans to pray for and evangelize the 10/40 Window. Allow Him to place a specific nation or people group on your heart. Ask Him to show you how to intercede on their behalf and to help you adopt a “watch and pray” attitude that will keep you open to His guidance throughout the day.

It’s an incredibly simple, yet potentially powerful way to finish the task (The Bible, Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20; Revelation 5:9). The question is: can we spare 180 seconds of our day to see God’s most passionate desire fulfilled?


LAOS – LAND OF A MILLION ELEPHANTS

The nation now known as Laos was once part of the Kingdom of Lan Xang – the Land of a Million Elephants. This referred not to an abundance of pachyderms but to the size and power of the army that established the kingdom. It was reportedly a fierce war machine.

The French united three Lao kingdoms into French Indochina in 1893 and it wasn’t until 1949 that Laos achieved independence. Civil war broke out in 1953 and lasted until 1975. At that time the communist Pathet Lao movement gained control. Today, Laos is one of the few remaining communist nations in the world.

Along with the political oppression of a one-party socialist government, the people of Laos also suffer under the heavy darkness of Theravada Buddhism. Between 67 and 85% of the population practices this false religion (depending on the source of the estimate) with only about 1.2% following Jesus Christ.

Theravada means “the teaching of the elders” and is considered the oldest of the Buddhist schools. It originated in India but is today the principle religion of not only Laos but Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand. One of the main beliefs in this brand of Buddhism is that suffering is the result of desires, which are produced by ignorant minds. Therefore, the answer to most problems lies in “enlightenment” – four stages that ultimately lead the Buddhist to Nirvana.

Communism and Buddhism both play a role in the abuse of Believers in modern day Laos. The nation is ranked number 8 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2010 of worst persecutors of Christians. Those who choose to put their faith in Jesus Christ become targets of intense discrimination and violence. When discovered, Believers are kept under watch by security forces. It is estimated that in 2009, 150 Christians were arrested. Some of them are still imprisoned. According to Open Doors, most Laotian Christians are ethnic minorities who live in rural areas under the added pressure of poverty and inadequate healthcare.

The good news is that God has not abandoned these precious Brothers and Sisters. He loves them and is strengthening them, adding to their numbers. “The Church of around 200,000 believers,” says Open Doors, “continues to grow despite persecution.”
 
PRAY FOR:

• the Church of Jesus Christ in Laos to stand firm against persecution and be strong in the Lord. Ask the Lord to be present with them and be their hope and joy. (The Bible, Ephesians 6:10; Psalm 16:11)

• relief for all those who are being oppressed by communism. Pray for the Lord to raise up leaders who will have mercy and compassion on the people, serving them in humility. (The Bible, Isaiah 66:2)

• the Lord of Hosts to arise and do battle for this nation, ending the centuries old fight for control of Laos. Pray for warring angels to be dispatched and for the Spirit of God to be poured out, softening hearts and setting prisoners free. (The Bible, Psalm 89:9; 91:11; 146:7)

• the spread of the Gospel throughout this nation. Pray for the strongholds of Buddhism, communism, and every other false philosophy to be torn down and for the Kingdom of God to come in great power. (The Bible, Mark 16:15; II Corinthians 10:5)

• multitudes of Laotians to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (The Bible, I Timothy 2:4)

Sourced: Open Doors, “The Compact Guide to World Religions” (Dean Halverson), Wikipedia


Window Watchman

Albania, Southeast Europe
Population: 3,619,778
Political Leader: President Bamir Topi?Religions: Christianity 41.5%, Islam 38.8%, Other 19.7%?Persecution Ranking: Not Ranked?Number of Terrorist Groups: 1 ?Acts of Terrorism: 51; Casualties: 6?Percent of Corruption: 74%?% of People in Poverty: 25%

Location:?Albania, officially known as the Republic of Albania, is a country in southeastern Europe. It borders Montenegro to the north, Serbia to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the west and a coast on the Ionian Sea to the southwest. Seventy percent of the country is mountainous and rugged, making that region often inaccessible.

Terrorism:?Albania pledged to increase its contribution of troops to both Afghanistan and Iraq, maintained frozen bank accounts related to money laundering and terrorism financing, and aggressively worked with the United States and other countries to combat terrorism, according to Country Reports on Terrorism 2007. Albania made progress in identifying vulnerabilities at land and sea borders, but the government and police forces continued to face substantial challenges to fully enforce border security and combat organized crime and corruption. In December 2006, Hamzeh Abu Rayyan, the administrator for terrorist financier Yassin Al-Kadi, was charged with hiding funds used to finance terror. This marked the first criminal terror finance-related case charged in Albania. A civil suit filed by al-Kadi to release his assets from seizure was originally dismissed for technical reasons but was refiled in July 2007.

Challenges for Christians:?Culturally, Albania is Muslim and a major target for Muslim countries to send missionaries, but most Albanians do not have much understanding of Islam. In 1995. Albania was the most heavily “evangelized” nation in Europe by both Christians and Muslims.

Prayer Points:
• Pray for Albania to continue to crack down on terrorism financing and work with the U.S. and other countries to combat terrorism.
• Albanians have suffered through some terrible times. Under communism, 700,000 people were killed or imprisoned and the country has struggled to regain a sense of peace and order. Pray that the country’s leaders will work for a lasting peace that is honest and fair.
• Pray for Albanians to meet Jesus and follow Him in a way that is culturally appropriate.
• Most ethnic Albanians are Muslims and live outside Albania in Kosovo or Macedonia. Pray that they would have opportunities to hear the Gospel.

Sources: 24-7 Prayer, Operation World, Wikipedia, Country Reports on Terrorism 2007, International Religious Freedom Report 2007, Open Doors
 

PEDOPHILIA IN THE WINDOW

pe·do·phil·i·a [pee-duh-fil-ee-uh or p?d'?-f?l'?-?] – n. abnormal sexual interest in an adult for a child; a desire to engage in sexual acts with prepubescent children.

Just reading the above definition is enough to make most people cringe. And for good reason. Pedophilia is something that breaks God’s heart. The Bible calls it sin (The Bible, Galatians 5:19-21). It also goes against common decency and morality, breaking the taboos of nearly every culture that has ever existed. Mental health professionals classify pedophilia as a psychological disorder. It is also universally considered a criminal offense.

Nevertheless, pedophilia is a problem throughout the world – especially in the nations of the 10/40 Window.

Thailand, for instance, is a “destination country” for pedophiles (those who practice pedophilia). Known as “sex tourists,” these people flock to this nation to take part in what is thought to be the largest child sex trade in the world. UNICEF estimates that between 60,000 and 200,000 Thai children are involved in prostitution. Approximate 5,000 men visit Thailand each year solely to have sex with children.

In Indonesia, instead of viewing children in the sex trade as victims, authorities often prosecuted them as “illegal sex workers.” The National Commission for Child Protection says that between 40,000 and 70,000 Indonesian children are caught up in the sex trade each year – “two-thirds of them trafficked abroad.”

Cambodia is described as a “haven” for sex tourists. Despite a crackdown in 2004, a brothel village near the city of Phnom Penh continues to hire out children for sex. A human rights group reports that Cambodians actually make up a large percentage of the world’s pedophiles. “We don’t deny that Asian men like to have sex with children here,” the director of Cambodia’s Anti-Human Trafficking Department admitted.

Japan is notorious for being the “world’s main producer of underage pornography.” The Philippines has an estimated 1.5 million street children, with more than 30,000 of them involved in prostitution.

Despite these staggering statistics, the problem is not reserved to Asia. The Middle East is also plagued by pedophilia. “After living in the Middle East for more than 10 years,” a journalist explains, “I can now safely say that pedophilia not only exists in these windswept deserts but that it is rampant.”

He goes on to list numerous examples – tragic stories of young children being abused by strangers and even family members. Most of these incidences are never made public, however, since this behavior is usually “swept under the rug.”

In Afghanistan, children are reportedly raped on a routine basis by members of the nation’s armed forces. “The sexual abuse of young boys by Afghan military and police personnel is so commonly known,” one writer says, “they call it ‘Man-Love Thursdays.’” But pedophilia is not confined to Man-Love Thursdays, the Afghan military, or even this particular region. “The sexual abuse of children is common and, in many middle-eastern and eastern countries, officially sanctioned.”

Whether the spotlight is focused on Vietnam, Kuwait, or Senegal (dubbed “a paradise for pedophiles”), the story is the same: children are being violated emotionally and physically while the perpetrators often enjoy anonymity and impunity.

The root cause of pedophilia is a perverted lust. But other factors are involved in and contribute to what is today a prosperous, growing industry. “Grinding poverty, poor policing and no shortage of demand,” explains one source, “ensure that exploitation of children for sex thrives….” Some children are kidnapped and forced into prostitution. Others are actually sold into sexual slavery by their families. Nearly all of the victims live in a constant state of fear, are beaten and tortured by both their pimps and clients, and are forced to endure appalling conditions.

The sick and demonized individuals who solicit children for sex often assuage their guilt by telling themselves they are “helping the child and the child’s family to escape economic hardship.” If they don’t hire them to satisfy their sexual needs, pedophiles sometimes rationalize, the children will suffer even greater poverty and hunger.

Inside the 10/40 Window, pedophiles are seldom arrested or prosecuted. Sex with underage children is tolerated and even accepted in parts of North Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

“Pedophilia is a horrendous crime,” notes one journalist. “[It] should be treated as such no matter the culture, tradition or religious beliefs. Rape of a child is a sin like no other.”

PRAY FOR:

• repentance on the part of “clients,” pimps, and those in authority who enable this business/crime to flourish. Ask the Lord to confront them, give them godly sorrow, and lead them to salvation. (The Bible, II Corinthians 7:10)

• governments in the 10/40 Window to take immediate action against pedophilia. Pray for those who are seeking out this perverted activity to be arrested, prosecuted severely and imprisoned. Pray for this to have a preventative effect, bringing an end to both availability and demand. (The Bible, Psalm 7:11)

• the hearts of the men who engage in pedophilia to be set free from this demonic bondage. Ask the Holy Spirit to move in their lives, leading them out from sin and into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (The Bible, Galatians 5:1,19-24)

• the Lord of Hosts to arise and do battle on behalf of the children who are being exploited, violated, damaged and destroyed by this crime. Pray for the Lord to open doors and lead them out of this industry. Ask Him to minister deep and complete healing to their bodies, minds and hearts. (The Bible, Psalm 7:6)

• the underlying root of poverty to be dealt with. Ask the Lord to supply the needs of those families in the 10/40 Window who feel they must sell their children. Pray for Christian humanitarian agencies to provide for them, teach them how to increase their income, and proclaim to them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (The Bible, Proverbs 29:7)

• all of those involved in pedophilia – the perpetrators, the governments who allow it, the profiteers, and the victims – to hear the Good News that Jesus died on the cross for their sins and rose again. Pray for them to respond to the Lord’s invitation to eternal life. (The Bible, Romans 5:8)

• the Kingdom of God to come to the nations of the 10/40 Window – especially those regions where pedophilia is rampant – transforming them from dark strongholds of demonic perversity into sources of light and life where righteous, peace, and joy abound. (The Bible, Colossians 1:13, Romans 14:17)

Sourced: ABC News, Inquirer.net, the Muslim Observer, Associated Content

Prayer moves the hand of God. Once there is sustained, strategic, and informed prayer in the 10/40 Window, we will witness massive numbers of unreached people coming to Christ. Pray that it will happen in our generation. - Beverly Pegues