missions
Worldwide Prayer Concerns “But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.” Hebrews 10:32-33
Lebanon Wall Street Journal August 4 marked the one-year anniversary of the explosion at the port of Beirut that killed over 200 people and injured more than 6,000. It was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever recorded. In a matter of seconds, millions of lives were forever changed. The explosions, felt 150 miles away, destroyed 200,000 homes, 10,000 businesses, and four hospitals. More than 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate had been stored at the port for years because the government had not followed through on safely disposing of it. A fire at a nearby warehouse led to the blast, though the exact chain of events remains unclear. Many citizens are demanding the government be held accountable for allowing the nitrates to sit there for so long, but the investigation and rebuilding efforts are all proceeding very slowly. The currency has been sharply devalued and the residents of Beirut often face blackouts as the power system struggles to keep up. Pray that more responsible leaders would emerge in the government. Pray for all those who are still suffering physical, mental, or economic effects from this blast. Pray especially for Dan and Sarah Chetti and Melanie Baggao, our American Baptist Global Servants who work there in Beirut.
HAITI Evergreen Notes Last month we had prayed for Haiti and for a new vehicle for the eye clinic that Nzunga and Kihomi run. Janet Roberts shared that she had read about how a truck actually was purchased and has been delivered to the clinic in Haiti! Praise God for his provision of the vehicle, for helping get it shipped over to Haiti, and guiding it through customs! Pray that this vehicle would be a blessing and multiply the ministry of the clinic. Pray also for Haiti’s recovery following the most recent political upheaval, the earthquake and the severe storms.
Nigeria www.persecution.com Praise God for the release of Pastor Polycarp Zongo, who was released in June after being kidnapped in October 2020 by the group Islamic State West Africa Province. Praise God for helping him make it through his seven-month ordeal and pray for his continued recuperation.
- Jonathan Peske If you have information to share about the persecuted church or news from the mission field, please share it with Jonathan Peske.
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