VOM News and Prayer Update

November 27, 2007
"I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
(Philippians 4:12-13) TURKMENISTAN
Pastor Released from Prison - VOM Sources / Forum 18 NewsOn November 9, Baptist Pastor Vyacheslav Kalataevsky was released after eight months in prison. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, Kalataevsky and his family are thankful for the prayers and support of believers around the world. Forum 18 News reports government officials have warned Pastor Kalataevsky not to meet for worship with fellow believers. Pastor Kalataevsky told Forum 18, "Officials summoned me for what they said was a conversation, but at the end presented me with a pre-written statement saying that I agreed not to meet with my fellow believers. All it lacked was my signature, but I refused to sign it, both on my behalf and on behalf of my wife." The Forum 18 report added, "Although Kalataevsky's congregation does not oppose state registration in principle. Officials kept telling him that his congregation does not have enough adult citizen members to apply for registration. They added that unregistered religious activity, including people meeting together for worship in homes, is banned." Praise God for Pastor Kalatatevsky's release from prison. Ask God to protect his family and congregation as they face scrutiny and pressure from the government. Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 54:17
AZERBAIJAN
Imprisoned Pastor Required to Pay for Necessities in Prison - VOM Sources / Forum 18 NewsPastor Zaur Balaev's friends and family are said to be "shocked" by the financial demands he is facing in prison. According to VOM sources, Pastor Balaev is required to pay for hot water to wash or do laundry and cook his food. His family is allowed to visit him only after paying "a considerable amount." Zaur's wife was allowed to stay with him for three days for his birthday, but as she was leaving the prison, she said, "I am shocked by the conditions and the sum spent, because I was forced to pay for everything." According to Forum 18 News, officials deny payment was demanded. "The state pays for everything, including food," said Mehman Sadykov, spokesperson for the Justice Ministry. "Such reports don't correspond with reality." Pray for strength for Balaev and his family during this time. Pray their appeal will be successful. Pray that Balaev will be a testimony to other prisoners, demonstrating the love and power of Christ. Philippians 4:19; 3 John 2
INDIA
Christians Attacked, Church Building Destroyed - VOM Sources
KARNATAKA
On November 18, Pastor Siddarama Gokhavi (60) and six other Christians were beaten by Bajrang Dal activists who attacked them as they were worshiping in Ananda Nagara, Karnataka. The attackers vandalized the building, burned Bibles and chanted slogans against Christians. The militants included a senior police officer. Pastor Gokhavi and his wife, Rekha, were injured in the attack, along with five others. The attackers accused the Christians of coercing Hindus into becoming Christians. Praise God there were no serious injuries in the attack. Pray those responsible for the attack will come to recognize the love and grace of God and turn to Him in faith. Pray for the continued ministry of this house church. Psalm 91, Romans 8:11
CHHATTISGARH STATE
- On November 19, Hindu militants attacked a church, tied up and beat the pastor unconsciousness, and burned down a recently constructed church building in Manduwa in Chhattisgarh State, India. There are no reports on the present condition of Pastor Sudharu. The Hindus accused the church of being involved in the conversion of tribal people in the region. According to reports, missionaries in this remote area face regular threats from Hindu militants. Pray for the continued witness of this church. Pray for healing for Pastor Sudharu as he recuperates from the assault. Psalm 23, Psalm 107:20

Mahakama Kuu yasitisha mjadala wa Mahakama ya Kadhi

*Yasema Bunge, Serikali haviruhusiwi kujadili suala hilo
*Ni mpaka kesi iliyoko Mahakamani itapotolewa uamuzi

*Mch. Christopher Mtikila aibwaga serikali mahakani kwa mara nyingine

MAHAKAMA Kuu Kanda ya Dar es Salaam imetoa amri kwa Tume iliyoundwa Rais Jakaya Kikwete kushughulikia suala la uanzishwaji wa mahakama ya Kadhi nchini isiendelee na shughuli zozote kuhusiana na mahakama hiyo hadi uamuzi wa kesi ya kupinga uanzishwaji wa mahakama hiyo utakapotolewa.
Uamuzi huo ulitolewa jana na Jaji Salum Masati ambaye alitoa amri pia Bunge na Serikali visizungumzie suala la Mahakama ya Kadhi kwa kuwa suala hilo liko mahakamani.
Oktoba 18 mwaka huu, Mchungaji Christopher Mtikila wa Kanisa la Full Salvation alifungua kesi ya kikatiba katika mahakama hiyo kupinga mpango wa serikali wa kuidhinisha kuanzishwa kwa Mahakama ya Kadhi nchini.
Katika kesi hiyo namba 80 ya mwaka 2007, Mtikila ambaye anajitetea mwenyewe aliiomba Mahakama kumwamuru Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali kusitisha mpango wa kuanzisha Mahakama ya Kadhi kwa kuwa unakiuka Katiba ya Jamuhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania.
Mtikila pia aliiomba mahakama kuziwajibisha kisheria Wizara ya Sheria na Katiba, Tume ya Mabadiliko ya Sheria na Jamuhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania kwa kushiriki katika kufanikisha mpango huo.
Alisema kuanzishwa kwa mahakama ya kadhi nchini ni kinyume cha vifungu 107 A,3,9, (a) (f) na (h) 13 na 19 vya Katiba ya Jamuhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania vinavyozuia kuanzishwa kwa chombo chochote cha sheria chenye misingi ya kibaguzi.
Hati ya mashitaka iliyowasilishwa katika mahakama hiyo, imeitaka mahakama pia kukifuta Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) kwa sera yake ya kuanzisha mahakama hiyo huku kikijua kuwa ni kinyume na kifungu cha 20 (2) (a) (i) cha Katiba ya Jamuhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania.
Kesi hiyo imeahirishwa hadi Januari nane mwakani itakapoendelea kusikilizwa tena.
Mapema mwezi huu, Rais Kikwete akizungumzia suala la Mahakama ya Kadhi, kwa mara ya kwanza, alisema hoja ya Kadhi haikuanzishwa na yeye wala CCM bali wapinzani.
Rais Kikwete alisema suala la Mahakama ya Kadhi lilianzishwa bungeni kwa hoja ya binafsi na aliyekuwa Mbunge wa Temeke kupitia chama cha NCCR-Mageuzi, Augustine Mrema ambaye alitaka Bunge lijadili na kukubali kuanzishwa kwa mahakama hiyo nchini.
Alisema baada ya Mrema kumaliza muda wa mbunge wake na kuhamia Chama cha Tanzania Labour (TLP, hoja hiyo ilipelekwa tena bungeni na aliyekuwa mbunge wa Moshi Vijijini kupitia chama hicho, Thomas Ngawaiya.
“Mara zote hizo, kwa busara ya aliyekuwa Spika wa Bunge, Pius Msekwa na Waziri Mkuu, Fredrick Sumaye hoja hiyo ilipelekwa kwanza kwenye kamati ya Bunge ya Katiba na Sheria iliyokuwa ikiongozwa na Arcado Ntangazwa na Baadaye Athumani Janguo kwa uchunguzi wa kina,” alisema Rais Kikwete.
Kutokana na hali hiyo, Rais Kikwete alisema sio sahihi kulihusisha suala hilo la Kadhi na serikali yake wala ilani ya CCM na kwamba ni vema jamii ikasubiri hadi tume hiyo inayotarajiwa kumaliza kazi yake mwezi Februari mwakani itakapotoa tamko.
“Tuwe na subira ili tuipe tume hiyo fursa ya kutafakari jambo hilo nyeti bila shinikizo lolote,” alisema Rais Kikwete na kuahidi kuwa Serikali haitafanya uamuzi wowote kuhusu jambo hilo bila kuwashirikisha wananchi wote.
Rais Kikwete alitoa kauli hiyo wakati wa sherehe ya kumsimika Mkuu mpya wa Kanisa la Kiinjili la Kilutheri Tanzania (KKKT), Askofu Alex Malasusa. Sherehe hizo zilifanyika katika Kanisa la Kuu la Azania Front, jijini Dar es Salaam.

List of Tanzania 50 Top Church leaders

Jamani wapendwa, hivi ukitaka kujua nani wawe kwenye list ya 50 top church leaders or pastors, teachers,apostles, evangelists or prophets tutatumia kigezo gani?

1.Wingi wa watu?

2.Uwezo wa kufanya miujiza ,ishara na ajabu?

3.Uwezo wa kufundisha na kuwafanya watu wanafunzi wa Yesu?

4.Uwezo wa kifedha/ mali?

5.Muda mwingi au miaka mingi katika utumishi?

6.Maisha matakatifu yenye ushuhuda ?

7.Kujulikana sana ndani na nje ya mipaka ya Tanzania?

au ni nini jamani wapendwa?

hebu tusaidieni hapa.

Baadhi ya picha za watumishi wa Mungu Tanzania.

Apostle Maboya(Ni kati ya watumishi waliokuwa wakijitambuisha kama mtume miaka ya mwanzo kabisa ya 90,kipindi hicho ukisikia mtu anajiita mtume ilikuwa si jambo la kawaida kama ilivyo siku hizi)

Pia ni mwanzilishi wa kanisa la Revival Assemblies of God Tanzania

Mama Getrude Rwakatare, Ni mmoja kati ya wachungaji wachache Tanzania wenye uwezo mkubwa kifedha, pia ni kati ya watanzania matajiri wakubwa.Anamiliki Shule za St. Marry's International.

Ni mwanzilishi wa Huduma/Kanisa la Mikocheni "B" Assemblissies of God.

Ni Mchungaji mwanamke mwenye mafanikio zaidi hapa nchini

Mwalimu Christopher Mwakasege.Ni mmoja kati ya waalimu wa injili maarufu hapa nchini ambaye huduma yake ya uwalimu inakusanya watu wengi sana katika mikutano na makongomani anayofanya sehemu mbalimbali hapa nchini.Anaongoza Huduma ya New Life Crusade/ New Life in Christ.

Mchungaji Christopher Mtikila.Ni Mchungaji wa kanisa ambalo wengi hatulijui jina lake.Ila ni mmoja kati ya wachungaji maarufu sana hapa nchini kwa miaka mingi hasa kuanzia miaka ya mwanzoni mwa 90.Ni mwenyekiti wa chama cha siasa cha upinzani hapa Tanzania na ni mpigania haki mashuhuri sana kwa miaka mingi.Ameshakamatwa mara nyingi sana na kushikiliwa na hata kufungwa.Amewahi pia kuishinda serikali mahakani mara kadhaa na amejizolea umaarufu sana kwa uwezo wake wa kuongea bila uwoga.Pia ni muhubiri na mwalimu wa miaka mingi wa Injili.

Askofu Zakaria Kakobe wa Full Gospel Bible Fellowship.Ni mmoja kati ya wachungaji maarufu sana hapa nchini.Anafahamika kwa kuwa na pengine kanisa la kiroho la mahali pamoja kubwa zaidi kwa idadi ya watu pengine kuliko mtumishi mwingine hapa nchini.

Ibada zake za kwenye TV za miujiza kwa miaka mingi zinawavutia wengi.

Mtume Veron Fernandez wa Agape Ministry.Ni mmoja kati ya watumishi wa kwanza kabisa kuhubiri katika Television na kumiliki kituo cha television hapa Tanzania.Anamiliki kituo cha ATN kituo cha kwanza cha kikristo hapa Tanzania.
amejipatia umaarufu mkubwa sana kwa mahubiri yake ndani na nje ya nchi.

Askofu Moses Kulola wa Evangelist Assemblies of God Tanzania.Ni mmoja kati ya watumishi waliotumika muda mrefu zaidi pengine kuliko wengi tunaowaona siku za leo.Ametumika kwa karibu miaka 60 akihubiri injili kutoka vijijini hadi mijini hapa nchini na nje ya nchi.Aina ya injili yake na style ya mahubiri yenye kupenya ndani ya nafsi imekuwa ikiwagusa sana watu wengi.Ni muhubiri pengine mwenye watoto wengi wengi wa kiroho kuliko yeyote aliyewahi kutokea tanzania.Kanisa lake limesambaa karibu kila kona ya Tanzania

Nabii GeorDavie wa GeorDavie Ministry iliyoko Arusha ni mmoja ya watumishi wanaokuja kwa kasi sana hapa nchini hususani mjini Arusha.

Huduma yake ya uponyaji na miujiza imekuwa ikipata umaarufu mkubwa sana hapa nchini.

Askofu Sylivester Gamanywa wa WAPO Mission na Huduma ya Hakuna lisilowezekana.

Ni Mtumishi wa kwanza kumiliki kituo cha Radio cha kiroho hapa tanzania (WAPO Radio FM) na gazeti la kwanza la kipentekoste (Msemakweli).

Amejizolea umaarufu mkubwa kwa ibada zake za maombezi anazoziendesha na huduma ya hakuna lisolozekana.Pia ni mwenyekiti wa baraza la makanisa ya kipentekoste Tanzania (PCT).

Amejizolea umaarufu serikalini hadi kuteuliwa kwenye tume ya taifa ya kudhibiti ukimwi.

Naomba ieleweka kwamba hawa waliotajwa hapa kwa picha haina maana ndio top Gospel Preachers/ Watumishi wakubwa kabisa hapa Tanzania bali ni mfano tu wakiwakirisha wengine waliopo hapa nchini.

Imani ya Vitambaa yazua mhadala mkali

Hivi karibuni kumekuwa na mjadala mkali wa kiimani jijini Dar es Salaam baina ya redio mbili maarufu zenye mwelekeo wa kipentekoste.Radio hizo ni Praise Power FM na WAPO Radio.

Suala lenyewe lilianza baada ya mchungaji mmoja kijana anayekuja juu hivi sasa mwenye kanisa lake katikati ya jiji la Dar alipoiponda imani ya kuombea watu kwa kutumia vitambaa akisema kuwa kufanya hivyo ni sawa na kutumia hirizi kitu ambacho Biblia imekikataza.Akihubiri katika radio WAPO FM ,mchungaji huyo aliyeonekana kuungwa mkono na Askofu mmoja maarufu anayemiliki mojawapo ya Radio hizo pia alipinga vikali matumizi ya imani za sumaku na kuwanywesha watu mafuta.

Kwa upande mwingine Wahubiri mbalimbali wanaoonekana kumuunga mkono mchungaji mwingine maarufu jijini anayemiliki mojawapo ya radio hizo ambaye anadaiwa kutumia vitambaa kuendesha maombi huku baadhi ya watu mbali mbali wakikiri kupokea miujiza, uponyaji na mibaraka tele kupitia vitambaa hivyo wakishuhudia kupitia radio hiyo, walikuwa katika mjadala mkali wiki 2 zilizopita wakitoa ushahidi wa kimaandiko kuwa hata mtume Paulo aliviombea vitambaa na kuwapelekea wagonjwa wakaponywa.

Hali hiyo imeleta mgawanyiko miongoni mwa waamini huku tume maalume iliyoundwa na umoja wa makanisa ya kipentekoste nchini (PCT) ikiwa inasubiriwa kwa hamu kubwa kutoa ripoti yake kuhusu imani potofu zinazodaiwa kuwepo nchini tanzania hususani jijini Dar es Salaam.

Kitu cha kujiuliza hapa ni nini majibu au matokeo ya maswali ambayo tume hiyo imejiuliza na kutazamiwa kuyatoa ifikapo mwezi wa 12 mwaka huu.

JK atakiwa kuomba radhi

MZOZO MAHAKAMA YA KADHISUALA la uanzishwaji wa Mahakama ya Kadhi nchini linazidi kupanuka, na kwa mara ya kwanza tangu mjadala huo uanze, jina la Rais Jakaya Kikwete limeanza kuingizwa katika mzozo huo. Rais Kikwete ametajwa katika sakata hilo pamoja na Mkuu wa Jeshi la Polisi nchini (IGP), Said Mwema, wakidaiwa kuhusika kwa namna moja au nyingine katika mgogoro huo, ambao sasa unazidi kuchukua sura tofauti. Kwa upande wake, Rais Kikwete ametajwa akitakiwa kuwaomba radhi Watanzania, kwa kile kinachodaiwa kuwa, dhamira yake ya kutaka kuigeuza Tanzania kikatiba kuwa nchi ya Kiislamu na hivyo kuirejesha katika mzozo wa miaka ya mwanzo ya 1990 uliohusisha juhudi za baadhi ya viongozi kuiingiza katika kundi la nchi wanachama wa Jumuiya ya Kiislamu Duniani (OIC). Aidha, IGP Mwema amepewa siku 21 kumuomba radhi Mchungaji Christopher Mtikila, kutokana na kitendo chake cha kuwatuma askari wamkamate (Mtikila), kumhoji na hatimaye kumfungulia mashtaka ya uchochezi wakati hana kosa. Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari jana katika ukumbi wa Idara ya Habari (MAELEZO), Mchungaji Mtikila, ambaye ndiye aliyeibua mjadala unaoendelea kuhusu uanzishwaji wa Mahakama ya Kadhi, alitaka tamko la Rais Kikwete la kuomba radhi liambatane na hatua kali za kisheria dhidi ya watumishi wote wa umma, waliohusika kwa namna yoyote katika kitendo hicho cha kuingiza Uislamu katika ilani yake ya uchaguzi, serikali na Bunge. Aliongeza kuwa sambamba na hilo, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), ambacho alidai ni kikundi cha maslahi ya kibinafsi cha watu fulani, nacho kifutwe kama inavyoagiza katiba. Mtikila alisema, Baraza la Maaskofu Katoliki nchini (TEC), Jumuiya ya Kikristo Tanzania (CCT) na Halmashauri ya Makanisa ya Kipentekoste Tanzania (PCT), walikutana na walitaka kutoa tamko la kupinga mapinduzi hayo ili kulinda katiba ya nchi, lakini serikali iliwahadaa wasifanye hivyo bali wangojee tume yao ilifanyie kazi suala hilo. Hata hivyo, Mtikila alisema, inashangaza kuwa tofauti na ahadi iliyotolewa na serikali kwa taasisi hizo nyeti za kidini nchini, harakati zilianzishwa ili muswada kuhusu Mahakama ya Kadhi upelekwe bungeni bila Wakristo kujua, mpaka Mungu alipowafunulia na kuwawezesha kuwahisha ulinzi wao wa katiba mahakamani. Alisema yeye hapingi kuanzishwa kwa mahakama hiyo, bali anachopinga ni kuingizwa katika katiba ya nchi ambayo kimsingi inapingana na suala hilo. “Tunachopinga vikali sisi ni kuingizwa kwa dini ya Kislamu au Mahakama ya Kadhi katika katiba ya nchi yetu,” alisema na kuongeza kuwa hata kama kutakuwa na harakati za kutaka kardinali, askofu au paroko wa Kanisa Katoliki kuingizwa katika katiba ya nchi, atapinga kama atakavyopinga kuingizwa mtandao wowote wa kidini katika katiba. Aliwataka Waislamu wasidanganywe kwa kuwa Mahakama ya Kadhi ni mradi wa watu wachache, na kuongeza kuwa, kuna nchi kadhaa za Kiislamu zimekataa mahakama hiyo kwa sababu sharia zake ni kinyume cha haki za binadamu. Alisema hoja ya kuwa mahakama hiyo itashughulikia mirathi, hija na ndoa tu, ni ulaghai ili iingizwe katika katiba, baadaye makadhi waue watu wasiokubali dini ya Kiislamu na kuangamiza Wakristo na Wayahudi na kuchinja Waislamu watakaoiacha dini yao. Alisema hivi sasa nchi haina Mahakama ya Kadhi, lakini Waislamu wanaoa, wanaolewa, wanapata mirathi na kesi zao za mirathi zinashughulikiwa na pia wanakwenda hija na kuhoji mahakama hiyo italeta mabadiliko gani katika masuala hayo yanayodaiwa kuwa itayashughulikia. Aidha, Mtikila alisema kitendo cha baadhi ya Waislamu kupinga ziara ya Papa ni kutofahamu kwamba mbali ya Vatican kuwa makao makuu ya Kanisa Katoliki duniani, pia ni nchi huru ingawa ipo ndani ya nchi ya Italia. Alifafanua kuwa Vatican ni sawa na Swaziland na Lesotho ambazo zimezingirwa na nchi ya Afrika Kusini. Alisema Papa atatembelea Tanzania kiserikali sawa na kiongozi mwingine wa nchi na kwa kuwa kuongoza kanisa ni huduma ya kiroho, hawezi kuiweka roho pembeni anapokuwa katika ziara ya kiserikali. Akifafanua kauli zake za awali kuhusu kupinga kwake utaratibu unaotaka kutumiwa kuanzisha Mahakama ya Kadhi, Mtikila alikanusha kutamka kuwa Uislamu ni ugaidi na kusisitiza kuwa Mahakama ya Kadhi ndiyo chombo cha ugaidi ndiyo maana hata baadhi ya nchi za Kiislamu zinaikataa. “Uislamu wa Watanzania usio na ukatili wa Mahakama ya Kadhi hauwezi kuitwa ugaidi kamwe,” alisisitiza. Kwa upande mwingine, alisema mbinu ya kamati inayotetea mali za Waislamu iliyotangaza azma yake ya kumkata kichwa, ni hasira tu, kwa kuona pesa walizokuwa wanataka kupewa hazitakuwepo na suala hilo halitazungumziwa bungeni wala serikalini kwa kuwa lipo mahakamani. Aliongeza kuwa, yeye hawakatalii Waislamu kuabudu, lakini si kuliiingiza suala hilo la kidini ndani ya katiba. Kauli hiyo ya Mtikila inakuja wakati taifa likipita katika kipindi kigumu cha msigano wa hoja zinazokinzana kuhusu uanzishwaji wa Mahakama ya Kadhi jambo lililogusa hisia za makundi mbalimbali ya Wakristo na Uislamu kiasi cha kutishia amani. Baadhi ya kauli za waumini wa dini hizo mbili, ndizo ambazo kwa upande fulani zilisababisha taasisi za dola kuamua kuingilia kati na kuchukua hatua za kisheria.

Kunena kwa lugha

Huwa najiuliza sana wakati mwingine, inawezekana vipi mtu ananena kwa lugha na wakati huo huo bado ni mtenda maovu mkubwa.Tunao wengi makanisani kwetu, utaona mtu ananena kwa lugha kirahisi rahisi lakini wakati huo huo anakuta ni mzinifu, mwongo mla rushwa na mtoa rushwaa na kadhalika.
hili linanisumbua sana akili yangu.

Habari za wakristo duniani

VOM News and Prayer Update: October 30, 2007"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."(Philippians 4:19)
ERITREA
Gospel Singer Helen Berhane Granted Asylum in Denmark - VOM SourcesEritrean gospel singer, Helen Berhane, who was released from prison in November 2006 after being detained in Eritrea for two years without charge, has been granted asylum in Denmark. Berhane and her daughter arrived in Denmark on October 19, after spending 11 months in Sudan. Her health remains extremely poor, due to the physical suffering she experienced during her detention. She cannot walk without assistance. During Berhane's detention, she was held for extended periods of time in shipping containers and tortured several times by authorities in an effort to force her to recant her faith. Thank God that Berhane has found a safe place to live. Praise Him for her faithfulness. Pray for God's continued protection and provision for her. Ask Him to give her direction and wisdom, so she can continue serving Him. Pray for believers in Eritrea who face persecution and suffering for the sake of their faith in Jesus Christ. Psalm 84:11, Psalm 119:105

PAKISTAN
Christian Homes Demolished in Pakistan - VOM SourcesOn October 19, local Muslims demolished homes belonging to three Christian families in the village of Lobhana, near Lahore, Pakistan. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts, more than 70 armed villagers moved in with tractors and began destroying the homes. VOM contacts said, "They demolished and looted three homes and only stopped when the police arrived." Some of the Christians attacked reported that the Muslims threatened to kill them. VOM contacts added that the land where some of the demolished homes were located had been given to the Christian families by the Pakistani government more than 10 years earlier. However, some local Muslims claimed the land, intending to build a cemetery. Pray for God's protection for Christians in this area. Ask Him to provide resources for these families to rebuild their homes. Pray the testimony of these believers will draw nonbelievers, especially their attackers, into the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Psalm 68:19, Proverbs 3:5, 6

NIGERIA
Muslim Officials Dismiss Christian School Librarian - Compass Direct NewsSixteen months ago, Muslim officials forced Asabe Ladagu, a Christian widow, to leave her job as a librarian. The incident occurred after she and others requested land to build a chapel in the capital city of Borno state, in northern Nigeria. According to Compass Direct News, Muslim administrators at Ramat Polytechnic forced Ladagu into early retirement without pay. Ladagu told Compass, "We were branded dangerous people because we were Christians. I have been forced out of office now for 16 months, not retired and not on staff roll of Ramat Polytechnic. Other Christian brethren, too, have either been forced out or have been the subjects of witch hunts." Pray for God's provision and protection for Ladagu and other Christians in northern Nigeria. Ask God to use their testimonies to draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Him. Philippians 4:19, Psalm 27:1

INDONESIAI
mprisoned Christians Sentenced - VOM SourcesThe remaining Christian leaders imprisoned in April have been sentenced to five years in prison. They were imprisoned after a video recording of them praying for Muslims was leaked to Islamic organizations. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Indonesia, "The defendants have been found guilty of abusing the Quran, and the judge sentenced them to five years in prison. Their lawyers are planning to appeal this decision in East Java High Court in Surabaya." Pray for those in prison and their families. Ask God to give them boldness and wisdom as they face these difficult challenges. Joshua 1:9, Philippians 4:13