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Missions Insider Vol. 7, No. 6 December 20, 2006 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ in this issue -- An outreach to outcasts -- Philippine typhoon update -- The gospel spreads among the former Khmer Rouge of Cambodia An outreach to outcasts ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As described by one Syrian ministry supported by Christian Aid, Gypsies are considered a poverty- stricken group of people who do not hold jobs, have no marketable skills and are typically illiterate. Business owners usually refuse to hire Gypsies, who are widely considered untrustworthy. What little money they have comes from selling bottles and other items found in the garbage. Because the government does not recognize them as citizens, they are excluded from receiving medical care, attending school or having electricity and running water. Unable to own land, Gypsies prefer to live in tents on private or government-owned property until they are ordered to leave. This Christmas, native Syrian missionaries will share Christ’s love with these societal outcasts through an outreach program for 10 Gypsy camps. Each family will receive a bundle of groceries and toys, and learn about the true reason for the holiday. A literacy program, was started by the ministry among two of the 10 camps. As a result, 60 Gypsies have accepted Christ as Savior and have begun to lead new lives. Gospel workers hope to strengthen these new believers’ faith in the Lord through this Christmas outreach, as well as demonstrate the love of God to those who do not yet believe. Philippine typhoon update ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Christian Aid-supported ministries in the Philippines have begun the lengthy process of rebuilding the lives and homes of those affected by typhoon Durian, which crashed into the island of Luzon at 140 mph on November 30. Those who lost their homes have crammed into schools and churches for temporary shelter. More than 40,000 people have been displaced. Four provinces were badly hit. However, the villages surrounding Mt. Mayon—an active volcano approximately 200 miles south of Manila—were the most devastated. Heavy rains spawned by the typhoon loosened mud and boulders from the slopes of the volcano, which crushed and buried entire villages, including many small churches. The leader of one ministry, who lived in the vicinity of Mt. Mayon, reported that his home, church and school building were submerged under 20 feet of muddy water. His wife and two daughters were able to run to safety. However, several members of the church were killed, including a 21-year-old Sunday school teacher. This same leader is now distributing relief goods given by various churches and individuals from Manila to those in the affected regions. They had a worship service on the Sunday following the typhoon, minus the hymnals and musical instruments that remained submerged in their destroyed church building. All the members thanked the Lord for sparing their lives. Another indigenous Philippine ministry runs a community pharmacy and is assisting those in the most damaged areas. They have contacted doctors, who will be accompanying them on their visits. Food is desperately needed, as rice and other produce was ruined. Medicine, blankets, clothing, water and plastic sheeting are also needed. The gospel spreads among the former Khmer Rouge of Cambodia ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anlong Veng, a remote town near the Thai border, was the final stronghold of the notorious Khmer Rouge (K.R.) under Pol Pot’s genocidal regime. The town is still highly populated by former K.R. members. Greatly hated and feared by the rest of Cambodian society, these former K.R. have retreated to the jungles. Yet due to the faith and steadfast prayers of native Cambodian missionaries, the area was opened to the gospel in 1999, beginning with the conversion of several key Khmer Rouge military leaders. Eight churches have now been planted in Anlong Veng. Another large church and guesthouse are scheduled to open in February 2007. The indigenous ministry spearheading this gospel movement has also established a children’s home that cares for the orphans of deceased members of the Khmer Rouge. It is estimated that between 300 and 400 orphans now exist in the jungles of Anlong Veng. In addition, a feeding program serves three meals a day to 120 children. With Christian Aid’s help, 230 tons of rice was distributed during one year. You have permission to share this newsletter with any evangelical Christians whom you think would be interested in reading it. Permission is granted also to reproduce articles in whole or in part in e-mail networks or print media as long as the stories are faithfully replicated and credit is given to Christian Aid Mission.

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