Afghanistan’s economy is close to collapse with 85% of people in poverty. Since 2020, numbers of those living in poverty have risen by 15 million people. The Taliban takeover and the subsequent sudden loss of access to international aid has had disastrous consequences. A report from the UN reveals that to survive, Afghans have been selling their homes, lands and assets to generate income. Some people have even turned their children into labourers and their daughters into child brides.
Source: MiddleEast Eye
An evangelist working among Meitei people resident in Bangladesh reports amazing gospel progress. The Meitei people are predominantly Sanamahists, an ancient faith system in which worship on many gods is encouraged. On a recent outreach, over 100 people heard the gospel from this evangelist and 16 came to faith!
At a recent training event, an unexpected number of church leaders arrived to receive training in Christian leadership and the Holy Spirit. Plans had been made for 40 attendees, but numbers grew throughout the event and 63 people were in attendance on the final day! The organiser of the conference reported, “The Word has become active and alive and touched the hearts of the participants together. They are filled with joy and renewed their spirit through the seminar.”
The Sultan of Brunei became the world’s longest reigning monarch after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The Sultan first ascended to the throne in 1967. Under his leadership, much of the nation has prospered, thanks to ready access to oil reserves. However, Christian outreach is outlawed and the nation remains committed to Islam.
Source: Arab News
The ‘Voice of Democracy’ newsroom has been closed down by national leader, Hun Sen, for publishing a story deemed harmful to his government’s reputation. This is not an unusual occurrence in Cambodia, with one Voice of Democracy employee having previously worked for two other organisations closed by the government in one way or another.
Source:BBC
Following our Christmas Appeal, we will be able to support several workers distributing children’s teaching materials, training groups to use them and helping them safely pass them on to others. Our desire is to see hundreds of groups using the materials, with thousands of children coming to the feet of Christ.
Our partner in the south of India has started a new ministry for children, with around 140 kids attending regularly, with most coming from very poor homes. Once a month, the children come for an entire day filled with fun and fellowship. Food is provided and our partners speak with the parents of the children to identify any needs that may arise.
The inauguration of a new building should, in theory, have been a celebratory event for Christian Church Yasmin. However, the church has suffered 15 years of illegal and unjust dealings at the hands of the local government, even to the extent of ignoring rulings by the nation’s Supreme Court. Eventually, a new administration allowed the church to be built on a different site, but many shunned the celebrations having been illegally forced away from the original location.
Source: Diplomat
According to Iran’s deputy health minister, Younes Panahi, girls are being deliberately poisoned to keep them out of schools. The claim comes after hundreds suffered respiratory poisoning over the last few months, primarily in the city of Qom, which is the centre of religious activity in Iran. Reports suggest that at least 14 schools have been targeted.
Source : Independent
Activists are urging the government to legislate against gender–based violence as men continue to escape punishment for abuse and even murder. The criminal code currently outlaws violence within the family but does not specify any penalties for perpetrators. There is a particular concern to highlight the voices of women in small towns and villages who have no means of protection.
Source: TNN
The nation has begun taking actions on multiple fronts amid growing unease over noisy neighbours China and North Korea. Japan’s first action was to update its largely pacifist security policy. Now, 400 Tomahawk missiles are being purchased from the US, making Japan only the third nation to acquire this weaponry after the US and the UK.
Meanwhile intelligence sharing with New Zealand is being ramped up. The two countries aim to ensure the region remains stable and prosperous and that the rights, freedoms and sovereignty of all countries regardless of size or power are protected.
Sources: DW; Independent
The younger generation appear to be questioning traditional alliances considering Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Overall perception is largely positive with few blaming Russia for the war in Ukraine, but younger respondents were by far the most critical. One analyst suggested that access to independent and diverse online media was behind this.
Meanwhile, with Russia pre–occupied by events in Eastern Europe, China and Turkey have swooped into the Central Asia region, seeking to win hearts, minds, and influence. China has invested heavily in the region’s infrastructure as part of its Road and Belt initiative.
Source:Aljazeera
59 Kyrgyz nationals were repatriated last week as a chartered plane flew in from Syria. This was the latest phase on an ongoing mission to repatriate the families of militant fighters who enlisted with the Islamic State group. 41 of the returnees were children, while the rest were women. Hundreds of men died in the fighting, with their families left stranded in refugee camps. The children will be placed in a rehabilitation centre to help them adapt to life in a peaceful and safe environment.
Source:Eurasianet
Partners translated and distributed 3000 copies of a new children’s resource. Focusing on the Old Testament, the resource helps children remember Bible stories as they complete activities based on lessons taught in Sunday School. This is the first resource of its kind for the people group who received the thousands of copies!
The parliament in Malaysia have moved to end the mandatory death penalty for a number of crimes as politicians note that the punishment has not brought the results it was meant to bring. Onlookers celebrate the development as progress for human rights. One minister also noted the existence of an inherent right to life of every individual.
Source: Al Jazeera
Fathimath Uzma Naseem writes that behind the five–star holiday resorts lies a darker world where women constantly fear assault, misogyny and the burden of traditional duties. She claims that women are regularly whistled at, degraded and harassed, and are often blamed for their own abuse.
Source: Guardian
A ministry in Mongolia operates pregnancy crisis centres, where women considering an abortion can receive an ultrasound scan and wise counsel. The gospel is shared with every woman who attends the clinics. Demand for this service has been so high that the clinic has moved to an appointment–based system, and God has been powerfully at work. Around half the women who attend opt to keep their babies, with a quarter also trusting in Christ.
Over two years has passed since the military coup in Myanmar and the situation remains as challenging as ever. In recent weeks, the conflict has escalated with thousands more Burmese people getting caught in the crossfire. One family had their home and farm destroyed and had to flee from place to place before arriving in a refugee camp. Our partner continues to bring aid to families such as these.
Batsal, our long–standing partner in Nepal, visited the Thakali tribe who are one of the least reached people groups in the world. There are only 13,000 Thakali in Nepal and Batsal knows of only five believers!
It has been claimed that half of North Korea’s missile programme has been funded through cyber–attacks and crypto theft. Reports suggest that the nation stole $2.3 billion worth of cryptocurrency assets over the past six years, including $721 million from Japan, $540 million from Vietnam and $497 million from the US.
Source: Nikkei
Our partners continue to care for many suffering in the aftermath of the floods last year. One third of the nation was submerged when record–breaking monsoon rains arrived. Our partners have resettled 25 families into new homes and continue to minister to them. One of the Muslim men is amazed at the generosity of Christians to people of another faith!
Maria Ressa has been acquitted after former leader Rodrigo Duterte’s government accused her and her organisation of tax evasion. Ms Ressa claims that the charges were politically motivated and intended to stop journalists reporting freely. Her organisation ran several stories critical of the former administration and had been ordered to close down on numerous occasions. Ms Ressa and her organisation still face three ongoing legal cases against them.
Source: BBC
The nation faces severe challenges following last year’s economic crisis, and our partners are having to trust in God to provide amid soaring inflation. One partner longs to bring the gospel message to the nation in a language the people understand, and to build up the church and its leaders for fruitful ministry and fellowship together. Their Tamil language TV messages and correspondence courses are proving effective means of communicating the gospel.
Thousands have been killed by an earthquake which hit Syria and Turkey. The first aid convoy has reached the nation, whilst the UN are calling for urgent aid to be provided to the nation. Many people have lost their homes and now face winter conditions without a place of shelter.
Source: Guardian
Border skirmishes between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have been ongoing since 2021, with thousands caught in the crossfire and forced to flee to safety. A couple, both graduates from a theological university supported by AsiaLink, are ministering to those who have been displaced in Tajikistan. As aid is provided, the couple take every opportunity to share Christ.
Kusa is a Thai believer with a real heart for the unreached groups in the south of his country. In a bold step of faith, he has moved to a new area to begin a small business and reach out to his Muslim neighbours with the good news of Christ.
The people of Turkmenistan took to the polls on Sunday 26th March to elect members of a new legislative body. However, there have been reports of gross violations of the secrecy of voting and there is significant evidence that many were able to cast multiple votes. Reported turnout was over 91%, but many reported finding polling stations incredibly quiet.
Our new partnership with UDG is equipping young believers from Central Asia for ministry in their own countries. A group of 20 UDG graduates in Tashkent are collaborating to reach their city through social projects, small businesses, and everyday outreach among their communities. In a nation where 33 million people remain unreached, their efforts may seem small, but we trust in God who has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the mighty!
The majority of Vietnam’s population is Buddhist, and just 2.1% of the 9 million strong population are evangelical Christians. There is little to no religious freedom for Christians. We thank God for our partners working in this land to reach the millions who don’t know Christ.
Yemen’s war has entered its ninth year, and the humanitarian need remains colossal. Floods swept the nation last summer, but still families remain displaced seven months on. Of the $4.3 billion the UN has identified as being needed, just over a quarter has been pledged.
Source: New Humanitarian