PODCAST: Police in Sri Lanka using live ammunition on protesters (WHR 04.27.22)

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According to Mission Network News, Police use live ammunition on protestors in Sri Lanka, killing one and injuring 11. Sri Lanka’s economic crisis imploded earlier this month. Thousands have taken to the streets demanding food, fuel, and other essentials. Protestors are not the only ones demanding action. According to Yamini Ravindran, Associate Secretary-General of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, officials who ignored warnings about the 2019 church bombings have not faced any consequences. Sunday marked the third anniversary of attacks on three churches — two Catholic and one Protestant — that included simultaneous suicide bombings during Easter celebrations on April 21, 2019. Bombings at three tourist hotels killed 42 foreigners from 14 countries. Although Islamic State militants claimed responsibility for the attacks, they weren’t the only ones to blame. “One of the things people seem to be upset about is maybe it could have been avoided. From the part of the state, [authorities did not] take proper actions to prevent such an atrocity from happening,” Ravindran explains. “There is disappointment amongst the people (believers). We have not seen justice in this particular situation.” There is a strong Christian presence in Sri Lanka, but believers face oppression from the Buddhist majority. Together with The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka helps persecuted believers overcome hardship.

According to Mission Network News, Deaf communities in Angola and South Africa will soon have a chance to know Jesus. “There are some strong Deaf leaders and Deaf believers” in South Africa, DOOR International’s Rob Myers says. “Now that they have some Scripture published, that Scripture is a perfect segue into training local leaders in how to do evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.” Published sign language Scripture and strong Deaf leadership are exceptions rather than the norm. Collectively, Deaf people are one of the world’s largest unreached people groups. Less than two percent of the world’s 70 million Deaf people have any access to the Gospel. Connect with DOOR to help change that reality. Using a new technique, DOOR is teaching Deaf leaders from Angola and South Africa how to reach their people for Christ. DOOR calls its program “two-by-two” or “2×2” based on Christ’s approach to missions in Luke 10. “Somewhere between April and June, four leaders [from Angola and South Africa] are heading out into the field to live, work, observe, and serve alongside existing two-by-two teams,” Myers says. “They’ll gain some of the tools they need; then, they will head back into their country and continue the process.” “We (hearing people) think of reading as a visual exercise. But reading is an audio exercise; you sound out words connected to a language you already know. So, for most Deaf people, reading is a second language, and sign language is their first language,” Myers explains. “Our leaders are taking an innovative approach to developing video curriculum (for Deaf church planters).”

According to Mission Network News, Despite increased attention in recent years, mental health struggles and stigma remain among United States veterans and active-duty personnel. A 2014 study found nearly one in four active-duty members showed signs of a mental health condition. Today, over a million veterans live with invisible war wounds like post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, depression, or anxiety. Warriors Set Free, a division of Set Free Ministries, points wounded warriors to healing in Christ. “We know veterans are hurting, and they’re trying just about anything they can to deal with their pain. Then they go, ‘Well, maybe I’ll try faith; maybe I’ll try Jesus’,” WSF Director and Army vet Steve Prince says. “We need prayer to connect to them in that time, at that moment, and we need an introduction.” The Lord is doubling Warriors Set Free’s impact and reach through a recent expansion. Along with a residential program for veterans, WSF partners with the Army Chaplain Corps to help active-duty members. Right now, the Army Chaplain Corps is studying WSF methodology and results. “Once that [study] publishes, that’ll be open to the entire Army. So, somebody at Fort Hood, Texas, [could] read about this study a year from now, call us up and say, ‘Will you come to train my staff?’” Prince says. “We will be training active-duty chaplains how to do what we do: bring freedom in Christ to active-duty service members who are, just like veterans, at high risk for suicide.” Warriors Set Free needs help from prayer warriors. Additionally, Warriors Set Free is a Christian nonprofit and depends on gifts.

You can read these stories and more at Whytehousereport.com

In closing, remember, God loves you. He always has and He always will. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” If you don’t know Jesus as your Saviour, today is a good day to get to know Him. Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead for you. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart and He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Thanks so much for listening and may God bless you.