Joshua Project, June 10^th, 2024

The Kuranko are a branch of the Malinke tribe that immigrated into Sierra Leone from Guinea. They occupy a large area in both northern Sierra Leone and southern Guinea. Different groupings within the Kuranko people each have their own chiefs, traditions and heritage. Some are hunters, some are warriors, and some are traders. Some are pagan, while others follow Islamic belief. The region where they live lacks adequate road systems and is not easily accessible, leaving the Kuranko socially isolated.

Some Kuranko believe that in the forests, rivers and mountains live quasi-human beings known as Nyenne. It is believed that the Nyenne can make women barren, cause insanity, and cause farming accidents. However, Nyenne can sometimes be friendly, bringing good fortune.

The Kuranko people live in remote parts of Sierra Leone and Guinea, and access to them is somewhat difficult.

The full Bible is now available in the Kuranko language, and there are a number of good resources such as the JESUS Film. However, workers are needed to carry these to the Kuranko people, answer their questions, and assist in the planting of additional churches.

There are a number of individuals in this people group who identify themselves as Christians, but they almost certainly need mature Christians to disciple them. Pray for the Kuranko to be completely set free from belief systems that deny them new life in Christ.

The Voice of the Martyrs, May 23, 2024

Javier and Katherine lead a church in Buenaventura, considered to be the most dangerous city in Colombia. The couple ministers by caring for the needs of the community, which has drawn negative attention from the guerrillas who control the area. Through Javier and Katherine’s ministry, many have placed their faith in Christ and lives have been transformed, which has brought further opposition.

Their lives have been threatened, and they have been forced to move several times, but they remain committed to sharing the hope of Christ. Earlier this year, Katherine was held at gunpoint by her brother-in-law, a guerrilla commander, while Javier was trapped, unable to help her.

Though her brother-in-law was initially arrested, officials released him. He has threatened Katherine again, and she and her children have not been able to leave their house since his release. She and the children have also suffered significant chronic health issues.

Many Christians in Colombia are taking great risks to share the gospel in some of the most dangerous places for Christians on earth. Working in these hostile areas often results in persecution from armed guerrillas and paramilitary forces.

Guerrillas continue to oppress Christians and remain involved in the drug trade. Christians are targeted because their obedience to God’s Word prevents them from supporting or joining the violent factions funded through narcotics trafficking and other criminal activities.

International Christian Concern May 24, 2024

A young Christian convert in Chhattisgarh, India, was killed by a mob led by his uncle and cousin on May 4. Kosa Kawasi, 22, and his wife converted to Christianity from Hinduism. Shortly after, the village tried to force the couple out of their home but was unsuccessful. This led to the mob, resulting in Kawasi’s uncle inflicting a lethal stab wound.

Before the mob attack, the young couple was reportedly receiving death threats to frighten them into renouncing their newfound faith. Kawasi notified the authorities, hoping that there would be some sort of intervention.

No such intervention occurred, however, and his death was labelled the result of a property dispute following the short investigation. The instigators were arrested, but so far, no charges have been made public. Kawasi’s uncle was motivated by religious hatred after his nephew refused to revert to Hinduism, witnesses say, and the property dispute claim is only partially true.

“Christian tribals live in fear and insecurity even among their own families,” a local told AsiaNews.

Being a convert to Christianity in India carries a certain amount of personal risk anywhere in the country, but perhaps nowhere is as dangerous as northern remote villages. India’s tumultuous election season has caused a considerable rise in persecution of the Christian minority community.

Church in Chains, May 21, 2024 (excerpts)

Elder Zhang Chunlei (60) has been in detention in China since March 2021 for “fraud and inciting subversion of state power” but the court’s verdict was never announced, and his defence lawyer has been denied access to the case files.

In early May Elder Zhang’s lawyer visited him at the Guiyang City Detention Centre.  In his conversation with the lawyer Elder Zhang reflected very honestly on his past attitude as a pastor.  He has come to realise that “Serving the church is not the same as running a business.”  He described himself as “completely corrupt” and said that if a person lacks love, they lack an understanding of grace; they have received grace themselves but are legalistic towards others. If love is lacking, it is because prayer is lacking, and there is a problem with the relationship with the Lord. Fortunately, there is God, otherwise he would only be left with guilt.

He said loving someone and praying for them is better than any gift, adding that now he often prays by name for congregation members and co-workers. He said he is an impatient person and that being able to endure these three years of imprisonment involves the work of the Holy Spirit. If he can get out of the prison a little earlier he will be grateful; if he gets out a little later, he will also be grateful, but he hopes it will not be delayed.

His lawyer concluded, “Elder Zhang is not only a suffering saint, but also an increasingly mature and humble pastor.”

Barnabas Aid, May 20, 2024 (excerpts)

Please continue in prayer for the Christian community in Chin State, western Myanmar, which has come under renewed attack from the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw).

The Tatmadaw bombed two churches in the Christian-majority state in two airstrikes at around 9pm on 11 May. The churches in the village of Lungtak near the town of Tonzang were hit as the military attempted to drive out rebels from the area.

The bombardment also destroyed five houses. More than 1,000 residents from Lungtak and surrounding villages fled into nearby forests to escape the bombings.

The aerial strikes occurred just over two weeks after Tatmadaw airstrikes on a village hospital in Chin State killed five people, including four patients.  The attack on the Vawmm’tu cottage hospital in Vawmm village, near Mindat township, around 270 miles south of Tonzang, was carried out on 25 April.

The hospital that provides crucial health care services to thousands of people in conflict-torn western Chin State has been repeatedly hit by Tatmadaw airstrikes despite the absence of any active fighting in the region.

Joshua Project, May 26^th, 2024

Most Hmong Njua occupy the middle class in French Guiana. They own small businesses and restaurants. They work as teachers and as middle level administrators for the government. The Hmong, as a small minority, try to keep a low profile. They tend to marry within their group. The Hmong try to maintain their Southeast Asian language and culture.

Some Hmong have been in Guiana for generations and consider themselves more French than Hmong. The Hmong practice monogamy or one wife for each husband. Parents encourage their children to graduate from universities and enter the professions.

They are susceptible to being deceived by strong influential figures. One of their legends tells of a Hmong saviour who will come and lead them into their own land where they will be left alone in peace.

Some Njua Hmong will listen to the truth while others will listen to deceivers. Getting them the word of God and praying they will make good decisions is the best approach.

Pray that they will understand that there is no god as great as God, the one who gives us all we need.

Pray that the Hmong people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings. Pray for workers who will share the good news and tell the Hmong how to follow the Lord. Pray for a movement to Christ among all the Hmong Njua to begin this decade.