Time is running short for the RohingyaBangladesh (MNN) — Myanmar’s Rohingya ethnic Muslim minority are running out of options. During the past seven weeks, over half a million Rohingya have fled Rakhine State in Buddhist-majority Myanmar from what the U.N. has called a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing.” Myanmar’s government refuses to recognize them as one of the country’s official ethnic groups, while security forces and Buddhist vigilantes have raped and killed villagers and burned entire villages. Bangladesh estimates that 800,000 refugees now live in camps in its border town of Cox’s Bazaar, the coastal city where refugees arrive by boat. The camps are overcrowded and unsanitary, while food, water, and shelter are scarce.
Japan (MNN) – A couple of months ago, we told you about pastor Takahiro Ami in Sendai City, Japan, who held his church services in a local bar. It was smelly and crowded, but it was the only place they could find. Well, here’s an encouraging update: Joe Handley with A3 says Ami has found a new building better suited for his congregation’s needs. “He is cutting new territory with church life in Japan by meeting outside of a traditional church building,” Handley says. “Even just his step into a bar was courageous, and now, to take this to another level, where they’ll have more accessibility for families, is quite remarkable.”
One-third of Bangladesh is under waterBangladesh (MNN) – While severe flooding has affected millions of lives in Southeast Asia over the past few months, Bangladesh has proven to be especially vulnerable. Over 140 people have been killed and thousands of homes destroyed. On August 11, Bangladesh received nearly the equivalent of a week’s worth of rain during the summer monsoon season in a few hours. A third of the country is submerged, wreaking havoc on its vital farming economy. “They make their house by mud, and when the flood came down, many, many houses broke down,” ...
Having church in a bar?Japan (MNN) — When you think of church, what comes to mind? Well-dressed men and women worshipping in a large building with a cross on the top? That’s not always the case. Sometimes, you have to make do with what you have. That’s what Taka Hiroami, the pastor of Praise Community Church in Sendai, Japan who’s working with A3’s leadership development partnership, is dealing with. They don’t have their own building, but that’s not stopping believers from worshipping together.
Conversion may not be safe anymore in NepalNepal (MNN) – Christianity in Nepal has two main bullies—Hindu radicals from within the country, and India. Thanks to growing pressures from these two sources, religious freedoms for minority groups are severely threatened. Earlier this month, a bill was passed that will likely restrict Christians and other groups from sharing their faith. It is currently being finalized into law. The language of the bill closely resembles blasphemy and anti-conversion laws from...
Missionaries on alert in the wake of North Korean missile launchJapan (MNN) — North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Japan’s northern Hokkaido Island into the sea on Tuesday, testing already frayed international relations. Days later, Japan remains on high alert and launched evacuation drills along its west coast. A missile defense system has been deployed to the west of Japan. Tokyo also slapped additional sanctions against Pyongyang following repeated missile launches and other unresolved....
Philippines (MNN) — Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs has taken a bloody turn.
At least 80 people were killed last week in multiple police raids, including a raid on Tuesday in the Bulacon province that left 32 people dead. It was the single bloodiest day of Duterte’s crackdown on drug users and pushers, his major initiative that began when he was inaugurated as President on June 30th last year.
“The useful explanation is that they fought back and so the police just fought...
Nepal (MNN) — The people of Nepal desperately need your prayers. Days of monsoon rain triggered severe flooding and landslides, killing over 100 people. Contacts tell A3 the Nepal floods washed away entire families. “Everywhere there’s water, so deep; [it’s a] very difficult situation. People [have] lost their [livelihood] and all the food, clothing; everything they lost,” said Mr. Chittry...
Mongolia (MNN) — Mongolia’s Church is younger than most. Many pastors have only been ministering for just over 20 years, but they’re already facing challenges on a national scale.
“In our country, materialism is kicking in so people are more interested [in] having status in society. They want to have all the privileges that mainstream people would like to have,” says Chinzorig Jigjidsuren, the National Director for A3 in Mongolia. He’s worried that more interest in earthly treasures means less interest in spiritual ones, and he wants Mongolia’s pastors to unite to reignite hunger for the Gospel. Because so many pastors are young and spread out, it’s easy for believers to feel alone or abandoned. ”The DNA of A3 keeps...
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For over half a century, A3 has catalyzed movements in Asia. Now, with doors open in the Middle East, North Africa, and the West, we have boldly stepped in...
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