THE TALIBAN OF AFGHANISTAN

As the media has been reporting, the Taliban, the severe and so-called “radical Islamic Party” that governs ninety-five percent of the country of Afghanistan, has recently captured and imprisoned eight western relief workers (two Americans, four Germans and two Australians) from the Shelter Now International Organization. They have been charged with the “crime” (according to Taliban Law) of seeking to convert Afghan citizens to Christianity. 

Taliban officials have indicated that the eight workers are to be tried by a Taliban court, and that their punishment will then be decided. Fears that the prisoners could be executed are very real, given the harsh character of the Taliban party, and their seeming indifference to international public opinion. 

The Taliban (a word meaning “student” in English) has close links with the nation of Pakistan. Many of the Taliban leaders were educated in revolutionary Muslim schools in Pakistan. The Taliban’s ethnic roots are in the Pushtun tribal group, a fierce, warrior clan that inhabits both sides of the Afghan/Pakistan border, with the city of Peshawar, Pakistan, being a major Pushtun population center. Approximately two million Afghan refugees, who have fled Afghanistan because of political repression, war, drought, and famine have settled into refugee camps in western Pakistan. 

Ten months ago Norm and Cher Nelson, of the Compassion Radio International Compassion Radio Broadcast, were with the Shelter Now International staff in Peshawar, Pakistan, and spent time with both American and German workers as they were preparing to enter Afghanistan. The Nelsons have been receiving first-hand up-dates on the present situation concerning the imprisoned Shelter Now International workers.

While in Pakistan, they also visited one of the large Afghan refugee camps. This past winter, through the broadcast partners, Compassion Radio provided blankets and food for hundreds of the freezing refugees in this camp.

NOTE: Do not miss the fact that the real story of this situation is not about the Taliban and its severe brand of Islamic rule. Nor is it about what may happen to the imprisoned Christian relief workers. The real story, not at all evident to secular journalists and reporters, and seldom discussed in the Christian media, is the courage and commitment of these relief workers who went to Kabul fully aware of the risks involved; but, who, out of love for God and for the Afghan people, were willing to pay the  ultimate price. 

Norm and Cher Nelson ask for your earnest prayer for these servants of God, and that His perfect will be accomplished through these events. 

The United Nations calls Colombia the most violent country in the world. Mark Bowden, author of the best-selling book, Killing Pablo, writes, “Violence stalks Colombia like a Biblical plague” (p.12).  Consequently, it is not surprising to learn that, in this nation of drug lords, guerilla warfare, Marxist militia groups, kidnappings, poverty, and millions of ‘displaced people’, the cost of following Jesus Christ is high. In the past two years, for example, more than 50 evangelical pastors have been assassinated.

Norm and Cher Nelson have just returned from Colombia (on August 23, 2001), where they interviewed the President of the Colombia Alliance of Evangelical Churches (consisting of 5,000 churches and 120 organizations); the Director of “Justapaz” (the Justice and Peace Commission of the Evangelical Alliance); and visited Ciudad Bolivar, home to 1 million ‘displaced people’ living on the mountain slope in Bogota’s poor south side.

Please pray for the young Christians of Colombia, who are rising up to take the place of those who have given their lives. Pray for those who are working tirelessly for justice and peace in this troubled land.

On June 23, 2001, a massive earthquake, calculated at 8.1 on the Richter scale, struck a vast area of Southern Peru, from Arequipa (Peru’s second largest city) to Ilo, the major port city in the south of the country.

Damage from the quake was horrific, with many deaths and injuries, and widespread structural devastation . . . in some cases involving the virtual destruction of entire villages.

Norm and Cher recently (July 13 – 20, 2001) accompanied a team from the Global Operations and Development Christian Relief Agency on a trip to the Peruvian earthquake area to deliver medical and other forms of aid to the victims there.

The aid is desperately needed as supplies received from relief groups immediately following the quake have been exhausted in many of the victimized communities.

The team also conducted fact-finding visits to Christian ministries rescuing some of the 1 million ‘street children’ in Lima, and to Pachahutec, a poor settlement of more than 300,000 ‘displaced indigenous people’, built on sand dunes by the ocean, north of Lima. Peru’s new (and first-ever) Indian President is committed to helping the poor of Peru.

Please remember in prayer the poor and suffering in Peru, many of whom are our brothers and sisters, and for opportunities for the others to hear the Gospel.

SEPTEMBER-11 2007 | JULY-27 2004 | JANUARY 2004 | JUNE-5 2002 | JUNE-4 2002 | JUNE-3 2002 | JUNE-2 2002 | JUNE-1 2002 | MAY 2002 | MARCH 2002 | SEPTEMBER-1 2001 | AUGUST 2001 | JUNE 2001 | JANUARY-3 2001 | JANUARY-2 2001 | JANUARY-1 2001