*Nejnovější zprávy v originální anglické verzi jsou vždy ZDE (klikněte).

Liberian Defense Minister Daniel Chea announced on Thursday that the bodies of two of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) workers missing since last Friday have been found in graves close to the town of Toe near the border with Côte d'Ivoire. Emmanuel Sharpolu, acting ADRA Liberia director, and Musa Kita, chief driver for ADRA Liberia, were on their way to visit the agency's Ronda Shelter project funded by the government of Norway when they inadvertently came into contact with an outbreak of fighting in this rebel-divided territory. There are still no details on the whereabouts of Kaare Lund, 53, ADRA director for Norway, who was traveling with them. "This news has obviously come as a great shock to all of us," said ADRA International President Charles Sandefur. "Emmanuel and Musa have each been with ADRA for at least 10 years and have consistently demonstrated their dedication to the people of Liberia. Our hearts and prayers go out to their wives and children at this time." The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross is continuing to investigate the tragedy. (Adventist Development and Relief Agency)

CHURCHES IN CÔTE D'IVOIRE BECOME MORE ACTIVE AS FIGHTING CONTINUES

While fighting continues in the West African country of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) with violence spilling into neighboring countries, some mission groups have found themselves faced with a stalled ministry. Yet the indigenous churches in Ivory Coast are more active than ever because this is an issue of "community," says SIM's Mark Rogers. "When the church doors are open, it's expected that everybody will be there," he says. "The 'group' is so important in Africa. If you don't support your group through group activities and opportunities for oral teaching, then you are saying that you do not care to follow Christ." In difficult times, believers are coming together for prayer and outreach. Rogers says this speaks volumes of their testimony in Christ.

In recent developments, Associated Press reported that Ivory Coast's Prime Minister Seydou Diarra, and the main rebel leader, Guillaume Soro, attended talks Thursday aimed at reviving a January peace accord that has so far failed to end a five-month rebellion in the country. Ghana President John Kufuor urged both sides to implement the France-brokered agreement that called for rebels to become part of a unity government. Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo was in Ghana on a state visit, but returned to his country without meeting rebel leaders. The rebellion, which arose from a failed Sept. 19 coup attempt, has divided the former French colony into government- and insurgent-held zones. The warring sides are deadlocked over the peace accord with rebels say gives them key ministry posts in a coalition government. Gbagbo insists that he has the final say in awarding cabinet posts. Some 3,000 French troops are monitoring a fragile cease-fire and protecting thousands of French civilians and other foreigners remaining in the country. More than 1,000 people have died in the conflict, and 1 million have been forced to flee their homes. (Mission Network News/AP)

* Fréquence Vie (Frequency Life), an HCJB World Radio partner FM station in Abidjan operated by SIM and local churches, continues to air programs of hope and encouragement. The station broadcasts 17 hours daily in French and some local languages.

CHRISTIAN RELIEF AGENCY RUSHES AID TO QUAKE-RAVAGED AREA OF CHINA

In China a Christian relief organization is mobilizing to help the victims of last week's powerful earthquake that left more than 250 people dead and thousands homeless in the harsh winter conditions of the northwestern part of the country. Bachu was the most affected when the 6.8-magnitude quake rumbled through the region on Feb. 24. More than 2,000 people were injured and thousands of mud-brick houses were flattened. Food for the Hungry President Ben Homan describes the scene. "Some 500,000 Chinese were affected by the quake. Many villages were destroyed. This is a remote place, so it's very difficult to bring in relief, we've committed ourselves to make sure that the people of Xinjiang province know that they're cared for, they're remembered and God loves them." By providing physical assistance, it opens many doors to share the gospel, he says. (Mission Network News/AP)

IMPOVERISHED HAITIANS TURN TO GOD AS ECONOMY WORSENS

Haitian missionaries are reporting a warm response to the Word of God despite economic woes and skyrocketing inflation. "Suffering is now more intense with inflation on a high rise," said missionaries Barbara Latillade who has served in Haiti with her husband, Patrick, since 1988. "The Haitian dollar is now almost worthless. Food and gas is so expensive, especially for native Haitians who have no U.S. dollars to exchange. We have very little electricity now, but the bill stays the same as when we had electricity round the clock." The Latillades, working with Living Word Ministry, help train young people and prepare them for evangelism and church planting. They are planting churches themselves in villages with no evangelical church. They hold training seminars for pastors of other churches to better equip them for their work in God's service. They also try to supply believers with the Bible in Creole, the common language of Haiti. (Missions Insider)

* HCJB World Radio worked with local partners in Haiti to help establish local Christian radio ministries in Port-au-Prince and Tortue Island.

BILL BRIGHT NAMES HIS SUCCESSOR AT GLOBAL PASTORS NETWORK

As his battle with pulmonary fibrosis takes its toll, Bill Bright, founder and chairman emeritus of Campus Crusade for Christ and cofounder of Global Pastors Network (GPN), has selected John C. Maxwell to succeed him as GPN chairman following his death. Bright, 81, has been fighting pulmonary fibrosis for more than two years. Maxwell is the founder and chairman of the Atlanta-based INJOY Group. A noted author and speaker, Maxwell trains leaders around the world through his non-profit organization, EQUIP. Recently he launched a plan to train 1 million Christian leaders worldwide by 2008 through leadership conferences, certified national trainers, partnerships with other ministries, and technology. (Religion Today)

40 VILLAGERS TURN TO CHRIST IN NEPAL AFTER LUNATIC IS HEALED

A lunatic healed through the ministry of a Nepalese missionary prompted 40 villagers to seek Christ. The missionary was on a two-hour, seven-mile walk in Central Nepal when he met a man named Bahadur who was known as the local lunatic. The missionary prayed for him, and Bahadur became sane. Seeing the change in the man's life, the people of the area asked, "Who is this person who healed this man?" The missionary told them that he had prayed, but Jesus was the one who healed the man. As a result, about 40 people among the Magar, Tamang, Chepang and Biswakarma tribes in the area have put their faith in Jesus Christ. In another place, a deranged woman had to be chained to keep her from committing violent acts was set free after a Nepalese missionary ministered to her. Her husband became a believer and is serving in the area. So many people have come to Christ there that they need a church building to meet in. (Missions Insider)

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