in this issue
-- Violence, destruction continues in Mount Elgon, Kenya
-- Clean water withheld from Vietnamese Christians
-- Kani tribe of India attacks native missionary

Ethnic conflict continues in Mount Elgon, a western district of Kenya, over a controversial land allocation.

More than 100 have been killed and tens of thousands have been displaced.

The conflict, which began in November 2006, erupted over a governmental settlement scheme to attract newcomers to the area. The original inhabitants of the region started a bitter battle over the land they believe is rightfully theirs.

The results have been devastating. A large number of tribesmen are now homeless and on the verge of starvation. Fire was set to the homes and food stores of many of the inhabitants of Mount Elgon during the fighting, which has created a severe food shortage. Those whose crops were not destroyed are too fearful to return to the volatile region to harvest.

The displaced have sought shelter in forests or in the caves of Mount Elgon, which must be shared with the elephants that frequently gouge the walls in search of salt licks.

Others have crowded into schools and other government buildings. Some have turned to prostitution and begging. The conflict has produced an increasing number of abandoned children.

Kenya Evangelism Team, a Christian Aid-supported ministry, has planted 25 churches in the region. Ministry leader, Sylvester Okang'o, reports that the homes of 15 pastors were burned. They lost everything in the fires and are currently renting small rooms near the market places. Each room is overcrowded, housing an average of five to 10 people.

Their families are in need of food, clothing, bedding and medicine. Health clinics have been closed and doctors have fled the area. Many are suffering and dying from malaria and typhoid.

In an effort to contain the fighting, the government has canceled the land distribution scheme. However, the violence and destruction continues.

Sylvester asks for the prayers and support of fellow believers.

A Christian Aid-supported native Vietnamese ministry leader recently wrote to Christian Aid concerning the lack of clean drinking water available to Christians.

Local authorities have restricted believers from accessing public wells. Some authorities have agreed to let Christians access the wells if they will make offerings to and worship the god of the well. The Christians have refused.

Instead, they must walk far distances to find freshwater springs. Thus far, the ministry has provided more than 100 wells for believers, but is still in need of 100 more wells ($300 each) for Christians in regions where it ministers.

Clean drinking water is only one of many problems faced by Vietnamese Christians. As Christianity spreads, authorities are tightening restrictions.

The believers living in this particular district are prohibited from leaving their house without permission from authorities. Police also visit the houses of known Christians in an attempt to force them to renounce Christ. Mandatory meetings are held in which authorities attempt to intimidate Christians to turn from their faith.

Government spies attend services at every known church throughout the country to identify new Christians. Many native ministry leaders must conduct church meetings in secluded fields to protect the safety of their congregations.

Unregistered churches are illegal and will be forced to close. However, those churches that are registered must obtain government approval for activities and employ government-approved leaders.

A Christian Aid-supported ministry in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu works to spread the gospel to the Kani tribal people, the largest tribe in the state.

The Kani have traditionally lived in bamboo huts in forests away from civilization. Today, many still live in forests, but some have moved to cities and towns. Agriculture remains their main source of income.

To reach the Kani with the gospel, these native missionaries must work to dispel their animistic beliefs in hill gods and other superstitions. They frequently sacrifice animals to the hill gods, and employ a witchdoctor when healing is needed.

They also fear the spirits of the dead. To keep the dead from haunting their homes, the Kani plant a coconut tree over the grave of the deceased.

Through the work of missionaries, several Kani have accepted Christ as Savior. Despite some opposition, the ministry is in the process of constructing a village prayer hall.

One missionary who recently joined this ministry constructed a simple, thatched hut near his house, where he conducted church services for 15 Kani believers. During one of the services, two Kani men entered the small church with knives and wooden clubs. They ordered the meeting to stop.

A few days later, when the missionary entered another Kani village to invite people to attend his church, he was severely beaten by four Kanis. He was rushed to a native doctor and received treatment. He is slowly recovering. His family asks for the prayers of fellow believers.

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