Around the World is our monthly rundown of news briefs, links and quotes from Churches of Christ all over the globe. Got an idea for this column? Email Erik Tryggestad at [email protected].
Featured image (above): In the village of Uppada, India, Dr. B. Alice Percy, a dentist, looks in a patient’s mouth during a free medical clinic conducted by church members.
CROATIA
ZAGREB — Christians in this Central European capital asked for prayers after a knife-wielding 19-year-old walked into the Precko Elementary School, killed a 7-year-old girl and wounded three more children and a teacher.
“The community here is rather shaken,” said Steve Taliaferro, who serves as president of Nešto Više (Something More), a Croatian nonprofit that sponsors faith-based programs for youths. “Please pray for this little one’s family, the families of those injured, the attacker and for our entire community.”
Tony Fernandez
CUBA
PUNTA DE MAISÍ — This small town on Cuba’s eastern coast experienced flooding and damaging winds as Hurricane Oscar swept by in late October.
Tony Fernandez, minister for the Versalles Church of Christ in Matanzas, Cuba, traveled to Punta de Maisí to distribute aid to those in need.
“We know heaven when, while still on earth, we decide to serve our neighbors,” Fernandez said. “God willing, we will return soon to continue helping in the recovery. God is faithful.”
INDIA
UPPADA — A group of Indian Christians traveled to this coastal village to provide medical, dental and vision services recently.
The free clinic was one of 12 that served nearly 4,000 patients in rural communities across the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, said Ricky Gootam, a minister and missions coordinator in nearby Kakinada. The clinics focused on cancer screening.
In the village of Uppada, India, Dr. B. Alice Percy, a dentist, looks in a patient’s mouth during a free medical clinic conducted by church members.
Physicians including Dr. Sudha Nanda spoke with villagers and church members about early signs of cancer and what to do in response.
“We have identified over 20 cases of cancer cases in these camps,” Gootam said, “and will be helping them with treatments.”
MEXICO
NUEVO LAREDO — A brand-new Gospel Chariot rolled off the assembly line, through Laredo, Texas, and across the border en route to its first assignment with a Church of Christ in Nuevo Laredo.
Fernando Toledo
For decades, red Gospel Chariot trucks have rolled across Africa, providing rural communities with supplies for tent meetings, Bible courses and even a portable baptistery. South African evangelist George Funk founded the ministry, which focuses on evangelism, discipleship and church planting.
The newest Gospel Chariot spent five weeks in Nuevo Laredo, said coordinator Fernando Toledo. Church members conducted gospel meetings and taught the Discovery Bible Study method and Four Fields Discipleship Training.
“This was the first experience of the Gospel Chariot in the American continent,” Toledo said, “and it was wonderful.”