Mexico’s Drug Violence Ebbing!
Gradually the attitude of Mexicans about their nation’s security is brightening. There has been a “sharp reduction of bloodshed” along the border area and in the country at large according to a news report. The October murder rate in the city of Juarez which used to be known as “the murder capital of the world” was the lowest in five years. Grupo Reform, a newspaper consortium, said that the cartel-related murders have dropped 18% from last year in the nation at 8326 as of October 26. (Albuquerque Journal, Nov. 4, 2012)
God is answering our prayers! Under President Calderon, authorities have been successful is the nation’s struggle against the drug cartels, but there is still more to do. Let’s continue to pray for Mexico and the eradication of the drug cartels and their crime, whether the trafficking of drugs, weapons or human beings used in the sex trade. Pray that the new president and his administration will keep from corruption and accommodation with the cartels and continue this good fight.
Mexico’s Drug War: When Evil Tries to Look Good
The death of the Zeta's cartel leader Heriberto Lazcano marks another in a series of takedowns of Mexico's most wanted capos, otherwise known as the "kingpin strategy". This strategy implies that once the leader or kingpin of the cartel is taken arrested or killed, the cartel will crumble. However, this has not proven to be the case.
Of the 37 capos identified in 2009 as Mexico's most wanted men, 25 have now been captured or killed. Undoubtedly Lozcano was the biggest catch of them all, and of the Mexican criminals whose notoriety is comparable to Lazcano's, only four remain at large: Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, Servando " La Tuta" Gomez, Juan Jose " El Azul" Esparragoza, and Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
While this is a tremendous triumph for Mexico, the violence and cartel influence continues to be strong. Even when the arrest of a capo does lead to a group's disintegration, this does not mean that its members decide to adopt law-abiding lifestyles. Many times they splinter into smaller organizations, all vying for power…
Is there hope that the grip of the cartels will be loosened and trafficking, drugs and violence will cease? God reminds us, the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land (Psalm 37:9).
PRAY:
• We praise you, Mighty God, that the cartels have been shaken. We thank you that so many kingpins have been captured; we thank you for hearing our cries for the people of Mexico.
• We ask you to continue to break the foundation of the cartels so that there will be a complete crumbling of their organizational structure. We call for the four main leaders to be captured and held accountable for their evil deeds.
• We implore of you, God of Hope, to bring light and encouragement to the people of Mexico. May they see your hand at work and stand firm in the knowledge that you have a plan for their future of good and prosperity. (Jer. 29:11).
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. - Proverbs 23:18
Iran: IMF sending ‘Currency Team’
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will send a team to Iran in 2013 for regular consultations regarding its crashing currency. However, an American advocacy group ‘United Against Nuclear Iran’ (UAN) said the UN and IMF should not undermine the will of the international community and the effects of sanctions imposed in direct response to the Iranian regime's illegal activities.’ The IMF's proposed work in Iran is designed to counter the effects of both the gross mismanagement of the Iranian economy by the regime, and the consequences of international sanctions. But UAN said, ‘The IMF's actions are more appropriate for a member state in good standing, not an illegal regime subject to multiple UN Security Council sanctions. The IMF is directly counteracting the effects, and therefore the consequences, of international sanctions. The IMF's cooperation with Iran must end.’
Pray: for God to give Christine Lagarde and the International Monetary Fund wisdom in their dealings with Iran. (Ps.45:4-5)
More: http://www.cnbc.com/id/49812391
East Africa: Violence spreading
Dozens of Christian worship places have been destroyed by Islamic extremists in Tanzania and church leaders are fleeing its heavily Muslim island of Zanzibar as the persecution of Christians spreads throughout East Africa. ‘About 25 churches and convents have been destroyed since May. This destruction is mostly confined to Zanzibar where the population is 99% Muslim and openly hostile to Christians,’ explained William Stark, regional manager for Africa of advocacy group International Christian Concern. The latest incidents of violence broke out after a Muslim boy encouraged a Christian boy to urinate on a Qur'an. ‘As a result of this the Christian boy was threatened with being beheaded and at least five churches were destroyed,’ Stark said.
Pray: that Christians in this area of East Africa would be free of oppression and experience the protection of God over their lives. (Ps.119:45-46)
China: At a crossroads
Academics agree, ‘China is at a crossroads’. A new leadership will establish a distinctive character of its own. The new president Xi Jinping knows the West in a way none of his predecessors did. His daughter is studying in the United States and he has spent time there too. He will not act on his own and needs to persuade the rest of the Party leadership to go along with him, but he may represent a shift to change. Younger people in the cities don’t recognise the old Communist leadership which is irrelevant to their lives and futures. The Chinese Church also has been changing - on Tuesday Christian leaders and a number of Bible Society donors joined government officials from the State of Administration for Religious Affairs for a ceremony celebrating over 60 million Bibles having now been distributed throughout China. See:
Pray: for God’s hand to guide China through this season of change into a new identity and Christian inheritance. ( Ps.125:3 & Pr.29:4)
