The Good News for  Praise, the Bad News for Prayer, Feb. 16th, 2002

        Below is an abbrevaited article on the  tragic reality about rape
on children in Africa in increasing numbers.  Please pray for these
children and children abused throughout the world.
        Below that is the newsletter from the team in St. Petersburg,
Russia, giving glorious details of the Christmas Project reaching well over
3,000 orphans and showing them the  love of Christ through presents, and
powerful pantomime performance.  (Pray for their future project for an
orphanage, and for regular support for a key worker, Vadim).   Please
continue praying for the details of the adoption of Andrei and Lida in this
same city.
                Forever praying with you for the children,        Janey    
 

CHILD RAPE - A Cry From Africa
Shocking New Statistics Reveal Dramatic Rise In Child Rape In Sub-Saharan
Africa

Exerpt from article by Eric Wayman --  Costa Mesa, CA  (ANS) -- An
appalling epidemic of child rape is emerging in sub-Saharan Africa. This
region, roughly the lower one-third of the African continent, is all ready
being decimated by AIDS. Now recent crime statistics reveal a growing
epidemic of rape involving young children.

According to a recent report by the South Africa Police Service, children
(under the age of 18) are the victims of 41 percent of all reported rapes
and attempted rapes. Even more disturbing is the fact that over 15 percent
of the total reported rapes are against children under 11 years of age. In
the year 2000, an average of 58 children were raped every single day. 

The South African Press Association reported one incident in which a
nine-month-old baby girl was gang raped and required a full hysterectomy
plus further surgery in order to repair intestinal damage. Six men, between
the ages of 22 and 66, were charged with rape and indecent assault
againstthe infant.

She is just one of 21,538 rapes and attempted rapes against children 
reported in 2000. This marks a dramatic 300% rise in reported cases from
1994 (7,559 cases reported). However, despite this staggering increase in
reported child rape, authorities believe that a large percentage of
incidents still go unreported.

The AIDS epidemic has left an unprecedented number of children parentless
and vulnerable to abuse. Henry Nel, executive director of the ROCK of
Africa
Mission in Zimbabwe, states, "We are seeing a tragic devaluation in the
lives of little children. The life of a precious little girl is becoming
mere medicine for a dying man."

Today, in Zimbabwe, nearly one-third of all adults are infected. The
average woman has a lifespan of just 36 down from 65 just ten years ago. In
five
years experts say the life expectancy could drop as low as 27. Yet despite
the rampant spread of the virus and its tragic impact on sub-Saharan
Africans of all ages, many are denying the disease's very
existence................................................................;


Newsletter from the team in St. Petersburg, Russia on the CHRISTMAS PROJECT
Jan. 2002.

The following newsletter from St. Peterburg, Russia, shows the fruit of
your gifts for Orphans First Christmas Project.(This project took place
Jan. 2002).  From Russia with love................
         I wanted to thank you for your prayers for our work with the
orphans here in St. Petersburg.  Our request to pray for the Christmas for
orphans and the Orphan's Christmas Pageant was heard and answered.  God has
done an amazing thing here.  Please allow me just a moment to share.
         On January 19th we presented three performances for orphans here
in St. Petersburg.  The City's Director told us that there were 3400
children in 34 homes here.  We were promised full cooperation to reach
these children with presents for Christmas.  We gave out 2200 packages
during the three performances on Jan. 19.  In addition to children we had
between 200 and 300 visitors who came from who knows where.  Not only did
we have this large amount of orphans, but we also had three rows of street 
children that Vera brought from Rainbow of Hope.   There were some
professional drama people there who really had a hard time believing the
performers were Greater Grace Church because of the caliber of the work.
         Because of the  demand in response to this heart-touching
performance,  we decided to have an "Encore Performance" two weeks later on
Feb 2.  Between the two performances our team took over 800 more presents
to 6 or 7 homes where children were not able to come to the  play.  Some
400 handicapped children were ministered to.  Each packet contained
toothpaste, toothbrush, candy, toy, Gospel of John, Book of Life for Youth,
 pens, erasers, standard school  notebooks, personal soap, package of Gel
Pens, school pencils - colored, and more.  There was great excitement.
         The " Encore Performance" was attended by an additional 350 to 
450.  During these four performances many prayed to receive Christ.  Not
just children but adults also.  The play spellbound the audience.  We did
not have even one discipline problem, not even with several thousand
orphans.
         This was a product of many hundreds of prayers by of people like
you.  Thank you!.  We specifically thank ORPHANS FIRST (Janey DeMeo) to
raise funds to make this all possible.  God will bless, bless and then
bless some more.  Our people really laid down 
their lives for months.  Hundreds of hours in preparation, practice, making
back drops and all the rest to produce a professional performance to touch
people's hearts.  Planning transportation and having all the children
accounted for from camps etc. was a logistical mountain.
         Lastly, we are producing a professional video, which is being
edited and made now.  It will be a great tool to use in any Church for
evangelism, or starting a drama ministry.  As soon as it is available I
will send the information.  Your prayers made it happen.  
God bless.

Yours By His Wonderful Grace,
Pastor Dennis & Katya Ellis,     Greater Grace of St. Petersburg, Russia



Janey L. DeMeo

Founder/director of Orphans First, freelance writer.
ORPHANS FIRST website:  http://www.OrphansFirst.org/
E mail:  janey@...
Subscribe to the free weekly Orphans First prayer list:
http://WeLoveGod.org/digests/orphansfirst/

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