Global Awareness

Our youth pastor has asked me to share with the students about countries of the world.  He asked me to talk for about 5 minutes, twice a month.  The goal is to increase their awareness of what life is like for those in developing countries.  Although this is not specific to the ministry of Compassion International, it gives us an opportunity to learn, and pray for, others in the world.  I will use this blog to summarize the talk that I give the students in the youth group.  For each country I try to discuss the following:  statistics about the country, people groups, prayer needs, and an illustration to help us remember to pray for the country.

The focus last week was on Afghanistan.

Statistics*:
 

•Population:  29 million

•Capitol:  Kabul

•Life Expectancy:  44 years

•Religions

–Muslim:  99.85%

–Non-religious:  0.07%

–Christian:  0.05%

*Source:  Operation World by Jason Mandryk

People Groups

Pashtun

Tajik

Hazara

Challenges for Prayer

• Violence
• Women's Rights
• Religious Persecution
• Drugs 

Prayer Illustration

During these cold Wisconsin winter months, I asked the students to remember the people of Afghanistan whenever they used a blanket, quilt, or afghan to keep themselves warm.  

Due to the presence of the United States military in Afghanistan, I also asked that they remember to pray for the protection of our troops as they serve.

Chris