Pakistan added to US blacklist over religious freedom concerns

Coming just weeks after the release of Asia Bibi, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said his country will not just stand by and watch persecution carried out.

The move follows a warning issued by the US last year that further action would be taken if Pakistan didn’t make changes.

 

Addressing the concern, Mr Pompeo said: “In far too many places across the globe, individuals continue to face harassment, arrests, or even death for simply living their lives in accordance with their beliefs.”

“The United States will not stand by as spectators in the face of such oppression. Protecting and promoting international religious freedom is a top foreign policy priority of the Trump administration.

“Safeguarding religious freedom is vital to ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity.”

Nine other countries remain on the list of Countries of Particular Concern — China, Eritrea, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

Addressing the reasons for Pakistan’s inclusion, Samuel Brownback – the US ambassador at large for international religious freedom, said: “Of the world’s population of people that are in prison for blasphemy, half of them are in Pakistani prisons, including Asia Bibi, who was recently released and is now awaiting a re-hearing of sorts by the supreme court of Pakistan.

“Also, the Pakistani Government criminalizes the identification…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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MFM Daily Devotional 13 December 2018 – Lessons From the Life of Elijah (III)

MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 13 December 2018 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Lessons From the Life of Elijah (III)

TOPIC: Lessons from the Life of Elijah (III) (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 13 December 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 37:11-14

MEMORY VERSE: “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”1 Corinthians 2:4

The MESSAGE:

The Bible says that the kingdom of God comes by power. Elijah was a man of power and authority. That was because he had the Spirit of God in great measure. The Holy Spirit is the believer’s source of power. He is the spiritual dynamo. Elijah was Spirit-led. His word carried authority and power. With them, he could enforce dominion and the mandate of heaven. Right in the presence of Ahab the king, Elijah decreed and closed the heaven over Israel and there was nothing Ahab could do about it. For a space of three and a half years, Elijah put the whole nation in famine and proved that Jehovah ruled in the affairs of men. We can’t do much to move the kingdom of God forward and upward if we cannot demonstrate the awesome power of God in a way that unbelievers and doubting believers would say, “Indeed, Jehovah is God. There is no other.”

The contest on Mount Carmel was a display of supernatural power by two opposing forces: the forces of God and those of the devil. Good triumphed and His servant was vindicated. Elijah’s life was characterised by the demonstration of God’s power for good works. He multiplied the last meal of the widow of Zarephath so much so that she and her son never ran out of food throughout the famine. He also demonstrated God’s power by raising the widow’s son back to life when the son died.

Beloved, Jesus said that without signs and wonders people would not believe. We are called to carry and demonstrate God’s power to heal the sick, deliver the oppressed and raise the dead. God anointed Jesus for that purpose and Jesus Himself gave us power and authority (Acts 10:38; Luke 9:1-2). I encourage you to pray for the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire. That is the key to walking in supernatural power and doing exploits for God.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS YOUR SPIRITUAL DYNAMO, BEFRIEND HIM AND YOU WILL FULFIL YOUR DESTINY.

PROPHETIC WORD:
The Holy Ghost shall come upon you and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

  1. Holy Spirit, come upon me, power of the Highest, overshadow me, in the name of Jesus.
  2. Father, let my words carry unusual spiritual power and authority, in the name of Jesus.
  3. My Father, use me to demonstrate Your awesome power to the world, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING

  1. My Father, baptise me with Your fire, in the name of Jesus.
  2. O Lord, let Your glory manifest in my life, destiny and ministry, in the name of Jesus.
  3. Power to perform signs and wonders, fall upon me now, in the name of Jesus.
  4. I will walk in supernatural power and do exploits all the days of my life, in the name of Jesus.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional HERE

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide)

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

The post MFM Daily Devotional 13 December 2018 – Lessons From the Life of Elijah (III) appeared first on Flatimes.

Open Doors By The Word by Pastor Paul Enenche

POWER COMMUNION SERVICE – 12TH DECEMBER 2018
ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S): REVELATION 3:7-8
MESSAGE TOPIC: OPEN DOORS BY THE WORD
BY: DR. PAUL ENENCHE

SERVICE OBJECTIVE: Understanding the open door power of the Word of God

The keeping of the Word of God is a qualification for open doors
Worded people are never victims of closed doors

SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLES OF OPEN DOORS BY THE WORD:

  1. The door of the prison opened for Joseph to regain his freedom when his Word came (Ps. 105:17-20)
  2. The door of liberty from captivity for Israel became a possibility when Daniel found what was written in the book of the prophet Jeremiah (Dan. 9:2; Jer. 29:10)
    When your Word comes, your chain breaks
  3. The door of manifestation and ministry fulfilment was opened for the Master Jesus when He found what was written concerning Him (Luke 4:16-21)
    When something becomes your revelation, it has become your manifestation
    When you locate what is written concerning you, you command the attention of your generation (Luke 4:20)
    When you know what is written concerning you, you can’t be written off by men
    When you know what is written concerning you, you become a living, written epistle
  4. The door of frustration was closed and the door of satisfaction was opened for Peter when the Word came to him in his distress (Luke 5:1-6)

HOW THE WORD OF GOD OPENS DOORS:

  1. The Word of God represents spiritual keys for the opening of diverse doors for God’s people (Matt. 16:16-19; Luke 11:52a)
    The knowledge of the Word is key to liberty
    Every realm where you have located the Word, in that realm you have located keys to triumph
  2. The Word of God is the same as the God of the Word (John 1:1; 1Sam. 3:21; Ps. 114:1-8)
    The Presence of God is tied to the Word of God
    The Word of God equals the Presence of God and the Presence of God equals supernatural openings (Ps. 114:1-8)
    When the Word arrives, the Lord appears and when the Lord appears, obstacles disappear
    When the Word arrives, the Lord appears and when the Lord appears, doors open
  3. The Word of God is Light and Light uncovers darkness and exposes access (John 1:5; Ps. 119:105)
  4. The Word of God opens the door to the works of God (Ps. 33:4; Gen. 1:3)
    Let the possibility of the Glory Dome enlarge your dare-ability

THE WORD THAT OPENS DOORS:

  1. The Revealed Word (Matt. 16:16-19; Ps. 119:130, 18)
    While you are studying the Bible, that Word that is revealed to you, has come to give you access
    You can ask God for the revelation of His Word (Ps. 119:18)
  2. The Sent Word (Ps. 105:17-19; 107:20; Luke 5:4-6; Ps. 43:3)
    You can ask God to send that particular Word to you for the particular situation you are going through
  3. The Kept Word (Rev. 3:8; Rom. 12:1-2)
    The Kept Word is the Word you have in your custody; it is the resident revelation – the Word you think, act and live
    The Word is made resident by continuous review (Rom. 12:1-2)
    Resident revelations make doors to open
  4. The Declared Word (Isa. 43:26; 44:26; Num. 14:28)
    Your liberation is tied to your declaration
    When you are declaring, you are not just talking, you are opening doors
    The best time to declare is when the situation looks contrary

PRAYERS
Father, I come before You to obtain keys for the opening of prison doors, the turning of captivity, the stepping into ministry, the closing of every door of frustration and opening of every door of satisfaction. Father, let Your presence appear as I open Your Word, let your light shine Lord in Jesus’ Name.

Also Read: The Profit of Uprightness By Pastor Paul Enenche

Father, open my eyes in this season to behold wonders out of Your Word. Send Your Word into my life and situation

Father, I receive the grace to review Your Word until it is resident in me; Father, I receive the discipline to continually declare Your Word, I receive it now!

COMMUNION FOCUS (LUKE 24:30-31):
Communion of victory and the opening of the eyes
By this communion, your eyes are open, and you are being connected to the Word you need; every form of blindness in your life is tackled by the Communion

  • Tonight shall be a night of Divine visitations, eye-opening visitations, mystery-dissolving visitations!
  • By the power of the Blood of Jesus, in the communion tonight, every plot of the kingdom of hell against your life and family, every organised pain for you and your family, is broken!

MINISTRATION PRAYERS:

  • Every altar from my history, family, village or community drawing me backwards, o you altar, catch fire NOW!
  • Every stranger in my life, return back to hell now!

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:

  • You shall not be wasted like chicken! Where blood is shed yours shall never be shed!
  • As the Book is opened to you, every captivity around your life shall break
  • The revelations coming your way tonight shall usher you into your manifestation!
  • Every frustration packaged for you by the devil is returning back to hell!
  • This Christmas shall be your best!
  • That door that you’ve been looking for shall be exposed to you tonight by light!
  • Under the next 24hours, the scriptures will speak directly to you! They shall guide and direct you accurately in this season!
  • This December, God will take the devil by surprise in your life!
  • In the Name that is above every name, you will end this year well (Eccl. 7:8)!
  • In the Name that is above every name, Jesus Christ the resurrected Lord, the Word of God is coming your way and changing your story!
  • Everything that seems impossible to men, impossible to women and impossible to all those around you, God shall make it possible in your life!
  • Every revelation, vision and wisdom needed for the opening of your doors is released upon you now!
  • Every demon that said you should end this year empty, their powers are broken!
  • Something that belongs to you that the devil has been sitting on, that devil is losing his peace until that which belongs to you is returned into your hands!
  • For a woman the door of the womb has been opened now, for a young lady the door of marriage has been opened, for a young man, that stagnation is over!
  • Every spirit of backwardness taking you back in life and destiny, that spirit is broken right now!
  • Every blessing available on this altar or any testimony you have ever heard shared that you desire, it is your portion!
  • Your life shall not end in mockery! You shall not serve God in vain!

You can READ other MESSAGES from same author by clicking HERE

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

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TREM Devotional 13 December 2018 – Let Love Flow

Topic: Let Love Flow [TREM Devotional 13 December 2018]

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 4:7

The issue of love for the believer is not optional; God demands that we not only love one another, but that we show His love to the dying world. As believers, we are not the salt of the church, but the salt of the earth and the light of the world. If you can only show love to your friends and your inner circle, wherein is the love of God?

Remember, the love of God you are enjoying today is not earned. You did nothing to deserve it. He loved you while you were totally unlovable, you practically spat on His face, yet He loved you enough to die for you. Why then are you waiting for others to earn your love before you can reach out to them?

Beloved, the scripture for today makes it clear that love is of God and for you to claim you have God, or you are born of God, then love must be natural to you just as it is to God. The love of God is not the love that reaches out to you because you have earned it; it is love that reaches out despite your errors and shortcomings. Yes, you were unlovable, but He chose to love you and has called you as His ambassador to the world. Who have you shown His love to? Throughout this year, who is in the church today because of you?

It is so easy to profess love. Many believers are simply professors; but God does not want you to profess love, He wants His love to radiate through you. He wants you to reach out to those around you in love. You may not be able to give money, but you can give a smile, you can give a word of encouragement, you can give moral and physical support. Love is not just a function of words, actions they say, speak louder than words. The world is watching and waiting to see Jesus in you; will you deny them?

Further Reading: 1 John 4:7-12

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Hosea 12-14; Evening- Revelation 4

“If you missed yesterday devotional click HERE to read TREM Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

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Seeds of Destiny 13 December 2018 Devotional – Prayer and Preservation

Topic: Prayer and Preservation [Seeds of Destiny 13 December 2018 Devotional]

Scripture: And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. 1 Kings 17:1

Thought For The Day: Let prayer become an attitude instead of an action, an atmosphere instead of an incidence.

Prayer is a tool for Divine preservation. It is instrumental to the preservation of life and destiny. The lifestyle of prayer is a guarantee for the preservation of life and destiny.

Just as darkness cannot overcome light, so, prayerful people are not easily wastable. One example of a prayerful personality in Scriptures was Elijah. A major identity of Elijah was the identity of prayer. Elijah could not be killed by King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel; he enjoyed so much preservation that he went to Heaven bodily without tasting death.

To have an identity of prayers is to have the security of the future.
Now, one way in which prayer preserves is that prayer establishes the prayerful in the Presence of God. Prayerful people carry unmistakable Divine presence. When you are around them, you feel God.

So, prayer establishes you in the Presence of God and the Presence of God is a defence for life and destiny (Psalm 91:1-2). The Presence of God is a preservative of life and destiny. Prayer keeps you beyond the reach of harm because places of high authority are places of high security.

Beloved, my counsel is, let prayer become an attitude instead of an action, an atmosphere instead of an incidence. Let your heart be in a permanent mood of hunger for God.

Remember This: Let prayer become an attitude instead of an action; an atmosphere instead of an incidence.

Assignments:

  1. Be a praying Christian.
  2. Separate yourself from everything that would distract your prayer and devotion to God.

Prayer: O Lord, I ask for more hunger for You. Help me to be more committed and devoted to You, Lord in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: PRAYER AND PRESERVATION.

Quote: Those who pray to God are never preys for the devil. Culled from PRINCIPLES AND POWER OF PRAYER by Dr Paul Enenche.

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 15:1 to 16:36, Romans 1:18 to 32, Psalm 10:1 to 15, Proverbs 19: 6 to 7.

Amazing Fact: Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system.

Today In History: 13/12/1835 – American clergyman and composer Phillips Brooks was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He wrote the lyrics for the popular Christmas Carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem.

Also Read: Click HERE to read Other Inspirational Messages by Pastor Paul Enenche”

Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Paul Enenche of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Pastor Paul and Becky Enenche, as the Senior Pastors. It is a power-packed arena where God’s Presence, Principles and Power are at work for the salvation, healing and restoration of human destinies and dignities

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

The post Seeds of Destiny 13 December 2018 Devotional – Prayer and Preservation appeared first on Flatimes.

Open Heavens for Teens 13 December 2018 – Fruit of the Spirit; Long Suffering

Topic — Fruit of the Spirit; Long Suffering [Open Heavens for Teens 13 December 2018]

Memorise: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Read: Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)

Bible In One Year: Joel 1-3, Revelation 4

MESSAGE:

Long suffering comes from a place of deep strength; emotional, spiritual, intellectual and even physical strength. It is the courage to bear harsh realities of life. It means self-restraint in the face of anger, hunger, frustration or any other bad situation. Long suffering is the ability to patiently forebear and wait for the promises to God to come to pass even when all the signs say otherwise.

Long suffering also comes with the ability to quickly let go, forgive, and move on no matter how much we are being treated unfairly. In this present world, long suffering is very far-fetched, but it is an attribute that every Christian must possess to be able to run the race successfully to the end. The good news is that the Holy Spirit is ever present to help us, and absolute obedience to His leading births long suffering in us. Every time you choose to go with the prompting of the Holy Spirit rather than the promptings of your flesh, you build up your long suffering.

Prayer Point: Sweet Holy Spirit, please fill my heart with patience and strength.

Also Read: Teen Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye

Hymn 5:

Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
Christ, the Royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See His banners go!

Chorus
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!

At the Sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise!

Like a mighty army
Moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod;
We are not divided;
All one body we
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.

Onward, then, ye people,
Join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song;
Glory, praise and honour,
Unto Christ the King;
This, through countless ages
Men and angels sing.

Daily Devotional for Teen’s guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.

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DCLM Daily Manna 13 December 2018 – Shun Inordinate Ambition

Topic: Shun Inordinate Ambition [DCLM Daily Manna 13 December 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

Text: Mark 9:30-37 (KJV)

Key Verse: “And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).

MESSAGE:

It is truism that “pride goes before a fall”. The Christian life is filled with various paradoxes such as ‘the way up is down’, ‘the way to live is to die’, and ‘the way to receive is to give’. The uniform teaching of the word of God is against self-seeking, self-projection, self-exaltation, inordinate ambition and pride of life.

The projection of self in every endeavour describes what sin itself is: Selfishness In Nature. No doubt, God is interested in our progress, success, breakthrough and advancement. He says, “we shall be the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath”, that “whatsoever we do shall prosper”, and many more! However, our motives, modes and methods of actualising this are of great concern to God.

In the world today, people seek a place of prominence in the workplace and the neighbourhood. In several instances, they take steps that are ungodly to attain the desired position, thereby losing the presence and favour of God. This reminds us of a certain young man who coveted the position of his boss and felt that the boss had stayed too long there and must give way to him. He travelled to the village and mentioned it before his fetish father. His father promised to look into the case. Back in the place of work the following week, his boss just got to his office in the morning, slumped and died. His father called him and told him he had “finished” the work. What a world!

Bribing our way to success, cutting corners to reach the top and defying all Christian ethics including using undue influence popularly called “long leg”, run contrary to God’s word. His word, way and time are the best in achieving the desired best for our lives.

Thought For The Day: Making haste outside God’s plan attracts His displeasure.

Bible Reading In One Year: Acts 24-26

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM Daily Manna HERE

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

Flatimes’ Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

The post DCLM Daily Manna 13 December 2018 – Shun Inordinate Ambition appeared first on Flatimes.

Our Daily Bread 13 December 2018 Devotional – The “Hope for a Baby” Tree

Topic: The “Hope for a Baby” Tree [Our Daily Bread 13 December 2018 Devotional]

Read: Lamentations 3:1–3, 13–24, Bible in a Year: Hosea 12–14; Revelation 4

His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22–23

After wrapping the tree with clear twinkle lights, I tied pink and blue bows on its branches and christened it our “Hope for a Baby” Christmas tree. My husband and I had been waiting for a baby through adoption for more than four years. Surely by Christmas!

Every morning I stopped at the tree and prayed, reminding myself of God’s faithfulness. On December 21 we received the news: no baby by Christmas. Devastated, I paused by the tree that had become a symbol of God’s provision. Was God still faithful? Was I doing something wrong?

At times, God’s apparent withholding results from His loving discipline. And other times God lovingly delays to renew our trust. In Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah describes God’s correction of Israel. The pain is palpable: “He pierced my heart with arrows from his quiver” (3:13). Through it all, Jeremiah also expresses ultimate trust in God’s faithfulness: “His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (vv. 22–23).

I left the tree standing well beyond Christmas and continued my morning prayer. At last, on Easter weekend, we received our baby girl. God is always faithful, though not necessarily on our timeline nor always according to our desires.

My children are now in their thirties, but each year I set up a miniature version of the tree, reminding myself and others to hope in God’s faithfulness.

Prayer: Dear God, help me trust You today even when I can’t see what You are doing. You are faithful.

The best reason for hope is God’s faithfulness.

INSIGHT
The book of Lamentations expresses the grief of Jerusalem following the 587 bc invasion of Babylon. With her walls broken, her children exiled, and survivors living in the rubble of better times, it bares the soul of a once-proud people.
In its original Hebrew language, the book is composed of five chapters of carefully constructed poems. Its finely polished composition provides literary relief to the overwhelming confusion of a nation that has lost control of its own emotions and destiny. The only hope left is in the belief that above the clouds of this dark night of a nation’s soul, there is a God who has in the past shown that His mercies and love will never end.
Mart DeHaan

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Bread Devotionals HERE

This message was written By Elisa Morgan [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

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Israel Works to Demine Land Near Jesus’ Baptismal Site

Israel Works to Demine Land Near Jesus’ Baptismal Site



After 50 years as a military zone, the area which houses seven monasteries and is known as the “land of monasteries,” is being cleared of landmines and given back to the various surrounding churches.


According to Haaretz, the area, which is thought to be the site where John the Baptists baptized Jesus, was under Jordanian control until 1967 when the Six Day War claimed the area as a war zone and it was mined and booby-trapped.


Now, more than five decades later, the Mine Action Authority at the defense ministry, the Halo Foundation, the Engineering Corps and 4CI are working together to remove all of the mine and unexploded ordinance there. So far, the group has removed the mines from three monasteries. Once the traps and explosives are completely removed, the Mine Action Authority intends on returning the area to the surrounding churches and opening them up to tourists, as they once were.


According to Haaretz, 50 out of the 250 total acres have been swept and cleaned of mines. The Mine Action Committee plans to finish the project by the end of 2019.


Col. Max Nudelman from the Engineering Corps told the outlet that more than 1,000 mines have been removed so far. They are anticipating the removal of at least twice as many mines in the remaining land. Jordan has also played an important role in the mine removal process, as they agreed to lend a hand in clearing the eastern bank of…

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First Lady Melania Trump Takes Part in Toys for Tots Toy Drive

First Lady Melania Trump Takes Part in Toys for Tots Toy Drive



First lady Melania Trump attended a Marine Toys for Tots event held at the Joint Anacostia-Boiling Military Base in southwestern Washington, D.C on Tuesday. 


The first lady shared a few words of insight before she assisted the kids in filling boxes with toys, stating that “As a mother, I feel children are the most precious gift of all. As First Lady, I have made it my mission to shine a light on programs that provide more opportunities for children to succeed.”


After the boxes were filled with toys, the children took time to write Christmas cards that would be added to each box. The first lady and several US Marines got involved with the activities, helping the children write their letters. 


The event wasn’t complete without a visit from Santa Claus, who arrived with bags that read “Be Best” on the front. The first last helped give out the bags before she visited with the parents of the many children at the event. 


The first lady spoke highly of the organization, telling AOL: “Their mission to send messages of hope to children and motivate them to grow into responsible and patriotic citizens and community leaders is so important to our society. 


“I had been looking forward to this event ever since last year’s ended,” she recalled. 


The Marine Toys for Tots program has been sharing a message of hope with less fortunate children since 1947, according…

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