Sudan (MNN) -- The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is calling on cooler heads to prevail over the conflict between Sudan and newly-independent South Sudan. Khartoum is accused of bombing refugee camps in the South--a charge they deny. It seems the war of words may be coming to actual conflict. Phil Byler with Africa Inland Missions says, "The President of South Sudan is now saying that war is a possibility. Up until this point, he has repeatedly said, 'We will not go to war again.' This is a disturbing trend." Disturbing, but not alarming. AIM-AIR helped evacuate teams. "The war activity along the border area disrupts life drastically. That's why there are refugees. Consequently, the work of the church and the presentation of the Gospel is disrupted as everybody goes into a survival mode." No one wants war. "Pray that the Gospel can go forth to these people and that peace will prevail."

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/16468

Turkey (MNN) -- Turkey suffered another earthquake yesterday morning. Sources say about 644 people have died in quakes in Turkey over the last month. The International Mission Board reports that the major earthquake in October, dozens of aftershocks, last week's quake, as well as yesterday's, have left Turks terrified. A local church in Van is doing all they can to respond with Christ's love: handing out relief and trying to comfort those riddled with fear. Keep praying for Turkey.

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/16470

Philippines (MNN) -- In 2013, CURE International will be opening a new children's hospital in Davao City, Philippines. The groundbreaking is slated for January 2012 and will be a celebration of the first project between the CURE and The Tim Tebow Foundation. The 30-bed surgical facility will be in a particularly poor area of the Philippines. Their CURE team works in the name of Christ and often has opportunities to share their faith with patients. Pray for Gospel opportunities. Learn more about this ministry partnership online.

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/16467

Russia (MNN) --How would you like to hold a tea party and make an eternal difference in the lives of children in the former Soviet Union? That's what Sergey Rakhuba with Russian Ministries is hoping you'll do this Christmas season. Rakhuba says he'll even help you with the menu -- tea and Russian cookies. "We [tell people] how to organize a Russian tea party and make Russia cookies with the recipes we offer on our Web sit. Host a tea party with your family, friends, children, Bible study groups, Sunday school or even your neighbors." As you host this tea party, Rakhuba would like you to pray for a Russian child. "Just pick a name. Any name from Russia. And think of a child who has no chance. Then at the end , make a pledge of at least $25 to reach that child through Russian Ministries with a wonderful Gift of Hope." Russian Ministries has a radio special to help Christian stations catch the vision. We'll connect you at our Web site.

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/16471

International (MNN) -- Over the last month, various nations have claimed ownership of the world's seven-billionth person. Bruce Smith with Wycliffe Associates says the population record has just helped put Bible translation into perspective. "About 5 billion of those people are still without Christ, and over one billion of them have inadequate Scriptures to even begin to understand who Christ is." But with new technology, those numbers are decreasing faster than ever. "Instead of taking 30-35 years for a New Testament translation to be completed, in many cases the national Christians are doing translations in about eight years." Wycliffe's Translation Acceleration Kits shave two years more off of that. What are the kits? "It's just our way of describing a satellite modem that allows translation teams anywhere in the world to connect to the internet for the purposes of trading e-mails and translation files with their teammates." The modems are relatively cheap and reach very remote areas of the world. Help at our website.

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/16469