Answers to prayer

1 The failure of Communism to eradicate Christianity

2 The growth of biblical Christianity in the midst of appalling suffering and deprivation

Challenges for prayer

1 Continual war since 1962 has been devastating

a) The healing of the nation at every level

b) Lasting peace and a righteous government sensitive to the well-being of the people

c) Those seeking to alleviate suffering by clearing mines, rebuilding the infrastructure, homes, hospitals, schools and churches

2 Luanda and other major cities have become the home of refugee populations living in squalid despair

3 Christians have suffered ostracism, abuse, discrimination and outright persecution for many decades

4 The church has not emerged unscathed and needs much prayer – specifically for:

a) Love that transcends tribal loyalties and the violent politics that fed on such, often dividing Christians

b) Forgiveness of the perpetrators of violence and of Christians who compromised under pressure

c) The ending of state restrictions and manipulation, and the emergence of true freedom of religion

d) Christ-like, holy living by followers of the Lord Jesus that commends the gospel to unbelievers, and a passion for outreach to their disillusioned, apathetic neighbours

e) Unity in the gospel

Geography

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Area 1,246,700 sq.km. Coastal state dominating Congo-DRC's and Zambia's trade routes to the Atlantic.

Population (2000) 12,878,188 +3.25%AGR

Capital Luanda 2,665,000 (unofficially nearly 4 million).

Peoples

Bantu 97.9%; Khoisan 0.6%; Other 1.5%.

Literacy Officially 42% (but more likely 27%). Official language Portuguese. All languages 42. Languages with Scriptures 12Bi 3NT 13por 5w.i.p.

Economy

Enormous potential — rich and well watered agricultural land, diamonds, iron. HDI 0.398; 160^th/174. Public debt 294% of GNP. Income/person $270 (0.8% of USA).

Politics

A Portuguese colony for 450 years.

Religion

The first President, a Marxist, vowed to eradicate Christianity within 20 years, there have been many incidents of repression and outright persecution of Christians.

Churches in Angola

Missionaries from Angola

44 in 5 agencies and in 5 lands.

Missionaries to Angola

187 in 30 agencies and from 13 lands

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