Day 10
Benin
Artworks from the former Kingdom of Benin, which are currently located in 131 museums in 20 countries, are listed on the “Digital Benin” online platform, which was presented in Berlin. It was a decisive step toward the restitution of cultural heritage of the country. The project, which officially started two years ago, offers for the first time an overview of all items identified by official institutions. Altogether, 5,246 items located in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada and Israel, as well as in 14 European countries, were cataloged at the launch of the platform. Even though the debate surrounding the return of cultural assets to their countries of origin wasn’t always smooth, the cooperation with the museums was open and constructive. Pray for Benin to repent and denounce demonic worship. Pray that Beninese come to their senses and worship the true living God(The Bible, Luke 4:8).
Source:
https://www.dw.com/en/digital-benin-lists-looted-colonial-artifacts/a-63697371
Patrice Guillaume Athanase Talon is a Beninese politician and businessman who has been President of Benin since 6 April 2016. An economist and investment banker turned politician, Lionel Zinsou was appointed Prime Minister of Benin in June 2015. Benin is best known for its peaceful democracy, one of the most stable in Africa. However, corruption remains a significant issue. The country, once hosting main ports crucial in the slave trade, still negotiates shady deals. Poverty increases each year. The nation’s annual Voodoo Day brings thousands of participants to the country’s celebration. Voodoo, a religion approved by the government, has more than 60% devotees and contributes to significant spiritual bondages over the nation, its people, and the Church. The country allows for freedom to practice and propagates any religion.
Day 10
Indonesia
Across Indonesia each year 12 million girls are married before they turn 18 making it among the 10 nations of the world with the highest number of child brides. Advocacy groups say that child brides are significantly more at risk of exploitation, sexual violence, domestic abuse, and death in early childbirth. Though the Constitutional Court agreed to increase the legal age for marriage, it did not specify which age, rendering the ruling meaningless. Lawmakers have spent the last three years arguing about what the age should be increased to. Pray for a speedy resolution and a passing of a new, enforceable law. Pray for young girls to hear about the love of Jesus this month (The Bible, Ephesians 5:2).
Source: Indonesian Legislator: “End Child Marriage Hell. It’s as if We Didn’t Care.” (Missions Box)
Having Southeast Asia’s strongest economy, Indonesia is also one of the G20’s wealthiest. It is the world’s fourth most populous nation. It also has the largest concentration of Muslims, yet Indonesia has an astonishingly high level of Christian presence. More than twelve percent of the population are Christians, over 33 million people, with church growth continuing to increase. While Christianity is not illegal, provincial laws can override it and Islamic law is sometimes used. Muslim extremists continue to spread anti-Christian messages in the public sector. President Widodo’s agenda to shift Indonesia from secularism to Islamization would seem to predict elevated levels of Christian persecution in the future. Indonesia has been the worst affected nation in Southeast Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic. They currently hold the 2022 presidency of the G20 and during the Summit in Bali, Indonesia called for urgent attention to be paid to the current global food and fuel crisis.
