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NAMB Prayer Lists/News

2011-07-29

Weekly Prayer Updates Update 07/29/2011

vom groups
weekly prayer updates
"Prayer is the pulse of life; by it the doctor can tell what is the condition of the heart. The sin of prayerlessness is a proof for the ordinary Christian or minister that the life of God in the soul is in deadly sickness and weakness." - Andrew Murray

"praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" - Ephesians 6:18

VOM-USA Prayer Update for July 29, 2011
On Wed. Jul 27 2011 at 02:18 PM Moderator wrote:
Uzbekistan--Police Harass Pastor
VOM Sources

Galatians 5:1

On July 9, security police harassed a pastor and confiscated his laptop while he was waiting for his wife at a market. As Pastor Salavat waited for his wife in their car, two men in military uniforms approached the pastor and asked him to step out of the car. The men grabbed Salavat and treated him roughly. Salavat demanded to see their IDs, which they showed him before searching his car without permission or cause. "It looked as though they were looking for something specific," Salavat said. It soon became clear that they were searching for his laptop, which they confiscated without offering a warrant or receipt. Ten days later, Salavat's laptop was returned without explanation. Pray for Salavat and his family, and pray for all Uzbek Christians who aren't able to worship freely.

South Sudan--Christians Remain at Risk
VOM Canada, Middle East Concern

2 Timothy 1:7-12

South Sudan officially gained independence from Sudan on July 9, becoming a new nation. The secession follows a long history of violent conflict, including two civil wars between the largely Islamic north and the Christian and animist majority in the south. Christians, in particular, have endured severe oppression. Although many have expressed hope for a more peaceful future, it is clear that Christians on both sides of the new border remain at risk. Violence erupted in several areas in the months leading to South Sudan's independence. Government agents and Islamic militants looted churches and killed Christians in parts of South Kordofan state. Many are concerned that churches in Sudan may face further restrictions on freedom of worship if the government implements a strict form of Islamic law. As Christians continue to flee to South Sudan, it is also feared that believers who remain in the north may be especially vulnerable to violence, pressure and accusations of defaming Islam. Pray that Christians in both Sudan and South Sudan will continue to entrust themselves to Christ, knowing that he is sovereign over kings of the earth.

Nigeria--Maiduguri Christians Face Extremist Threat
Release International, Compass Direct News

2 Corinthians 5:18

Christians are fleeing the northern city of Maiduguri amid threats of further large-scale attacks by Islamic extremists. Most churches in Maiduguri have been boarded up and are under police or military guard as rumors spread that Boko Haram militants are planning a "massive attack" for the end of July. The widely anticipated assault would mark the two-year anniversary of the death of the group's founder, Mohammed Yusuf, who died in police custody. Church attendance in Maiduguri has reportedly fallen dramatically following a series of bomb attacks on churches there. Leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria have advised churches to suspend or reschedule services, and several have changed service times to try to outwit potential attackers. Church leaders fear that this extremist threat could deepen the divide between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. "This Boko Haram has to be dealt with before they plunge the entire nation into a very serious crisis," a church leader in Maiduguri told Compass Direct. Pray for the safety of Christians in Maiduguri, and pray that Muslim extremists will see that they can be reconciled to God only through Jesus Christ.

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2011-07-27

Zondervan Blog

Zondervan Blog


Remembering John Stott

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 01:17 PM PDT

In honor of John R. W. Stott, 27 April 1921 – 27 July 2011.

 

Basic Christianity

It was 1998 when I first read John Stott in a small group. Our leader selected Basic Christianity as our book of study for the year. I had certainly heard of John Stott before as my father had studied Theology and Church History and often would mention St. Francis, Stott, Luther, and other leaders of Christian thought over dinner. However, as a teen my perception was that Stott was just an old guy that wrote some books.

As we studied and discussed Basic Christianity I quickly realized how wrong I was. Stott had put on paper God's truth in plain language. It was impactful to say the least. And it helped form the foundations of my faith and formed my desire to learn more and more.


Years later I had an opportunity to pay this foundation forward, as I led a group of young men in a similar study and discussion.


It is sad to hear of John Stott's passing today. Yet, I am reminded to rejoice in the legacy and impact that he has had on entire generations of Christians. I trust that he heard the words, "Well done good and faithful servant."


Read more about John Stott at Christianity Today.

-Caleb Williams, Zondervan Internet Team

 

Secret Church

Secret Church


SECRET CHURCH 11 – Ticket Sale Date Announced

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 07:30 AM PDT

The ticket sale date for Secret Church 11 – “Marriage, Family, Sex, and the Gospel” – was announced today through DMI (Disciple-Making International).  Tickets for the next Secret Church at The Church at Brook Hills will be available for purchase on the Secret Church website on Monday, August 15, at 9am (CST) on the Schedule & Tickets page.  For more information, visit the Secret Church website.

Secret Church Simulcast
Secret Church will once again be simulcast in partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources.  Simulcast registration for small groups and churches is scheduled to begin Thursday, September 1.  For more information, visit the Secret Church simulcast site – LifeWay.com/SecretChurch.

 

2011-07-26

Secret Church

Secret Church


Secret Church 10 – Uganda, Africa – Part 2

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 05:47 AM PDT

The following post is the second in a series by Joy Breedlove, a missionary serving in Africa.

“In the first session of Secret Church 10, Pastor David clearly identified the deception Satan is using in our churches today not only here in Uganda, but for churches all over our world. He is deceiving people by convincing them they are saved when they are not.

When I was eleven years old I heard a sermon preached on hell…this sermon placed a great fear in me. Someone lead me in a prayer and the following Sunday I was baptized. For the next 17 years I lived my life believing that if I died I was not going to this horrible place called hell. Reality was…I was going to hell because I had not been saved…I had been deceived into thinking all was well with my soul because someone prayed a prayer with me.

After those 17 years of being deceived, living a life with no fruits being evident of one saved by God’s grace, someone shared the true meaning of salvation with me and I surrendered my life to Jesus. From that day forward I longed to tell others about true salvation. The years that followed I took many evangelism courses. I wanted to be effective when I shared the gospel. Yet in every one of those courses, as we went out to witness, I was burdened with the same issue over and over again….are all of these people really being saved? Do they really understand what salvation is or have they now been deceived as I was into thinking all is well with their souls, when it is not.

When the Lord brought me to Uganda I was burdened more than ever as to so many people being deceived into believing they are saved. Having the opportunity to teach in small groups clarified how deceived they truly are. Here, very often people have a mixture of several different types of religion. For most because of their illiteracy and limited access to a bible, they cannot confirm what the Word of God really says, so they believe what everyone tells them. You share the gospel and they add it to all the other beliefs they claim.

As the pastors here in Uganda listened to Pastor David explain in Secret Church 10 how to know if someone is saved…it became obvious that their perceptions had also been a part of this great deception. To learn that salvation is more than repeating a prayer someone has prayed, opened their eyes to changes that must be made when the gospel is shared.

I was thankful to hear Pastor David address the burden that had weighed me down for so long. Although his teachings clarified that spiritual deception is real, I sensed an even deeper burden for those caught up in this deception. Please pray for us here in Uganda…the truth has been exclaimed and now we must aggressively seek those out who have been deceived and share the truth of God's word with them.”

_____________________

Secret Church 10 (including Study Guides) is now available online for free download or for purchase through the DMI store.

Simulcast information for Secret Church 11 – "Marriage, Family, Sex, and the Gospel" can be found on the Secret Church Simulcast site - LifeWay.com/SecretChurch.

2011-07-25

Zondervan Blog

Zondervan Blog


Autism Society of America Honors Emily Colson for Memoir "Dancing with Max"

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 02:14 PM PDT

 

Learn More about Dancing with Max Learn More

We're excited for Emily Colson, whose memoir Dancing with Max has been awarded the 2011 Autism Society of America's Outstanding Literary Work Award in the Family/Social category! 


Dancing with Max: A Mother and Son Who Broke Free
is the true story of Emily Colson and
 her austistic son Max. As a single parent of an autistic child, Emily has seen her share of challenges — but her life with Max has also shown her many valuable lessons and unexpected gifts.


A crucial moment came, Emily says, when Max was nine. His autism was so significant that they could barely leave the house. It was then that Emily decided she and Max could no longer be held captive by their circumstances; Emily decided they would live the next day big, bold, and brave. As Emily says in this video interview from Lifetime's The Balancing Act, "This is a book for all of us, about breaking free ... of the things that hold us hostage."


You can read the first chapters of Dancing With Max for free on Scribd.


If you've read Dancing with Max we'd love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment on this post.


2011-07-23

Secret Church

Secret Church


SECRET CHURCH – Prayer Focus

Posted: 22 Jul 2011 05:11 AM PDT

In Iraq a house church leader was taken from his home by a radical group of Muslims for sharing the Gospel and leading others to Christ.  For more information about how to pray for this man, his family, and others visit the Voice of the Martyrs website.

2011-07-22

Weekly Prayer Updates Update 07/22/2011

vom groups
weekly prayer updates
"Prayer is the pulse of life; by it the doctor can tell what is the condition of the heart. The sin of prayerlessness is a proof for the ordinary Christian or minister that the life of God in the soul is in deadly sickness and weakness." - Andrew Murray

"praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" - Ephesians 6:18

VOM-USA Prayer Update for July 22, 2011
On Mon. Jul 18 2011 at 12:49 PM Moderator wrote:
Laos--Family Kicked Out for Trusting God
VOM Sources

Psalm 84:2

A Christian man was kicked out of his family home for taking his daughter to a medical doctor rather than seeking treatment from a witch doctor. The 26-year-old man, "Noy," lived with his wife and two children in his in-laws' home. After he converted to Christianity, he began attending church on Sunday rather than working in the field. His faith was a source of contention in the family, but Noy stood firm. When his daughter became ill, the family told Noy to take her to a witch doctor. Instead, Noy said, "I will take my daughter to the hospital. God will rescue her life." His in-laws cursed him, and while he was at the hospital, they burned his Bible and other Christian books. When Noy returned after his daughter's recovery, his in-laws told him he couldn't live there unless he renounced his faith. Noy refused, saying, "How can I forsake the living God?" They then forced him to leave the house. VOM workers helped Noy and his family purchase a simple bamboo house, but they were left with no clothing and nothing for cooking or farming. Thank the Lord that this family stood firm and is continuing to attend church joyfully. Pray that God will help us meet their physical needs.

Vietnam--Pastor Arrested and Beaten by Authorities
VOM Canada

Jeremiah 30:17

Pastor T, a Mennonite from Ho Chi Minh City, was arrested on June 26, then beaten and taken to an unknown location. Nu, Pastor T's wife, said her husband left home around 10 p.m. and phoned 15 minutes later to say he was being held at Ward 26 of Binh Thanh District Police Station. Nu and other church members went to the heavily guarded police station, but authorities denied having Pastor T in custody. Nu called out to her husband from a back door, and he responded, "I'm here. They have brutally beaten me. My jaw and hand are broken, and they have shackled my legs and hands. I'm very tired and am in pain." Nu pleaded with police to let her see her husband, but they refused. Later, she saw him being taken by car to another location. Pastor T's condition and location are unknown, and his house has been raided. Please pray for Pastor T's health, and pray that God will strengthen and comfort him and his wife.

INDIA--Pastor's Father Beaten
VOM Canada, Compass Direct

2 Timothy 3:12

Hindu extremists in Pratapgarh, Rajasthan state, have threatened to kill Pastor Shantilal Ninama after beating his family and violating an agreement to stop attacking them last month. The extremists had agreed to do no further harm to Pastor Ninama and his family if he would drop police charges he had filed over a previous attack. Although Pastor Ninama dropped the charges, the Hindu extremists stormed into his home on the evening of June 8 and began beating his father, sister, wife and three children. As the pastor sought police help, his 65-year-old father fell unconscious, and his wife, sister and two of his children ran outside. Another daughter hid beneath a bed. The Rev. Prabhatkar Malladi, secretary of the Udaipur Diocese in Rajasthan, said extremists were threatening to kill the pastor. "The villagers are not allowing any Christian leaders to enter into the village to meet Pastor Ninama, but we are taking necessary steps to help the pastor, and one advocate is now taking up the case," he said. Pray that God will use Pastor Ninama's witness to soften the hearts of the extremists and those in authority.

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The Voice of the Martyrs Official Homepage

www.VOMBooks.com
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2011-07-21

Zondervan Blog

Zondervan Blog


Bloggers: Sign up to Review "Nobody's Child" by Austin Boyd

Posted: 21 Jul 2011 01:26 PM PDT

 

Nobody's Child
Learn More

We're giving away 50 copies of Austin Boyd's new novel Nobody's Child to bloggers for review. Sign up below, and if your blog is selected we'll ship you a review copy of the book.


Austin Boyd's Nobody's Child: What Price Will a Mother Pay to Save Her Only Child? is a story of love lost and loves found. Weaving together faith and contemporary questions of bioethics, the heart-rending tale hearkens to the myth of Pandora's box — of unprecedented choices never intended by heaven, and their unintended consequences never before seen on earth.


To Laura Ann McGehee of Nobody's Child, her body represents the one remaining financial resource that can save the family farm. For Sophia McQuistion, Laura Ann's unusual sacrifice fulfills her own dream of having a child. The story poignantly dramatizes the question, "Just because we can ... should we?"

 

Sign up for the Nobody's Child Blog Tour

  1. Sign up by Monday, July 25. If your blog is selected we'll ship you a copy of the book.
  2. Post your review on your blog during the week of August 29. Please link to your review in a comment here on Zondervan Blog, because we'd like to hear your thoughts on the story!
  3. Please post your review on your favorite book retailer's website (amazon.com, christianbook.com, etc.).
  4. In your review please mention that Zondervan gave you a free copy for the purpose of an unbiased review.

 

 (DON'T SEE A SIGNUP FORM? Go here.)

 

About The Pandora Files Series 
Nobody's Child is the first in a new series called The Pandora Files, stories that dramatize ethical questions we can no longer ignore in medicine. Journey to the crossroads of life and science, where some believe that recent medical advances promise us a better existence. Are we embracing hope in biotechnology ... or being seduced by the illusion of playing God? Push headlong into the uncharted labyrinth of bioethics. Everything's not what it first appears on this quest—a journey of discovering that our actions may have unintended consequences. Just because we can ... should we?

 

About Austin Boyd
Austin Boyd Austin Boyd is the award-winning author of the thrilling space suspense trio, The Evidence, The Proof and The Return. An inventor, business entrepreneur, spacecraft engineer, and Navy pilot, he weaves real science with true-to-life characters in descriptive page-turning suspense. Austin and his wife, Cindy are the parents of four adult children and live in Huntsville, Alabama where he manages an engineering and design company, and serves the community through Crisis Pregnancy ministries. Learn more at www.AustinBoyd.com.

 

 

Secret Church

Secret Church


Highlight – Survey of the Old Testament

Posted: 20 Jul 2011 11:46 AM PDT

(The following excerpt was taken from the Secret Church transcripts for "Survey of the Old Testament" by David Platt.  You can find these transcripts and other resources by going to DiscipleMakingIntl.org.)

"We don’t exactly know who wrote Job, nor do we know exactly when it was written.   Most likely it was written during the time of the patriarchs:  Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, it would chronologically fit somewhere in that time frame.  Job was a real man in real history (Ezekiel 14:14-20; James 5:11).  Again this is not a fictional fable or story.  What is written actually happened.

The question that Job asks across the board is, “How and why do the righteous suffer?”  Job is the most righteous out of all men.  How does he suffer and why does he suffer?  These are the questions you see going back and forth throughout this book.

God is completely sovereign in His dealings with His people.  He will never allow anything to come to His people that is not for their good and His glory.  Don’t miss that.  God’s glory and man’s good are going to be working together, and that creates very difficult tension in Job’s life."

2011-07-19

Zondervan Blog

Zondervan Blog


Beyond Crime and Punishment: Philip Yancey on Prison Fellowship International

Posted: 19 Jul 2011 11:21 AM PDT

 

In his latest blogpost Philip Yancey reflects on his experience at the recent conference of Prison Fellowship International (PFI). For those unfamiliar with PFI, they minister in over 120 countries to prisoners, ex-prisoners, victims and their families. Their vision is to bring restoration and reconciliation into the lives of those involved in and affected by crime. I imagine this wouldn't be easy anywhere, and sometimes they're active in prison conditions that, in Yancey's words, "rival Nazi concentration camps."

Ron Nikkel
Ron Nikkel, President of PFI, has visited more prisons than anyone else in history.

What drives PFI volunteers to do what they do? Most at the conference "insist they do it because Jesus commanded it," says Yancey. "Announcing his mission, [Jesus] included the goal to 'liberate the captives' [Luke 4:14-20] and he said in Matthew 25 that God will judge the nations on how we cared for 'the least of these,' including prisoners."


So how are our nations doing on caring for prisoners? Not so good, says PFI President Ron Nikkel, who has probably visited more prisons than anyone else in history. Nikkel has an interesting opinion about what it takes to bring down crime, and I encourage you to read his thoughts in Yancey's post.


The passion of Nikkel and the volunteers crept under my skin. One commenter says aptly, "It's the kind of stuff that gives you goosebumps – that someone has decided to not forget about prisoners, someone has decided to not write them off as either too far gone or not worth ministering to." 


Yancey concludes his post with a provocative aside: we can't tell the Christian story without including prisoners. There's John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, the thieves crucified next to Jesus, and Jesus himself. If I noticed this before, then I forgot it. I also tend to forget  that every century since then has seen prisoners and martyrs of the faith; and too often I forget that some studies say as many as 1 in 31 American adults are on probation or incarcerated. So PFI got me thinking about some things. They take a hard road when they refuse to write people off as "too far gone" or "not worth ministering to," and I'm thankful for their service.


You can learn how to get involved in PFI's ministry at pfi.org.
(-Adam Forrest, Zondervan Internet Team) 


PS: Have you ever read a life-changing book from a Christian who has been to prison? I know a lot of people who love the prison writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I recommend Alexandr Solzhenitsyn's masterful history The Gulag Archipelago.

 

 

 

2011-07-15

Secret Church

Secret Church


Secret Church 10 – Uganda, Africa – Part 1

Posted: 14 Jul 2011 09:08 AM PDT

The following post is the first in a series from Joy Breedlove, a missionary serving in Uganda, Africa.

“It was 2 am in the early morning hours of April 23rd. I was surrounded by a room full of bush pastors who had joined me to experience Secret Church live via simulcast from Birmingham, Alabama. Everything was set and ready to go….although it was a very stormy night. We had not lost power as we usually do when it storms. We were praying continually for our power to remain as we participated in Secret Church. There was a great sense of excitement as we continued to be amazed that God had made a way for us to participate 8000 miles away.

As the time came for us to begin….our hearts sank as we could not connect to the internet link. Immediately more prayers were prayed as we sought for God to make it possible. As the minutes passed by, it became evident that there was no hope of us being able to watch.

"Pastors in Uganda gathering for Secret Church 10"

Deep within I was experiencing such a sense of sadness. Yet, as I looked over the room at the pastors God had given me the opportunity to encourage, I realized this was a time when my faith would need to not only be evident to those depending on me, but more so, for myself. Although I could not understand or see God's plans….I rested in the assurance that He was in control.

We ended our time together looking forward to a day when we would be able to watch Secret Church via the podcast. Tuesday, July 12th, was that day for us and although we are still processing the knowledge we were given, it is evident that each of us were impacted greatly. These bush pastors love the Lord with all their hearts and serve in ministry with little to no Bible training. This Secret Church session was centered around the foundational doctrines our pastors need to understand in order to shepherd the flocks they have been given.

One pastor said; "I have learned that many people here in Africa who call themselves Christians don't understand Gods way of salvation. I understand after these teachings that I must teach our people the truth."

Another elderly pastor said; "I have been impressed with a heavy responsibility in my mind, heart and even my little wealth I have – to pray for brothers and sisters who are in problem areas such as India, Somalia, Nigeria and especially some parts of Uganda. I feel that I can offer my life to go in those problem places. I shall offer the little I have and contribute to those brothers and sisters who are suffering."

As we discussed from our material the information about the persecuted church in India,  our hearts were burdened for our brothers and sisters there. As we began a time of prayer, it became clear to us why God had postponed our Secret Church until this day. One of our pastors began to pray….in his prayer, he told the Lord that somewhere in India right now there is someone being persecuted who needs our prayers. We do not know who they are, but we believe we have been called together to intercede at this time and this place for them. Immediately all of our hearts and minds were in one accord and we joined together…interceding for the one the Lord knew we needed to pray for.

What a joy it is to serve our Lord….”

____________________

Secret Church 10 (including Study Guides) is now available online for free download or for purchase through the DMI store.

Simulcast information for Secret Church 11 – “Marriage, Family, Sex, and the Gospel” can be found on the Secret Church Simulcast site - LifeWay.com/SecretChurch.

Weekly Prayer Updates Update 07/15/2011

vom groups
weekly prayer updates
"Prayer is the pulse of life; by it the doctor can tell what is the condition of the heart. The sin of prayerlessness is a proof for the ordinary Christian or minister that the life of God in the soul is in deadly sickness and weakness." - Andrew Murray

"praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" - Ephesians 6:18

VOM-USA Prayer Update for July 15, 2011
On Thu. Jul 14 2011 at 02:55 PM Moderator wrote:
Iraq--House Church Leader Kidnapped
VOM Sources

Psalm 41:2

In Dehouk, Iraq, a young girl told a VOM worker how a group of Muslims broke into her family's home and took her father, Jamal. Jamal is an active house church planter who works among the Shabak people, who have Jewish roots and speak Arabic and Kurdish. VOM sources think a radical Muslim group, possibly Al-Qaeda, kidnapped Jamal because he has led many Muslims to Christ. Several weeks ago, the home of one of Jamal's recent converts was sprayed with machine gun fire. VOM workers do not expect Jamal to be freed, and many fear he will be killed. Please pray that God will protect Jamal and that Jamal's family will remain faithful in this time of severe persecution.

North Korea--The Gospel Finds a Way
VOM Sources

2 Samuel 10:12

A VOM-supported discipleship training project is preparing North Koreans who have left their country to share the gospel with countrymen when they return home. "Mr. Kim" was an orphan who had no money, no home and no hope. After fleeing North Korea, he walked to the first house he saw. The family who lived there had compassion on him because they had witnessed the brutal and inhumane way the police treat North Korean refugees. Soon Mr. Kim accepted Christ and joined the discipleship training program. He and two other men in the training say they are thankful for Christians around the world who pray for them and help them. Please continue to pray for courageous Christians who dare to take the gospel into this dark nation.

Burma (Myanmar)--Political Unrest Leads to Ethnic Cleansing
Assist News Service

Ephesians 6:10

Civil war has erupted in northern Burma, and Christians in Kachin state are caught in the conflict between a rebel group and the Burmese military. In the second week of June, clashes over a new hydroelectric plant led to extreme violence. Kachin state is heavily influenced by its Christian background, and the military junta has used the conflict as an excuse for ethnic cleansing. A local priest confirmed that Burmese soldiers are killing the elderly and children, raping women, burning homes and confiscating property. "They use ruthless methods ethnic cleansing," he said. "Almost all [the victims] are Christians." About 16,000 Kachin people are living in refugee camps, and as many as 20,000 are languishing on the Chinese border. The refugees have reportedly received no international help. Please pray for Christians affected by this violence; pray that they will remain strong in the Lord despite their circumstances.

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Download the iOS application on the iTunes Store

Suggested Links

www.Persecution.com
The Voice of the Martyrs Official Homepage

www.VOMBooks.com
The Voice of the Martyrs Online Store

Become a fan of VOM on Facebook
You can become a fan of VOM on Facebook, and connect with other VOM supporters.

www.PrisonerAlert.com
Write to a Christian Prisoner in their own Language

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