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Belarus in sanctions fight with the United States

Sanctions imposed on Belarus by the United States prompted a flurry of diplomatic jockeying between ambassadors, reports MNN.

The United States said Ambassador Karen Stewart will remain in Minsk for the foreseeable future. There were concerns though, that with the hostilities brewing, Americans could face trouble in the country.

Global Aid Network's Charles Debter confirms that their team just wrapped up a project in the Chernobyl area. "The reports that we're getting from the team is that they're having open opportunities to minister in places in Belarus, and they've not received any hostilities during their time there."

Belarus has a strict religion law, and enforcement could bring trouble for missionaries. However, "Our teams are there visiting as tourists, and they are there as humanitarian aid providers. So we have an open door."

GAiN USA has a long history in the region, too. The agency was among the first Western ministries to travel into Belarus after the fall of communism in the early 1990s to address the physical and spiritual needs.

As a result, their reputation is that of compassionate care in meeting the physical needs of many hurting Belarusians, and they continue to see many lives transformed by Jesus Christ.

The current team just returned home over the weekend from Minsk. They also worked in the "Breakout City" of Gomel, where physical help and spiritual hope are critically needed. The group conducted church support outreach in the form of humanitarian aid to orphanages and hospital.

There's another team slated for a visit in July. However, as relations sour, Debter says the situation could change at any time. "We don't know that that's going to close. We hope that because we're bringing humanitarian help, as well as the good news of Christ, that we will have opportunities to continue to do so in Belarus."

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[03/11/2008]

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