After accusing them of being spies, Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez has given a group of New Tribes missionaries until Sunday to leave their remote outposts among jungle tribes. Chavez has become well known for his anti-American rhetoric, despite the fact that his regime gets millions of dollars in American money through the CITGO oil company, which his government owns. New Tribes Mission spokeswoman Nita Zelenak says the missionaries facing the Chavez expulsion order are “shattered.” She says 35 missionaries have relocated to urban areas while they appeal the order, some after decades of evangelism and Bible translation work amongst the tribes. Zelenak tells Associated Press that Christians’ prayers would be appreciated. “Continue to pray for all those involved,” she requests. “This has been a very difficult thing, [as] you can imagine, for both the missionaries and the tribal people who are their good friends because it’s difficult to say goodbye not knowing when or if you’ll be able to see each other again.” Still, she says the expulsion has not shaken their faith. “We have very strong confidence that God is in control and that He will bring good from this situation,” Zelenak shares. “We just don’t know what His purpose is. But we know that whatever it is, it will be accomplished.” New Tribes has denied Chavez’s charge that it has been spying for the CIA and foreign mining and pharmaceutical firms, and has offered to open its jungle missions to government inspectors.

- Fred Jackson