Our Voice of the Martyrs meeting was last night, and what a blessing.  We were blessed to hear the truth, we were blessed to be able to gather freely to discuss issues of persecution, we ARE blessed because we belong to Jesus. It wasn't easy to hear all the stories of real people, real persecution,  but it was needful. Hebrews 13:3 says, "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity as being yourselves also in the body."

In our speaker's words, because they hurt, we as the body should come alongside them in prayer to lift them up!

At our last meeting two years ago with the same VOM representative, we had 15 show up. Last night over forty women came! We are so thankful for such an improved turnout--not because we want a name for our church, nothing like that. We want as many people as possible to learn about this issue and PRAY FERVENTLY.

Everyone there signed up  for the free monthly newsletter, and all Doehill readers can, too. Just go here:  http://www.persecution.com/client/newsletter_moreInfo.cfm?value=VOM

It was so moving to hear from someone who had met the people that we read about in the VOM newsletters.  People like "Juan." He watched his wife tortured and brutalized because of their stand for Christ and was himself tortured. His captors loaded a gun with one bullet and time after time fired the gun at his head, but each time, no bullets fired. After their captors tired of this, they left them alone, but one man returned the same night to ask "Juan" about the gun that didn't seem to fire bullets. That same night, "Juan" led that man to Jesus Christ at his personal Savior.

The question our speaker raised, and that I can't stopped thinking about, is how much is one soul worth?  Could I have been in the same situation and yet have been able to offer hope to the one who had hurt me? Could I have led that man to Jesus? Can I truly love the way Jesus, our precious Lord, does? "Juan" and his family are in grave danger still. Please pray for them.

Then there's the story of a little girl living in slums who has brought over thirty others to Christ because she and her little brother and sister have purposed to go to every nearby shack and tell the people about Jesus. Girls like Yasmeen, and Azra, and so many others who suffer because they will not deny Jesus Christ, and pay a price for following Him--losing homes and family relations. 

There's also the story of one man in Columbia that rebels won't kidnap because they consider him and his faith in Christ too dangerous to have around some of  their more impressionable younger recruits.  He was kidnapped, once.  While chained to a tree in the jungle he would openly praise God for creating such a  marvel as a tree. When they fed him garbage he praised the Lord for vitamins and minerals, no matter how they came to him. When they hurt him, he praised God that he could praise God. Younger rebels became sneaking around him at night to hear him speak about Jesus, even though their commander had forbidden anybody to speak with him. They finally sent him home. He was worthless for ransom, too much trouble to kill, but oh how precious he is to Jesus!   The rebels made him leave their camp because his witness for Christ was too persuasive. Can you imagine? Being kidnapped and then forced to leave because you are too much trouble? Too effective a witness for Jesus?

It was a sobering message. One that directly addressed the notion that, "It can't happen here."  Well, it can. And if it doesn't happen in our lifetime or that of our children, what excuse do we have to not be concerned about our family in Christ that IS suffering now? Does our safety and freedom negate the responsibility for Christians here to pray for brothers and sisters in Christ in other places that don't enjoy our freedoms?

I encourage every reader of Doehill to go to www.persecution.com to sign up and learn more about it. Sign up for the newsletters, go to www.vommeetings.com to learn about upcoming events in your area or to get a speaker to come to your church, homeschool group, home Bible study, Sunday school. 

Most of all, please pray. If you can participate in the aid programs for suffering saints like Action Packs, sending Bibles, or writing encouraging letters to those in prison for their faith, then please do so. But most of all pray. Prayer goes where we can't, works what we can't , and costs us only our time.