November 19, 2009

Dear Ginger

You asked to be notified of VOM Meetings in your area. A new meeting has been scheduled.

Meeting Details

Friendship Baptist Church
Speaker	Robert Brock
Location	3310 Old Niles Ferry Rd Maryville, TN 37804
Date	November 22, 2009 at 09:15 AM

For more information about this meeting, including a description and driving instructions, please click here.

I am so pleased to announce and invite Doehill readers to our church  Sunday,  November 22, to hear a Voice of the Martyrs speaker who has ministered in Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East.  

He will be speaking to the entire church during the Sunday School hour. This special event begins at 9:15 a.m.. If you are going to be in the area [possibly vacationing at the Smokies?] , please feel free to come be with us.  If you've never gotten to hear about their amazing work, I hope you'll come be with us, or at the very least, go visit their website at www.persecution.com .

Once again, we are blessed to have the opportunity to hear about, pray for, and actively help the persecuted Church through this organization. VOM has been to our church before for  two different ladies' mission conferences [here, here, and here] , but this is the first church-wide meeting. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME! Two staffed nurseries are provided.

Please visit out church's website [ www.fbcmaryville.net ] for directions! And come back here for more info as we get closer to the event! in Christ, Gin

Get your IDOP kit at www.persecution.com/idop .

Compass Direct reports that this past Monday, rebel militants in Somalia tricked a Christian woman into revealing she had Bibles in order to murder her. Mariam Muhina Hussein witnessed to  the wife of a rebel militant Islamic leader who pretended to be interested in Christianity. The wife's mission was to confirm that Hussein had Bibles in her possession. The next day, the wife returned with her husband and other men. They also feigned interest in reading God's word, and then shot Hussein.  

This group has been linked to other murders of Christians since July, including the beheading of two boys because their father refused to give information to the rebels about a church leader. Read the whole story here, and be in much prayer for this region. 

Or one day?  One hour? What would you do? Anything different than what you are now? If you knew you only  had that long to live, would serving Jesus even be part of your plans?

Believers in Nepal are face with those very questions. A church was bombed [with fatalities] last month. Believers have now  been threatened with having their homes bombed if they don't stop spreading the Gospel within one month.   Please pray for them. Read the full story here:

http://www.persecution.com/public/newsroom.aspx?story_ID=MTQw

I just read on Voice othe Martyr's  Facebook page that five Iranian Christians were arrested for having a Bible study in a home.  Their whereabouts are unknown.  Please pray for them!

These verses came to mind:

And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake;  (Philippians 1:28-29)

These aren't the first  arrests this year. Two more believers were arrested in March and are in prison now.  Read the full article here:

http://www.persecution.com/public/newsroom.aspx?story_ID=MTQx

Hebrews 13:3:  "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them...."

Now some of you who may be peeved at your preacher, or enjoy juicy gossip about God's messenger, or just plain like to gripe probably don't want to hear about supporting two pastors if you don't like the one you've got. That's something between you, your pastor, and God!  But for those of you who really think that the feet of the one who brings the "glad tidings" of the Gospel are beautiful  [Romans 10:15], read on dear friend in Christ!

If you've read this blog for very long at all, you know that our family is committed to the ministries of Voice of the Martyrs. It is such a privilege to help Christian family in other lands who suffer persecution.  Whether it's sending Bibles, providing food and necessities for persecuted Christian, helping widows of martyrs, or publicizing prayer needs for our Christian family, Voice of the Martyrs is a vital ministry worth supporting. We have a special fondness for the Pastor Support Program.  We support our pastor at our local body of believers, but we also support through the PSP a pastor half a world away.

Through the Pastor Support Program a small monthly contribution helps a pastor continue ministry in difficult circumstances.  Feeding a family is becoming harder to most of us in this country these days, but we've no idea how difficult it is for so many of our Christian family across the world.

We've enjoyed letters from the pastor we support. This man's joy is contagious! We look forward to hearing from him and writing back. His ministry is reaching lost souls, and we've been a small part in that. 

His last letter read in part:

"Praise and thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is always with me in the ministry and everything I do. I'm so grateful because God always open[s] ways for me to share the Good News through the Jesus film....Thanks to the Lord because He gives me wisdom to answer appropriately especially about the principles of [the] Good News. I believe the words of God which have been delivered to them will not come back in vain...."

Just imagine----foregoing a night or two at dinner and a movie can help a pastor reach hundreds, maybe thousands, with the life-giving gospel message of Jesus!  I believe the words of God, too---the Good News really is good news. That's the kind of thing that I want to spread.

http://psp.persecution.com/

Pastor Bike has been arrested, freed, and now his family has been harrassed [to put it mildly] by Chinese authorities. His two sons were beaten with iron bars in their home by authorities.  When their mother called for an ambulance she was told that "higher authorities" had directed that no ambulance be sent to their home.

Read the full story here , here, and also remember them in prayer.

Posting on the persecuted church is a priority of this blog. I just got this from Voice of the Martyrs:

Dear friend of the persecuted church,

In July, The Voice of the Martyrs' main web site, www.persecution.com, was attacked. As a result, we have not been able to send our weekly prayer and news updates.

The first request from our brothers and sisters in restricted nations is that we PRAY FOR THEM, so we are excited to announce the return of our weekly prayer and news updates.

To begin receiving these updates again, please go to www.VOMGroups.com and sign up with a new user name and password. Once you register on the site and subscribe to the prayer updates, they will arrive in your mailbox each Friday.

 

At the story on the website [ http://www.persecution.com/recent_siteAttack.html ] is this disturbing bit of information:

"Our network engineers say the attack originated outside the United States. We have to believe the intent was to silence the online voice of the persecuted church."

Just one more reason to pray, dear ones!

From Voice of the Martyrs:   

Pastor Bike, as he is affectionately known, is considered to be one of the most outspoken evangelists in China. He is a bold believer willing to cross borders, hand out Christian literature and Bibles, share Christ with those under age 18 and lead thousands to Christ. All these actions are considered "illegal" in communist China.

On August 6, just two days before the Olympics began, Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan was arrested, along with his wife and a coworker.

Go to FreePastorBike.com to sign the petition now.

Stacy Harp wrote   Keep On Praying for China ---reminding us to keep praying for brothers and sisters being persecuted in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics.  Just last week, Pastor Hua Huiqi and his family were forcibly evicted from their home by police using a 10-pound hammer to break the door of their apartment.

Here are some other articles of interest on the subject:

CHINA: CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORE OWNER STILL WITHOUT TRIAL from www.compassdirect.org

Christian Persecution Persists Ahead Of Beijing Olympics--from www.christianpost.com

Open Doors with Brother Andrew has initiated a special CHINA PRAYER COUNTDOWN program. 

As part of this program, Open Doors has a  free calendar of prayer requests available in .pdf  form. 

A man in Algeria is on trial for the third time this year for evangelizing. Read it here:

http://www.compassdirect.org/en/display.php?page=news&length=long&lang=en&idelement=5427

And here I commented on the 10,000,000 SBC members who don't even care enough to go to church on Sunday.

We're worlds apart in more ways than one.

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.

Just in case you haven't seen this news splashed all over my blog, THE MEETING WITH VOM REPRESENTATIVE DARCIE GILL IS TONIGHT AT FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH, 3310 OLD NILES FERRY ROAD, MARYVILLE TN!!!!!!!!!! [ www.fbcmaryville.net]

WOW! I am so excited about this meeting. Linda Albert , an editor at the The Daily Times, wrote a fantastic write-up about Voice of the Martyrs in our local paper after interviewing Darcie by telephone. Here's the link to this story:  http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20080406/WOMEN/847471725

Click the sidebar picture of Darcie in the BIG Voice of the Martyrs ad in my sidebar to read more about the meeting. MAPQUEST the church address [above] to get directions. You aren't going to want to miss this!

I've had the big sidebar blog announcement for this meeting for several months now. And now the meeting is only four days away! I'm so excited; hearing Darcie Gill is a blessing. If you can't get to the  VOM conference in June [and I can't], this is much closer to home and only takes an evening from your schedule.

We've had some snafus---online community calendars that didn't list or left out information, the usual press for volunteers, morning sickness---well maybe that's not so usual. But through it all we've seen God's hand move and been thrilled to share about this event.  We're working hard to make this a successful event, and one where lots of women can come hear about our family in Christ that needs our prayers.

So, ladies, if you live in the East Tennessee area, please come join us!  The presentation should last an hour, and the church is very easy to reach [ just two short turns from a main highway ].  There is no admission but if you wish you may contribute an offering after the program at the door.

We occasionally use VOM children's materials in our homeschool, and Darcie will have a table with some VOM materials set up.  See www.vombooks.com for all the resources. The "Kids of Courage" link from that site has lots of materials easily adapted for use in homeschool, Sunday school, Girls in Action groups, etc. 

Ladies, teens, and tweens are invited.  You are very welcome to bring your little ones, too. The two nurseries will not be staffed Monday night, though, but will be open for use.

Here's the link to our church flyer about the event:   http://www.fbcmaryville.net/images/PALS.pdf

And here's the link for directions to the church:  http://www.fbcmaryville.net/ContactUs.htm .

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

MY NOTE---There have also been at least 15 families consisting of 58 people arrested amongHmong Christians in Laos--there are fears that they are being rounded up to be sent back to Vietnam.  Rad more here. On to the newsletter.

_________________________________________

"We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;"   (1 Corinthians 4:12)

Prayers for April 1, 2008 From The Voice of the Martyrs

NORTH KOREA North Korean Students Arrested for Reading the Bible - Free North Korea Broadcasting Ten college students in Ham Kyung Book Do Chung, North Korea, were recently investigated and arrested for reading a Bible and watching a video CD about the Bible. According to Free North Korea Broadcasting, Mr. Jung, former vice president of GumRung Company of the Rodong Dang Labor Organization Department, reported the case and has since escaped to China to avoid arrest by the National Security Agency (Bowiboo). "In March 2006, 200 Life Bibles and several hundred CDs were purchased in China and secretly placed in flour bags before being smuggled into North Korea. This huge Bible smuggling case was headed by GumRung Company employees who were influenced by Christianity in China and underground Christians in Nasun City. All the leaders have been arrested and are being severely tortured. If I am caught, I will be sent to a prison camp for political criminals. I didn't want to die in prison camp, so I escaped," Mr. Jung said. In the Free North Korea Broadcasting report, Mr. Jung added that most of the arrested students attended Chung Jin College. "These students shared the Bible and video CD with their friends. They also distributed the Bibles and video CDs to the other college towns," he said. Pray God encourages and protects believers in North Korea. Ask God to give them courage and for them to love their persecutors. Psalm 107:2 LAOS UPDATE: Arrested Pastors Taken Back to Their Province - VOM Sources On March 27, The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Laos reported that eight pastors arrested when entering Thailand to attend meetings had been picked up by police from their province and escorted back home to Laos. "The police from their province have taken them back to their province and put them back in prison again. We do not know how long they will be in prison," VOM sources said. Pray for protection and courage for these pastors and their families. Pray they will love and forgive their persecutors. Joshua 1:9 INDIA Nuns Attacked, New Anti-Conversion Bill Passed - VOM Sources MAHARASHTRA - On March 23, Sister Mercy Tuscano and Sister Philomena D'Mello were attacked by more than 49 Hindu extremists in Alibaug, Maharashtra, for allegedly converting tribal groups to Christianity. The nuns were injured in the attack, which included women who are followers of a spiritual leader in the area. Both nuns were treated in the hospital and have since been released. They are members of a non-governmental organization that extends humanitarian services such as AIDS awareness to tribal groups in the region. Pray for the recovery of the two nuns from their injuries. Ask the Lord to strengthen Indian Christians to continue serving the Lord despite facing pressure for their faith. RAJASTHAN - On March 20, the governing Bharatiya Janata Party in Rajasthan state passed a new "anti-conversion" bill that has stricter provisions than the previous bills passed in 2006. The new bill states that a society or trust found to be "contemplating" the use of money for converting people can have its registration canceled. Christians fear that this stipulation will provide the pretext for numerous complaints against Christian organizations. The bill also dictates that any person who intends to convert must send a notice to the government at least 30 days in advance or face a fine of up to 1,000 rupees (US $25). Isaiah 54:17 WEST BANK Pastor's Son Injured in Bombing - VOM Sources On March 20, Amiel Ortiz, the teenage son of Messianic pastor David Ortiz, was seriously injured when a bomb delivered to the family's home in the Jewish settlement town of Ariel went off in his hands. The explosive was reportedly delivered in one of the gift baskets Jews exchange on the Purim holiday. At last report, Amiel was in serious condition, unconscious and breathing through a respirator. Local Christians suspect the Ortiz family was targeted by militants angered by the family's evangelistic work. Christians in the region face frequent opposition from authorities, Orthodox Jews and Muslims for their efforts to share Christ. Pray for healing for Amiel. Ask God to give comfort and protection to the Ortiz family as they serve Him. Pray that their passion for Christ will be the light that draws others to Jesus. Romans 8: 11 Click for Printer-Friendly Prayers

I got this in my email this morning from Mission Network News:

_________________________________________________________

Dozens of believers kidnapped in India

India (MNN) -- The amount of persecution against Christians in India continues to increase, and there's no sign of improvement. Gospel for Asia is reporting that nearly 40 Christians were kidnapped last week. The kidnappers reportedly have taken them to a religious temple to try to force them to renounce their faith and turn to the country's dominant faith. Gospel for Asia Daniel Yahannan says, "They do this to try to scare people from following Christ. It's kind of like, 'If you follow Christ, this is what's going to happen to you.' But it always seems to backfire because more people get saved after the persecution." Yohannan says the large number of conversions to Christianity affects the two sides differently. "I think for the persecutors, it confuses them because people co not stop following Christ. For the believers and others who are sharing the Gospel, I think it just gives them so much boldness." The large number of new Christians means GFA needs more trained leaders to help with discipleship. Your support can help expand the work. Go our Web site to help.

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/10962

Hindu militants forcibly enter two Christian worship services

India (MNN) -- In India, there have been at least two attacks on Christians in the past two weeks according to Voice of the Martyrs Canada. In one case, Hindu militants disrupted a worship gathering in a Christian's home. They dragged a man outside as another man followed. Waiting militants beat the two men and others causing internal injuries. In another incident, militants destroyed a church building shouting "Stop conversions." Pray that believers in India would become more like Christ through their trials.

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/10961

Are you strong enough to care? Are you willing to listen to a difficult message that will challenge you to get out of comfort zone Christianity? I wasn't until a friend gave me a book she received for free years ago that has changed the way I look at the world. 

Interested? Then here's the site to visit. You won't regret it.

www.torturedforchrist.com

A story at  Persecution Blog reveals the desperate situation of believers of the Gaza Baptist Church. If you have read news of Christian persecution at all over the past few years, you may remember stories about the persecution this little flock has faced. An AWANA bus driver was shot and killed, terrorists have on various occasions occupied the church building itself, and membership is dwindling due to tension in the area.

These folks need our prayers and some tangible evidences of encouragement. The articlle quotes James Smith of the Florida Baptist Witness as requesting cards and letters of support and encouragement to be sent to these brothers and sisters.  Here's the address:

GBC, P.O. Box 7364, Jerusalem, Israel 91072

Hebrews 13:3 y'all--remember them in bonds as bound with them.