I hope that no one will be offended if I post the E-Mails that I receive from 'The voice of the Martyrs' - I subscribe to their mail, having been aware of the hundreds (If not thousands) of Priests, missionaries and Nuns slaughtered in the Congo since the independence in 1959. Alas, nothing has changed.
These wonderful people work in dangerous conditions, seemingly oblivious to the constant fear that I know I would feel in their place.
"So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'
'O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?'
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord"
(1 Corinthians 15:54-58).
Last weekend we celebrated the Resurrection Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is such a joy to know that Jesus not only died for us long ago, but also is alive in our hearts today. Our labor for Him is not in vain but has eternal results! Please pray that as this joy fills our hearts, others will see Christ in us and believe!
Thank you for praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters, with whom we co-labor in God's kingdom.
VOM Web Team
ERITREA
Kidane Weldou, a senior pastor of the Full Gospel Church, disappeared off the streets of Asmara on March 18th, presumably detained by Eritrean security forces and jailed at some unknown location. Weldou's family and church members have been unable to learn anything about the pastor's whereabouts or the charges under which he is being held. Two other pastors in the Full Gospel Church, as well as a Rema Evangelical Church pastor, have been jailed for the past 10 months without charges or trial. The Eritrean government has allowed no one to visit them and refused to disclose their whereabouts.
Pray God will protect and comfort those in prison for their faith in His Son. Pray the Lord will give the families of the prisoners a deep sense of peace and hope. Pray our merciful Father will move the hearts of Eritrean authorities to have compassion and release all imprisoned Christians.
PAKISTAN (VOM Canada)
On March 16th, more than 60 women had gathered in a church in Islamabad, Pakistan, for prayer and fasting. According to a Pakistani source, more than 150 people attacked the women, grabbing them by the hair and torturing them as well as damaging the church property. The church building was sealed by authorities following this incident. When the chairman of the All Pakistan Alliance arrived to protest the incident, he was arrested by police, along with another Christian. They were released the next day on bail.
Pray God will strengthen the members of this church to witness with love and forgiveness to their neighborhood. Pray the church will grow in spite of any opposition. Pray the attackers will be led to repentance and seek forgiveness through the blood of Jesus.
SENEGAL (ASSIST News Service)
According to its constitution, Senegal is a secular state. However, many Senegalese regard their nation as Islamic, with no place for visible, active Christianity, especially missionary work. In Dakar last December, two Christian men were convicted of allegedly physically assaulting a neighbor but were unable to defend themselves in court against the charges, as the case was heard in their absence. The Reverend Suriba and his co-worker, Francois Iraguha, run a ministry for street boys and homeless young men in Dakar, providing food, clothing, medical care and professional skills training. Muslims became hostile toward the Christian ministry, especially after several young Muslim men turned to follow Christ. The sentence of one month in jail plus a fine of $100 U.S. (about an average week's wage in Senegal) was deferred, and an appeal will soon be heard.
Thank God for the faithful witness of these two men. Pray their conviction will be overturned. Pray God will protect them from any retaliation by the Muslims who brought the charges.
SRI LANKA (Compass Direct)
The Sri Lankan government may adopt anti-conversion legislation in April, when the decisive vote is taken on the "Act for the Protection of Religious Freedom." Approved in principle by the cabinet in June 2004, the Act stipulates that no person should "attempt to convert or aid or abet acts of conversion of a person to a different religion." Christians say the pending law contravenes religious freedom guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Despite a Supreme Court ruling last year that declared a similar bill unconstitutional, many believe the Act could pass.
Pray God will move in power to block the passage of this bill. Pray Christians in Sri Lanka will continue to spread the Good News of salvation no matter the outcome of this legislation. Pray all will work out to God's eternal glory.
In addition to your prayers, VOM would like to encourage you to join us in taking a stand against this anti-conversion bill. Please contact the Embassy of Sri Lanka:
His Excellency Devinda R. Subasinghe - Ambassador
2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008
Phone: (202) 483-4025 ext.28
Fax: (202) 232-7181
Email: [email protected]
VIETNAM (CharismaNOW)
On March 8th, when 32 Mennonite women were meeting for prayer at the home of imprisoned Christian Nguyen Hong Quang, authorities entered the house (in Ho Chi Minh City) and told them to disperse, Radio Free Asia reported. None of the women was arrested, but 10 men who came to their aid were taken into custody and released later the same day. Elsewhere, police broke up a gathering of Christians in Tien Giang Province on March 6th. According to Vu Quoc Huynh, pastor of the Tien Giang Province Baptist Church, he and another preacher were taken to the police station for interrogation but were released after being ordered to report to police later this month.
Pray God will use these experiences to build the faith of the women who were harassed by the authorities. Pray they will know the forgiving spirit of Christ toward those who want them to stop meeting. Pray the Lord will move the hearts of the authorities in Ho Chi Minh City to allow Christians to meet and worship.
These wonderful people work in dangerous conditions, seemingly oblivious to the constant fear that I know I would feel in their place.
"So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'
'O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?'
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord"
(1 Corinthians 15:54-58).
Last weekend we celebrated the Resurrection Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is such a joy to know that Jesus not only died for us long ago, but also is alive in our hearts today. Our labor for Him is not in vain but has eternal results! Please pray that as this joy fills our hearts, others will see Christ in us and believe!
Thank you for praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters, with whom we co-labor in God's kingdom.
VOM Web Team
ERITREA
Kidane Weldou, a senior pastor of the Full Gospel Church, disappeared off the streets of Asmara on March 18th, presumably detained by Eritrean security forces and jailed at some unknown location. Weldou's family and church members have been unable to learn anything about the pastor's whereabouts or the charges under which he is being held. Two other pastors in the Full Gospel Church, as well as a Rema Evangelical Church pastor, have been jailed for the past 10 months without charges or trial. The Eritrean government has allowed no one to visit them and refused to disclose their whereabouts.
Pray God will protect and comfort those in prison for their faith in His Son. Pray the Lord will give the families of the prisoners a deep sense of peace and hope. Pray our merciful Father will move the hearts of Eritrean authorities to have compassion and release all imprisoned Christians.
PAKISTAN (VOM Canada)
On March 16th, more than 60 women had gathered in a church in Islamabad, Pakistan, for prayer and fasting. According to a Pakistani source, more than 150 people attacked the women, grabbing them by the hair and torturing them as well as damaging the church property. The church building was sealed by authorities following this incident. When the chairman of the All Pakistan Alliance arrived to protest the incident, he was arrested by police, along with another Christian. They were released the next day on bail.
Pray God will strengthen the members of this church to witness with love and forgiveness to their neighborhood. Pray the church will grow in spite of any opposition. Pray the attackers will be led to repentance and seek forgiveness through the blood of Jesus.
SENEGAL (ASSIST News Service)
According to its constitution, Senegal is a secular state. However, many Senegalese regard their nation as Islamic, with no place for visible, active Christianity, especially missionary work. In Dakar last December, two Christian men were convicted of allegedly physically assaulting a neighbor but were unable to defend themselves in court against the charges, as the case was heard in their absence. The Reverend Suriba and his co-worker, Francois Iraguha, run a ministry for street boys and homeless young men in Dakar, providing food, clothing, medical care and professional skills training. Muslims became hostile toward the Christian ministry, especially after several young Muslim men turned to follow Christ. The sentence of one month in jail plus a fine of $100 U.S. (about an average week's wage in Senegal) was deferred, and an appeal will soon be heard.
Thank God for the faithful witness of these two men. Pray their conviction will be overturned. Pray God will protect them from any retaliation by the Muslims who brought the charges.
SRI LANKA (Compass Direct)
The Sri Lankan government may adopt anti-conversion legislation in April, when the decisive vote is taken on the "Act for the Protection of Religious Freedom." Approved in principle by the cabinet in June 2004, the Act stipulates that no person should "attempt to convert or aid or abet acts of conversion of a person to a different religion." Christians say the pending law contravenes religious freedom guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Despite a Supreme Court ruling last year that declared a similar bill unconstitutional, many believe the Act could pass.
Pray God will move in power to block the passage of this bill. Pray Christians in Sri Lanka will continue to spread the Good News of salvation no matter the outcome of this legislation. Pray all will work out to God's eternal glory.
In addition to your prayers, VOM would like to encourage you to join us in taking a stand against this anti-conversion bill. Please contact the Embassy of Sri Lanka:
His Excellency Devinda R. Subasinghe - Ambassador
2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008
Phone: (202) 483-4025 ext.28
Fax: (202) 232-7181
Email: [email protected]
VIETNAM (CharismaNOW)
On March 8th, when 32 Mennonite women were meeting for prayer at the home of imprisoned Christian Nguyen Hong Quang, authorities entered the house (in Ho Chi Minh City) and told them to disperse, Radio Free Asia reported. None of the women was arrested, but 10 men who came to their aid were taken into custody and released later the same day. Elsewhere, police broke up a gathering of Christians in Tien Giang Province on March 6th. According to Vu Quoc Huynh, pastor of the Tien Giang Province Baptist Church, he and another preacher were taken to the police station for interrogation but were released after being ordered to report to police later this month.
Pray God will use these experiences to build the faith of the women who were harassed by the authorities. Pray they will know the forgiving spirit of Christ toward those who want them to stop meeting. Pray the Lord will move the hearts of the authorities in Ho Chi Minh City to allow Christians to meet and worship.
