I just wanted to let you know that our China trip has been unaffected by the recent earthquake in central China. Please keep this trip, and the relief effort, in your prayers.
As you know, Remember has had significant work among the Christian Karen in eastern Burma. The Karen State was one of those hit by the recent cyclone catastrophe. While the cyclone cannot be categorized as "persecution," it has greatly affected the lives of these brothers and sisters that live in constant fear of very real persecution by their own government. They need our prayers.
Tim Bunn is a Remember Board Member who has done extensive work in Burma, and I received this update from him today. (For more on Tim's work, visit New Foundations International.)
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I am sure all of you have heard about the devastating Cyclone that hit Burma (Myanmar). The death toll is reported at over 20,000 and they believe it could be as high as 100,000. This strategic country which is bordered by Bangladesh, India, China and Thailand is under the heavy handed rule of the military Junta. Pray that the Junta will allow the relief supplies to enter the country and that the supplies will get to those who need them.
I was in Burma in January launching the Burmese Church Planting Manual. Even under this strong dictator and now, in this great time of suffering, the Lord is building His Church. What a great opportunity for the Lord to work and display His Love and His Light to Burma through His Church. Pray that the church in Burma will display Christ and that this country will turn to Jesus Christ for hope, comfort and redemption.
Dear Tim,I am emailing you from my house. I was so fortunate that I am able to get my access to internet. Its only my phone line that is good in my area.Yes, today there were no less than ten thousands corpses that were found on the sea side as the sea dried. There are still many who are not yet found by people. Yes, it is now estimated that there have been no less than 30000 thirty thousands and still there are many who are not yet found. We just pray that the Lord moves the heart of the authority in such a way that they would feel compassionate about their own people and that they would allow other relief organization to help the people.We looking forward to our new beginning and we pray that it will happen soon. Thank you once again for your concern and prayer. Your prayer, word of encouragement meant a lot to us and to the country.Everyday if full of work. Cleaning our houses and helping others as well. It is a great time to best show our love for the people, more importantly to reflect His love for the people.On Friday, 2th of May 2008, Yangon area was struck down by cyclone. It blew so great it destroyed so much of the building, especially zincs. Many good and big trees were all fallen down because of the storm. It was terrible because it was the first time in our life and history that we saw the storm striking us so great. It destroyed so much for of the trees and those power holders. Many have lost their life. According to the news, there have been more than 300 (three hundred who lost their life) but according to the witness there have been no less than 500 (five hundred people who lost their life). Personally, I believe there must have been no less than ten thousands who lost their life. Many were sunk into the deep of the sea and they are not yet found.For those of you who have seen the power grids in Myanmar, you can just imagine how it must have been.As for my family, we are OK and doing good. But our toilet was completely destroyed and our boy's dorm of Yangon Grace Bible School was full of flood without any good place for cooking. Things are so much expensive and insufficient. For example, one bag of rice was 25 $ last month and now it is 50$ and in some place it is about near 100$ for one bag. Normally, my family eats this one bag for a week but since last month we have been having guest and because of the circumstance, they cannot get out of our house either. At this present time, we eat almost two bags in a week.We have the privilege to show our love and give the best of our hospitality but there is also a case to worry. We've been thinking how will we survive next month if things are still expensive. And there are thousands who are in the same situation like us. There are thousands who are starving. We do need your prayer.Sincerely,Philip
Jordan Ballor just ran a post at the Acton Institute PowerBlog that was both profound and powerful.
I’m becoming more and more convinced as time passes that the recognition of the complex realities of persecution, suffering, and martyrdom around the globe is of fundamental importance for the vitality of the Christian church in North America. We need to come to terms with solidarity, what it means to be one with our fellow Christians in the world, and in what ways all Christians “suffer” in the daily work of sanctification.
I have trouble containing my excitement when the Lord opens doors for new ministry through Remember. The needs of the persecuted church can be overwhelming, and there are many challenges to effectively meeting that need, but when the doors open we become the channel for the outpouring of God's blessing on His people.
In just a couple of days, a Remember team will be heading to China to search for the best way to do just that. It will be a survey trip - seeking out the widows and orphans of martyrs, identifying their needs, and developing the right contacts to meet those needs. The travel details of the trip are confidential to protect the safety of all involved, but please pray for this trip! The eyes of the world are on China, as the Olympic torch faces massive protests and world leaders scrutinize China’s violations of human rights and oppression of Tibetans.
But underneath the surface is a problem that goes largely unreported. The problem starts with an amazing praise—the church is growing in China! Not the church buildings that exist in major Chinese cities so that the government can show that it “allows” Christianity, but the living, vibrant underground church is spreading through China at an incredible rate.
And though the Chinese government will not admit it, the Communist leaders cannot help but feel their power threatened by the movement of the Spirit of God. That knowledge, combined with the increased international scrutiny, has led to a major crackdown on Christianity. As our Chinese contact puts it, “the Communist government is stepping up its persecution of Christians as the Summer Olympics approach and the Games are held.”
The pastors of the underground church are routinely targeted. In fact, having spent time in prison is one of the highest marks of a dedicated, mature pastor! A “first offense”—preaching Jesus Christ or passing out Bibles, for instance—can mean years in prison. A second offense can double or triple that time, and it only gets worse from there. And prison is not a semi-comfortable cell where the pastor simply bides his time until release; religious prisoners are routinely beaten and tortured or sent off to suffer in a labor camp.
One by one they serve their time, and without hesitation return to the work that they have been called to.
I can only imagine the suffering that their wives and children must endure, and serving them is the core of Remember’s ministry. This survey trip is geared to identify the specific needs, and find the best way to meet them. Please pray for those traveling on behalf of Remember, as well as the local contacts. Pray for safety, for wisdom, and for the guiding of the Holy Spirit to exactly the people we should minister to.
