Remember Ambassadors

Lately, persecution news has focused in on Orissa, India, where violence is ongoing and intense.  Let’s not forget to continue to pray for those Christians - but at the same time, let’s not forget that there are so many other places where persecution is brutal reality.

The latest hotspot is the Iraqi city of Mosul (the modern-day location of ancient Ninevah).  If you have followed Remember’s work, you know that persecution in Iraq has been growing since in recent years (Background Briefing).  The toppling of the main dictator, Saddam Hussein, increased the power to local warlord dictators, many of whom hate Christianity.  The persecution is widespread throughout the country, causing the vast majority of Iraq’s Christians to flee the country for their own safety.  These are the Christians that we ministered to on our recent trip to Jordan.

But those Christians that remain are under constant threat of violence.  That violence recently broke out in Mosul in a terrifying way.  ANS is reporting that over 3,000 Christians have been forced to flee their homes in the last week alone.

Armed Islamic terrorists are walking in the streets and asking pedestrians for his or her identification card. The religion of the owner is written on every ID card, either Muslim or Christian. When “Christian” is read by the terrorists, the owner of the card is sometimes murdered on the spot with a bullet through the head.

These Christians need our prayers.

For More Information–

Islamic Fundamentalists: “Expel the Christians from Mosul”

Christians Targets in Iraq

Today “Generations with Vision” radio host Kevin Swanson was gracious enough to feature me and the work of Remember on his program.  The program covers some of the most recent stories of persecution, in Orissa, India, and across the world, and highlights Remember’s growing work - and it lays out a few suggestions for how we, as churches, families, and individuals, can fulfill our call to “remember them that are in bonds.”

Click here to listen!

Preparing for our upcoming banquet is taking about all of my time these days, so I haven’t had much time to update here. But I wanted to make sure to put out a reminder to pray for Orissa, India.

You can read the background of this prayer request in today’s Weekly Reminder. The violence started about two days ago, and has continued; pray for these Christians!

For more information–

Deaths Mount as Violence Spreads in Orissa

Carnage Continues in Orissa: Reports of 150 Houses and 20 Churches Destroyed

Aftermath of Swami’s Killing: The Christian Victims List

It has been a while since we did a World Update, but lots has been happening - please be sure to keep these stories in your prayers!

Bangladesh: Christians Flee After Attack on House Church

Bhutan: Missionary Asked to Renounce Christ

China: Christian Book Store Owner’s Condition Deteriorating in Prison

Shia Weihan was arrested four months ago for selling unapproved Christian books, and his condition continues to get worse as he languishes in prison.

Ethiopia: Muslim Mob Attacks Christians

Extremist Islam is growing in Ethiopia, sparking increasing violence. Ethiopia is not unique in this regard; the Muslim presence throughout northern Africa is causing problems in many countries. Pray for northern Africa!

India: Missionaries, Bible College Students Beaten, Tortured and Jailed

Iran: Christian Couple Dies from Police Attack

Last week, Iranian secret police raided a house church service, brutally beating, arresting, and interrogating many. This is the latest update from this tragedy.

Saudi Arabia: Plans to Deport 15 Christians

The crime committed by these believers was that they held a church service. The were arrested, had possessions confiscated, were mocked and interrogated - and now that they have been released, they face deportation.

Bhutan: Christian Villagers "Expelled"

Bhutan's tiny Christian community has come under increased attack, this time by an angry crowd objecting to the preaching of the gospel. 

China: House Church Raided, Leader Detained

In at least two recent separate incidents, the Chinese government continues to crack down on house churches.

India: Gujarat Enacts Anti-Conversion Law

Gospel for Asia reports that this law could pose serious difficulties in the already dangerous work of spreading the gospel. 

Indonesia: Freedom from Abraham Bentar Rohadi

This man was beaten by an angry mob for sharing his faith–and then detained and thrown into prison, where he has been for two years.  While the mob that beat him almost to death went away free, he was punished after being accused by his own brother-in-law of blasphemy against Islam.

Singapore: Christians Charged for Promoting "Ill Will"

Simply distributing Christian literature that supposedly cast Mohammad in "a negative light" was enough for these Christians to be charged under Singapore's Sedition Act. 

Zimbabwe: Christians Facing Famine and Persecution

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.)

***

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