Trial Of Faith

My hopes are that these Prayer Updates will better help the Christian who is living at ease, wherever that may be, to pray for our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ Jesus.  The following is the latest Prayer Update from Voice of the Martyrs:

VOM News and Prayer Update: April 1, 2008

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

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

May God use our brothers and sisters in Christ wherever they are free in Christ, but bond by persecution, to encourage, bless our lives, and inspire us to be brave, bold and most of all faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank you for praying

Tim A. Blankenship