1. We learn of the arrest in Yemen whose desire in life was to be a walking Bible, he memorised scripture. Several months ago he told Open Doors he knew it was coming- his arrest, that was his last contact with Open Doors. Pray he may use his ability no matter where he is. If he is in glory, we shall see him there.
2. We learn of a family who survived the Mar Elias church in Syria. During the attack, the woman prayed just one more of her kids to be saved, but by God's grace all five were rescued.
During the attack which lasted less than a minute, 22 Christians were killed, much more would have been killed if three men- Geryes, Boutros and Milad had not courageously landed on the terrorist's bomb bag, an action which killed all of them.
We learn of horrific details of the attack, like the mum wandering why a child covered in blood kept following her- it was her 12 year old daughter, face unrecognisable from the swelling and burnt hair.
Pray for the trauma all endured and whether it is God's will for this family and others to stay.
3. We read of an Iranian refugee who had the same experience as the Iranian couple who attend our church- she has no contact with her family as she can't reach them due to the internet being cut off, etc.
We learn that, as if the bombing of Iran hasn't been hard enough on the persecuted Christians of Iran, the government continues threatening them.
I will conclude on the piece in Iran with a story of Iranian Christians showing Christ's love, after the relentless bombing, a Christian family opened their home to another family despite their own financial hardship and now with that family they have amazing fellowship with Bible study and Christian encouragement.
4. We learn of a woman helped by the Arise Africa campaign- Ruth from Cameroon. She had lost her husband to a terrorist attack. After help from the campaign to help her set up a business and trauma counselling, she is now encouraged to read the Bible again and her trauma is healing.
To conclude- are you just going to flick idly by on your persecuted family and pretend your Christian walk is all about you? Read 1 John 2:10 1 John 4:21. Read it until it gets embedded into your soul. This is referring to the love we must have for other believers if we are truly saved.
If you don't have this distinct love for other believers, well, you're not a Christian. Complain to 1John of God's Word, not me.
