HERE ONE FEELS SAFE

“Here One Feels Safe” - Part 2
Yesterday, we read about Ferney and Lizbeth’s dramatic escape from a tribal dungeon. Today, Ferney shares how his family became a target of the tribal authorities.

Their ordeal began in April 2012 when their father, Jaime Tenorio, was sent to jail for 20 years. His crime, according to local indigenous leaders, was opposing the tribe’s ancestral beliefs.

Tenorio, along with 19 other Christian families, had been banished from their farmland because they had chosen to follow Christ. But Tenorio had further antagonized the Council by opposing the school system’s teachings on worshipping idols, venerating nature, practicing witchcraft, and other indigenous customs counter to Christian beliefs.

The tribal leaders, angry at his boldness in defying their authority, ruled Tenorio “disobedient” for refusing to follow their long-standing religious traditions, and imprisoned him in a nearby prison. But that wasn’t the end of their wrath…they began to target Tenorio’s wife and children.

Showing up unannounced at the Tenorio’s home, tribal leaders planned on burning the crops, and tried to attack his wife. When Ferney intervened, they tied him up, along with his sister, Lizbeth. Binding their hands and feet, both were thrown into the bed of a truck and taken to the dungeon. The two teenagers were locked-up and abandoned.

In part three, Ferney shares about his life now.

One With Them
Be One With Them, His children who are suffering for Christ’s sake. Thank God for His promise to never leave us, or give us more than we can endure. Join in this prayer:

Our Heavenly Father, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Thank You for your promises, and we pray for all the children suffering for Your Son that they will feel Your Very Presence, and are comforted. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

4/16/2013

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
(Jeremiah 29:11)

 

HERE ONE FEELS SAFE

“Here One Feels Safe” - Part 2
Yesterday, we read about Ferney and Lizbeth’s dramatic escape from a tribal dungeon. Today, Ferney shares how his family became a target of the tribal authorities.

Their ordeal began in April 2012 when their father, Jaime Tenorio, was sent to jail for 20 years. His crime, according to local indigenous leaders, was opposing the tribe’s ancestral beliefs.

Tenorio, along with 19 other Christian families, had been banished from their farmland because they had chosen to follow Christ. But Tenorio had further antagonized the Council by opposing the school system’s teachings on worshipping idols, venerating nature, practicing witchcraft, and other indigenous customs counter to Christian beliefs.

The tribal leaders, angry at his boldness in defying their authority, ruled Tenorio “disobedient” for refusing to follow their long-standing religious traditions, and imprisoned him in a nearby prison. But that wasn’t the end of their wrath…they began to target Tenorio’s wife and children.

Showing up unannounced at the Tenorio’s home, tribal leaders planned on burning the crops, and tried to attack his wife. When Ferney intervened, they tied him up, along with his sister, Lizbeth. Binding their hands and feet, both were thrown into the bed of a truck and taken to the dungeon. The two teenagers were locked-up and abandoned.

In part three, Ferney shares about his life now.

One With Them
Be One With Them, His children who are suffering for Christ’s sake. Thank God for His promise to never leave us, or give us more than we can endure. Join in this prayer:

Our Heavenly Father, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Thank You for your promises, and we pray for all the children suffering for Your Son that they will feel Your Very Presence, and are comforted. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

4/16/2013

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
(Jeremiah 29:11)

 

Convert from Islam Tortured

Convert from Islam Tortured
Al Shabaab rebels monitor movement of Somali Christian returning from Kenya for visit

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service
NAIROBI, KENYA (ANS) -- Muslim militants still controlling part of the Lower Shebelle Region of Somalia have jailed and tortured a Christian for converting from Islam, sources said.

Somali refugees in border town of Liboi, Kenya, enroute to other parts of the country. (UNHCR photo).

According to a story by Morning Star News, Al Shabaab rebels seized Hassan Gulled, 25, on March 23 in Bulo Marer near Qoryoley District, they said. Gulled, who had fled to Kenya in 2007 in search of safety and a better life, had left Kenya on Feb. 27 to visit family in Somalia, sources said.

Gulled is one of dozens of Somali refugees in Kenya facing dangers from Al Shabaab extremists as they return to Somalia following the establishment of a new government in Mogadishu and the weakening of Al Shabaab, which once held large portions of territory.

Morning Star News said as Gulled was only visiting family in Somalia, his wife remained in an undisclosed city in Kenya. Al Shabaab extremists in Kenya who knew of his Christian activities there apparently contacted members of the militant group in Somalia, who monitored his movement for three weeks before seizing him, sources said.

"Four masked, armed militia from Al Shabaab took Gulled into a Land Cruiser and then drove away as family watched him helplessly," Morning Star News reported one source said.

Another source said it was confirmed that Gulled has been jailed in Bulo Marer.

"The Al Shabaab have been torturing him to see whether he would deny his Christian faith," the source said. "Since last week, no information has surfaced concerning Gulled. There is a possibility that he could have been killed."

A militant Islamist group with ties to Al Qaeda, Morning Star News said Al Shabaab has a base in Bulo Marer, about 50 miles from Mogadishu.
Last week, however, Somali government troops backed by African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces had reportedly taken control of nearby Qoryoley.
Morning Star News said Al Shabaab has vowed to rid Somalia of Christians, who meet secretly due to persecution. Besides Al Shabaab, the government and many in Somali society also view leaving Islam as deserving of death.

Gulled became a Christian in Kenya in 2010. He married there in 2011 and has no children.

"Gulled's wife is very distressed and worried that she might not see her husband again," Morning Star News reported a source said.
Many Somali members of Christian fellowships in Kenya have returned to Somalia after formation of a Somali government on Aug. 20, 2012, which replaced the Transitional Federal Government, said the source, who requested anonymity.

"Several Christian agencies are helping them settle," Morning Star News reported he said. "But we are worried that some of our members are being monitored closely by Islamic extremists."

Al Shabaab has lost control of several areas of Somalia since Kenyan military forces helped to dislodge them in the past year, but they are suspected in the shooting death of a Christian pharmacist on the outskirts of Kismayo in February.
Morning Star News said two masked men killed Ahmed Ali Jimale, a 42-year-old father of four, on Feb. 18 as he stood outside his house in Alanley village.

On Dec. 8, 2012 in Beledweyne, 206 miles north of Mogadishu, gunmen killed a Christian who had been receiving death threats for leaving Islam. Two unidentified, masked men shot Mursal Isse Siad, 55, outside his home, Muslim and Christian sources said.

Morning Star News said Siad and his wife, who converted to Christianity in 2000 according to a source who used to worship with them, had moved to Beledweyne from Doolow eight months before. That was after Somalia's transitional federal government and African Union Mission in Somalia troops captured Beledweyne from Al Shabaab rebels.

Morning Star News said the area was under government control and there was no indication that the killers belonged to the Al Shabaab rebels who have vowed to rid the country of Christianity, but the Islamic extremist insurgents were present in Buulodbarde, 12 miles away. Christians believed a few Al Shabaab rebels could have been hiding in Beledweyne.

In the coastal city of Barawa on Nov. 16, 2012, Al Shabaab militants killed a Christian after accusing him of being a spy and leaving Islam, Christian and Muslim witnesses said. The extremists beheaded 25-year-old Farhan Haji Mose after monitoring his movements for six months, sources said.

Morning Star News said Mose drew suspicion when he returned to Barawa, in Somalia's Lower Shebelle Region, in Dec. 2011 after spending time in Kenya, according to underground Christians in Somalia.
Kenya's population is nearly 83 percent Christian, according to Operation World, while Somalia's is close to 100 percent Muslim.
For more information go to http://morningstarnews.org
 

Darkness Despite The Beauty

 

Darkness Despite The Beauty
Crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, bright blue skies. Everything about Maldives seems absolutely picturesque, yet this beautiful island country ranks 6th on Open Doors World Watch List, which identifies countries where Christians face the greatest persecution.

In fact, Maldives is the only country in the world that requires its citizens to be Muslim, and therefore boasts a population of 100% Muslims. Conversion to another faith is prohibited by law and all converts face extreme pressure from family and society. If discovered, some are forced to leave the country. There are no church gatherings or buildings, and authorities exert extensive control to prevent any deviation from Islam. Today, their religion is moving towards Deobandi Islam - the religion of the Taliban, whose mission is to cleanse Islam of all outside influences.

On condition of anonymity, a Christian worker recently talked about the reality of following Christ in a 100% Muslim population:

“There are very few believers in Maldives, and their world is very small. It is often difficult for them to reach out to fellow believers outside of their small community for many reasons. First, they are leery of sharing with outsiders because they are afraid their personal stories of faith will be traced back to them. Secondly, some Christians have been betrayed by people who were supposedly fellow believers, but ultimately reported the true Christians to the authorities. This is further aggravated by a prevailing culture of mistrust throughout the country. Believers live in fear of being discovered and having connections to foreigners who are Christians.”

One With Them
Be One With Them as you pray this prayer: Today, I lift up my brothers and sisters who don’t know who to trust in their communities. Give them wisdom and guidance, and most importantly, Lord, let them know you are faithful…even if they feel alone. Assure them that there is an entire Body praying for them in their silent walk with You. Amen.

One With Them CHALLENGE
Learn more about the situation regarding persecution in Maldives by visiting the 2013 World Watch List.

 

4/12/2013

Imprisoned But Not Silenced

Imprisoned But Not Silenced For 90 days last fall, Pastor Makset Djabbarbergenov lived in a Kazakh prison cell under threat of deportation to his native Uzbekistan to face almost-certain harsh jail time. His alleged crime: leading small Christian house churches without official registration. His journey to the confines of his cell began years earlier. An evangelist at heart, he knew that he had to follow the Lord and do whatever was asked of him… including doing something that was considered illegal in Uzbekistan. By 2007, Pastor Makset’s activities had made him a wanted criminal. Fleeing Uzbekistan with his family to escape arrest, they crossed the border into neighboring Kazakhstan. By 2009, they received refugee status from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, but the Kazakhstan government refused to recognize it. Then, in 2012, Uzbekistan bumped-up Pastor Makset’s crime to include charges of terrorism. They demanded that the Kazakh government return him home to face trial, and a potential 15-year prison sentence. When it seemed as if all hope was lost, God set this pastor free, three months after his initial arrest. Still fearful of repatriation, the family lived not knowing what each day would bring. Finally, in January 2013, they were allowed to leave Kazakhstan and start a new life in Sweden. One With Them Today, I will be One With Them in praise to God for the miracles He has done for Pastor Makset, his family and others like him. I will also pray for those who are still in prison for their faith, that He would bring them comfort, strength and peace. One With Them CHALLENGE Click here to receive prayer updates so that you can pray each week for urgent requests. 4/13/2013

A Fool for Jesus

A Fool for Jesus Abdi Mohammed (alias), was a devout Somali Muslim and graduate of a local Quranic school. The more he studied the Qur’an from beginning to end, the more his conviction grew that something central was missing from Islam. His quest for truth, and that missing element, led him to his uncle, a teacher at a Catholic school. Abdi’s thirst for truth grew throughout the long hours of conversation with his uncle. He was given Bible verses to study privately, and after several months he moved in with his uncle. Abdi begged him to share his knowledge. Curiosity quickly turned to belief, and Abdi gave his life to the Lord. A year later, his uncle passed away. Going through his uncles’ belongings, the family discovered Christian books in his personal library. They burned all of the books so they would not bring shame on the family. “I then embarked on a long journey to find other Christians,” Abdi said. Finding other believers proved to be difficult until God brought an unexpected man across his path. Pretending to have a mental illness, this man would loudly preach Christian principles in the open streets. Dismissed as mentally ill, he was left alone by the authorities.  One day, Abdi followed him home. Just before the man disappeared into a small building, Abdi quietly said, “I am of your family.” The man ignored him at first, wanting to test if Abdi really was setting a trap for him. After several failed attempts at conversation, Abdi finally succeeded; the man was convinced that he was trustworthy. He told Abdi that he was not suffering from mental illness, but that he faked the condition to get in touch with other Christians. A deep friendship formed between the two men. Together, they built a network of underground fellowships for the scattered secret believers. Sadly, in 2000, Abdi’s beloved friend was murdered, believed to be at the hands of the Islamic rebel group now known as al Shabaab. One With Them Believers in Somalia often live in isolation and fear. Be One With Them as you give thanks for the opportunity that you have to freely gather with other believers to pray and study the Word of God. Pause today and pray for our brother and sisters in Somalia.   4/11/2013

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

And So She Prayed

And So She Prayed Rusia is not her true name, but she has been a true believer for ten years. Over the years, she has been faithfully sharing the gospel with Tajik and Uzbek people…and praying for them. While it has not been easy, she has seen the hand of God on her life. When she first converted from Islam, her husband resisted her, but she prayed for him…and prayed, and prayed. After several years of praying, he repented and they both began to serve the Lord together. After her conversion, Rusia’s family and relatives also rejected her. Her father told her not to visit him unless she returned to Islam. She and the church prayed for her family…and prayed, and prayed. After two years, God touched their hearts and they agreed on a visit. Overjoyed, Rusia and her husband went to see them. Her nephew, a young man who had suffered constant pain in his leg since childhood, was in the house when they arrived. Rusia offered to pray for his healing. God chose to miraculously heal him, and that divine intervention opened the door for the couple to plant a new home church. These days, she travels 200 km every month to visit her family and worship in their church. Sometimes she takes her donkey. Despite all the difficulties of traveling, she continues to fervently serve God. Sometimes Rusia can’t travel because of bad weather conditions, so she calls on her cell phone and “preaches” the Word of God long distance. One With Them As you remember Rusia and other believers in Tajikistan, stand One With Them in faithfully praying for those in your life who do not know Christ. And faithfully pray for Rusia and others, giving thanks for their faithful service…and commitment to prayer. 4/9/2013